King Airlangga and Our Water Sovereignty

When discussing renewable energy, the name King Airlangga might not immediately come to mind. Yet in truth, this ruler of the Kahuripan Kingdom was far ahead of his time in recognizing the vital importance of water—not merely as a basic necessity for the people, but as a source of civilizational strength.

In the 11th century, Airlangga faced a water crisis: floods, droughts, and agricultural collapse. But instead of dominating nature with authoritarian means, he chose to maintain balance. He constructed irrigation channels, reservoirs, and flood control systems guided by a principle: water must be directed, not battled.

The Brantas River became the lifeblood of his people—a legacy preserved in inscriptions, oral histories, and irrigation systems still visible in East Java today. Airlangga’s achievements were not merely infrastructure projects, but manifestations of ecological sovereignty.

Amid the current euphoria over energy transitions and national strategic projects, we often forget that water is not just an energy commodity—it is a living entity within our culture. King Airlangga never separated development from the environment. He bound them together in the spirit of service to the people.

We must ask ourselves: how could a king from a thousand years ago manage water more wisely than today’s policymakers?

To honor water is to honor life itself. We are not lacking in technology. What we need is rooted ecological awareness—not just floating modernity.

So, when the government builds dams, hydroelectric plants, or green energy strategies, let us remember: we are not merely building projects. We are determining the direction of civilization—whether we remain a nation that nurtures, or one that destroys for short-term ambition.

King Airlangga has shown the way. Our task today is to follow in his footsteps—not with nostalgia, but with real action that respects water as both the people’s right and the earth’s legacy.

By: Putra Anak Wungsu

The author is a cultural historian and sustainable energy advocate.