The Legend of Baturraden

Once upon a time, there was a Duchy of Kutaliman which was located in Banyumas, Central Java. The place was ruled by the Duke of Kutaliman. During his reign, the Duke of Kutaliman had a servant who was kind, honest and obedient to him. The person named Batur Gamel. Therefore, the Duke of Kutaliman entrusted Batur Gamel to work for him as caretaker for the horses. Apart from being known as a trustworthy person, he is also said to have a handsome face.

For the trust given to him, Batur Gamel always did the tasks that are always given to him like on that day. After finishing washing and feeding the horses he was taking care of, Batur Gamel decided to give himself a walk around the Duchy of Kutaliman’s area which he had never visited before. Before long, he discovered a lake in front of his eyes. He continued his journey while enjoying the scenery around there. However, a sudden scream startled him. Batur Gamel realized that the source of the sound was a woman’s voice not far from him. He walked fast until he found the Duke of Kutaliman’s daughter, Raden Ayu, screaming in fear because a snake was blocking her from the front. The snake was very big and made Batur Gamel shiver in fear. However, Raden Ayu’s life was very important to him and he had to save the princess no matter what. Batur Gamel tried to calm himself down and think about what to do to help her. Suddenly, an idea flashed through his head. He took a long stick that was nearby, then he hit the stick right on the snake’s head. However, the snake did not give up so easily that Batur Gamel had to hit it several times until the snake fell before their eyes. Raden Ayu is very grateful to Batur Gamel for saving her life. Since then, a friendship has been established between them.

Raden Ayu and Batur Gamel became close over time. Without anyone realizing it, feelings of love grew between the two of them. Initially, they had a relationship secretly. Batur Gamel was aware that he had a very different position from Raden Ayu so that their relationship could be challenged at any time. However, the time when there was news that Raden Ayu was pregnant with Batur Gamel’s child came to the surface. They tried to hide it until Raden Ayu’s stomach grew so big and big. Nevertheless, Batur Gamel thought that he could not just stay silent. Batur Gamel did not want anything bad to happen to Raden Ayu. Therefore, he went to meet the Duke of Kutaliman. He told everything and was ready to take responsibility for the child conceived by the woman he loved, Raden Ayu. However, his statement made the Duke of Kutaliman very angry at him.

Without thinking any further, the Duke of Kutaliman expelled Raden Ayu and Batur Gamel out of the Duchy of Kutaliman. They left the place feeling sad and guilty. They headed north and continued walking along the slopes of Mount Slamet. Raden Ayu struggled to hold back the pain that was felt throughout her entire body. However, the pain was unstoppable and Batur Gembel realized that this was the time when Raden Ayu had to give birth to their child. Later, their child was born healthy near the river where they were. Because Raden Ayu and their child’s condition did not allow them to walk any farther, they decided to stay longer in that refreshing and quiet place.

While in the Duchy of Kutaliman, the Duke of Kutaliman felt sorry for having sent his daughter away. He commanded his men to rush to find Raden Ayu’s whereabouts. However, after Raden Ayu was found, she refused to return. Raden Ayu thought that she had disappointed his father and she would live a life outside the Duchy of Kutaman as punishment. Finally, Batur Gamel and Raden Ayu decided to stay in that place which is now known as Baturraden.