Prabu Geusan Ulun Museum

Traces of Pajajaran Kingdom's Glory at Prabu Geusan Ulun Museum

Museum Prabu Geusan Ulun is more than just a building storing artifacts; it is the heart of history that preserves the collective memory of the Sundanese people, especially the lineage of the Sumedang Larang Kingdom. Located in the center of Sumedang Regency, West Java, this museum stands majestically within the Sumedang Regency Pendopo complex, a silent witness to the transition of power from the remnants of the Pajajaran Kingdom to the era of the Islamic Sultanate and the colonial period.

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Origins and Historical Foundation

The museum was officially established on March 13, 1973, on the initiative of the Yayasan Pangeran Sumedang (YPS). The name "Prabu Geusan Ulun" is taken from the last king of the Sumedang Larang Kingdom who reigned between 1578–1601. This name was chosen for a reason; under the leadership of Prabu Geusan Ulun, Sumedang Larang received the mandate "Mahkota Binokasih Sanghyang Pake" from the Pajajaran Kingdom, which was beginning to collapse due to attacks from Banten. The handover of this crown signifies that Sumedang Larang is the legitimate successor of the lineage of Prabu Siliwangi.

The buildings that form the museum complex vary in age, starting from the oldest building erected during the reign of Pangeran Kornel (Pangeran Kusumadinata IX) in the 18th to early 19th century.

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Architecture and Building Complex

Architecturally, Museum Prabu Geusan Ulun is a harmonious blend of traditional Sundanese style, Javanese Islamic influence, and a colonial "Indische" touch. The museum does not occupy a single building but consists of five main buildings, each with its unique function and characteristics:

1. Gedung Srimanganti: Built in 1706 by Dalem Adipati Tanamubaya. This building originally served as the regent's residence and a place to receive honored guests. Its architecture reflects the Sundanese noble stilt-house style with European touches on the windows and doors.

2. Gedung Bumi Kaler: Erected in 1850 during the time of Pangeran Suria Kusumah Adinata. This building holds a sacred aura as it was often used for traditional ceremonies and the storage of the most important heirlooms.

3. Gedung Kutamaya: A more modern building that still maintains a classic aesthetic, serving as the main exhibition hall for general historical artifacts.

4. Gedung Gamelan: A special room housing a collection of very old and still functional traditional musical instruments.

5. Gedung Kereta: A building specifically designed to store the royal carriages of former Sumedang regents.

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Historical Significance and Important Events

The historical value of this museum is rooted in the "Pajajaran Anyar" event. When the Pajajaran Kingdom in Pakuan (Bogor) was on the verge of collapse, four patihs (Kandaga Lante) carried the Mahkota Binokasih and presented it to Prabu Geusan Ulun. This event transformed Sumedang Larang from a subordinate kingdom into a fully sovereign kingdom inheriting the cultural authority of Sunda.

Furthermore, the museum records the heroic resistance of Pangeran Kornel against Governor-General Daendels' forced labor policy (Rodi) in the construction of the Great Post Road (Grote Postweg) at Cadas Pangeran. Pangeran Kornel's bravery, shaking Daendels' hand with his left while his right hand held the hilt of his kris during their meeting, is immortalized through narratives and his遗物 (relics) in this museum.

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Heirloom Collection and Key Figures

The central figures closely associated with this museum are, of course, Prabu Geusan Ulun and Pangeran Kornel. However, the collection within encompasses a broader spectrum, including relics from Pangeran Sugih and Pangeran Mekah.

The most spectacular and priceless collection is the Mahkota Binokasih Sanghyang Pake. This crown is made of 18-karat pure gold, weighing approximately 8 kilograms. In addition to the crown, the museum houses various types of heirloom weapons such as Keris Ki Naga Sasra, Keris Ki Gajah Dumung, as well as various swords and spears from the Pajajaran and Mataram Islam periods.

The museum also boasts the renowned Gamelan Sari Oneng collection, which is said to have been played at the World Exhibition in Paris in the late 19th century. Another unique feature is the collection of ancient manuscripts written on lontar leaves and old paper, narrating the genealogies (sajarah) and moral teachings of the old Sundanese society.

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Preservation and Cultural-Religious Function

To this day, Museum Prabu Geusan Ulun is meticulously managed by Yayasan Pangeran Sumedang. Conservation efforts are carried out periodically, especially for the cleaning of metal objects (jamasan), which is performed every Maulud month in the Hijriah calendar. This ritual of Nyalira, or the washing of heirlooms, is not merely technical maintenance but a form of respect for the noble values of ancestors.

Restoration and renovation of the buildings are done with great care to preserve the authenticity of the wooden materials and roof shapes. The museum also serves as an educational center for historical researchers from both within and outside the country who wish to delve into the power transitions in West Java.

Culturally, this museum is considered the "Puseur Budaya" (Cultural Center) of Sumedang. Its existence strengthens Sumedang's identity as the "Puser Budaya Sunda" (Cultural Hub of Sunda). Tourists do not only come to see inanimate objects but often witness classical dance practices or gamelan performances still kept alive by the local art community within the museum grounds.

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Unique Fact: The Naga Paksi Royal Carriage

One of the unique facts rarely found in other museums is the presence of the Kereta Kencana Naga Paksi (Naga Paksi Royal Carriage). This carriage has a very complex design, combining the mythical elements of three animals: Naga (symbol of sea/earth power), Paksi or bird (symbol of air power), and Liman or elephant (symbol of land power). This design reflects the sovereignty of the Sumedang Larang territory, encompassing various dimensions of nature.

Through the existence of Museum Prabu Geusan Ulun, history is not only read through books but felt through the aura of the buildings and the physical radiance of its heirlooms. This museum stands firm as the guardian of Sundanese dignity amidst the modernization of West Java.