Legacy of Gangga Negara: The Lost Kingdom of Perak

Gangga Negara, believed to be a lost Hindu kingdom, was ruled by Raja Gangga Shah Johan. The name "Gangga Negara," meaning "a city on the Ganges" in Sanskrit, reflects its connection to Ganganagar in northwest India, home of the Kambuja people. This ancient kingdom is thought to have encompassed modern-day Beruas, Dinding, and Manjung in the state of Perak, Malaysia.

There are theories about its founding. One suggests that it was established by Raja Ganjil Sarjuna, the son of Merong Mahawangsa of Kedah, who was allegedly a descendant of Alexander the Great. Another theory posits that Hindu traders from Ganganagar founded Gangga Negara by the 2nd century.

Gangga Negara is historically linked with other significant ancient kingdoms, such as Langkasuka and old Kedah, also known as Kadaram. The kingdom's existence and prosperity were significantly disrupted between 1025 and 1026 when it suffered an invasion by King Rajendra Chola I of Coromandel, South India. Rajendra Chola I, the son of Rajaraja Chola I, was a formidable ruler of the Tamil Chola dynasty.

Following the establishment of Islam in the region, the kingdom of Gangga Negara was renamed Beruas. This shift marked a significant transformation in the cultural and religious landscape of the area. Today, the legacy of Gangga Negara is preserved through historical research and archaeological findings, which continue to shed light on this once-thriving kingdom and its contributions to Southeast Asian history.
Legacy of Gangga Negara: The Lost Kingdom of Perak

The Kingdom of Gangga Negara

The Kingdom of Gangga Negara
Gangga Negara was believed to be a lost Hindu Kingdom rules by Raja Gangga Shah Johan.

Gangga Negara means “a city on the Ganges” in Sanskrit, the name derived from Ganganagar in northwest India where the Kambuja people inhabited. It is believed that the kingdom covered present day Beruas, Dinding and Manjung in the state of Perak.

It may have founded by Merong Mahawangsa’s son Raja Ganjil Sarjuna of Kedah, allegedly a descendent of Alexander the Great. It may also established by Hindu traders by the 2nd century originating from Ganganagar.

The Gangga Negara is coincided with Langkasuka and the old Kedah or Kadaram.

Researches believed that the kingdom collapsed after an attack by King Rajendra Chola I of Coromandel, South India, between 1025 and 1026. Rajendra Chola I was the son of Rajaraja Chola I, the great king of Tamil Chola dynasty.

The kingdom of Gangga Negara was renamed to Beruas after the establishment of Islam there.
The Kingdom of Gangga Negara