Toponymy

The origin of the name Tasikmalaya is uncertain. The word has no apparent meaning in local languages. Three possibilities have been proposed, all of which are combinations of Sundanese words: (1) the name may be a conflation of tasik and (ma)layah, literally "an ocean of hills";^[8] (2) the source words may be tasik, jeung, and laya, meaning "large tracts of sand" (Sundanese: keusik ngalayah, Indonesian: hamparan pasir); (3) the name's original words may be Tasik (lake, sea), and Malaya (a chain of mountains or highlands), also meaning "an ocean of hills".^[9] The "ocean" or large area is presumed to begin at Sukapura,^[8] formerly called Tawang or Tawang-Galunggung. Tawang means paddy fields or literary "a wide range of an open space". The eruption of Mount Galunggung created mountains, hills, and mounds of scattered sand in the formerly open region of Sukapura.

Ancient origins

In the 7th to 8th centuries, a realm with an unknown form of governance was centered near Mount Galunggung. The realm had the authority to designate the sovereigns of the Galuh Kingdom. Its rulers were Batara Semplakwaja, Batara Kuncung Putih, Batara Kawindu, Batara Wastuhayu, and finally Batari Hyang, who changed the form of governance into a monarchy (kingdom).^[10]

According to the Geger Hanjuang inscription, the Kingdom of Galunggung was established on 13th Bhadrapada 1033 Shaka (21 August 1111), and Queen Batari Hyang was its first ruler. Her famous teachings, known as Sang Hyang Siksakanda ng Kareksian, were still used as an official doctrine in the era of Prabu Siliwangi (1482–1521), the monarch of Pakuan Pajajaran. The Kingdom of Galunggung lasted for six more rulers, each in hereditary succession.^[10]

Modern

At the start of the 16th century, a government in Sukakerta faced an opportunity to secede from its sovereign ruler, the Pajajaran Kingdom, which was ruled by Prabu Surawisesa (successor to Sri Baduga Maharaja Prabu Siliwangi). His kingdom faced a threat of expansion from the Banten Sultanate and Demak with the spread of Islam. As this expansion weakened the kingdom, its territories tried to break away.^[10]

In the early 17th century, three major forces (Mataram, Banten, and the VOC) were in conflict on the island of Java. After ten years of upheaval in the region of Priangan, the head of Sukakerta, Wirawangsa, was assigned as the Regent of Sukapura and honoured with a nobility name of Wiradadaha I by Sultan Agung of Mataram. Upon the promotion of its leader, the regency changed its name to Sukapura and the capital of the regency was moved from Dayeuh Tengah to Leuwiloa, Sukaraja.^[10]

Years later, under the governance of Raden Tumenggung Surialaga (1813–14), the capital of the regency was brought to Tasikmalaya. In 1832, under the governance of Wiradadaha VIII, the capital was moved to Manonjaya, but after some consideration, particularly economically, it was switched back to Tasikmalaya. In 1913, the name of the regency, Sukapura, was changed to Tasikmalaya by the government regent R.A.A. Wiratanuningrat (1908–1937).^[10]

Based on the Geger Hanjuang inscription, the date of August 21 has been assigned as the date of Tasikmalaya regency's anniversary. The inscription, as it tells, was made to mark the establishment of the Kingdom of Galunggung and the inauguration of its first sovereign, Queen Batari Hyang, on 21 August 1111.^[10]

Government Regent history (1641 to 1937)

• 1641–1674: Raden Ngabehi Wirawangsa (Raden Tumenggung Wiradadaha I)
• 1674: Raden Jayamanggala (Raden Tumenggung Wiradadaha II)
• 1674–1723: Raden Anggadipa I (Raden Tumenggung Wiradadaha III)
• 1723–1745: Raden Subamanggala (Raden Tumenggung Wiradadaha IV)
• 1745–1747: Raden Secapati (Raden Tumenggung Wiradadaha V)
• 1747–1765: Raden Jaya Anggadireja (Raden Tumenggung Wiradadaha VI)
• 1765–1807: Raden Djayamanggala II (Raden Tumenggung Wiradadaha VII)
• 1807–1837: Raden Anggadipa II (Raden Tumenggung Wiradadaha VIII)
• 1837–1844: Raden Tumenggung Danudiningrat
• 1844–1855: Raden Tumenggung Wiratanubaya
• 1855–1875: Raden Tumenggung Wiraadegdana
• 1875–1901: Raden Tumenggung Wirahadiningrat
• 1901–1908: Raden Tumenggung Prawirahadingrat
• 1908–1937: Raden Tumenggung Wiratanuningrat

Climate

Like the rest of Preanger's regencies, the climate of Tasikmalaya Regency is normally a tropical rainforest climate.^[16] It receives an average annual precipitation of 2.072 m.^[17] Although it experiences heavy rainfall^[16] the regency gets a considerable amount of heat. The average daily temperature of the regency is mildly varied, ranging from 20–34 °C (68–93 °F) in lowland areas and 18–22 °C (64–72 °F) in the upland areas.^[17]

Location

Following the excision of Tasikmalaya City, the residual Tasikmalaya Regency comprises an area of 2,708.82 km².^[18] It is bounded on the east by Garut Regency, marked by the Galunggung highlands, from southwest along to the northwest. Far to the north, the regency borders on Majalengka Regency and continues to the east with Ciamis Regency and Tasikmalaya City, the latter which it surrounds on three sides. Finally, to the south, Tasikmalaya Regency is bounded by the Indian Ocean. Tasikmalaya Regency's greatest distance from north to south is about 75 km, and about 56.25 km from east to west.^{[19][failed verification]}

List of tourist destinations in Tasikmalaya Regency

There are more than 70 spots of tourist destinations in Tasikmalaya Regency, some of them are listed below.^{[21][failed verification]}

Jasper Geopark

Pasirgintung village (in Cibuniasih subdistrict, Pancatengah district) is known for its numerous red jasper rocks; however, now only about 120 rocks remain. The administration will conserve it as Jasper Geopark.^[22]