Surakarta Palace was founded by Sri Susuhunan Paku Buwono II as a replacement for Kartasura Palace, the center of the Mataram Kingdom which was destroyed by the Chinatown Geger in 1743. After several years of inhabiting his new palace, Paku Buwono II passed away in 1749. Then his successor acted as king of Mataram until 1755. Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace is located in Sala Village which is close to Bengawan Sala, the largest river in Java which since the Kuna's era has an important significance as a pheriperal between East Java and Central Java.