Mangkunegara IV

Mangkunegara IV (1809–1881) was the fourth ruler of Mangkunegaran, a small Principality based in Surakarta, Java, ruling from 1853-1881. His title before ascending was Pangeran Adipati.

During his reign, the foundations of estate agriculture producing coffee and sugar were established. The profits from the system were reinvested in the domains, instead of sent abroad as happened in many colonial situations; however, as typical for a less-developed economy, they were dependent on the world price of these cash crops. He abolished the appanage system of compensating his retainers and officials, and instead paid them with salaries. Nevertheless, Mangkunegara IV had to deal with the politics of the Dutch East India Company as with the other rulers in central Java of the period. In 1857 and 1877, he was not able to reclaim land that was leased to European planters.^[1]

Mangkunegara IV's court is especially known for its contributions to the traditional arts. He himself was a prominent poet, and collaborated with Raden Ngabei Ronggawarsita (1802–1873), said to be the last of the great court poets. Mangkunegara IV's most famous poem is the Wedhatama ("Exalted Wisdom"), which praises morality consistent with the mystical Islam of Java, in contrast to the more self-consciously Orthodox Islamic community.^[2]

He is also credited with the composition of several ketawang, a gamelan musical form,^[3] including Puspawarna, which was included in the Voyager's Golden Record sent to outer space in the 1970s.

References