List of 10 Islamic Kingdoms in Indonesia and Their Legacies

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Islam is one of the religions that influenced the course of Indonesian history. This can be seen from a number of Islamic kingdoms that once existed in the archipelago. What are the Islamic kingdoms in Indonesia?

The development of Islam in Indonesia cannot be separated from the existence of Islamic kingdoms. Not only as an institution that gave birth to many Muslim descendants, the kingdom was also instrumental in bequeathing other historical objects and cultural heritage.

The Islamic kingdoms in the archipelago spread from Java to the Maluku islands. These kingdoms have their own uniqueness, starting from the way of teachings, culture and heritage are spread. Summarized from various sources, the following is a list of Islamic kingdoms in Indonesia.

The 10 Islamic Kingdoms in Indonesia

Information about the first Islamic kingdom in Indonesia is still being debated. Some histories say that the first Islamic kingdom was the Samudera Pasai Sultanate in Aceh. However, there are also opinions that believe the Perlak Kingdom was the first Islamic kingdom. However, the very rapid spread of Islam in Indonesia has created several large kingdoms, including the following:

1. Perlak Kingdom (840 AD – 1292 AD)

The Perlak Kingdom or Peureulak Sultanate is known to be one of the economic centers in Aceh. Many world traders carry out buying and selling stuffs, doing transactions in the Peureulak area, East Aceh. Starting from the Chinese, Indian, Gujarati, Persian and Arab traders who were interested in visiting and making trades. The leading commodity from the Peureulak region is perlak wood which is a raw material for making ships.

Saiyid Abdul Aziz was the first person to establish the Perlak kingdom. This kingdom reached the end of its glory when it was under the rule of Muhammad Amir Syah. The king's daughter then married Malik Saleh, who became an important figure in the existence of the Samudera Pasai Kingdom.

The most popular relic of the Perlak Kingdom is the tombstone of King Benoa on the Trennggulon River. Benoa itself is a state of the Perlak Kingdom. It is estimated that the Benoa tomb was made around the 11th century AD. There was also perlak currency which consisted of dirhams (gold), kupang (silver), and copper/brass. As well as a royal seal inscribed with Arabic script with the words 'Al Wasiq Billah Kerajaan Negeri Bendahara Sanah 512' which means the Kingdom of Perlak.

2. Ternate Kingdom (1257 AD)

The Ternate Kingdom or Gapi Kingdom is located in North Maluku. This kingdom was founded by Sultan Marhum and became the center of spices at that time. With great military strength, the Ternate kingdom achieved a period of glory when it was led by Sultan Baabullah. The relics of the Ternate Kingdom that are most often visited are the buildings, including the Ternate Sultan Mosque, Sultan Baabullah's Tomb, Tolukko Fort, and the Ternate Sultanate Palace.

3. Samudera Pasai Kingdom (1267 AD – 1521 AD)

Sultan Malik Al Saleh or Meurah Silu occupied the first throne in Samudera Pasai. Meurah Silu was the son-in-law of the last king of the Perlak Kingdom, Muhammad Amir Syah. Samudera Pasai succeeded in becoming the center of the world spice trade and even issued the dirham currency made of pure gold as an official medium of exchange. Samudera Pasai experienced destruction in 1521 due to internal conflict and attacks by Portuguese troops.

Historical relics from Samudera Pasai that have been found include the tomb of the king of Samudera Pasai in Geudong Village, Cakra Donya, Dirhams, and the Manuscript of Sultan Zainal Abidin's Letter.

4. Gowa Kingdom (1300 AD – 1945 AD)

The Gowa Kingdom in South Sulawesi began to embrace Islam in the 16th century. The Gowa Kingdom continued to grow after merging with the Tallo Kingdom. These two kingdoms had great soldiers, and dominated trade in the eastern archipelago, as well as the Pinisi and Lombo ship manufacturers. The mixture of the two kingdoms gave birth to the Islamic Kingdom of Makassar which prospered under the auspices of Sultan Hasanuddin. Some of the remains of the Gowa Kingdom include the sturdy buildings of Fort Rotterdam, the Old Katangka Mosque, the Balla Lompoa Museum, the Tamalate Palace and the Somba Opu Fort.

5. Malacca Sultanate (1405 AD – 1511 AD)

The fifth Islamic kingdom in Indonesia was the Malacca Kingdom which was founded by Parameswara around 1405 AD. This Sultanate controlled shipping and trade routes in the Malacca Strait around the 15th century. The Malacca Sultanate was once led by a Sultan named Mahmud Syah, before finally collapsing due to the Portuguese attack. The remains of this kingdom are the Deli Grand Mosque and the Baiturrahman Mosque in Aceh.

6. Islamic Kingdom of Cirebon (1430 AD – 1677 AD)

The Islamic Kingdom of Cirebon is said to be the kingdom that first spread Islam in West Java. One of its famous leaders was Sunan Gunung Jati.

In 1677 AD, the Islamic Kingdom of Cirebon was divided into two, namely the Kanoman Sultanate and the Kasepuhan Sultanate. Relics of the Islamic Kingdom of Cirebon include the White Tiger Statue, Lion Barong Carriage, Keprabon Palace, Mande Building and Kasepuhan Cirebon Palace.

7. Demak Kingdom (1478 AD – 1554 AD)

The largest kingdom in the coastal area of Java Island was founded by Raden Patah after the destruction of Majapahit. Some of the famous kings of Demak are Sultan Trenggono, Pati Unus, Arya Penangsang, and Sunan Prawata. The Demak kingdom then collapsed due to several reasons, one of which was a rebellion. Relics of this kingdom include the Tomb of Sunan Kalijaga, the Great Mosque of Demak, Dampar Kencana, Lawang Bledek, Soku Guru, and Surya Majapahit.

8. Islamic Kingdom of Banten (1526 AD -1813 AD)

The Islamic Kingdom of Banten emerged around 1526 AD. One of the most famous kings was Sultan Maulana Hasanudin. During its development, the Islamic Kingdom of Banten was able to crush the VOC trade monopoly under the leadership of Sultan Agung Tirtayasa. The Islamic Kingdom of Banten then collapsed due to various reasons, one of which was due to civil war. Relics of this kingdom include the Surosowan Palace, Speelwijk Fort and the Great Mosque of Banten.

9. Pajang Kingdom (1568 AD – 1586 AD)

The next Islamic kingdom in Indonesia was the Pajang Kingdom. One of the famous kings was Jaka Tingkir. During his reign, Jaka Tingkir succeeded in expanding to the east, namely Madiun. Blora, and Kediri. Relics from the Pajang Kingdom include Laweyan Market and the Tomb of Sultan Hadiwijaya in Surakarta.

10. Islamic Mataram Kingdom (1588 AD – 1680 AD)

The last historical Islamic kingdom in Indonesia was the Islamic Mataram Kingdom. This kingdom was centered in Kotagede, Yogyakarta. The Islamic Mataram Kingdom was founded by Ki Ageng Sela and Ki Ageng Pemanahan. Initially, Islamic Mataram was a duchy of the Pajang Kingdom. The Islamic Mataram Kingdom was in the midst of its glory when it was led by Sultan Agung.

The Islamic Mataram Kingdom collapsed due to various problems, one of which was internal politics. Based on the Giyanti Agreement, this kingdom was then divided into the Ngayogyakarta Sultanate and the Surakarta Kasunanan. Relics that are quite popular include the Hanacaraka script, the Kotagede Mosque, the Great Gedhe Kauman Mosque, the Sulthoni Plosokuning State Pathok Mosque, and many others.

MELYNDA DWI PUSPITA

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