Mataram VOC Restriction

JAKARTA - When the Mataram Kingdom broke out, conflict intensified in Java. The desire to gain power from the heirs to the throne was used by the Dutch VOC traders to divide the rulers of the area. Through the Salatiga agreement, the VOC was seen as a mediator. In fact, it is a political division.

As explained by P. Swantoro in his book From Book to Book (2020), at that time the Mataram Kingdom was in the hands of Pakubuwono II (1726-1749). The king, who was domiciled in Surakarta, was then undermined by his brother, Prince Mangkubumi, who also wanted to occupy the throne.

At the same time, Pakubuwono II's nephew, Raden Mas Said also rebelled. The owner of the throne certainly did not let them replace his position as king. He was not happy with the crown prince who became known as Sunan Swarga.

Sunan Swarga, as written by Swantoro, is told as a figure who has great support from the VOC alias company. Sunan Swarga, who was 18 at the time, was considered too young. In addition, it is said that he also paid too much attention to his father's concubines.

In the midst of this power struggle situation, Pakubuwono II's health has deteriorated. Pakubuwono II then turned to the Company. He left the fate of the Mataram Kingdom to Dutch rule. Then, as soon as Pakubuwono II died, the Company appointed the crown prince to replace his father.

This is clearly a problem. Wouldn't the appointment of a weak ruler make it easy to control? Pangeran Mangkubumi and Raden Mas Said firmly stated that they were not willing to acknowledge the power contract.

At the same time as the contract signing, Pangeran Mangkubumi declared himself the King of Mataram, with Yogyakarta as its capital. Meanwhile, Raden Mas Said was still guerrilla. The struggle for power eventually resulted in the Mataram Kingdom being divided into three.

On February 13, 1755, the Giyanti Agreement with Prince Mangkubumi was held, who later became Hamengkubuwono I and became the Sultan of Yogyakarta. In addition, another agreement was held on March 17, 1757. The 18th century agreement was called the Salatiga Agreement, which involved the Company and Raden Mas Said.

The agreement gave birth to a division of power from the "heirs". Pakubowono III - Pakubowono II's son - became Sunan Surakarta, Pangeran Mangkubumi or Hamengkubuwono I became the Sultan of Yogyakarta, and Raden Mas Said became Pangeran Adipati Mangkunegoro. The last name controlled part of the Mataram area, with powers covering the area which is now called Wonogiri Regency, Karanganyar Regency and Ngawen.

The result of VOC diplomacy

The VOC actually never tried to extinguish the fighting and the flames of power struggle within the Mataram aristocrats. The VOC was of the view that if the Mataram Kingdom, which controlled almost the entire island of Java, was left as the sole ruler, they would become a threat to the VOC.

"On the other hand, if there are two or more competing rulers, it will certainly be easier to control them," wrote Mubtadilah in the book Intervention of the VOC in Succession at the Mataram Palace 1677-1757 (2015).

After the death of Amangkurat I, the Mataram Kingdom was already weak. The reason is, the strength of the kingdom is determined by the military strength of each of its subordinate rulers to enforce sovereignty. Mubtadilah explained this through his writing.

The political instability in the country of Mataram caused the king to ask for the help of the VOC which was rich and militarily strong. The entry of the VOC into the politics of the Mataram Kingdom certainly led to fundamental changes in the government regulation.

For example, from the coronation of kings to the determination of government officials who had to pass the VOC approval. As a result, this policy invited a lot of resistance from the royal circle. Not a few also rebelled because of this.

In addition, any VOC military assistance for the Mataram Kingdom had to go through an agreement. Its aim to monopolize also weakens the kingdom. There it is. The VOC became a protective force for every king of Mataram. With a note, they want to follow the rules of the VOC game.