The cool mountainous regency of Bangli was long fought over by rulers from neighboring kingdoms. The Lake Batur is the major source of irrigation water for most of South and East Bali and part of the north.The ruling house emerged during the early years of the Klungkung kingdom during the 1700s to which it is related.In the mid 1800s Bangli sought Dutch protection from Klungkung, Karangasem, and Buleleng, but by the end of the 19th century it was joining its former enemies against powerful Mengwi to the west.