Understanding the History of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom, the First Islamic Kingdom

Samudra Pasai is believed to be the first Islamic kingdom in Indonesia. This sultanate, also known as Samudera Darussalam, is recorded to have existed since the 13th century and was established when the influence of Majapahit was at its peak. So, what is the history of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom? Let's take a look at the following reviews.

The Establishment of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom

The Samudra Pasai Kingdom is located on the northern coast of Sumatra, Aceh. This location is not far from the Strait of Malacca. The kingdom was initiated by Nazimullar al Kamil, a naval admiral from Egypt in the 13th century. 

Nazimullah was essentially commanded by the Mamluk Sultanate from Cairo to seize the Kembayar port in Gujarat as a trading hub for goods from the east.

The position of the Strait of Malacca as an international trade route between China and India made this area well-utilized. In fact, at the beginning of the establishment of this kingdom, Nazimullah appointed Marah Silu as the leader and founder of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom. 

The contributions made to develop this kingdom even earned him the title of Sultan Malik al-Saleh. The government structure presented by this kingdom was hereditary. 

The history of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom even featured the sultan's position as the leader of the kingdom and several other positions such as Prime Minister, Military Commander, Treasurer, Admiral, Royal Secretary, Head of Religious Court, and Port Master.

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The Glory of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom

The condition of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom's government center located on the trade route made this area increasingly prosperous. 

Moreover, this kingdom was able to establish good relations with travelers, including Islamic kingdoms in India and Arabia that came through trade to establish economic and Islamic religious ties.

The journey of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom from its establishment to its end involved 20 kings who once ruled. There were Sultan Malik as-Saleh (1267-1297), Sultan Muhammad Malik az-Zahir (1297-1326), Sultan Mahmud Malik az-Zahir (1326-1349), Sultan Zain al-Abidin Malik az-Zahir (1349-1406), Queen Nahrasyiyah (1406-1428), Sultan Zainal Abidin II (1428-1438), Sultan Shalahuddin (1438-1462), and others.

From several reigns, the history of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom experienced a golden age when led by Sultan Mahmud Malik az-Zahir. In 1346 AD, Ibn Battuta visited this kingdom and saw ships in the land of China. This condition strongly indicates the extensive relations of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom.

The golden age achieved by this kingdom even made the kingdom's territory an important trading center. The Samudra Pasai Kingdom was also frequently visited by merchants from various countries such as China, Arabia, India, Persia, and Siam. 

This kingdom even had gold dirham currency as the official money used for trade. The kingdom also fostered a good economic, social, and cultural life. 

The development of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom was able to establish hegemony over important ports in various regions. 

The center of Islamic religious development that occurred in this kingdom also produced the best written works by utilizing Arabic letters to write the Malay language.

The very strategic and prosperous location of this kingdom led to attacks from the Majapahit Kingdom. Nevertheless, the Samudra Pasai Kingdom was eventually able to regain its golden age during the reign of Queen Nahrasyiyah (1406-1428). 

Queen Nahrasyiyah successfully presented a good history of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom by overcoming trauma and developing Islam.

The rapid development of Islam also gave rise to the development of Sufism, which was widely translated into the Malay language. One of the texts produced from this development is Durru al-Mahzum. This book contains information regarding the important role of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom as a center of Islamic civilization in Southeast Asia.

Read also: Once Prosperous, This is the History of the Sriwijaya Kingdom from the Beginning

The Decline of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom

The decline of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom occurred due to external attacks that disturbed the peace in this region. The Samudra Pasai Kingdom, which only had power in Aceh, faced many attacks due to its prosperity. Ultimately, this kingdom was destroyed by Portuguese power.

However, the fall of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom actually occurred due to the absence of successors who could lead the kingdom well. 

This can be seen from the recorded period of the kingdom's destruction, which occurred in 1521. Meanwhile, the last sultan to lead this kingdom, Sultan Zainal Abidin IV, ended in 1517.

The decline during that time occurred due to the weakness of domestic power. The history of the Samudra Pasai Kingdom that has experienced decline can only be seen from a few relics to this day. 

Some of these relics consist of tombs with the names of sultans in Arabic letters, coins made of gold and silver, and several written works.

The Samudra Pasai Kingdom was a kingdom that succeeded in bringing prosperity to its people by choosing a strategic location and establishing relationships with several merchants from various countries. 

Unfortunately, the prosperity enjoyed by this region was attacked by the Majapahit and Portuguese kingdoms until it experienced decline and destruction without a trace.

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