Is it possible that the very ground beneath our feet holds echoes of kingdoms long past? Right here we stand near Pajang. It was once a significant area within a powerful sultanate. Let me transport you back to the 16th century.
Pajang emerged as a kingdom in its own right. This happened after the collapse of the Muslim kingdom along Java’s northern coast. Adiwijaya also known as Jaka Tingkir founded it. He was a prominent figure in the Demak Sultanate.
Imagine a land rich in rice. Pajang was known as a major rice granary. The smooth irrigation channels supported this agricultural success. Hadiwijaya was even crowned Sultan of Islam due to this prosperity. Important kings in East Java gave him this honor.
The seeds of Pajang were sown much earlier. Even during the Majapahit Empire the name Pajang was known. According to historical texts a younger sister of Hayam Wuruk ruled Pajang.
After a civil war Jaka Tingkir rose to power. He attacked the Demak Kingdom. Queen Kalinyamat wanted revenge. She collaborated with Jaka Tingkir to get rid of Arya Penangsang. Penangsang had murdered her husband and sister-in-law.
Following Arya Penangsang’s defeat Jaka Tingkir became the leader of Demak. He received the title Sultan Hadiwijaya. Hadiwijaya then moved the government’s center from Demak to Pajang. He also moved all the Demak Kingdom’s heirlooms to Pajang.
But power is a fickle thing. A rebellion led by Ario Pangiri forced Prince Banawa to seek help. Prince Banawa was the weak-minded heir. His childhood friend Sutawijaya came to his aid.
Sutawijaya defeated Ario Pangiri and seized the Pajang Palace. Prince Banawa gave his crown to Sutawijaya. With this act the Kingdom of Pajang ended in 1586. Sutawijaya then founded the great Mataram Sultanate.
The boundaries of Pajang’s foundations remain. They lie on the border of Pajang Village Surakarta and Makamhaji Village. These are in Kartasura Sukoharjo. These faint traces remind us of Pajang’s story. They connect us to the rise and fall of kingdoms.