Mengwi

Mengwi or officially State of Mengwi (Hanacaraka Latin: Nagari Mangwirajya) is an island country located in east central of Melayu Archipelago. The country bordered by Canggu Strait with Pemecutan to its west, Batubulan Sea to its north, Sempidi Sea to its south with Southern Palm Islands and Madya Sea to the east. It has an area of 6,656 km2 and a population of around 3.2 millions. The capital is Mengwi (City) which is also its largest city. Another notable cities are Mengwitani, Canggu (City) and Sempidi (City).

Controlled by Sripala Kingdom around 412 AD, Mengwi island was included under Giri administration. The peoples stay in a peaceful condition until the fall of Sripala when it is annexed by Giri Kingdom. The area continued to become a colony until an official status was formalized in mid 14th century after the unification of Giri and Mandara Kingdom. It was still under the direct controlled of Mandara Giri's King during Pemecutan Confederation creation. The territory asked for an elevated status during the elective monarchy era but the proposal was rejected several times. During the western presence, Mengwi become the first territory under the confederation that being colonized by British Empire. Mengwi was mildly affected during the World War II. Mengwian also followed their Pemecutanian brothers in the protest over British colonialism in Pemecutan Confederation which demand Pemecutan independence. The independence was granted in 1949. But Mengwian still feel left behind as the central government keep focusing on the Mainland. Independence uprising began again in the mid 1950's and after pressured by international communities and neighboring countries, Pemecutan Central Government agreed to hold referendum in Mengwi. Mengwi officially gets their independence in 1966 although still recognized Pemecutan monarch as their Head of State. In late 1980's, Mengwi government decided to walked out from Pemecutan Realm and become a full republic.

Mengwi still have a close relationship with Pemecutan even after their independence. Pemecutan Government help to build up their economy and military after the independence. The country is considered a developing country with high dependent on tourism. Pact of Solidarity was signed in 1978 between both countries as the signed of their military and economic alliance. Mengwi also use Pemecutan Rupiah as their currency to ease the economy between both neighboring country.

Etymology
There is a dispute over the origin of Mengwi name. Mengwian scholar and historian believe that Mengwi came from the word Mangwirajya which is the first recorded name of the island. Mangwirajya is an old Kawi language word that comes from 3 root words, Mangu, Wira and Rajya which can be translated as Longing of a Great Leader. The naming is in coincidence by the fact that the island was leaderless during the time and all their administration was taken from Giri's capital. And as the time pass the term Mangwirajya is shorten into just Mengwi which is use until this day.

When the country decided to become a full republic, the name Mangwirajya is adopted to address the nation locally. While their international name still using Mengwi.

Early History
The island was believe to be inhabited as early as 15,000 BC. The discovery of stone tools in northern shore of Mengwi Island backed the possibility. The Austroloids were the first peoples to settled in the island. They were believed to sailed to the island from Giri Island, Pemecutan mainland. Around 450-500 BC, the Austronesian reached the island. And again they were coming from Giri Island. These peoples interact with the former Austroloid peoples who already settled there.

The Austronesian brought iron works and wet-field cultivation to the island. They begin to settled in the coastline and established permanent settlements. As the island is lacked of mineral deposit, iron ore have to be brought from Giri Island. The situation also makes the island is very depend on Giri Island.

The influence of Indian trader in Giri Island also spread to Mengwi. Hanacaraka language was also introduce in the island. It become use widely today. Tribes eventually emerge especially in the eastern and northern coast and also in Canggu Island.

Mengwi Administration
The rise of Sripala Kingdom also reached Mengwi. The island was conquered around 412 AD. But instead having their own local administration, Mengwi and Canggu Island were included under Giri administration. Mengwian become one of the most frequent uprising occurred during Sripala reigned.

When Sripala Kingdom fall around 850 AD, Mengwi become one of the early area to seceded. But there were no official administration ever occurred afterwards. Tribes always fights each other for the rights to rule the whole island. The uncertainty ended in 894 AD when Giri Kingdom reconquered both islands.

During the reigned of Giri Kingdom, the situation in Mengwi were very bad. Canggu island was transformed into prison island. While Mengwian are often taken as slaves or hard labourers in Giri's mine or plantations. The situation continues until the unification of Giri and Mandara Kingdom. A slight change came after Pemecutan Confederation establishment. An official administration was finally established in the island. Prince Ki Kerta Pala, King Karanganyar II's brother, was appointed as the Duke of Mengwi. Hence, Mengwi changed it's name into Duchy of Mengwi or Puri Anom Mengwi.

Mengwi Monarchy
Mengwi still become an integral part of Mandara Giri, a constituent states of Pemecutan Confederation, even though a monarch has been appointed to the islands. Pala Dynasty administration were still under the supervision of Mandara Giri King's. But the peoples were happier with the new status. The economy of the islands increase significantly. Port of Mengwitani was established and Canggu Island was redeveloped. The prisoners in the island were being put under a proper institution.

Pala Dynasty asked for elevated status of Mengwi after the Treaty of Tambangan which change the administration into an elective monarchy. But the proposal was rejected several times. All of the rejection came from King of Mandara Giri and King of Kerobokan. After the 7th rejection, they didn't proposed it again.

Western Presence
Western countries have came to the islands around 18th century. At first they were very friendly. But along the time, they made the Confederation dependent on them both economically and military. Mengwian monarch try to warned the Confederation but their attempt failed. In late 1878, British forces suddenly attacked Mengwi and colonized the islands. Pala Royal Family were refuge to Mandara Giri. But their time there were short as one by one states under the Confederation were being attacked and conquered. Lastly, in 1906 Mandara Giri was also surrender.

The royal families were reinstated by British government although they were now become a puppet states of the Empire. The Confederation was officially disbanded. Mengwi was admitted as part of Mandara Giri.

Although under the presence of British but the situations were quite pleasant. Schools were established. Pavement roads and modern technologies were introduced. The side effects were the dependent of military and diplomacy. Both area were controlled by British government.

The situation reached their turning point during World War II. Even though Mengwi were just mildly affected but the conquered of Mandara Giri by Japanese forces also drag Mengwi into it. Fortunately, the Japanese presence were not too long. Mandara Giri was liberated in early 1945 after one and a half year under Japanese occupation.

The British came back to claimed their lost territories. But they were facing backlash from Mandara Giri' monarch. Royal families and commoners marched together to protest about British presence in their land. Mengwian were also engaged in the protest. Overwhelmed by the never ending protest, British government agreed to talked.

In 1949, Pemecutan Confederation is re-establish with all 4 former constituent states as their members. Mengwi and Batubulan (including Petang Archipelago) are admitted as the Confederation territories.

Administrative divisions
Officially, Mengwi is divided into 7 provinces. Each of the provinces are further divided into municipalities totaling 66 municipalities.