Islamic Influence in Indonesia History

Development of Islamic Kingdoms in Indonesia

• Demak (1500) was the first Islamic kingdom in Java, originally a duchy of the weakened Majapahit before breaking away.
• Aceh (1507) was one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms, playing a significant role in spreading Islam, trade, and resistance to Dutch colonialism.
• Banten (1526) was one of the greatest trading centers in Southeast Asia, with four rulers, and its core territory now forms the province of Banten.
• Gowa-Tallo (1528) was a combination of two kingdoms from the same descendant, located in South Sulawesi.
• Mataram (1586) was the last independent Javanese kingdom before being colonized by the Dutch.

Spread of Islam in Indonesia

• Wali Songo was an influential figure in spreading Islam through art.
• Arabic and Persian influenced literature became more widespread in the form of hikayat and poetry.
• Arabic calligraphy using deformation techniques and puppetry began to be used as an art of proselytizing.
• "Bald" Arabic script began to be developed.

Factors that Made Islam Easy to Accept in Indonesia

• The requirement to enter Islam is not heavy, namely by saying the sentence of shahada.
• Ceremonies in Islam are very simple.
• Islam does not recognize the caste system.

Hindu Kingdoms in Indonesia

• Kutai Kingdom (first king: Mulawarman) was located in East Kalimantan.
• Tarumanegara Kingdom (founder: Maharshi R.J.) was located in western Java, near the Citarum River.
• Kalingga Kingdom (founder: Dapunta S.) was located in the north coast of Central Java.
• Mataram Kingdom (founder: King Sanjaya) was based in central Java, later in East Java.
• Kediri Kingdom (founder: King Airlangga) was at its peak during the reign of King Jayabaya.
• Singhasari Kingdom (founder: Ken Arok) was located in East Java.
• Majapahit Kingdom (at its peak during the reign of Hayam Wuruk) was located in Java.

Entry of Islam in Indonesia

• 7th century: Zainal Arifin Abas believed that there was an Arab envoy in China who already had followers of Islam in Indonesia.
• 7th century: Chinese news from the Tang Dynasty reported that there were people in Canton/Sumatra who were Muslims.
• 11th century: The existence of the tomb of Fatimah Bint Maimun in Leran, Gresik.
• 13th century: Marco Polo stopped in North Sumatra and met people who had embraced Islam.
• 13th century: The existence of the tomb of Malik Al-Saleh.

Theories of the Entry of Islam in Indonesia

• Persian Theory: Hoesein Djajadiningrat and Umar Amir Husein believed that Islam entered from Persia, then stopping in Gujarat.
• Makkah Theory: Not mentioned.
• Chinese Theory: Slamet Mulyana and Sumanto Al Qurtuby believed that Chinese merchants brought Islam to Indonesia.
• Gujarat Theory: Not mentioned.

Kingdoms of Islam in Indonesia

• Ternate-Tidore (1257) were two large kingdoms located in North Maluku, with Ternate being the leading maritime kingdom.
• Samudra Pasai (1267) was a kingdom located on the north coast of Sumatra.