DATU BANUA LIMA, THE COMMANDER OF THE TANJUNG PURI KINGDOM FEARED BY MAJAPAHIT SOLDIERS
By: Hamly Hadi
(History Observer)
The name Datu Banua Lima is well-known among the Banjar people of South Kalimantan. Datu Banua Lima is the title of five commanders of the Tanjungpuri Kingdom, renowned for their powerful powers and feared by other kingdoms, including the Majapahit army, in the early 14th century AD.
According to the Datu Banua Lima legend, the five commanders were: the first, Panglima Alai, a political and strategic expert. The second, Panglima Tabalong, was known for his gallantry, strength, bravery, and chivalry. The third, Panglima Balangan, was handsome, intelligent, and a keen practitioner of martial arts. The fourth and fifth were twins, Panglima Hamandit and Panglima Tapin. They were both known for their fierceness and love of fighting.
At that time, the Tanjungpuri Kingdom maintained good relations with the neighboring Nan Serunai Kingdom. Despite differing beliefs, the Tanjungpuri Kingdom, whose followers were predominantly Buddhist, while the Nan Sarunai Kingdom adhered to the Kaharingan teachings, both kingdoms maintained mutual respect and shared a commitment to preserving the natural environment.
At that time, the Majapahit Kingdom was ambitious to dominate the archipelago, including Borneo. This was because Prime Minister Gajah Mada had vowed to rule the archipelago. A Majapahit spy reported that the two kingdoms in Borneo were very prosperous because their palaces were covered in gold. Hearing this, King Hayam Wuruk, King of Majapahit, became ambitious to control both kingdoms: Tanjungpuri and Nan Sarunai.
Then, in 1356 AD, the Majapahit Kingdom sent its first military expedition to Borneo. The first to be attacked was the Nan Sarunai Kingdom. Around 5,000 Majapahit troops arrived by ship via the Barito River, led by Senopati Arya Manggala. Seeing the vast army, the Nan Sarunai Kingdom requested assistance from the Tanjungpuri Kingdom. Then, the King of Tanjungpuri sent five of his commanders, Datu Banua Lima, with 1,000 troops to assist the Nan Sarunai Kingdom. A fierce battle ensued between the Majapahit forces and the Nan Sarunai forces, aided by the Tanjungpuri forces. Many casualties occurred on both sides.
The Majapahit forces, renowned for their prowess in combat, having traveled across the archipelago and conquered numerous kingdoms, faced fierce resistance. Many Majapahit soldiers died at the hands of these five powerful Tanjungpuri commanders. Commander Alai, a skilled strategist, commanded the troops, and the valiant Commander Tabalong, who raged at the forefront, threw many Majapahit soldiers into the air. Meanwhile, Commander Balangan led the royal guard and, with his supernatural powers, protected the king from the onslaught of Majapahit troops. Meanwhile, Commander Hamandit and Commander Tapin competed with the Majapahit warriors. Many Majapahit soldiers, mercenaries, died at the hands of Commander Hamandit and Commander Tapin. After two days of fighting, the Majapahit forces were finally repelled. The leader of the Majapahit forces at the time, Senopati Arya Manggala, had his head severed by Commander Hamandit’s mandau.
Recognizing their leader’s death, the remaining Majapahit troops fled to their ships to return to Java. After the failure of the first expedition, Majapahit sent a second military expedition in 1358 AD. This second expedition was led by Admiral Nala, bringing twice the number of troops. This large force also included Majapahit’s famous special forces, the Bhayangkara.
In this second expedition, the Majapahit forces successfully conquered the Nan Sarunai Kingdom. The King of Nan Sarunai, Datu Tatuyan Wulau Miharaja Papangkat Amas, and the Queen, Dara Gangsa Tulen, were killed in battle. This event is known to the Ma’anyan people as “Nan Sarunai Usak Jawa.” Legend has it that King Nan Sarunai was killed by Admiral Nala with a magical spear in a well where he was hiding. Admiral Nala was Majapahit’s greatest commander at the time, beginning his career as a soldier in the kingdom’s special forces, the Bhayangkara.
After successfully conquering Nan Sarunai, the Majapahit army moved towards Tanjungpuri, but faced fierce resistance from the Tanjungpuri forces, led by the renowned Datu Banua Lima. After days of fighting, the two armies finally agreed to a peace treaty and ceased fighting. The Majapahit army returned to Java disappointed, unable to continue the war, exhausted from the previous battle against the Nan Sarunai kingdom. Meanwhile, Tanjungpuri suffered widespread destruction. As a result of the war the Tanjungpuri kingdom weakened, and once-bustling trade dwindled as traders feared to stop at the port upon hearing of the impending war.
As a token of gratitude to Datu Banua Lima, King Sri Baginda Darmapala of Tanjungpuri granted his five commanders their respective territories in five river basins that originate in the Maratus Mountains. These five river basins were eventually named after the titles of the five Tanjungpuri commanders. Commander Alai received the territory called Batang Alai (now HST Regency), Commander Tabalong received the territory called Batang Tabalong (now Tabalong Regency), Commander Balangan received the territory called Batang Balangan (now Balangan Regency), Commander Hamandit received the territory of Batang Hamandit (now HSS Regency), and Commander Tapin received the territory of Batang Tapin (now Tapin Regency). King Tanjungpuri himself eventually moved the center of his kingdom to the Kuripan (Amuntai) area because the previous king’s city (Tanjung) had suffered extensive damage during the Majapahit invasion. Gradually, the name Tanjungpuri was forgotten and became better known by its new name, Kuripan, as the region was divided.
Sources:
– banuahujungtanah
– hikayat Datu Banua Lima
– hikayat Manggajaya
– Wikipedia and compiled from various sources
Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, January 2, 2026
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