Senjata Kerajaan Nusantara Bag 2 : Kesultanan Demak

Summary

This transcript covers the historical events surrounding the rise and fall of the Demak Sultanate in Indonesia, highlighting key battles against the Portuguese, including the fall of Malacca, the leadership of Sultan Trenggono, and the resistance led by figures like Pati Unus and Ratu Kalinyamat. Despite setbacks, including the defeat at Malacca and internal struggles, Demak played a significant role in resisting foreign colonial powers, preventing Portuguese dominance in Java. The script also delves into the cultural and political shifts, including the eventual rise of the Pajang Sultanate, which marked a transformation from a maritime to an agrarian society.

Takeaways

• 😀 The fall of Malaka to the Portuguese in 1511 was a major disaster for the maritime kingdoms in the Malay Archipelago, as it disrupted key trade routes in the Strait of Malaka.
• 😀 The Sultanate of Demak quickly responded to the Portuguese occupation of Malaka by sending an army in 1513, led by Pati Unus, to reclaim the city. However, they were defeated due to a lack of advanced weaponry.
• 😀 Pati Unus’s flagship, a giant ship known as the 'jumrah sasa', was so impressive that it astonished the Portuguese, but the Demak fleet was still outclassed by Portuguese firepower.
• 😀 Despite the initial defeat, Demak’s fight continued, with the Sultanate upgrading its artillery, involving skilled makers like Gozaimasu, a former Portuguese defector.
• 😀 The struggle to regain Malaka culminated in 1521 with the death of Pati Unus, who was wounded during the battle and later buried in Demak.
• 😀 After Pati Unus’s death, Demak, under Sultan Trenggono, launched further campaigns to expel the Portuguese but faced challenges from internal power struggles and external forces, including the Majapahit kingdom.
• 😀 The conflict between Demak and Majapahit was complicated, with Raden Patah, the Sultan of Demak, being wrongly accused of betraying his father, Prabu Brawijaya V, who was the king of Majapahit.
• 😀 The Sultanate of Demak’s identity and legitimacy were strongly tied to the legacy of Majapahit, which Demak continued in a reformed, Islamic form, using symbols like the Surya Majapahit.
• 😀 The Kingdom of Sunda, led by Prabu Siliwangi, aligned itself with the Portuguese after Demak’s rise, but Demak's forces, led by Fatahillah, successfully attacked the Portuguese fort in Sunda Kelapa (modern Jakarta) in 1527.
• 😀 The ongoing resistance against Portuguese colonialism, particularly led by Ratu Kalinyamat of Jepara, involved multiple military campaigns against the Portuguese in Malaka, although they ultimately failed to recapture the city.
• 😀 Despite the failure to remove the Portuguese from Malaka, Demak’s resistance, and later efforts from Jepara, contributed to weakening Portuguese influence in the region, particularly in the Spice Islands and Ternate.
• 😀 The rise of the Pajang Sultanate following the decline of Demak led to a shift from a maritime, trade-based economy to a more agrarian, land-based one, which affected technological progress, including military weaponry.

Q & A

What strategic importance did the fall of Malacca to the Portuguese in 1511 have for the kingdoms in the Nusantara?

The fall of Malacca to the Portuguese was a significant blow to the kingdoms in the Nusantara as Malacca controlled the Strait of Malacca, a crucial maritime trade route between the islands of Southeast Asia, India, the Arabian Peninsula, and Africa.

Who led the Demak forces in the 1513 attempt to recapture Malacca, and what was notable about his fleet?

Raden Abdul Qadir Bin Yunus, known as Pati Unus, led the Demak forces in 1513. His fleet was notable for its size, consisting of 100 ships, including large warships such as the Jumrah Sasa, which were impressive even to the Portuguese.

Why did the Demak forces ultimately fail in their first attempt to recapture Malacca in 1513?

Demak's failure was primarily due to their inferior weaponry. While their ships were large, they lacked heavy artillery like the superior cannons of the Portuguese, which proved decisive in the battle.

What efforts did Sultan Trenggono make to strengthen Demak's military after Pati Unus' death?

After Pati Unus' death, Sultan Trenggono focused on improving Demak's weaponry by recruiting experts like the former Portuguese defector, Zainal Gozaimasu, to help produce stronger cannons for the kingdom.

What is the significance of the cannon 'Ki Amuk' from the Demak Sultanate?

'Ki Amuk' is a notable cannon from the Demak Sultanate, bearing Islamic inscriptions and the Surya Majapahit symbol. It exemplifies the kingdom's efforts to strengthen its artillery and resist Portuguese domination.

How did the Demak Sultanate view its relationship with the Majapahit Kingdom?

Demak viewed itself as the continuation of Majapahit, albeit as an Islamic kingdom, with shared symbols like the Surya Majapahit. Demak's leaders, including Sultan Raden Patah, fought to protect their heritage and their fathers, including Prabu Brawijaya V.

What was the nature of the conflict between Demak and Majapahit, and what was the outcome?

The conflict arose after Majapahit was weakened by internal struggles, with Demak emerging victorious under Sultan Raden Patah. This led to the fall of Majapahit and its eventual collapse, with many of its elite fleeing to Bali.

What role did the Sultanate of Sunda play in the conflict between Demak and the Portuguese?

The Sultanate of Sunda, led by Prabu Siliwangi, initially cooperated with the Portuguese, which led to a military confrontation with Demak. Sultan Trenggono of Demak, through his general Fatahillah, successfully attacked Sunda Kelapa in 1527, expelling Portuguese influence.

How did the Portuguese attempt to establish influence in other regions of Java, like Blambangan?

The Portuguese attempted to establish a presence in Blambangan by forming alliances and sending missionaries. However, Demak, under Sultan Trenggono, took military action to prevent the Portuguese from building a stronghold in the region.

How did the fall of Sultan Trenggono affect the Demak Sultanate and the region?

After Sultan Trenggono's death, the Demak Sultanate experienced a succession crisis, which led to internal instability. His death also marked a shift in the region, as the political center moved to Pajang under Sultan Hadiwijaya, transitioning from a maritime to an agrarian-focused kingdom.