Second Javanese War of Succession facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Second Javanese War of Succession |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Mataram Sultanate Dutch East India Company |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Amangkurat IV |
Rival claimants
Other rebels
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The Second Javanese War of Succession was a big fight on the island of Java in Indonesia. It happened between 1719 and 1723. This war was about who should be the king of the Mataram Sultanate. The new king, Amangkurat IV of Mataram, had help from the Dutch East India Company (also known as the VOC). They fought against other princes who believed they should be king instead.
Contents
Why Did This War Happen?
This war was a struggle for power and the right to rule. When King Pakubuwana I died in 1719, his son, Amangkurat IV, became the new king. However, two of his brothers, Prince Blitar and Prince Purbaya, did not agree with this. They felt they had a better claim to the throne.
The Start of the Conflict
In June 1719, Prince Blitar and Prince Purbaya attacked the palace. But they were pushed back by cannons from the VOC's fort. After this, they went south into the land of Mataram. Another uncle, Prince Arya Mataram, went to Jepara and declared himself king. This was the beginning of the Second War of Succession.
Early Battles and Surrenders
Before the end of 1719, Prince Arya Mataram gave up. He was killed in Jepara on the new Sultan's orders. Prince Blitar and Prince Purbaya were also forced out of their stronghold in Mataram in November. In 1720, these two princes ran away to the eastern part of Java, where other groups were still rebelling. Some important leaders from Surabaya, Jangrana III and Jayapuspita, had died around this time. Prince Blitar also died in 1721.
The End of the War
By May and June of 1723, the remaining rebel groups and their leaders surrendered. Among them were Surengrana from Surabaya, Prince Purbaya, and Dipanagara. Most of these leaders were sent far away to Ceylon (which is now Sri Lanka).
However, Prince Purbaya was taken to Batavia (which is now Jakarta). The VOC kept him there as a "backup" king. They thought he had a strong claim to the throne. This way, if anything went wrong between King Amangkurat IV and the VOC, they could replace him with Purbaya. This war, like the one before it, showed that even though the VOC was very strong in battle, military power alone was not enough to keep Java peaceful.
