Get to know the first family tree of the king of the Solo Palace

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Surakarta Hadiningrat Kasunanan Palace has attracted attention following the death of Sri Susuhunan Pakubuwono XIII on Sunday (11/2).

The king, known for preserving Javanese customs and culture, closed a long chapter in the history of a kingdom that has existed for more than two and a half centuries.

Solo Palace itself cannot be separated from the history of the Islamic kingdom of Mataram. The birth of Kasunanan Surakarta began with the Agreement of Giyanti on 13 February 1755.

This agreement ended the conflict between Prince Prabasuyasa (Susuhunan Pakubuwono II), Prince Mangkubumi (Sultan Hamengkubuwono I) and Raden Mas Said.

In the agreement, the Mataram region was divided into two parts, namely Kasunanan Surakarta Hadiningrat (Surakarta) and Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat (Yogyakarta).

Since then, Surakarta has developed into a center of Javanese culture, with its kings still bearing the title of Pakubuwono today as a symbol of customs and traditions.

The beginning of the Pakubuwono dynasty

Starting from the leadership of Sunan Pakubuwono I or Prince Puger, son of Amangkurat I, fourth king of the Islamic kingdom of Mataram and grandson of Sultan Agung. He led the Kartasura Palace, before the formation of the Surakarta Palace.

In the beginning, Pakubuwono also had the title Amangkurat like his father. However, he changed and added a number of titles which are currently used for his descendants such as King of the Surakarta Palace.

The title is “Susuhunan Pakubuwana Senapati ing Alaga Abdurrahman Sayyidin Panatagama Khalifatullah Tanah Jawa”, or Pakubuwono for short.

After his death, the throne passed to Pakubuwono II (1745-1749), Raden Mas Prabasuyasa, who was known as an important figure in moving the center of the kingdom from Kartasura to Sala Village in 1745 because the old palace was damaged due to a rebellion.

This step marked the foundation of the Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace. He died in 1749 and the leadership was continued by his son, Pakubuwono III (1749-1788), Raden Mas Suryadi.

During Pakubuwono III’s time, there was a power conflict that had lasted since his father’s time. From 1746, his uncle Prince Mangkubumi led a rebellion against the kingdom.

On 12 December 1749, Mangkubumi crowned himself Pakubuwono III with the support of Raden Mas Said or Pangeran Sambernyawa as his patih. However, the two had a dispute and the VOC took advantage of this situation to mediate by offering peace.

Hence the Giyanti Agreement was born, which divided the territory in two. Prince Mangkubumi held the title Sultan Hamengkubuwono I leading the Sultanate of Yogyakarta, while Pakubuwono III remained in power in the Kasunanan of Surakarta.

Prince Sambernyawa, who felt betrayed, continued to fight against the two kingdoms and the VOC, until he finally gained his own territory called the Duchy of Mangkunegaran through the Agreement of Salatiga in March 1757.

Palace in colonial times

The period of Pakubuwono IV (1788–1820), Raden Mas Subadya, was marked by the rejection of Dutch domination. He was known to be religious and was nicknamed Sunan Bagus due to his good looks.

Pakubuwono IV is known as a firm and courageous figure. He also became a king who really hated colonialism.

However, due to the Pakepung Incident and pressure from the VOC, he had to give up his spiritual advisor and make peace with the invaders.

Subsequently, Pakubuwono V (1820–1823), Raden Mas Sugandi ascended the throne and ruled for a short time.

Due to his wealth and supernatural powers, Pakubuwono V also received the nickname Sunan Ngabehi or Sunan Sugih, meaning the king rich in wealth and supernatural powers.

After his death, the throne was finally succeeded by Pakubuwono VI (1823–1830), Raden Mas Sapardan.

He is known as one of the figures who supported Prince Diponegoro’s struggle, namely the rebellion against the VOC and the Yogyakarta Sultanate.

However, after Prince Diponegoro was arrested, he was exiled to Ambon in 1830 until his death in 1849.

Then, the palace was led by Pakubuwono VII (1830–1858), Raden Mas Malikis Solihin.

During his leadership, the Solo Palace experienced its heyday in the field of literature. The reason is that there are no longer large-scale rebellions like in the past.

Subsequently, he was replaced by Pakubuwono VIII (1858–1861), Gusti Raden Mas Kuseini. He was the first king not to be polygamous.

Different from the previous king who was the crown prince of the previous king. He ascended the throne because Pakubuwono VII did not have a crown prince.

Then, during the period of Pakubuwono IX (1861–1893), Gusti Raden Mas Duksina ascended the throne and marked the physical progress of the palace and the city’s development.

The leadership was continued by Pakubuwono X (1893-1939), Gusti Raden Mas Sayyidin Malikul Husna, the most influential figure in the history of Surakarta.

He became a king who supported the national movement, helped fighting figures and built city infrastructure. His reign is considered the golden age of the Solo Palace.

Transition period to the Republic

After Pakubuwono’s death

Many palace assets were confiscated and the economic situation also worsened. Besides that, his leadership also coincided with the events of World War II.

After Pakubuwono’s death

During this period, Indonesia managed to become independent and Pakubuwono XII showed his support for the Republic through a royal decree on 1 September 1945.

On September 6, 1945, President Soekarno designated Surakarta as a special region. However, Surakarta’s Special Region status was finally removed in 1946.

This was due to the unstable political situation and there were many kidnappings and violence against several officials in Surakarta Kasunanan carried out by Barisan Banteng radicals.

Since then, Surakarta Palace has had residency status within the province of Central Java.

The government is also held by civilians, while Pakubuwono XII serves as the traditional authority and symbol of Surakarta culture.

After Pakubuwono XII died without a clear queen consort, the title of next king was contested by his two sons from different mothers. Both also recognized each other as legitimate holders of the throne.

After eight years and a long process, the royal family finally named Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Hangabehi (RM Suryo Partono) Pakubuwono XIII.

During his leadership, he actively participated in various traditional ceremonies, strengthened the palace’s role as a custodian of culture, and appointed KGPH Purbaya as crown prince in 2022.

After his death in early November 2025, he was buried in the Tomb of the Kings of Mataram Imogiri, Yogyakarta Special Region.

The Pakubuwono dynasty went through kingdom, colonialism and independence. Not just a symbol of nobility, its existence is a living legacy of Javanese culture that is maintained even today.

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