KERAJAAN MATARAM ISLAM || SEJARAH

Summary

The story of the Islamic Mataram kingdom begins with a gift of land and culminates in its eventual collapse due to internal conflict and political manipulation by the VOC. Founded by Panembahan Senapati, Mataram rose to prominence by combining military power with spiritual legitimacy, and reached its peak under Sultan Agung. Despite failed attempts to expel the VOC, Sultan Agung left behind the lasting legacy of the Javanese calendar. Mataram's eventual split and the VOC’s political interference led to the creation of two new Javanese kingdoms, but the cultural impact of Mataram endures through language, art, and traditions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mataram was founded when Ki Agang Pemanahan received the land from the Sultan of Pajang, which his son, Sutawijaya (Panembahan Sanapati), used to establish a kingdom.
• 😀 Mataram's name comes from the ancient Hindu-Buddhist kingdom, signifying its cultural fusion from the beginning.
• 😀 Many mistakenly think Mataram is a continuation of Demak, but it's actually a successor to Pajang.
• 😀 Panembahan Sanapati was not only a military strategist but also adept at using religious influence and marriage politics to strengthen his rule.
• 😀 The king of Mataram was believed to have mystical powers, which were important for legitimizing their rule in Javanese politics.
• 😀 Sultan Agung, the most famous Mataram king, failed to capture Batavia despite launching two major attacks, but still earned respect as one of the archipelago's great kings.
• 😀 Sultan Agung also created the Javanese calendar by combining the Islamic and Javanese Hindu calendars, a legacy still in use today.
• 😀 After Sultan Agung's death, his son Amangkurat I's paranoia led to the massacre of scholars and nobles, and the weakening of Mataram's power.
• 😀 The VOC didn’t conquer Mataram by force; they used internal conflict and political manipulation to break the kingdom down.
• 😀 The Gianti Agreement of 1755 marked the official division of Mataram into the Surakarta and Yogyakarta Sultanates, with the VOC playing a role in this division to keep the Javanese kingdoms divided and weaker.
• 😀 Despite its collapse, Mataram’s cultural legacy, including the Javanese language, batik, gamelan music, and royal ceremonies, still survives in the Sultanates of Yogyakarta and Surakarta.

Q & A

What was the foundation of the Mataram Kingdom?

The Mataram Kingdom was founded when Ki Agang Pemanahan received the land of Mataram from the Sultan of Pajang, and his son, Sutawijaya (also known as Panembahan Sanapati), established the kingdom on this land.

How did Sutawijaya, or Panembahan Sanapati, legitimize his rule?

Panembahan Sanapati balanced military power with spiritual influence, embracing religious figures to strengthen his legitimacy. He also believed in the importance of marriage politics, expanding his influence through strategic alliances.

What cultural significance does the name 'Mataram' hold?

The name 'Mataram' is derived from an ancient Hindu-Buddhist kingdom, indicating that from the outset, Mataram was a product of cultural acculturation, blending Islamic, Hindu, and Buddhist influences.

How is Mataram related to Demak and Pajang?

Mataram is not a direct continuation of Demak; it is the child kingdom of Pajang, not a direct descendant of Demak.

What was the significance of Sultan Agung in the history of Mataram?

Sultan Agung was a prominent ruler who unified Java under Mataram, making it the dominant force on the island. He also launched two failed attacks on Batavia to expel the VOC and created the Javanese calendar, which combined Islamic, Javanese, and Hindu elements.

Why did Sultan Agung fail in his attempts to capture Batavia?

Sultan Agung's attempts to capture Batavia failed due to long and fragile logistics lines, while the VOC had advantages in sea defense and modern weaponry.

What was the Javanese calendar, and why is it important?

The Javanese calendar, created by Sultan Agung, combined elements of the Islamic calendar, Javanese Hindu traditions, and local wisdom. It is still used today and is important for organizing events like the Maulud celebration in Jogja and Solo.

What led to the downfall of the Mataram Sultanate?

The downfall of Mataram was largely due to internal conflicts, including the paranoid reign of Sultan Amangkurat I, who massacred scholars and nobles. The VOC also exploited these internal issues through political division and manipulation, eventually leading to Mataram's collapse.

What role did the VOC play in the collapse of Mataram?

The VOC played a crucial role by exploiting the internal conflicts within Mataram. Through political division, they facilitated the Gianti Agreement in 1755, which split Mataram into the Surakarta and Yogyakarta Sultanates, weakening the kingdom and ensuring it no longer posed a threat to colonial interests.

What legacy did the Mataram Sultanate leave behind?

Despite its collapse, Mataram's legacy lives on in Javanese culture, including refined language, batik, gamelan music, and the skaten ceremony. The palaces of Jogja and Solo still preserve Mataram's cultural heritage, and the Javanese calendar remains in use for significant local celebrations.