Tanjung Pura
Various Islamic kingdoms arose in West
Kalimantan, among them Tanjung Pura, which according to the available records
was ruled by a descendant of the Kings of Majapahit in Java. Before the advent
of Islam, the kingdom of Tanjung Pura was known to have had close relations
with Majapahit under the government of Premier Gajah Mada. After the rise of
Islam and the fall of Majapahit, the Tanjung Pura became a big Islamic kingdom.
The rapid spread of Islam in this kingdom was due Sukadana, Simpang, Mempawah,
Sambas, Landak, Tayan, Neliau, Sanggau, Sekadau, Sintang, Kubu and Pontianak.
The spread of the European influence
in Kalimantan started with the arrival of the Dutch in the 17th century. Among
the items that interested those early Dutch traders was the Kobi diamond, an
exceptionally fine stone that belonged to the Landak kingdom, but was in the
keeping of Tanjung Pura, due to the good relations between the two kingdoms.
Later, however, the Dutch came not only to trade, but to assert their influence
in West Kalimantan. The result was a spreading hostility towards the Dutch in
the whole territory of West Kalimantan.
Several revolts can be mentioned: the
Sintang War; the Tebidah War of 1890 under the leadership of Nata, Apang
Labring, Abang Daung, Apang Rabat; the Melawi Wars and others.The British East
India Company in the 17th century established a trading post in the region of
Matan, Tanjung Pura kingdom. The British, however, never managed to gain a
strong foothold in West Kalimantan.The Japanese occupation at the beginning of
World War II ended the Dutch rule in West Kalimantan. However, it also spelled
the end of the great influence of the kingdom.
Conflicts between the occupying forces
and the rulers could not be avoided, and some of them were killed in skirmishes
with the Japanese. Still remembered in West Kalimantan is the Mandor Affair of
1944. In an armed clash in the Mandor area, about 70 kilometers north of
Pontianak, many people were killed. The Japanese occupation ended with the
proclamation of Indonesia's independence in 1945, when West Kalimantan became a
province of the Indonesian Republic.
=====o0o=====
