Kraton (Javanese: ꦏꦿꦠꦺꦴꦤ꧀)[1] or keraton is a type of royal palace in Java, Indonesia. Its name is derived from the Javanese ka-ratu-an meaning residence of the ratu, the traditional honorific title for a monarch. In Java, the palace of a prince is called pura or dalem, while the general word for palace is istana, which is identical to Malay.
Specific palaces
Pendhapa (pavilion) in Kraton Surakarta.Pendhapa (pavilion) in Kraton Kasepuhan.
Kraton that function as the residence of a royal family include:
Kraton of Majapahit in Trowulan, Mojokerto, the capital of the former Majapahit. Sites such as Pendopo Agung Majapahit are thought to be remnants of the Kraton of Majapahit.[4]
Kota Gede remains of a palace from the 16th century.
Karta and Plered remains of palaces from the 17th century.
Kraton Kartasura on the outskirts of Surakarta remains of palace and city wall, also dated from the 17th century.
Metonymic use
The term kraton 'palace' is also used as a way to refer to the court which it houses.
This is especially the case for native Indonesian states where the succession is disputed, giving issue to two or more branches of the dynasty, or even rivaling dynasties, each setting up an alternative court while competing for the same state, but generally only controlling part of it.
An example is the West-Javan state of Cirebon, which was founded in 1478 and since 1662 was ruled from three Kraton (palaces):[7]
Kraton Kasepuhan, using as the ruler's style Sultan
Miksic, John N. (general ed.), et al. (2006) Karaton Surakarta. A look into the court of Surakarta Hadiningrat, central Java (First published: 'By the will of His Serene Highness Paku Buwono XII'. Surakarta: Yayasan Pawiyatan Kabudayan Karaton Surakarta, 2004) Marshall Cavendish Editions Singapore ISBN981-261-226-2
