Soul Catcher—Java’s Fiery Prince Mangkunagara I, 1726–95 by M. C. Ricklefs (review)

Abstract

The “soul catcher” (sambir nyawa) was the battle standard (flag) of Mangkunagara, a rebel prince in the wars of succession in Java in the eighteenth century. The standard was blue-black in color with a white crescent moon. Ricklefs’s book uses the standard as the starting point to describe Mangkunagara’s vital role in the turmoil of the eighteenthcentury Javanese court, which ultimately left behind a centralized system of rule in place of a vastly weakened and decentralized system open to outside influence and control. While not officially an “heirloom” (pusaka), that is, an old weapon, crown, or piece of art believed to have supranatural power, the standard nevertheless was believed to have strong magical powers. It was borne by aristocratic youths on horseback, slightly behind the heirlooms, when the column was on the march or joined battle with a foe. It was believed to project power against Mangkunagara’s foes and vanquish them, whether they were Javanese or European. When Mangkunagara’s enemies were numerous, the standard supposedly delivered Mangkunagara to the safety of Mount Lawu, from where he could attack again when his enemies had diminished in number. Also in Mangkunagara’s battle formation were two other important ingredients. The first was a gamelan orchestra, carried on horseback, which Mangkunagara enjoyed hearing in general, although it played especially during combat because Mangkunagara used its melodies and tones to achieve the proper mood to be successful in the ensuing battle. He also had a bodyguard of armed and well-trained women warriors, which protected him in combat. Some of the women served as transcribers of important documents, especially of Mangkunagara’s own writings when he was not campaigning. Mangkunagara’s deep concern for the welfare of his bodyguard is frequently expressed in his extensive autobiography. The actual fighters in Mangkunagara’s armies were short-term enlistees who fought for the loot that they took from the areas they overran. The armies ranged in size from a few hundred mercenaries to several thousands, depending on the importance of the campaign and the prospects of looting an area that had not been overrun in some time. Such armies were not very dependable or loyal, and the princes in competition with one another could have masses of followers one day and almost none the next. The net effect of such campaigning was that clear results were seldom attained and the countryside was perpetually in shambles. The civil wars lasted from 1743 to 1757 and were, first and foremost, struggles among contenders for the throne. But, of course, the wars involved highly motivated court factions and even local interests seeking autonomy at the expense of the political center. The prosperous countryside provided the financial fuel for raising armies and permitted the contenders to fight one another across the kingdom. When, finally, a peace was achieved in 1757, three figures were left as winners. There was Mangkubumi, sultan in Yogyakarta, who took the dynastic name of Hamengkubuwana I. Alongside him was a