Mengwi

Mengwi or officially Kingdom of Mengwi (Hanacaraka Latin: Puri Anom Mangwirajya is one of 6 constituent states of Pemecutan. Located to the east of Pemecutan mainland, Mengwi is one out of 2 Pemecutan states that is not located in Giri Island. It is bordered to the north by Batubulan Sea, Madya Sea to its east and south and Canggu Strait to its west. The capital is Mengwi which is also the largest city. It has a land area of 6,656 km2 and a population of 2.2 millions. With the figure, Mengwi is the second largest states in Pemecutan both by area and population. Other notable cities including Canggu, Mengwitani and Mambal.

It's history can be traced back from early fifth century when the island was under Sripala Kingdom. It was known as Saurya Islands. Mengwi then become part of Giri Kingdom and its successor country. It was not until early 18th century that Mengwi become a sovereign nation. But the nation was short-lived after it was conquered by British Empire in 1879. It become a puppet state of British.

After World War II, independence movement arisen in Mengwi. They rejected the plan to merge Mengwi Kingdom with other kingdoms in Giri Island. Mengwi finally gained it's independence in 1956. But after a decade, the government decided to eventually merge with Pemecutan.

Today, Kingdom of Mengwi is the third largest economy in Pemecutan. Falling behind of Tambangan and Satria. It main economic drive is tourism as the state is lack of natural resources. Most of the development centered in the western part of the state where the capital, Mengwi, and the main port, Mengwitani are located.

Etymology
During the Sripala reigned, the islands was known by the name Saurya Islands. The name was believed to be based off God of Sun in Hindusim, Surya. The naming in coincidence with the islands location in the eastern edge of Sripala's domain.

When the first kingdom established in the islands, it was named Karang Surya which means Land of the Sun. The named was still in use until the fall of Pala Dynasty. The name is change into Manguwirajya after Pala Dynasty was replaced by their branch line, Mangu House. It is believed that the name is based off the name of the current dynasty. Although Manguwirajya also has a different meaning.

Mangwirajya is an old Hanacarakan word that comes from 3 root words, Mangu, Wira and Rajya which can be translated as Longing of a Great Leader. The naming is believe to be a hope that the state is always govern by a great leader. The British is the first to call the country as Mangwi to shorten the pronounce. The name is changed overtime into Mengwi.

After their independence in 1956, the name Mengwi is use to address the country internationally. While, Mangwirajya is use locally. The naming consensus is preserve until the country merged into Pemecutan in 1966.

Early History
The island was believe to be inhabited as early as 15,000 BC. The discovery of stone tools in northern shore of Surya Island, Mengwi main 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 western 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, Saurya Islands, as what they called it during the time, 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 the islands.

During the reigned of Giri Kingdom, the situation in Saurya 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. The islands tried to break away during Mandala Giri Succession War but the attempted was failed. The islands administration was then continued to Karanganyar Kingdom. A slight change came during the reigned of King Karanganyar II. The King's brother, Prince Ki Kerta Pala, was assigned to govern Saurya Islands. Hence, Karang Surya Kingdom was established in 1382.

Early Monarchy Era
Saurya Islands became more developed after the establishment of Karang Surya Kingdom although the kingdom was still a vassal of Karanganyar Kingdom. A port was established in Mengwitani for trading. The kingdom also made connection with other kingdoms in Pemecutan area.

After around 4 centuries, Pala Dynasty eventually ended after the last King was heirless. The kingdom went to his nephew which change the name of kingdom into Kingdom of Manguwirajya or more known as Mengwi Kingdom. And the new, Mangu House, reigned the kingdom.

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 kingdom dependent on them both economically and military. Mengwian nobles try to warned the King but their attempted failed. In late 1878, British forces suddenly attacked Mengwi and colonized the islands. The King was reinstated by British government although they were now become a puppet states of the Empire.

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 Tambangan Kingdom by Japanese forces also drag Mengwi into it. Fortunately, the Japanese presence were not too long. Pemecutan area were liberated in early 1945.

The British came back to claimed their lost territories. But they were facing backlash from Mengwian King and nobles. Nobles families and commoners marched together to protest about British presence in their land. An action that they learned from their brothers in Giri Island.

In 1947, a meeting was held between British ambassador and all the 6 kingdoms in Pemecutan area. The meeting was to decided the future of the area. There was an idea to merge all kingdoms into a single country which in the mind of British ambassador will be more stronger both economically and militarily. But the idea was rejected by Mengwian and Petangian delegations. The four kingdoms in Giri Island were merge into Giri Federation while Mengwi and Petang Islands were given independence as a separate entities.

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