Banjar Kingdom: History, Founder, Heyday And King

Sultan Suriansyah Royal Banjar Mosque (Source: Kemdikbud RI).

JAKARTA - Banjar Kingdom is the first Islamic kingdom in South Kalimantan. The history of Banjar Kingdom began in 1526 AD and ended in 1905 AD.

Initially, Banjar Sultanate was located in Banjarmasin area. However, on its way, the Islamic kingdom moved the capital to Martapura.

Banjar Sultanate has a strong cultural influence on the joints of banjar people's lives to this day, ranging from religion, language, art to the community system.

History of Banjar Kingdom

At the end of the 15th century, South Kalimantan was still under the rule of the Kingdom of Daha led by King Sukarama, the fourth king of the Kingdom of Daha.

At that time, there was a struggle for the throne of Nagara Daha between two sons of King Sukarama, namely Prince Mangkubumi and Prince Tumenggung.

However, Raja Sukarama made a will so that his successor was his grandson, Raden Samudera, the son of his daughter Puteri Galuh Intan Sari. Raden Samudera's father was Raden Manteri Jaya, son of Raden Begawan, brother of Maharaja Sukarama.

King Sukarama's will put Raden Samudera's life at risk. Because, Prince Tumenggung has very ambitious to become the ruler of Daha.

Realizing that his safety was threatened, Raden Samudera then chose to leave the palace and posed as a fisherman on the coasts of Serapat, Kuin Belandian and Banjar Beaches.

When Raden Samudera grew up, he met Patih Masih, a bandar ruler who had embraced islamic teachings.

Furthermore, Patih Masih conferred with Patih Balit, Patih Balitung, and Patih Kuin. The result of the negotiations was an agreement to appoint Raden Samudera as The King of Banjar in 1526 in Banjarmasin.

This appointment became a turning point in Raden Samudra's struggle. He successfully built a new political force as a counterpoint to gaining his right as King in Nagara Daha.

On the other hand, Prince Tumenggung who heard the news of a new kingdom in Banjarmasin, was furious and did not want to stay silent.

He also prepared a war fleet and sent him to the Barito River and The Tip of Lalak Island to attack Raden Samudera.

To deal with the attack, Raden Samudera sought advice from Patih Masih, considering that the Banjar Kingdom's fleet was still unable to fight Prince Tumenggung's forces.

Sang Patih then suggested to Raden Samudera to ask for help to demak kingdom which was then led by Sultan Trenggana.

Demak Kingdom is willing to help banjar kingdom as long as the King and his people are willing to convert to Islam.

Raden Samudera agreed to this requirement and demak kingdom sent a thousand armed troops and a leader named Khatib Dayaan to accompany the people of Banjar.

With this assistance, Prince Tumenggung's army was defeated and the Kingdom of Daha fell to Raden Samudera.

Since then, Banjar Sultanate was established and other areas began to submit. Meanwhile, Raden Samudera was given the title of Sultan of Suriansyah.

The heyday of Banjar Kingdom

Banjar Kingdom experienced a heyday in the 17th century, namely during the reign of Sultan Mustasin Billah (1595-1620).

At that time, Banjarmasin, the capital of Banjar Sultanate, developed into a large trading city. Considering the area is very strategic and has abundant natural resources.

This condition makes merchants from various regions come to Banjarmasin to look for merchandise, ranging from black pepper, rattan, dammar, gold, diamonds, honey to animal skin.

Black pepper itself becomes a commodity that has high value in the international market.

No doubt, the name Banjarmasin began to be famous. The Dutch sent an expedition to establish trade relations with banjar sultanate in 1603 AD. It's just that, the bad impression received by Banjar traders made the Dutch business fail.

The failure did not necessarily make the Dutch give up, they were very ambitious to establish trade relations and control the Sultanate of Banjar.

Repeated expeditions sent by the Dutch in 1606 and 1612 always ended in failure, although the Dutch had to tear down the center of banjar sultanate government in Banjarmasin, until Sultan Multasin had to move the capital to Martapura.

The Dutch ambition to rule banjar sovereignty was only successful after Sultan Hamidullah/Sultan Kuning, the 12th king of Banjar Sultanate died in 1734.

The death of Sultan Kuning led to a power struggle between Prince Aminullah, as the crown prince of Banjar Sultanate and Sultan Kuning's younger brother, Tamjidillah I.

The struggle for power occurred because Prince Aminullah was immature at the time of Sultan Hamidullah's death.

This situation was then exploited by the Dutch. They offered assistance to Tamjidillah I in order to become the ruler of Banjar Sultanate.

With the help of the Dutch, Sultan Tamjidillah I managed to expel Prince Aminullah from Banjar Palace.

In return, Sultan Tamjidillah I signed a trade agreement with the Dutch in 1747 AD and established the City in Tabanio.

Along with the stronger grip of Dutch rule in Banjar Palace, as well as the conflict of power struggle between Prince Aminullah and Sultan Tamjidillah, the Dutch increasingly had a gap to abolish the sultanate unilaterally on June 11, 1980.

However, aided by the resistance of Prince Antasari and Sultan Muhammad Seman, Banjar Sultanate was able to survive until 1905 AD.

Kings of Banjar Kingdom

Summarized VOI from various sources, here is the list of Kings or Sultans who once led the Kingdom of Banjar.

1. Sultan suriansyah

2. Sultan Rahmatullah

3. Sultan Hidayatullah

4. Sultan Mustasin Billah

5. Sultan Inayatullah

6. Sultan Ratu

7. Sultan Rakyatullah

8. Sultan Adipati Anom

9. Sultan Suria Angsa

10. Sultan Tahmidullah

11. Panembahan Kusuma Dilaga

12. Sultan of Yellow

13. Sultan Tamjidillah I

14. Sultan Muhammadillah

15. Sultan of Batu/Sulaiman Saidullah

16. Sultan Sulaiman Saidullah

17. Sultan Adam al Watsiq Billah

18. Sultan Tamjidillah II

19. Sultan Hidayatullah II

20. Panembahan Amiruddin Khalifaul Mukminin

21. Sultan Muhammad Seman

22. Sultan Khairul Saleh

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