Mataram, Sultanate of

Abstract

Abstract A kingdom centered in South‐Central Java between the 16th century and 1755, when it was formally divided, Mataram has its roots in the mid‐16th‐century kingdoms of Pajang and Pengging, with legends ascribing its founding to Kyai Gedhe Mataram and expansion to his son Panembahan Senapati Ingalaga (r. c.1584–1601). Mataram reached the peak of its power under Sultan Agung in the early 17th century, based on his political ability and continual military exploits. However, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) was also aggressively expanding throughout the Indonesian archipelago, and had located its headquarters on the northwest coast of Java. The reign of Amangkurat I and the wars for succession over the next hundred years drew the VOC into Javanese affairs, and allowed them to intervene in the shrinking kingdom of Mataram. The division of the kingdom in 1755 is conventionally considered the end of Mataram.