SULTANATE OF PALEMBANG
By: Hamly Hadi
(History Observer)
The establishment of the Palembang Sultanate was inseparable from the Srivijaya Kingdom after its conquest by Majapahit in 1375 AD. The government of Palembang was then handed over to a regent appointed directly by Majapahit. However, due to numerous internal problems within the Majapahit kingdom, attention to the conquered territories was not well-maintained, and Palembang was even briefly controlled by Chinese traders.
However, Palembang was eventually regained control of Majapahit after sending a commander named Arya Damar. Several historical records mention that Arya Damar was assisted by a prince of the West Sumatran Kingdom named Demang Lebar Daun.
Arya Damar then converted to Islam and changed his name to Arya Abdillah. Afterward, Arya Abdillah declared himself ruler of Palembang, but there was still no proper government structure to be called a kingdom. Arya Damar’s reign was continued by Javanese from Demak, namely Prince Sedo Ing Lautan and Ki Gede Ing Suro Tuo.
Then, in 1659, Palembang officially became an Islamic kingdom under the name of the Palembang Darussalam Sultanate.
Kings of the Palembang Sultanate
According to the book “Kesultanan Palembang Darussalam Sejarah dan Warisan Budaya” by Nawiyanto and Eko Crys Endrayadi, the following is a list of the kings who ruled the Palembang Sultanate.
Ario Dillah/Ario Damar: 1455-1486
Prince Sedo Ing Lautan: 1587-1528
Ki Gede Ing Suro Tuo: 1528-1545
Ki Gede Ing Suro Mudo: 1546-1575
Ki Mas Adipati: 1575-1587
Prince Madi Ing Angsoko: 1588-1623
Prince Madi Alit: 1623-1624
Prince Seda Ing Pura: 1624-1630
Prince Seda Ing Kenayan: 1630-1642
Prince Seda Ing Pasarean: 1642-1643
Prince Mangkurat Seda Ing Rejek: 1643-1659
Kiai Mas Hindi (Sultan Abdurrahman): 1662-1706
Sultan Muhammad (Queen) Mansyur Jayo Ing Lago: 1706-1718
Sultan Agung Komaruddin Sri Teruno: 1718-1727
Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin I Jayo Wikramo: 1727-1756
Sultan Ahmad Najamuddin I: 1756-1774
Sultan Muhammad Bahauddin: 1774-1803
Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II: 1803-1821
Sultan Husin Dhiauddin/Sultan Ahmad Najamuddin II (younger brother of Mahmud Badaruddin II): 1812-1813
Sultan Ahmad Najamuddin III (son of Mahmud Badaruddin II): 1819-1821
Sultan Ahmad Najamuddin IV (son of Sultan Ahmad Najamuddin II): 1821-1823.
Banjarmasin, January 12, 2026
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