Indonesia: Masters of Ceremonies employed at Balinese royal courts, c. 1870

Dewa Agung was the title of the kings of Klungkung, the foremost in rank among the nine kingdoms of Bali, Indonesia. It was also borne by other high-ranking members of the dynasty. The term Dewa means 'god' and was also a general title for members of the Ksatria caste. Agung translates as 'high' or 'great'. Literally, the title therefore means Great God.

The last Dewa Agung lost his life in the so-called puputan of Klungkung Palace on 28 April 1908 during the Dutch intervention in Bali (1908). This was a ritually laden suicidal attack by the dynasty and their retainers against a well-armed detachment of Dutch colonial troops. In the end almost two hundred Balinese were killed by Dutch bullets.

After this event Klungkung was placed under direct Dutch rule. In 1929 a nephew of the last ruler, Dewa Agung Oka Geg, was appointed regent by the colonial authorities. In 1938 the status of him and seven other Balinese regents was elevated to zelfbestuurder or raja. After the formation of a unitary Indonesian state in 1949-1950, the raja rule was phased out in Bali and elsewhere.

The Dewa Agung title lapsed with the death of Dewa Agung Oka Geg in 1964. Members of his family have since periodically governed Klungkung as bupati or regents.

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