Metonymic Use
The term kraton 'palace' is also used as a way to refer to the court which it houses.
This is especially the case for native Indonesian states where the succession is disputed, giving issue to two or more branches of the dynasty, or even rivaling dynasties, each setting up an alternative court, while competing for the same state, but generally only controlling part of it.
An example is the West-Javan state of Cirebon, which was founded in 1478 and since 1662 was ruled from four kraton (palaces):
- (1) Kraton Kasepuhan, using as the ruler's style Sultan
- (2) Kraton Kanoman, style Sultan
- (3) Kraton Kaprabonan, style Panembahan (lower in rank)
- (4) Kraton Kacirebonan, style Sultan
Read more about this topic: Kraton (Indonesia)