Mpu Sindok

Who is Mpu Sindok?

Mpu Sindok, throne name: Sri Isyana Vikramadhammatunggadeva, was the last king of the Sanjaya Dynasty who ruled the Kingdom of Mataram from Central Java, reigned from around 928 or 929 AD. Mpu Sindok moved the seat of power of the Mataram kingdom from Central Java to East Java in 929 AD, probably as a result of the eruption of Mount Merapi and/or invasion from Srivijaya.

The new capital of the kingdom was Watugaluh, on the banks of the Brantas River, near the present day Jombang Regency. The name of the new kingdom was changed from Mataram to "Medang", although it was still frequently referred to as "Mataram" in various pieces of literature. Mpu Sindok was also the founder of the Isyana Dynasty, and thus the new kingdom is also sometimes referred to as "Isyana". An inscription currently in the museum of Kolkata, India, describes Mpu Sindok's descendants down to Airlangga, in the 11th century AD.

Mpu Sindok had two wives, one of whom, Sri Parameswari Dyah Kbi, was probably the daughter of Dyah Wawa, the preceding king of Mataram in Central Java. Thus, Mpu Sindok succeeded to the throne of Mataram because of his marriage.

Mpu Sindok died in 947 AD and was succeeded by his daughter, Sri Isyana Tunggawijaya.