THE RISE OF ISLAMIC MATARAM

Gateway to the main of the Kasepuhan court in Cirebon (West Java)

The established of Islamic mataram is generally ascribe to the somewhat elusive fugure of Ki Ageng Pemanahan, a powerful 16th century leligius leader. Under his leadership the area of Mataram in Central java, formerly a tributary province in the suktanate of Pajang, acquired a high degree of aitonomy. Hissuccessor as rules of Islamic mataram, Panembahan Senopati (r.1575-1601) succeeded in further consolidating the region's independence.

Some example of Early Islamic tombs in Java

Islamic rulers began to resume power in Java in the first half of the 15th century. Isla emerged as the dominant religion in the Demak (early 16th century) where Islamic stae were established, headed by Sultan. Panembahan Senopati's court was situated in the hinterland, at Kutho Gedhe, near modern-day Yogyakarta. Senopati attempted to extend Mataram's rule over the whole of java buthe was not universally acknowledged as supreme souvereign; he was particulary opposed by other Islamic states on Java's north coast.