Dara Jingga


Dara Jingga, was one of the Malay Dharmasraya princess intended to be presented to Javanese King Kertanegara of Singasari after the Pamalayu expedition 1275–1293.
Dara Jingga was the older sister of Dara Petak, the consort of Kertarajasa Jayawardhana, King of Majapahit. She married to Adwayabrahma, and the mother of Adityawarman, later become the king of her native kingdom Dharmasraya in Sumatra. The name Dara Jingga in old Malay means "scarlet dove".

Early life

Dara Jingga was the daughter of King Srimat Tribhuwanaraja Mauliawarmadewa of Dharmasraya Kingdom in Sumatra, and was sent to Java to be presented to Singhasari King. This Sumatran kingdom was held as vassal of Singhasari in 1286. According to Pararaton, ten days after the expulsion of Mongol forces from Java, the Pamalayu expedition led by Mahisa Anabrang returned to Java. The expedition was sent by Singhasari King Kertanegara in 1275 to conquer Sumatra. The returning Javanese troops brought two Malay princesses, two siblings Dara Jingga and Dara Petak to be presented for Kertanagara.
The two princesses was originally intended for Kertanagara, however because the Singhasari King has died, his heir Raden Wijaya took Dara Petak in hand of marriage instead. According to Pararaton, Dara Jingga was mentioned as sira alaki dewa — she who has husband named dewa — refer to Adwayabrahma, a Singhasari general, the commander of Pamalayu expedition.
Dara Jingga married to Mahisa Anabrang, lived in Majapahit capital city and bore a son Adityawarman.

Return to Sumatra

After lived for some period in Majapahit, Dara Jingga returned to her homeland, Dharmasraya kingdom in Sumatra. She probably came back to accompany her son, Adityawarman, appointed by Majapahit King as the ruler of Sumatra under protection of Majapahit mandala. In Sumatra, Dara Jingga holds important position, according to Minangkabau Tambo, Dara Jingga is identified as the first Bundo Kanduang, the matriarch of Minangkabau society.