Due to the existence of the elephants with its ivory trunks, this place is popularly known as Gading (Ivory). Taking lessons from Kartosuro Palace, which were easy to be attacked by enemies, the new Surakarta Palace fortified itself. So, the Alun-Alun was also meant to be a battleground to resist any attack. Several batteries of soldiers were installed in Pagelaran and in front of it (Gelar: formation of troops - Pagelaran: a place where battle tactics are decided). The routes encircling the Alun-Alun are called Supit Urang (Supit: pincers - Urang: crab), symbolising a tactic to defeat the intruders.
In Baluarti, there were rice - barns, arsenal and ammunition depot, and stables for horses of the cavalry and the special garrison of the king's guard (Tamtomo). The palace is also a place of high spiritual meaning of old Javanese faith. As there are seven stairs and seven gates at Candi Borobudur, there are also seven squares at Solo Palace : 1. Pamuraan Njawi 2. Pamuraan Nglebet 3. Alun-Alun Lor 4. Sitinggil 5. Kamandungan 6. Sri Manganti 7. Plataran