The History of the Mataram Islamic Palace Relocations

The Mataram Islamic Kingdom experienced four major relocations of its royal palace since its establishment by Panembahan Senopati. Initially, the palace was located in Kotagede, Yogyakarta, but due to political unrest and historical developments, it was moved several times.

During the reign of Sultan Agung, the palace was relocated to Kerto. However, after the failed attack on Batavia in 1628–1629, Sultan Agung moved the palace again to Plered. This location also did not last long. It was destroyed during a rebellion led by Trunajaya. As a result, Amangkurat II transferred the royal court to Kartasura.

After the death of Amangkurat II, his son Amangkurat III succeeded the throne. However, a succession conflict erupted between him and his uncle, Prince Puger. Prince Puger eventually won and was crowned as Pakubuwono I. His son, Amangkurat IV, took over the throne and was later succeeded by his own son, Pakubuwono II.

During Pakubuwono II’s reign, Mataram faced a severe crisis due to a rebellion of ethnic Chinese in Batavia against the Dutch, which soon spread to Kartasura (1740–1743). At first, Pakubuwono II supported the rebels, but after their failure to seize Semarang in early 1742, he shifted allegiance back to the Dutch. This decision disappointed many Javanese and Chinese factions, who then rallied behind Mas Garendi (also known as Sunan Kuning) to attack the palace. On June 30, 1742, they successfully seized the Kartasura Palace.

Pakubuwono II fled to Ponorogo with the crown prince and a Dutch captain named Johan Andries van Hogendorff. Although the rebellion was eventually suppressed, the Kartasura Palace had been heavily damaged and was deemed spiritually and politically unfit for continued use.

As a result, Pakubuwono II decided to build a new palace in the village of Sala (modern-day Surakarta). He constructed key buildings such as the Great Mosque, Sitihinggil, and Srimanganti Gate. Unfortunately, he only ruled from the new palace for three years before passing away in 1749.

He was succeeded by his son, Pakubuwono III, during whose reign the kingdom faced major resistance from Raden Mas Said and Prince Mangkubumi. This conflict was resolved through the Treaty of Giyanti on February 13, 1755, which resulted in the division of the Mataram Kingdom into two: Kasunanan Surakarta, ruled by Pakubuwono III, and the Yogyakarta Sultanate, ruled by Prince Mangkubumi as Sultan Hamengkubuwono I.