The arrival of the Hindu people from India marked the end of prehistorical period in Indonesia. The first centuries AD until the year of 1500, ie with the fall of Majapahit kingdom, constituted the Hindu influence period. Based on the information found on an 8th century AD inscription, it could be said that the ancient Balinese historical period covered the time between the 8th and the 14th century AD when the Majapahit's Gajah Mada expedition invaded and defeated Bali.

The term Balidwipa (meaning Bali island) has existed since time immemorial. This has been discovered from various inscriptions. Among these inscriptions were Blanjong charter which was issued by Sri Kesari Warmadewa in 913 AD mentioned the word Walidwipa. Similar evidence was from King Jayapangus' charters: Buwahan D and Cempaga A inscriptions dated 1181 AD.

Bali's historical period is divided into three phases: 882-1343 period, 1343-1846 period, and 1846-1949 period.

A. Kings and Queen
The following kings and queen governed Bali during this period:

Singhamandawa Dynasty
Warmadewa Dynasty
a. King Sri Kesari Warmadewa
b. Queen Sri Ugrasena
c. King Candrabhaya Singa Warmadewa
d. King Dharma Udayana Warmadewa
e. King Marakata
f. King Anak Wungsu
g. Sri Maharaja Sri Walaprabu
h. Sri Maharaja Sri Sakalendukirana
i. Sri Suradhipa
j. Sri Jaya Sakti
k. King Jayapangus
l. King Sri Astasura Ratna Bumi Banten

B. The System of Government
Among the Balinese kings who left a lot of written information which described the structure of government at the time were Udayana, Jayapangus, Jayasakti, and Anak Wungsu.

Central Advisory Board or the Board called panglapuan assisted the king running the government according to a charter dated 882 - 914 AD. Since Udayana's time, the Board was called pakiran-kiran i jro makabaihan. The Board members comprised of several senapatis (commanders) and Siwa and Buddhist priests.