Sumedang Regency is a regency in West Java Province, Indonesia. Its capital is North Sumedang District, Sumedang, approximately 45 km northeast of Bandung City. The regency borders Indramayu Regency to the north, Majalengka Regency to the east, Garut Regency to the south, Bandung Regency to the southwest, and Subang Regency to the west.
Sumedang Regency consists of 26 sub-districts, which are further divided into several villages and urban villages. Sumedang, the regency capital, is located approximately 45 km from Bandung. The city encompasses the sub-districts of North Sumedang and South Sumedang. Sumedang is crossed by the main Bandung-Cirebon route.
The southwest of Sumedang Regency is a developing area of Bandung City. Jatinangor District houses the Institute of Domestic Government (IPDN), formerly known as STPDN (College of Domestic Government), the Indonesian Education University (UPI), the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), and Padjajaran University.
Most of Sumedang is mountainous, except for a small area in the north that is lowland. Mount Tampomas (1,684 m) is located in the north of Sumedang.
Initially, Sumedang Regency was a kingdom under the rule of King Galuh. It was founded by Prabu Geusan Ulun Aji Putih on the orders of Prabu Suryadewata before the Galuh Palace was moved to Pakuan Pajajaran, Bogor. Along with the changing times and leadership, the name Sumedang underwent several changes. The first, namely the Tembong Agung Kingdom (Tembong means visible and Agung means noble) was led by Prabu Guru Aji Putih in the 12th century. Then during the reign of Prabu Tajimalela, it was changed to Himbar Buana which means to illuminate the nature, and then changed again to the Sumedang Larang Kingdom (Sumedang comes from the words Insun Medal/Insun Medangan which means I was born; I illuminate and Larang means something that has no equal).
Sumedang Larang experienced its golden age when it was led by Prince Angkawijaya or Prabu Geusan Ulun around 1578, and was widely known throughout West Java with its area of power covering the southern region to the Indian Ocean, the northern region to the Java Sea, the western region to Cisadane, and the eastern region to the Pamali River in Brebes Regency.
This kingdom later became a vassal of the Cirebon Sultanate, and later came under the control of the Mataram Sultanate, during the reign of Sultan Agung. It was during this Mataram period that rice-growing techniques were introduced to the Pasundan region and gave rise to the term "rice warehouse" for the area between Indramayu and Karawang/Bekasi. In Sultan Agung's strategy to attack Batavia, the Sumedang region was used as a food logistics provider. Furthermore, the Hanacaraka script was also introduced to the Pasundan region during this period, known as Cacarakan. The city center of Sumedang was also designed during this period, following the basic pattern of other Mataraman cities. Before the construction of Bandung in the 19th century, Sumedang was one of the important cultural centers of Pasundan.
When Pakubuwono I had to give concessions to the VOC, the Sumedang region was given to the VOC, which was then divided up, so that the Sumedang region became what it is today.
Sumedang has a distinctive characteristic as a typical ancient city on the island of Java, namely the Alun-alun as the center surrounded by the Grand Mosque, prison house, and government offices. In the middle of the square there is a building called Lingga, a memorial monument built in 1922. Made by Prince Siching from the Netherlands and dedicated to Prince Aria Suria Atmaja for his services in developing Sumedang Regency. Lingga was inaugurated on July 22, 1922 by Governor General Mr. Dr. Dirk Fock Until now, Lingga has been used as a regional symbol of Sumedang Regency and April 22 is celebrated as the anniversary of Sumedang Regency.
In Kropak 410, it is stated that the founder of the Sumedang Larang Kingdom was none other than Prabu Resi Tajimalela. He resided in Tembong Agung, which is called Mandala Himbar Buana.
The origins of this legendary figure, a Sumedang ancestor, remain unclear. Tajimalela is another name for Panji Romahyang, the son of Damung Tabela Panji Ronajaya from Dayeuh Singapura (a pioneering exploration of West Javanese history).
Other sources explain that, in both the Waruga Jagat Book and the Layang Darmaraja, as well as surviving oral traditions, King Tajimalela was the son of King Guru Aji Putih, a descendant of the Galuh kings and a relative of Sri Baduga Maharaja. He embarked on adventures as far east as the banks of the Cimanuk River.
King Tajimalela still has several names, including: Prabu Resi Agung Cakrabuana, Batara Tuntang Buana, and Aji Putih. In the Waruga Jagat, which has been copied from Arabic script into Latin (1117 H), it is stated, among other things: "Ari putrana Sang Dewa Guru Haji Putih, nyaeta Sang Aji Putih."
The presence of Prabu Guru Haji Putih ushered in new social changes, pioneered in the 8th century by Sanghyang Resi Agung. Gradually, the hamlets along the banks of the Cimanuk River were bound together by a unified government and social structure, leading to the establishment of the Tembong Agung Kingdom, the forerunner of the Sumedang Larang Kingdom. According to history, the Tembong Agung Kingdom was located in Muhara Hamlet, Leuwihideung Village, Darmaraja District.
Prabu Guru Haji Putih was the son of Prabu Resi Tajimalela. Based on the generational comparison in Kropak 410, Tajimalela is on a par with Ragamulya (1340-1350), the ruler of Kawali, and Suryadewata, the father of Batara Gunung Bitung in Majalengka.
While no source has yet been found to identify King Resi Tajimalela's wife, several sources, both oral and written, mention that King Resi Tajimalela had two sons: King Gajah Agung and Lembu Agung.
The throne of the Sumedang Larang kingdom from Prabu Tajimalela was continued by his son named Atmabrata, better known as Gajah Agung, who was based in Cicanting.
The story of this king's origins is indeed similar to the story of the beginning of the Mataram Kingdom. According to the Babad Tanah Jawi, between Ki Ageng Sela and Ki Ageng Pamanahan, Ki Ageng Sela picked and stored a young coconut, then left. Ki Ageng Pamanahan arrived and drank from it. Thus, Ki Ageng Pamanahan became king.
Likewise in the Layang Darmaraja manuscript, which tells the story of Prabu Lembu Agung and Gajah Agung who continued the leadership throne from Prabu Resi Tajimalela.
It is said that once, King Tajimalela summoned his twin sons, Lembu Agung and Gajah Agung. King Tajimalela told them that one of his sons would be willing to succeed him.
"Brother, I think you are the one who is more suitable to be king," said Lembu Agung to his younger brother. "Brother, it is truly not appropriate for you, who are still young, to be king. You are more suitable," replied Gajah Agung. After his two sons, each pointing out who among them was worthy of being king, finally Prabu Resi Tajimalela picked a young coconut and kept the coconut and a sword.
They were both told to wait for him. "Adinda, please look after this coconut. I'm going to the toilet first," said Lembu Agung as he left Gajah Agung. Suddenly, after Lembu Agung left, Gajah Agung felt incredibly thirsty.
What could he do, to quench his thirst, Prabu Gajah Agung then peeled the coconut and drank the water. Therefore, when Lembu Agung returned, Gajah Agung immediately apologized to Lembu Agung because he felt guilty for drinking the coconut water that he should have guarded.
Initially, King Gajah Agung thought that King Lembu Agung would scold him. However, with his magnanimity, King Lembu Agung said, "Dear, it seems fate has decided. With you drinking the coconut water, it is certainly you who is now chosen to be king," said Lembu Agung.
Long story short, Prabu Gajah Agung succeeded Prabu Tajimalela, who then left the place to go to the area on the banks of the Cipeles River to establish a kingdom which is now called Ciguling.
He was then given the title Prabu Pagulingan. Prabu Gajah Agung was succeeded by his son, Wirajaya, better known as Sunan Pagulingan. According to the "Preliminary Exploration of the Past of West Javanese History," Sunan Pagulingan resided in Cipameungpeuk.
However, some say the Sumedang Larang Kingdom was based in Ciguling, Pasanggrahan Village, South Sumedang District. Clearly, the first three kings of Sumedang Larang each held their seats in different locations. This indicates that the kingdom was not yet a permanent structure capable of being passed down through generations. This situation persisted for several generations to come.
Pagulingan's eldest daughter, Ratu Ratnasih, also known as Nyi Mas Rajamantri, was married to Sri Baduga Maharaja. Therefore, her younger sister, Martalaya, succeeded her father as the fourth ruler of Sumedang, taking the title Sunan Guling.
Sunan Guling was succeeded by his son, Tirtakusumah, also known as Sunan Patuakan, as the fifth king of Sumedang Larang. He was then succeeded by his eldest daughter, Sintawati, also known as Nyi Mas Patuakan.
Mother and child have the same title, namely Patuakan.
Queen Sintawati was betrothed to Sunan Corenda, king of Talaga, son of Queen Simbar Kencana of Kusumalaya, son of Dewa Niskala. Thus, she became the granddaughter-in-law of the ruler of Galuh.
Sunan Corenda had two consorts: Mayangsari, daughter of Langlangbuana from Kuningan, and Sintawati from Sumedang. From Mayangsari, Sunan Corenda had a daughter named Ratu Wulansari, also known as Ratu Parung.
She was married to Rangga Mantri, also known as Sunan Parung Gangsa (Pucuk Umum Talaga), son of Munding Surya Ageung, the son of Sri Baduga. Sunan Parung Gangsa was conquered by Cirebon in 1530 and converted to Islam.
From Sintawati, Sunan Guling's eldest daughter, Sunan Corenda had a daughter named Setyasih, who later became the ruler of Sumedang with the title Ratu Pucuk Umum. Ratu Pucuk Umum married Ki Gedeng Sumedang, better known as Pangeran Santri. This prince was the son of Prince Palakaran by Princess Sindangkasih. Prince Pamelekaran was the son of Maulana Abdurrahman, also known as Prince Panjunan, the son of Sheikh Datuk Kahfi.
With the marriage between Queen Setyasih and Ki Gedeng Sumedang, Islam began to spread in Sumedang in 1529.
Prince Santri was crowned as the ruler of Sumedang on the 13th of the dark part of the month of Asuji in the year 1452 Saka, or approximately 21
October 1530 AD, three months after the coronation of Prince Santri.
On the 12th of the bright part of the month of Margasira in 1452, a "thanksgiving" banquet was held at the Pakungwati Palace to celebrate Cirebon's victory over Galuh and also to celebrate the coronation of Prince Santri.
This indicates that Sumedang Larang had entered Cirebon's sphere of influence. Prince Santri was a disciple of Susuhunan Jati. Prince Santri was the first ruler of Sumedang to embrace Islam. He also built Kutamaya as the new capital for his reign.
From his marriage with Queen Pucuk Umum alias Queen Inten Dewata, Prince Santri who was given the title Prince Kusumahdinata I was blessed with six children, namely Prince Angkawijaya (Prabu Geusan Ulun), Kiyai Rangga Haji, Kiyai Demang Watang Walakung, Santowaan Wirakusumah, who gave birth to descendants and grandchildren in Pagaden Subang, Santowaan Cikeruh and Santowaan Awiluar.
Prince Santri died on October 2, 1579. Among the sons and daughters of Prince Santri from Queen Inten Dewata (Pucuk Umum), who continued the reign in Sumedang Larang was Prince Angkawijaya, titled Prabu Geusan Ulun. According to the Babad, Geusan Ulun's territory was limited by the Cipamali River to the east, the Cisadane River to the west, and the sea to the south and north.
The extent of Geusan Ulun's territory can be seen in the contents of a letter from Rangga Gempol III to Governor-General Willem Van Outhoorn. The letter was written on Monday, 2 Rabi'ul Awal, Je, or December 4, 1690, and was published in the VOC diary in Batavia on January 31, 1691.
In the letter, Rangga Gempol III (Prince Panembahan Kusumahdinata VI) demanded that his power be restored to that of his great-grandfather, Geusan Ulun. Rangga Gempol III revealed that Geusan Ulun's power encompassed 44 rulers of the Parahyangan region, consisting of 26 Kandaga Lante and 18 Umbul.
The 44 regions under the authority of Geusan Ulun include:
Based on data submitted by Rangga Gempol III during the VOC era, King Geusan Ulun's rule encompassed Sumedang, Garut, Tasikmalaya, and Bandung. The eastern boundary was the Cimanuk-Cilutung Line plus Sindangkasih (the area from the Cideres estuary to Cilutung).
To the west is the Citarum-Cisokan line. To the south is the sea boundary. However, to the north, it is thought not to include the territory previously controlled by Cirebon.
The reign of Prabu Geusan Ulun (1579-1601) coincided with the collapse of the Pajajaran Kingdom due to the Banten attack under Sultan Maulana Yusuf.
Before King Siliwangi left Pajajaran, he sent four Kandaga Lante to hand over the crown and convey a mandate to King Geusan Ulun, who essentially ruled the Sumedang Larang Kingdom, to continue Pajajaran's rule. Geusan Ulun was to become Pajajaran's successor.
In Pustaka Kertabhumi I/2 it is stated: “Ghesan Ulun nyakrawartti mandala ning Pajajaran kangwus pralaya, ya ta sirna, ing bhumi Parahyangan. Ikang kedatwan ratu Sumedang haneng Kutamaya ri Sumedangmandala” (Geusan Ulun ruled the Pajajaran region which had collapsed, namely vanished, in the land of Parahyangan. The palace of the king of Sumedang was located in Kutamaya in the Sumedang area), further reported “Rakyan Samanteng Parahyangan mangastungkara ring sira Pangeran Ghesan Ulun” (The other rulers in Parahyangan approved of Prince Geusan Ulun).
The four brothers, generals and dignitaries of Pajajaran who were sent to Sumedang were Jaya Perkosa (Sanghyang Hawu); Wiradijaya (Nangganan); Kondang Hapa; and Pancar Buana (Embah Terong Peot).
In Pustaka Kertabhumi I/2 it tells the story of the four brothers: “Sira paniwi dening Prabu Ghesan Ulun, Rikung sira rumaksa wadyabala, sinangguhan niti kaprabhun mwang salwirnya” (They served Prabu Geusan Ulun. There they trained the army, were tasked with governing the government and so on), so that the coronation of Prabu Geusan Ulun as the successor of the Sunda Pajajaran Kingdom and the 9th King of Sumedang Larang received the blessing of 44 rulers of the Parahyangan region consisting of 26 Kandaga Lante, Kandaga Lante is a kind of head one level higher than the cutak (sub-district head) and 18 umbul with a total of ± 9000 umpi, to become the new nalendra to replace the ruler of Pajajaran who had disappeared. The giving of the Pajajaran heirloom on April 22, 1578 was finally determined as the anniversary of Sumedang Regency.
Jaya Perkosa was a former Senapati of Pajajaran, while Batara Wiradijaya, as he was nicknamed, was a former Nangganan. According to Kropak 630, Nangganan's position was one level higher than a minister, but one level lower than Mangkubumi.
Furthermore, according to tradition, the Legi (Manis) market day is an auspicious time to embark on a major and crucial endeavor. This event was considered crucial because the inauguration of Geusan Ulun as "nyakrawartti" or "nalendra" was a kind of proclamation of Sumedang's independence, aligning it with the Banten and Cirebon kingdoms. Another important meaning of the event was the declaration that Sumedang Larang was the legitimate heir and successor to the Pajajaran Kingdom in the land of Parahyangan.
The crown and several royal attributes brought by Senapati Jaya Perkosa and handed over to Prabu Geusan Ulun are proof of the legalization of the greatness of Sumedang Larang, just as the Majapahit heirlooms are a sign of the legitimacy of Demak, Pajang, and Mataram.
Based on historical evidence, both written and chronicled/folklore, the determination of Sumedang's Anniversary was based on historical considerations.
The attack by the combined forces of Banten, Pakungwati, Demak and Angke in the 16th century on Pajajaran was an event that caused the Pajajaran Kingdom to collapse.
The end of Pajajaran at that time did not lead to the collapse of Sumedang Larang under Prince Santri's leadership. This was because some of the people of Sumedang Larang had already converted to Islam. In fact, with the end of Pajajaran's reign, Sumedang Larang continued to flourish.
The establishment of Sumedang Regency's anniversary is closely related to the events mentioned above. Three sources were used to determine Sumedang Regency's anniversary:
Referring to the three sources above, in the discussion to determine the Anniversary of Sumedang which was attended by historians namely Drs. Said Raksakusumah; Drs. Amir Sutaarga; Drs. Saleh Dana Sasmita; Dr. Atja and Drs. A Gurfani, they succeeded in concluding that 14 Syafar of the Year of Jim Akhir fell in 1578 AD, not 1579, to be precise on 22 April 1578.
On that basis, the Sumedang Level II Regional DPRD at that time, in Decree Number 1/Kprs/DPRD/Smd/1973, dated October 8, 1973, determined April 22, 1578 as the Anniversary of Sumedang Regency.
Source: Sumedang Regency Website, Wikipedia
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