Rajah Sulayman facts for kids

Rajah Sulayman (1558–1575) was a brave leader of Maynila, a strong Muslim community near the Pasig River delta. He was in charge when Spanish explorers arrived in the early 1570s.

Sulayman, along with Rajah Matanda of Maynila and Lakan Dula of Tondo, were the three main leaders when the Spanish took over the Port of Manila. Spanish records say Sulayman was the most determined of the three. This was likely because he was younger than the other two rulers.

Sulayman's adopted son, Agustin de Legaspi, later became a leader in Tondo. However, he and many other family members were involved in the Tondo Conspiracy (1587–1588). This event helped the Spanish Empire gain more control over Luzon and the rest of the Philippines.

What's in a Name?

Spanish records show that Sulayman's people called him Raja Mura or Raja Muda. This means "Young Raja." It showed that he was Rajah Matanda's nephew and next in line to rule. The Spanish also called him Raja Solimano el Mow.

Spanish Arrival in Manila (1570–1571)

Rajah Sulayman and Rajah Matanda ruled Maynila when the Spanish, led by Miguel López de Legazpi, arrived. Manila was already a busy trading center. Ships from China, Siam, and other places came to trade there.

Legazpi was looking for a good place to set up his capital. He sent his men, Martín de Goiti and Juan de Salcedo, to explore Luzon. They had heard about a rich kingdom there.

Goiti's ships arrived near Cavite. He sent a message of friendship to the communities around the Pasig River. Sulayman, who was in charge of these areas, was open to being friends with the Spanish. However, he did not want to give up his power. He chose to fight against the Spanish demands. In June 1570, Goíti's army attacked and burned Maynila before going back to Panay.

Tarik Sulayman and the Battle of Bangkusay (1571)

There is some debate about who led the Macabebe people in the Battle of Bangkusay in 1571. Filipino historians call this leader Tarik Sulayman. Some stories say Tarik Sulayman of Macabebe and Sulayman III of Manila were the same person. Others believe they were two different people.

Spanish records do not name the Macabebe leader. But they do say he died during the 1571 Battle of Bangkusay. This led to the Macabebe people retreating and the Spanish winning. Rajah Sulayman III, however, is clearly recorded as being part of a later revolt in 1574. This means he could not have been the person who died in 1571 at Bangkusay.

The "Sulayman Revolt" (1574)

When López de Legazpi died in 1572, the new leader, Governor-General Guido de Lavezaris, did not keep the promises made to Sulayman and Lakan Dula. He took their lands and allowed Spanish soldiers to treat the locals badly.

Because of this, Sulayman and Lakan Dula led a revolt in the villages of Navotas in 1574. They took advantage of the chaos caused by the Chinese pirate Limahong's attacks. This event is often called the "Manila Revolt of 1574." It is also known as the "Sulayman Revolt" or the "Lakan Dula Revolt." Since it involved ships, it is also sometimes called the "First Battle of Manila Bay."

Friar Geronimo Marín and Juan de Salcedo tried to make peace with the local kingdoms. Lakan Dula and Sulayman agreed to a peace treaty with Salcedo. This formed an alliance between the two groups.

Life After 1574

Some old stories from the American Colonial era say that Sulayman was killed during the 1574 revolt. But this seems to be a mistake, confusing him with Tarik Sulayman of Macabebe, who died in the 1571 revolt. Records show that Rajah Sulayman lived past the 1574 revolt. His son, Rahang Bago, was killed during that time. Sulayman later adopted the children of an unnamed sibling to be his heirs.

Sulayman is not mentioned in records of events that happened between 1586 and 1588. Many members of his family were involved in those events.

Family and Descendants

Historian Luciano P.R. Santiago's research shows that Sulayman married his cousin, a princess from Borneo. They had at least two children: a son named Rahang Bago (meaning "new prince") and a daughter named Doña María Laran. A legend from Pasay also says Sulayman had two children: a son named Suwaboy and a daughter, Dayang-dayang (Princess) Pasay. This princess is said to have inherited the lands south of Manila, now known as Pasay and Parañaque. However, Rahang Bago and his cousin Lumantalan were killed by the Spanish in November 1574 during the attack by the Chinese pirate, Limahong.

Santiago's research also suggests that Sulayman adopted the sons of his unnamed brother. These adopted children were Agustín de Legaspi, Don Gabriel Taumbasan, and Don Jeronimo Bassi. All three adopted sons were involved in the Tondo Conspiracy of 1587. Don Gabriel Taumbasan was sent to Mexico for four years, while the others faced harsher fates.

Legacy

In Rizal Park in Manila, there is a statue honoring Rajah Sulayman. It remembers him as a hero who stood against the Spanish invasion. Also, Rajah Soliman Science and Technology High School in Binondo, Manila, is named after him.