Klungkung

Bali's smallest district Klungkung is located between Gianyar and Karangasem, and includes the island of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan. Klungkung itself is a bustling town. Based on the decree of the Governor of
Bali Province on 1993 number 528, Nusa Penida in one of with also fixed as a tourist resort in Bali. And then base of the Regency of Klungkung Government on 1996 decree number 284 there are 18 tourist object in the regency inclusive Nusa Penida. On reaching the town centre. Klungklung was the base of the ancient Javanese Hindu Kingdom in Bali, from where the Balinese royalty of today draws its bloodline. It is the oldest kingdom in Bali, with a most exalted

Kings. The famous Kertha Gosa or Royal Court of Justice was built in Klungklung in the 18th century, displays one of Bali's masterpieces. It has a wonderfully made ceiling displaying one of Bali's masterpieces (murals portraying the punishment of hell and the rewards of heaven, and elaborated in thousands of panels of puppets) all on the ceiling. Klungklung's golden glory is forever captured in its floating pavilion, elaborate garden, and charming lotus ponds. Klungklung satisfies one's wish of returning to the glory of the ancient past. he district of Klungkung has played a most important role in Bali’s history. It was the seat of rule of Bali’s history. It was the seat of rule of Bali’s most powerful dynasty of rajas, the Dewa Agung, under whom the island was united during a glorious period of rich cultural influence.

Gajah Mada, head of Majapahit, pacified and united Bali towards the end of the 13^th century, incorporating the island into the Majapahit Empire. He set king Kepakisan, the first Dewa Agung "Great Deity".

To rule over the island from his court at Samprangan, near the present town of Klungkung. Several generations later this seat of power was removed to nearby Gelgel, where it established much authority and prestige under the fourth succeeding Dewa Agung.

With the collapse of the Majapahit Empire in 1515, many thousands of Javanese Hindus, priests, nobles and entire followings of soldiers, artists and artisans fled the onslaught of Islam in Java. Pledging their services to the current Dewa Agung they settled in Bali, bringing fresh impetus to the already strongly Hinduism culture.

The 16^th century was a golden age for Bali. Under the wise rule of Dalem Waturenggong from his court at Gelgel the island became a strongly unified kingdom, so powerful it was able to conquer and colonize both Lombok and Sumbawa. Under the auspices of the royal court the transplanted Javanese traditions of language and literature, music, dance and sculpture, took firm root. The philosophy fitted perfectly over the beliefs and practices of the people.

Gelgel’s period of peace and prosperity was not fated to last, however. Under the rule of Waturenggong's grandson, Di Made, who misused his power to an extreme, the outlying colonies were lost, as well as much of the allegiance of the other Balinese princes. He flirted with the Dutch, and made himself so unpopular in his lifetime that his successor decided the place of Gelgel must be under a curse, and moved his entire court to a new site in Klungkung in 1686.

Although the Raja of Klungkung was still considered by the regional king’s the supreme ruler of Bali, he had little political power, and the structure of the many little kingdoms was more like a confederation at this stage. However, the Klungkung court continued to play a major role in government, diplomacy and the arts.

Most of Bali’s nobility are descendants of this royal lineage. Along with the other kingdoms, the Dewa Agung fought the Dutch to the bitter end, leading a ceremonial "puputan" in 1908 after heavy bombardment of both Klungkung and Gelgel by the Dutch artillery. This was the final conquest for the Dutch, giving them control over all of Bali.