Sultanate of Demak

Sultanate of Demak
Kasultanan Demak
1475–1554
Capital		Bintara
Languages		Javanese
Religion		Islam
Government		Sultanate
Sultan
•	1475–1518 ¹	Raden Patah
•	1518–1521	Pati Unus
•	1521–1546	Sultan Trenggana
•	1546–1549	Sunan Mukmin
•	1549–1554	P. Arya Penangsang
History
•	foundation of Demak port town	1475
•	death of Sultan Trenggana	1554
Preceded by Succeeded by Majapahit Kingdom of Djipang Kingdom of Pajang Kalinyamat Sultanate
¹ (1475–1478 as vassal of Majapahit)

The Demak Sultanate was a Javanese Muslim state located on Java's north coast in Indonesia, at the site of the present day city of Demak. A port fief to the Majapahit kingdom thought to have been founded in the last quarter of the 15th century, it was influenced by Islam brought by Muslim traders from China, Gujarat, Arabia and also from Islamic kingdoms in the region, such as Samudra Pasai and Champa. The sultanate was the first Muslim state in Java, and once dominated most of the northern coast of Java and southern Sumatra.

Despite its short period, the sultanate played an important role in the establishment of Islam in Indonesia, especially on Java and neighboring area.

Demak’s origins are uncertain although it was apparently founded in the last quarter of the 15th century by a Muslim, known as Raden Patah (from Arabic name: "Fatah", also called "Pate Rodin" in Portuguese records, or "Jin Bun" in Chinese record). There is evidence that he had Chinese ancestry and perhaps was named Cek Ko-po.

Raden Patah’s son, or possibly his brother, led Demak’s brief domination in Java. He was known as Trenggana, and later Javanese traditions say he gave himself the title Sultan. It appears that Trenggana had two reigns—c 1505–1518 and c 1521–1546—between which his brother in law, Yunus of Jepara occupied the throne.

Before emergence of Demak, northern coast of Java was seat of many Muslim communities, both foreign merchants and Javanese. The Islamisation process gained momentum from decline of Majapahit authority. Following fall of Majapahit capital to usurper from Kediri, Raden Patah declared Demak independence from Majapahit overlordship so did nearly all northern Javanese ports.

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Wikipedia