How Do You Spell TARUMANAGARA?

Pronunciation: [tˌɑːɹuːmˌanɐɡˈɑːɹə] (IPA)

Tarumanagara is a historical kingdom from Indonesia. Its spelling can be a bit confusing since it contains several consonant clusters. The word starts with the voiceless alveolar fricative /t/, followed by the voiced alveolar tap /ɾ/ and then the voiceless bilabial stop /p/. The next consonant cluster is /m/ followed by another voiceless bilabial stop /p/. Finally, the word ends with the back open-mid vowel /a/, the voiceless velar stop /k/, and the voiced alveolar approximant /ɾ/. The correct pronunciation is [tɑɾumɑnagɑɾɑ].

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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TARUMANAGARA Meaning and Definition

  1. Tarumanagara was a Hindu-Buddhist kingdom that flourished in the western part of Java, Indonesia, from the 4th to the 7th century AD. The term "Tarumanagara" is derived from two words: "taruma" meaning "fruitful" or "bountiful" and "nagara" meaning "city" or "kingdom." Therefore, Tarumanagara can be translated as "the fruitful kingdom" or "the kingdom of abundance."

    The kingdom played a significant role in shaping the cultural, political, and religious landscape of ancient Indonesia. It encompassed a vast territory that included present-day Jakarta, West Java, and Banten. Its capital was located in the area surrounding the current city of Bogor.

    Tarumanagara is known for its advanced agricultural practices and successful trade routes, which contributed to its prosperity and abundance. The kingdom played a pivotal role in connecting the maritime trade routes between China, India, and Southeast Asia.

    In terms of religion, Tarumanagara predominantly followed Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. The kingdom witnessed the emergence of numerous temple complexes and shrines dedicated to these religions, showcasing beautifully carved sculptures and intricate architecture.

    Over time, Tarumanagara gradually declined, and its influence waned as other kingdoms arose in Java. However, its legacy remained, and today, Tarumanagara is revered as an important part of Indonesian history, representing a period of significant cultural and religious development in the region.

Etymology of TARUMANAGARA

The word "Tarumanagara" is derived from two components: "Taruma" and "Nagara".

1. Taruma: The origin of the term "Taruma" is uncertain. It is believed to be an ancient Sundanese ethnic term, representing an old kingdom or the name of a river, which later became the name of the kingdom. The meaning of "Taruma" is still ambiguous, and there are several proposed interpretations. Some theories suggest it means "place" or "site", while others relate it to a river.

2. Nagara: "Nagara" is a Sanskrit term, also used in several ancient Southeast Asian languages, including Old Javanese and Old Sundanese. It means "city", "kingdom", or "country".

Therefore, "Tarumanagara" refers to the ancient kingdom that existed in West Java, Indonesia, believed to have been established around the 4th century.