The Historical Footsteps of the Patriot Land: The Story of Bekasi from Kingdoms to Struggle
Bekasi, a city now known as a hub of urbanization and industry, holds deep and rich historical stories. Amid the hustle and bustle of modern life, traces of the past remain alive in every corner. Bekasi is not just a satellite city of Jakarta, but also a land filled with grand tales, from the days of mighty kingdoms to the struggle of national heroes for independence.
In ancient times, Bekasi was known as Dayeuh Sundasembawa or Jayagiri, believed to be the capital of the Tarumanegara Kingdom. One of the significant legacies of this kingdom is the Tugu Inscription, which records the name of a river flowing through Bekasi, called Candrabaga. The name of this river is an early clue to the origin of the name Bekasi.
Philosophically, the name "Bekasi" comes from two words that carry deep meaning. Candrabaga itself is formed from two words in Sanskrit: Chandra, which means "moon," and Bhaga, which means "part." According to the Sanskrit and Old Javanese language expert, Poerbatjaraka, the word Chandrabhaga etymologically means "a part of the moon." This philosophy holds beautiful significance, describing how Bekasi, although not the main center of power, is still an inseparable part of the greatness of the kingdom. A region that, though far from the primary light, still receives a shine from the same moon.
During the Tarumanegara Kingdom (around the 5th century AD), King Tarusbawa founded this kingdom and placed Dayeuh Sundasembawa (now known as Bekasi) as the capital. Bekasi's strategic location not only shows its geographical position connecting Sunda Kelapa Harbor with the inland areas but also the historical value contained in the inscriptions found around this region. One of the most important inscriptions is the Kebantenan Inscription, which contains decisions from Sri Baduga Maharaja (King Siliwangi), written on copper plates.
Moving forward, Bekasi continued to be an important place in the history of the Galuh and Pajajaran kingdoms. In the 8th century AD, Bekasi became part of the large kingdom covering strategic areas around Sunda Kelapa and the northern coast of Java. However, the story of Bekasi is not confined to the kingdom period. In the 20th century, Bekasi witnessed significant battles involving independence fighters, especially during the Krawang-Bekasi War, which is immortalized in the monumental poem by Chairil Anwar titled "Krawang-Bekasi." In his poem, Chairil Anwar wrote that Bekasi is "Bumi Patriot" (Land of Patriots), a city honored for being the site of the struggle of heroes who were willing to sacrifice their lives for Indonesia's independence.
Today, Bekasi is a city teeming with modern life—full of industrial centers, housing, and commercialization. However, the historical traces left behind in every corner of the city continue to live on. Bekasi, with its name derived from Chandrabhaga, meaning "a part of the moon," symbolizes a city that, although often overshadowed by the central lights, still plays an important role in the long history of this nation.
Moral Messsage:
Bekasi teaches us to always appreciate our historical roots, even as we live in a time of rapid progress. Though Bekasi is a city growing fast and known for its industrial development, it still holds a deep historical significance that should never be forgotten. The name Bekasi, derived from Chandrabhaga or "a part of the moon," reminds us that each of us has an important role to play, even if we are not always in the spotlight. Every part, no matter how small, contributes to the whole. Furthermore, the struggles of the heroes in Bekasi for independence remind us of the importance of sacrifice and the fighting spirit for a better future.
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