Raja Ungu facts for kids

Raja Ungu, also known as Ratu Ungu, was a powerful queen who ruled the Sultanate of Patani. She was in charge from 1624 to 1635. Her name means "purple queen" in Malay. Raja Ungu took over after her sister, Raja Biru, passed away. She was the third and last daughter of Sultan Mansur Shah to lead Patani. After her rule, her own daughter, Raja Kuning, became the next ruler.

Raja Ungu's Rule in Patani

Raja Ungu was once married to the king of Pahang. After her husband died, her sister, Raja Biru, asked her to come back to Patani. When Raja Biru passed away around 1624, Raja Ungu became the new ruler of Patani.

Standing Up to Siam

Raja Ungu was not as friendly towards the Siamese (people from Siam, now Thailand) as the rulers before her. She stopped using the Siamese title peracau. Instead, she used the title paduka syah alam, which means "her excellency ruler of the world." This showed she wanted Patani to be more independent.

In 1624 and early 1625, Raja Ungu sent an army of 3,000 men to attack Siam. This attack seemed to work well. It is said that Siam then gave up its claim over Patani.

Family and Alliances

In 1632, Raja Ungu arranged for her daughter to marry Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah III, the ruler of Johor. Her daughter later became Raja Kuning. However, her daughter was already married to the king of Bordelong (Phatthalung), Okphaya Déca. This upset Okphaya Déca, who then encouraged the Siamese to attack Patani.

Challenges from Ayutthaya

In 1629, a new king, Prasartthong, took power in Ayutthaya (the capital of Siam). Raja Ungu refused to send the bunga mas to Siam. The bunga mas were "golden flowers" sent as a sign that Patani was under Siam's rule. By not sending them, Raja Ungu showed she did not accept Siam's control.

In 1632, Ayutthaya sent an army south to stop her rebellion. They were joined by their allies from Ligor. But Patani fought back and successfully defended itself. Another attack by Siam in 1634 was planned with help from the Dutch. However, the Dutch ships arrived too late, and this attack also failed.

Even though Patani managed to push back these attacks, trade in Patani suffered greatly. It became much harder to do business. Finally, in 1636, shortly after Raja Ungu died, a peace agreement was made. This helped to fix the relationship between Patani and Siam.