The Grave of Regent Pontjodirdjo

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A. Overview

The Grave of Regent Pontjodirdjo is located at Pati Orchard, Genjahan Village, Ponjong Subdistrict, Gunungkidul Regency. It possesses many historical values. First, Pontjodirdjo was the first regent of Gunungkidul; second, the territory of Regent Pontjodirdjo was a gift from Mataram Kingdom after the dispute with the family of Ki Sumoredjo (the father of Pontjodirdjo). His father was a fugitive from Majapahit Kingdom which was then ruled by a Mataram leader named Sultan Mangkurat Amral. Third, the grave is the only silent witness of the origin of Gunungkidul Regency in 1831.

Visiting Grave of Regent Pontjodirdjo tourists are served with some facts showing that the history of Gunungkidul Regency cannot rule out the role of Majapahit fugitives. One of them was Ki Sumoredjo, the father of Pontjodirdjo. Historically, Ki Sumoredjo and his family were considered as the founders of the area now called Karangmojo. In his escape he took his four children namely Ki Pontjosadewo, Ki Mintowijoyo, Ki Pontjobenawi and Ki Pontjodirdjo. When Majapahit was facing its downfall, Ki Sumoredjo ran away and arrived at a village named Ponggangan. From Ponggangan, he moved to a place with so abundant baels (in Javanese language is is called maja tree) that the village was then named Karangmojo. In this place, Ki Sumoredjo set up a settlement which was getting crowded by newcomers day by day. The news about this new settlement was heard by Sultan Mangkurat Amral, the ruler of Mataram Kingdom who occupied Kartasura.

Sultan Amangkurat Amral then sent a messenger named Senopati Ki Tumenggung Prawiropekso to see Ki Sumoredjo. The messenger adviced Ki Sumoredjo to ask for permission for establishing the settlement to Sultan Amangkurat Amral since the land was included in the territory of Mataram Kingdom. However, the request was rejected. War was unbearable, and it was won by Sultan Amankurat Amral and his people. Ki Sumoredjo and his three sons died in the battle. The only survivor was Pontjodirdjo.

Later, Gunungkidul in general and Karangmojo in particular were conquered by Mataram Kingdom to be then handed to Pontjodirdjo to rule. There was Pontjodirdjo, the first regent of Gunungkidul, entitled Mas Tumenggung Pontjodirdjo.

Regent Pontjodirdjo ruled Gunungkidul until 1831 when there was a transfer of territory from Kasunanan Surakarta Hadiningrat led by Mangkunagara II to Kasultanan Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. Following the transfer, the regent position was then held by Mas Tumenggung Prawirosetiko. As the first policy, Regent Prawirosetiko moved the administration center (capital) of Gunungkidul Regency from Ponjong Subdistrict to Wonosari Subdistrict.

During his leadership, Pontjodirdjo had proposed the discourse on the dialogue between leader and his people which aimed for the prosperity of the people themselves. No wonder if Pontjodirdjo is still respected by Gunungkidul people hitherto. After his reign, Pontjodirdjo stayed in Gunungkidul until his death. He was buried at Pati Orchard, Genjahan Village, Ponjong Subdistrict. And his grave is visited by people until today.

Until 2008, the Grave of Regent Pontjodirdjo has underwent two renovations. The grave is sanctified because people consider Pontjodirdjo as the one who wrote the history of Gunungkidul Regency,

On the grave there is the inscription that reads “Nyoto wignyo manggalaning noto” which means the year of 1831. On the gravestone there is another inscription that reads “Hanyipto tumataning swaprojo” which means the Javanese year of 1758 which signifies the year Pontjodirdjo becomes the first regent of Gunungkidul Regency.

B. Features

The Grave of Regent Pontjodirdjo is the only remaining inheritance of the establishment of Gunungkidul Regency. According to Raden Mas Suryodiningrat in his writing entitled “Paprentahan Praja Kejawen”, Gunungkidul Regency was established in 1831. Most people forget the exact date, but in its every anniversary all staff of Gunungkidul Regional Government always spend some time making a devotional visit to the Grave of Regent Pontjodirdjo.

If observed physically, the grave is a combination, or more precisely a shift, of Hindu and Islam culture. The cultural shift refers to the status of Pontjodirdjo as a noble from Majapahit Kingdom who embraced Hindu, meanwhile, the shape of the grave signifies Islam design. The shift may be because the regent title given to Pontjodirdjo was the gift from Mataram Kingdom which had embraced Islam as the religion of the kingdom.

C. Location

The grave of Regent Pontjodirdjo is located in Pati Orchard, Genjahan Village, Ponjong Subdistrict, Gunungkidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta.

D. Access

The location of the Grave of Regent Pontjodirdjo is accessible by either private or public transportation. If taking a public transportation, tourists can take the Yogyakarta-Wonosari bus from Giwangan Bus Station and get off at Wonosari Bus Station. From here, the trip should continue with ojek (motorcycle taxi).

E. Ticket

Visiting the Grave of Regent Pontjodirdjo is free of charge. Yet, tourists are suggested to donate some money to the caretaker for the grave maintanance.

F. Accommodations and Other Facilities

The caretaker also works as a tour guide who will give explanation especially about Regent Pontjodirdjo. Nearby the grave, still in the same village, there is a center of home industries with such products as snacks like corn chips and ornamental or mosaic crafts.

Text: Tunggul Tauladan
Photo(s): Collection of Jogjatrip.com
Translation: Apri Widiastuti
(Primary data and various sources)

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If you are from outside Yogyakarta and want to visit this place by travel agency services,
please contact:

Maharatu Tour and Travel

Jl. Sisingamangaraja No. 27 Yogyakarta.
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com -maharatu257@yahoo.com
Website : www.maharatu.com

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