The phrase didirikan di Surakarta—established in Surakarta—points directly to the intricate geopolitical split of the Mataram Sultanate in the mid-18th century. When historians examine how Yogyakarta and Surakarta came into being, they uncover a story of Dutch colonial maneuvering, civil war, and a dynastic partition that forever changed Central Java. The competitor article confuses Surakarta and Yogyakarta as the same city, inventing a fictional prince named "Übermaha" and incorrectly claiming Surakarta was founded in 1745 as Yogyakarta. In reality, the 1755 Treaty of Giyanti partitioned the Mataram Sultanate into two separate courts: the Kasunanan Surakarta and the Kasultanan Yogyakarta.
Understanding this founding moment requires looking at the collapse of the Kartasura court, the Third Javanese War of Succession, and how Prince Mangkubumi fought for his own sovereignty before establishing Yogyakarta. Let's examine the actual historical events, treaties, and political realities that shaped Java's twin royal capitals.
The Collapse of Kartasura and the Roots of Conflict
To understand why Yogyakarta and Surakarta share such closely linked origins, we have to look back at the capital that preceded them both: Kartasura. By the 1740s, the Mataram Sultanate was crumbling under internal rebellions and mounting interference from the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
In 1742, a massive Chinese rebellion combined with disgruntled Javanese noble factions sacked the Kartasura palace, forcing Pakubuwono II to flee for his life. Although loyalist forces eventually retook the ruined capital, Pakubuwono II deemed the site spiritually tainted. He decided to relocate the royal court eastward to the village of Sala, which was renamed Surakarta Hadiningrat in 1745. Similar insight on this matter has been provided by BBC.
However, moving the capital didn't solve Mataram's deep succession struggles. When Pakubuwono II fell seriously ill a decade later, the VOC intervened heavily in court politics. Prince Mangkubumi, a powerful and capable royal brother, expected a significant share of authority or territory. Instead, the Dutch and the newly installed puppet king, Pakubuwono III, marginalized him. This sparked a bitter civil war that lasted nearly a decade.
The Treaty of Giyanti and the Partition of Mataram
Prince Mangkubumi proved to be a brilliant military tactician, continuously outmaneuvering VOC troops and royal loyalists across Central Java. Realizing they couldn't defeat him militarily without exhausting their own treasury, the Dutch pursued a strategy of divide and conquer.
On February 13, 1755, the VOC brokered the Treaty of Giyanti, a landmark agreement signed in Jantiharjo (near Karanganyar). This treaty officially partitioned the Mataram kingdom:
- Kasunanan Surakarta: Pakubuwono III retained the old capital of Surakarta, along with the eastern half of the realm and the traditional regalia.
- Kasultanan Yogyakarta: Prince Mangkubumi was granted the western half of the kingdom, taking the title of Sultan Hamengkubuwono I and choosing the settlement of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat as his new capital.
This division created the dual royal courts that still define Central Javanese cultural identity today.
Establishing Yogyakarta: From Wilderness to Royal Court
Once the Treaty of Giyanti was signed, Sultan Hamengkubuwono I faced the massive task of building a capital from scratch. The chosen site was a marshy area flanked by the Winongo and Code rivers, dotted with sacred groves and the ruins of an older settlement called Pabringan.
Construction of the Keraton Yogyakarta began in 1755. Hamengkubuwono I personally supervised the architectural design, which blended profound Javanese cosmology with defensive military planning.
- Cosmological Axis: The palace layout was aligned directly between Mount Merapi to the north and the Southern Ocean (Indian Ocean) to the south, symbolizing the spiritual connection between creator, cosmos, and ruler.
- Defensive Moats: Wide water channels and fortified walls protected the central palace complex from potential attacks by rival factions or colonial forces.
- Cultural Hub: The new court immediately began gathering master gamelan craftsmen, batik artisans, and court dancers, establishing a distinct Yogyakarta artistic style that diverged subtly from Surakarta's traditions.
Common Misconceptions About the Split
Because centuries have passed, several myths and historical confusions persist regarding how these two sultanates were formed.
Many casual readers confuse Surakarta and Yogyakarta, assuming one simply changed its name to the other. In truth, they were established as two rival, sibling states arising from the exact same collapsed empire. While Surakarta inherited the physical remnants of the post-Kartasura court, Yogyakarta was forged through rebellion and a negotiated treaty that carved out new sovereign ground for Hamengkubuwono I.
Another common error is viewing the partition as a peaceful administrative restructuring. It was the result of a brutal, blood-soaked war of succession that decimated the Javanese population and left the region financially exhausted, opening the door wider for Dutch colonial hegemony over the subsequent century.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact difference between Surakarta and Yogyakarta?
Surakarta (Solo) and Yogyakarta are neighboring cultural and historical regions in Central Java. While both descended from the Mataram Sultanate, Surakarta was established after the abandonment of Kartasura in 1745, and Yogyakarta was founded ten years later in 1755 following the Treaty of Giyanti.
Who was the founder of Yogyakarta?
Prince Mangkubumi founded Yogyakarta in 1755 after signing the Treaty of Giyanti with the Dutch East India Company. Upon establishing the city, he assumed the reigning title of Sultan Hamengkubuwono I.
Why was the Mataram Sultanate divided?
The VOC pushed for a partition to weaken Javanese resistance. By splitting the kingdom between Pakubuwono III in Surakarta and Hamengkubuwono I in Yogyakarta, the Dutch prevented a unified military force from threatening their commercial and territorial ambitions in Java.
Are the royal families still active today?
Yes. Both the Keraton Yogyakarta and the Kasunanan Surakarta maintain active royal lineages. The Sultan of Yogyakarta constitutionally serves as the hereditary governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, blending traditional royal duties with modern governance.
