| Abstract: |
Surakarta, capital of the Mataram kingdom in Java, was established in the 18th century, in the former swampy area of Sala village. The Javanese conceived their capital from a religious viewpoint, as a symbol of power and the centre of universe. To the Dutch colonizers, however, setting up a capital was a practical matter. The city needed to satisfy the interests of both parties, that is, both religious and economic needs. This historical archaeological research examines how these two interests were embodied in the layout of Surakarta city centre. It was thus carried out using a landscape archaeological lens and a phenomenological lens to investigate the relationships between natural and cultural landscapes, and the experience of local inhabitants, to explain how Sala village was selected as the new capital. This research uses written sources to answer an archaeological problem. Babad Tanah Jawi and Babad Giyanti, 18th-century Javanese texts, are referenced to explain how the new capital was planned and established, and how its layout was arranged to accommodate both Javanese and Dutch interests. The results of the research show that Sala village was selected primarily for religious motives. It was considered so by people with a faith or of that cultural persuasion, and next as a result of economic and political considerations. The new capital as residence of the king not only formed what was for the Javanese the magical centre of the realm, but also a centre of state politics and a strategic trading centre (particularly for the Dutch who came to Java as traders). Sunan Pakubuwana II, king of the Mataram kingdom, played a crucial role in modifying Sala village into a capital city for both parties.
|
