Karambalangan
Karambalangan is a type of personal armor from Java. It is a metal coating worn in front of the chest or breastplate.[1]: 320 [2]: 802
The Kakawin Ramayana (c. 870 AD), which is the Javanese version of Valmiki's epic Ramayana (c. 500 BC), mentions clothing and armor that reflect the era. A member of the royal family is said to wear crown, padaka (collar, medallion, or breastplate), karambalangan (girdle or plastron) and use gold-plated armor even in battle.[2]: 802 [3]: 27
Karambalangan was recorded in the Kidung Panji Wijayakrama-Rangga Lawe (written as early as 1334 AD),[4]: 56 which mentioned that Rangga Lawe wore karambalangan manik (jeweled karambalangan) when he rebelled against Majapahit (1295 AD).[5]: 187 Emperor Raden Wijaya in that kidung was recorded using golden karambalangan manik.[5]: 105
In the Kidung Sundayana, it is written that Gajah Mada before the Bubat tragedy wore a karambalangan (a metal plate on the front of the chest—breastplate) decorated with gold emboss, armed with a gold-plated spear, and a shield decorated with diamonds.[6][7]