Punggawa Baku in the Mangkunagara I Leadership’s Discourses

In the 18th century, there is known a figure named Mangkunagara I or previously known as R.M. Said. He is one of the influential Javanese leaders which have the thought a concept of modern government. In the mid-18 th century there is a political turmoil occurred, power seizure between the heirs of Mataram dynasty and Dutch also interference (VOC) in the government bureaucracy in Java. Henceforth, R.M. Said appeared as a central figure in the middle of Javanese’s leaders who seek for power. The aims of R.M. Said emergence are to restore the government authority that suffered a setback after the internal and external conflicts. Furthermore, R.M. Said began the fight from the outside of the palace to fight the Dutch (VOC) through guerrilla warfare along with his loyal followers for about sixteen years and with about 200 battles. R.M. Said faithful followers serve as an elite force named Punggawa Baku. The number of these elite force are only 18 people, and then increased to 40 people. Punggawa Baku is the reliance force and Mangkunagara’s I right-hand because of their loyalty toward R.M. Said. They always follow every fight of R.M. Said until achieve the title of K.G.P.A.A Mangkunagara I (MN I). Every step taken by Mangkunagara I always involves Punggawa Baku, including during making applicable rules in his leadership and government policy. The involvement of Punggawa Baku in every thing done by Mangkunagara I show a great thing owned and done by them, in which it is interesting to further discuss. The role of Punggawa Baku symbolically seems to be the discourse medium during Mangkunagara’s I leadership. Henceforth, it needs a proper analysis to discuss this research case in this article. This article uses Cultural Studies paradigm which is eclectic and critical. The theory used is discourse theory proposed by Michael Foucault and using hermeneutic approach. The aims of this article are to shows the role of Punggawa Baku in the leadership discourse built by Mangkunagara I and to find out the action motive inside.