Learning Video Narrative: The Sultanate of Mataram and its Political Relations with the Middle East Opening (Image: Illustration of the Sultanate of Mataram, map of 17th century Java, and illustration of international trade relations) “The Mataram Sultanate was one of the largest Islamic kingdoms in the archipelago in the 16th to 18th centuries. Centered in Java, the kingdom played an important role in the politics, economy, and spread of Islam in Indonesia. However, behind its glory, Mataram also has close political and cultural ties with the Islamic world, particularly the Middle East.” Segment 1: The Sultanate of Mataram in the Islamic Context of the Archipelago (Image: Great Mosque of Mataram, tombs of the kings of Mataram, Arabic calligraphy in Java) “The Mataram Sultanate was founded by Panembahan Senopati in the late 16th century and reached its peak of glory under Sultan Agung. As an Islamic kingdom, Mataram not only strengthened the teachings of Islam in the land of Java but also established relations with Islamic scholars and centers in the Middle East, such as Mecca and Medina.” Segment 2: Political and Religious Relations with the Middle East (Image: VOC trade lines, merchant ships, illustration of Hajj pilgrims from the archipelago) “Mataram's relations with the Middle East are largely through trade routes and Hajj worship. Arab, Persian, and Gujarat merchants played an important role in spreading Islamic influence and being intermediaries between Mataram and Islamic centers in the Middle East. In fact, many scholars from Mataram demanded knowledge in the Middle East and returned to Java to spread the deeper teachings of Islam.” Segment 3: Role of Hajj and Clerics in Diplomacy (Image: Illustration of Hajj Nusantara pilgrims in Mecca, letter of Sultan Agung, network of scholars in the archipelago) “The sultans of Mataram established relations with the Middle East through the sending of Hajj pilgrims and scholars studying there. Sultan Agung, for example, was known to send envoys to Mecca to strengthen relations with the Ottoman Sultanate. This aims to gain religious legitimacy for his government, while strengthening the position of Islam in Java.” Segment 4: Middle Eastern Influence in Mataram Culture (Image: Mosque architecture in Java, boarding school tradition, Arabic and Javanese ancient script) “Relations with the Middle East have also influenced the culture and traditions of Islam in Mataram. Many Islamic books from the Middle East were translated into Javanese, while the boarding school system was adapted from the model of Islamic education in the Arab world. In addition, Islamic arts such as calligraphy and mosque architecture are also influenced by Middle Eastern styles.” Closing (Image: The current Mataram Sultanate, map of Nusantara-Middle East relations path, and Islamic symbol of the archipelago) “With the close relationship between Mataram and the Middle East, Islam in the archipelago developed with its own characteristics, combining Islamic teachings with local culture. The Mataram Sultanate was not only a political center, but also a spiritual center that had a wide influence in the history of Islam in Indonesia. This relationship became the forerunner of Archipelago Islam that remains sustainable to this day.” (Outro: Learning video logo, reference source, and solicitation to learn more about Mataram history)
