Kudungga

Kudungga was a king (raja) of the Kutai Martadipura Kingdom in present-day East Kalimantan, Indonesia. He is considered one of the earliest rulers of a known Hindu kingdom in Indonesia, although the extent of his Hindu affiliation during his reign is debated.

Based on the Yupa inscriptions, Kudungga is mentioned as the father of Asmawarman and the grandfather of Mulawarman. It is generally believed that Kudungga was a local chieftain who adopted Hinduism, or whose successor did, as the inscriptions suggest a gradual shift towards Hindu beliefs and practices within the ruling family.

The name "Kudungga" is considered to be of native Indonesian origin, suggesting he was not of Indian descent. This contrasts with the names of his descendants, Asmawarman and Mulawarman, which have Sanskrit influences. This linguistic distinction further supports the theory of a gradual adoption of Hinduism within the royal lineage of Kutai Martadipura, beginning with Kudungga and becoming more pronounced with his successors.

Historical accounts primarily rely on the Yupa inscriptions for information about Kudungga. These inscriptions, written in Sanskrit using the Pallava script, provide the primary source of knowledge about his reign and the early history of the Kutai kingdom. The inscriptions erected during Mulawarman's reign speak of Kudungga in a respectful manner, suggesting he held a position of authority and was the founder of the dynasty. However, it is important to note that the inscriptions focus more on Mulawarman's achievements and devotion to Hinduism.