Pakubuwono XII (also transliterated Pakubuwana XII;

Surakarta Surakarta (Javanese script, Javanese: , Pegon script, Pegon: ), known colloquially as Solo (Javanese script, Javanese: ; ), is a major List of regencies and cities of Indonesia, city in Central Java, Indonesia. The city adjoins Karanganyar Reg ...

, 14 April 1925 – Surakarta, 11 June 2004) was the twelfth

Susuhunan Susuhunan, or in short version Sunan, is a title used by the monarchs of Mataram and then by the hereditary rulers of Surakarta, Indonesia. Additionally in Bali and Surakarta, so-called " Kings of kings" reigned with this title, while their k ...

(ruler of

) and the longest ruling of all monarchs in Surakarta history. He reigned under Japanese occupation during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, and through the Sukarno and Suharto eras; in effect, three eras in which traditional Javanese power had been both respected and challenged. Towards the end of his reign, he was able to stake the claim of his palaces' context in the modern Indonesia by the publication of ''Karaton Surakarta: A Look into the Court of Surakarta Hadiningrat, Central Java'' which was published in the same year of his death.

Early life

Born as Raden Mas Soerjo Goeritno (

Javanese script Javanese script (natively known as ''Aksara Jawa'', ''Hanacaraka'', ''Carakan'', and ''Dentawyanjana'') is one of Indonesia's traditional scripts developed on the island of Java. The script is primarily used to write the Javanese language ...

: ꦫꦢꦺꦤ꧀ꦩꦱ꧀ꦯꦸꦂꦪꦓꦫꦶꦠ꧀ꦤ), he was the son of Pakubuwono XI and his

queen consort A queen consort is the wife of a reigning king, and usually shares her spouse's social Imperial, royal and noble ranks, rank and status. She holds the feminine equivalent of the king's monarchical titles and may be crowned and anointed, but hi ...

, Kanjeng Raden Ayu Koesparijah (styled Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Pakubuwono). RM. Soerjo Goeritno also had a half-sister namely Gusti Raden Ayu Koes Saparijam (styled GKR. Kedaton). In his childhood, RM. Soerjo Goeritno was educated in an

Europeesche Lagere School Europeesche Lagere School (ELS) was a European elementary school system in what was then the Dutch East Indies during colonial rule. The schools were intended primarily for Europeans. The implementation of basic education at that time was diffe ...

( Dutch primary school) near Pasar Legi, Surakarta. He was nicknamed Bobby by his

friend Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between people. It is a stronger form of interpersonal bond than an "acquaintance" or an "association", such as a classmate, neighbor, coworker, or colleague. Although there are many forms of f ...

s. Some of his uncles, who were the same age as him, were also educated in this school. RM. Soerjo Goeritno was a friendly pupil and had a close friendship with his classmates without considering his social status. Since his childhood, he was fond of studying Javanese classical dances, especially Handaga and Garuda dances. He often recited

Quran The Quran, also Romanization, romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a Waḥy, revelation directly from God in Islam, God (''Allah, Allāh''). It is organized in 114 chapters (, ) which ...

with Mr. Tjondrowijoto, a teacher in Mambaul Ulum. He also liked

archery Archery is the sport, practice, or skill of using a Bow and arrow, bow to shooting, shoot arrows.Paterson ''Encyclopaedia of Archery'' p. 17 The word comes from the Latin ''arcus'', meaning bow. Historically, archery has been used for hunting ...

. In 1938, RM. Soerjo Goeritno was forced to quit his education for 5 months, as he must follow his father who was mandated by

Pakubuwono X Pakubuwono X (also transliterated Pakubuwana X, sometimes abbreviated PB X; Surakarta, 29 November 1866 – Surakarta, 22 February 1939) was, despite his regnal name, the ninth Susuhunan (Monarch) of Surakarta. He reigned from the 1893 to ...

, his grandfather, to leave for the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

with other local monarchs in

Dutch East Indies The Dutch East Indies, also known as the Netherlands East Indies (; ), was a Dutch Empire, Dutch colony with territory mostly comprising the modern state of Indonesia, which Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, declared independence on 17 Au ...

to attend 40th jubilee of Queen Wilhelmina's

coronation A coronation ceremony marks the formal investiture of a monarch with regal power using a crown. In addition to the crowning, this ceremony may include the presentation of other items of regalia, and other rituals such as the taking of special v ...

. After that, RM. Soerjo Goeritno continued his education in Hogereburgerschool te Bandoeng (now SMA Negeri 3 Bandung and SMA Negeri 5 Bandung) with some uncles. After being schooled for 2 years,

Pacific War The Pacific War, sometimes called the Asia–Pacific War or the Pacific Theatre, was the Theater (warfare), theatre of World War II fought between the Empire of Japan and the Allies of World War II, Allies in East Asia, East and Southeast As ...

broke out, in which

Armed Forces of the Empire of Japan The Imperial Japanese Armed Forces (IJAF, full or Nippon-gun () for short, meaning "Japanese Forces") were the unified forces of the Empire of Japan. Formed during the Meiji Restoration in 1868,"One can date the 'restoration' of imperial rul ...

won against

Allies of World War II The Allies, formally referred to as the United Nations from 1942, were an international Coalition#Military, military coalition formed during World War II (1939–1945) to oppose the Axis powers. Its principal members were the "Four Policeme ...

, then Dutch East Indies

fell A fell (from Old Norse ''fell'', ''fjall'', "mountain"Falk and Torp (2006:161).) is a high and barren landscape feature, such as a mountain or Moorland, moor-covered hill. The term is most often employed in Fennoscandia, Iceland, the Isle of M ...

Empire of Japan The Empire of Japan, also known as the Japanese Empire or Imperial Japan, was the Japanese nation state that existed from the Meiji Restoration on January 3, 1868, until the Constitution of Japan took effect on May 3, 1947. From Japan–Kor ...

. Pakubuwono XI asked him to leave

Bandung Bandung is the capital city of the West Java province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, the city is the List of Indonesian cities by population, fourth-most populous city and fourth largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta, Surabay ...

for Surakarta. On 1 June 1945, his father died. According to Javanese tradition, the heir must be the Pakubuwono XI's eldest son, Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Haryo Mangkoeboemi. However, the opportunity was closed as his mother, GKR. Kentjana (the first wife of Pakubuwono XI), had died in 1910, so she couldn't be appointed as queen consort when her husband was crowned. RM. Soerjo Goeritno subsequently became the heir despite being the youngest son, proven with the fact that he didn't attend his father's funeral in

Imogiri Imogiri () is a ''kapanewon'' (district) in Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and ...

, in accordance with the tradition that an heir was prohibited to attend his predecessor's funeral. Before ascending to the throne, RM. Soerjo Goeritno was appointed as

heir apparent An heir apparent is a person who is first in the order of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting by the birth of another person. A person who is first in the current order of succession but could be displaced by the birth of a more e ...

, styled KGPH. Poerbojo. Another version relates that his appointment was closely related to the role played by

Sukarno Sukarno (6 June 1901 – 21 June 1970) was an Indonesian statesman, orator, revolutionary, and nationalist who was the first president of Indonesia, serving from 1945 to 1967. Sukarno was the leader of the Indonesian struggle for independenc ...

, future

President of Indonesia The president of the Republic of Indonesia () is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of Indonesia. The president is the leader of the executive branch of the Indonesian government and the commander-in-chief of the ...

. RM. Soerjo Goeritno was chosen as Pakubuwono XII because of his young age and ability to adapt to a new situation. Although a new king had been agreed on, a new problem emerged. His coronation plan was once opposed by the Japanese colonial government, who stated that they didn't dare to guarantee the safety of future king.

Rule

War of Independence

RM. Soerjo Goeritno was crowned as Pakubuwono XII on 11 June 1945, approximately 2-months before Independence of Indonesia. Due to his young age, he was often accompanied by his mother, GKR. Pakubuwono (popularly known as Ibu Ageng or Great Mother), in carrying out his daily duties. Pakubuwono XII was often nicknamed as Sinuhun Hamardika, because he became the first Susuhunan of Surakarta who reigned in independence era. After Proclamation of Independence, on 1 September 1945, he and Mangkunegara VIII separately issue royal decrees which congratulated to the newly founded Republic of Indonesia, 4 days before

Hamengkubuwono IX Shri#South and Southeast Asia, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX (Javanese script, Hanacaraka: ; 12 April 1912 – 2 October 1988), often abbreviated as HB IX, was an Indonesian politician and Javanese people, Javanese royal who was the second Vice P ...

and Paku Alam VIII's decree. On 6 September 1945,

Surakarta Sunanate Surakarta Sunanate (; ) is a Javanese monarchy centred in the city of Surakarta, in the province of Central Java, Indonesia. The Surakarta Kraton (Indonesia), Kraton was established in 1745 by Pakubuwono II. Surakarta Sunanate and Yogyakarta S ...

and

Duchy A duchy, also called a dukedom, is a country, territory, fiefdom, fief, or domain ruled by a duke or duchess, a ruler hierarchically second to the king or Queen regnant, queen in Western European tradition. There once existed an important differe ...

of Mangkunegaran were granted Special Region's Charter from President Sukarno. During Indonesian War of Independence, Pakubuwono XII was awarded titular military rank of

lieutenant-general Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the battlefield, who was normall ...

from President Sukarno, which meant he often accompanied the president to observe battlefields. Between 12–13 October 1945, Pakubuwono XII even led an assault on the headquarters of

Kenpeitai The , , was the military police of the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). The organization also shared civilian secret police that specialized in clandestine and covert operation, counterinsurgency, counterintelligence, HUMINT, interrogated suspects ...

in Kemlayan (now in Serengan

subdistrict A subdistrict or sub-district is an administrative division that is generally smaller than a district. Equivalents * Administrative posts of East Timor, formerly Portuguese-language * Kelurahan, in Indonesia * Mukim, a township in Brunei, Ind ...

) and Timuran (now in Banjarsari subdistrict). He also led an assault on the headquarters of Kido Butai in Mangkubumen (now in Banjarsari subdistrict). The Netherlands who didn't consent to Indonesian independence attempted to violently seize their former colony. In January 1946, the capital of

Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...

was moved to

Yogyakarta Yogyakarta is the capital city of the Special Region of Yogyakarta in Indonesia, in the south-central part of the island of Java. As the only Indonesian royal city still ruled by Hamengkubuwono, a monarchy, Yogyakarta is regarded as an importan ...

because

Jakarta Jakarta (; , Betawi language, Betawi: ''Jakartè''), officially the Special Capital Region of Jakarta (; ''DKI Jakarta'') and formerly known as Batavia, Dutch East Indies, Batavia until 1949, is the capital and largest city of Indonesia and ...

had been occupied by the Dutch. At that time, Indonesian government was led by Sutan Syahrir as

prime minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...

, with Sukarno as

head of state A head of state is the public persona of a sovereign state.#Foakes, Foakes, pp. 110–11 "

he head of state He or HE may refer to: Language * He (letter), the fifth letter of the Semitic abjads * He (pronoun), a pronoun in Modern English * He (kana), one of the Japanese kana (へ in hiragana and ヘ in katakana) * Ge (Cyrillic), a Cyrillic letter cal ...

being an embodiment of the State itself or representative of its international persona." The name given to the office of head of sta ...

. As commonly occurred in a country, an opposition faction who did not support the governmental system of PM Syahrir emerged, for example the group of General Soedirman. As Yogyakarta became a capital, Surakarta which had been an old rival became a center of opposition. The radicals namely Barisan Banteng (meaning "Ox Front" in Indonesian) led by Muwardi deliberately abducted Pakubuwono XII and Sutan Syahrir as a protest against the

government of Indonesia The term Government of the Republic of Indonesia (, GOI, sometimes also referred to as Government of Indonesia or the Central Government () especially in laws) can have a number of different meanings. At its widest, it can refer collectively ...

. Barisan Banteng successfully took control of Surakarta without being eradicated by the Indonesian government due to Gen. Soedirman's protection. Gen. Sudirman even successfully persuaded the government to abolish the special status of Surakarta. From 1 June 1946, Sunanate of Surakarta was only a residency within

Central Java Central Java (, ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia, located in the middle of the island of Java. Its administrative capital is Semarang. It is bordered by West Java in the west, the Indian Ocean and the Special Region of Yogya ...

province A province is an administrative division within a country or sovereign state, state. The term derives from the ancient Roman , which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire, Roman Empire's territorial possessions ou ...

. The government was held by civilians, while Pakubuwono XII was merely symbolic.

Independence era

In his early rule, Pakubuwono XII was viewed as a ruler who failed in taking an important role and using the political situation of Indonesia, which caused his prestige to be lower than that of Hamengkubuwono IX of

. Pakubuwono XII had actually attempted to regain the special status of Surakarta. On 15 January 1952, Pakubuwono XII explained extensively about Special Region of Surakarta to the ministerial council in Jakarta. On that occasion, he explained that the government of the special region couldn't overcome unrest and gnawing with armed threat, while the government of a special region didn't have power apparatus. However, the attempt was unsuccessful. Eventually, Pakubuwono XII left the

palace A palace is a large residence, often serving as a royal residence or the home for a head of state or another high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word is derived from the Latin name palātium, for Palatine Hill in Rome whi ...

to attend education in Jakarta in 1954. He appointed his uncle, KGPH. Koesoemojoedo, as his temporary representative. In his reign, there were two catastrophes in Surakarta Palace. On 19 November 1954, the tallest building in the palace complex, Panggung Sangga Buwana, was burned and most of the building, including the roof and decoration in the top of building, was destroyed. On 31 January 1985, the core of palace was burned down at 9.00 pm. The fire happened in Sasana Parasdya, Sasana Sewaka, Sasana Handrawina, Dalem Ageng Prabasuyasa, Dayinta, and Paningrat. The entire building, including the furnitures, was completely destroyed. On 5 February 1985, Pakubuwono XII told President

Soeharto Suharto (8 June 1921 – 27 January 2008) was an Indonesian Officer (armed forces), military officer and politician, and dictator, who was the second and longest serving president of Indonesia, serving from 1967 to 1998. His 32 years rule, cha ...

about the fire in Surakarta Palace. The president reacted by forming Committee 13 who was tasked to rehabilitate the palace. Hardjonagoro, a national cultural observer who was also Pakubuwono XII's friend, was one of the member of Committee 13. Surakarta Palace was fully rehabilitated after obtaining 4 million rupiahs from the government. The renovation of palace complex was finished and it was inaugurated in 1987. On 26 September 1995, by Presidential Decree no. 70/SKEP/IX/1995, Pakubuwono XII was awarded Struggle Prize and Medal of Generation '45 from central government. The award was given as a form of honor for Pakubuwono XII as the first king in Indonesia to swear allegiance and stand behind the republic government in the early independence era. Pakubuwono XII also voluntarily contributed a half of his personal and royal wealth to central government in that era. Although in his early reign, Pakubuwono XII was politically less successful, he still became the patron figure of Javanese culture. In reformation era, many national figures, such as President

Abdurrahman Wahid Abdurrahman Wahid ( ; né ad-Dakhil, 7 September 1940 – 30 December 2009), more colloquially known as Gus Dur (), was an Indonesian politician and Islam in Indonesia, Islamic Kyai, religious leader who served as the fourth president of Indone ...

, still respected him as elder of Java.Abdurrahman Wahid: Keraton dan Perjalanan Budayanya.
from website Santri Gus Dur: Komunitas Pemikiran Gusdur

Death and succession

In the middle of 2004, Pakubuwana fell into

coma A coma is a deep state of prolonged unconsciousness in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to Nociception, respond normally to Pain, painful stimuli, light, or sound, lacks a normal Circadian rhythm, sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate ...

and underwent intensive care in Panti Kosala Dr. Oen Hospital, Surakarta. Eventually, Pakubuwono XII was pronounced dead on 11 June 2004.Solo: Paku Buwono XII Mangkat.
from website Liputan6.com At the same time of the death of Pakubuwono XII,

2004 Indonesian presidential election Presidential elections were held in Indonesia on 5 July and 20 September 2004. As no candidate won a majority in the first round, a runoff was held, in which Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono defeated Megawati Sukarnoputri and was elected President of In ...

took place in Surakarta. Upon his death in 2004, there was no clear heir as there was no official queen installed. Two of his sons who were half-brothers claimed the throne. The older, Hangabehi, took control of the kraton (palace) and expelled his younger half-brother Tedjowulan. Each had himself crowned and they held separate tomb-sealing rituals for their father. Sasana Sewaka Keraton Surakarta

Family consensus has now acknowledged that Hangabehi is the rightful heir and is now titled SISKS Pakubuwono XIII.Ganug Nugroho Adil,
KGPH Tedjowulan: Reviving the place of Surakarta'
''The Jakarta Post'', July 4, 2012. On 18–19 July 2009, there was a ceremony in the kraton where the enthronement anniversary was conducted with the sacred Bedoyo Dance performed for the ceremony. The attendees consisted of various local and foreign dignitaries as well as Hangebehi's half-brother Tedjowulan. In 2017, further developments of crowning Pakubuwono XIII resolved the 13-year long dispute.

Family

Wives

# Kanjeng Raden Ayu Pradapaningrum # Kanjeng Raden Ayu Ratnadiningrum # Kanjeng Raden Ayu Mandayaningrum # Kanjeng Raden Ayu Riya Ragasmara # Kanjeng Raden Ayu Kusumaningrum # Kanjeng Raden Ayu Pujaningrum

Children

# Gusti Raden Ajeng Kus Handawiyah
daughter of KRAy. Mandayaningrum, styled as Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Alit. # Gusti Raden Mas Surya Partana
son of KRAy. Pradapaningrum, styled as Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Harya Hangabehi, then Pakubuwana XIII. # Gusti Raden Mas Surya Suprapta
son of KRAy. Riya Ragasmara, styled as Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Harya Hadi Prabawa. # Gusti Raden Ajeng Kus Supiyah
daughter of KRAy. Pradapaningrum, styled as Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Galuh Kencana. # Gusti Raden Mas Suryana
son of KRAy. Kusumaningrum, styled as Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Harya Puspa Hadikusuma. # GAy. Kus Rahmanijah # GRAy. Kus Saparnijah # Gusti Raden Ajeng Kus Handariyah
daughter of KRAy. Pradapaningrum, styled as Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Sekar Kencana. # GRAy. Kus Kristijah # GRAy. Kus Sapardijah # GRAy. Kus Raspijah # GRM. Surjo Suseno/KGPH. Kusumojudho # GRAy. Kus Sutrijah # Gusti Raden Ajeng Kus Isbandiyah
daughter of KRAy. Pradapaningrum, styled as Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Ratna Dumilah. # Gusti Raden Mas Surya Suteja
son of KRAy. Ratnadiningrum
styled as Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Harya Panembahan Agung Tejawulan. # GRM. Surjo Bandono/KGPH. Puger # GRAy. Kus Partinah # GRM. Surjo Suparto/KGPH Adp.Dipokusumo # GRM. Surjo Saroso # GRM. Surjo Bandrijo/KGPH. Benowo # GRAy. Kus Niyah # GRM. Surjo Sudhiro/Gusti Pangeran Haryo Notokusumo # GRM. Surjo Suharso/GPH. Madukusuma # GRM. Surjo Sudarsono/GPH. Widjojo Sudarsono # Gusti Raden Ajeng Kus Murtiyah
daughter of KRAy. Pradapaningrum, styled as Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Wandansari. # GRAy. Kus Sabandijah # GRAy. Kus Trinijah # Gusti Raden Ajeng Kus Indriyah
daughter of KRAy. Pradapaningrum, styled as Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hayu. # GRM. Surjo Sutrisno/GPH. Surjo Witjaksono # GRM. Nur Muhammad/GPH. Tjahjoningrat # GRAy. Kus Suwijah # GRAy. Kus Ismanijah # GRAy. Kus Samsijah # GRAy. Kus Saparsijah # GRM. Surjo Wahono/GPH. Surjo Mataram

Military honours

Titular rank of Lieutenant-General (November 1, 1945) * Satyalancana Perang Kemerdekaan I

Satyalencana Perang Kemerdekaan I (August 17, 1958) * Satyalancana Perang Kemerdekaan II

Satyalencana Perang Kemerdekaan II (August 17, 1958) * Bintang Dharma rib

Medal for Building Service of Indonesian War Force, issued by President

on October 5, 1958 * Bintang Gerilya rib

Heroic Decoration in Guerilla Struggle in Defending Independence, issued by President Sukarno on November 10, 1958 * Awarded Indonesian Veteran Card on June 8, 1968.

References

Literature

* Ricklefs MC. 2001. ''A History of Modern Indonesia: 3rd Edition''. Palgrave and Stanford University Press. * Purwadi. 2007. ''Sejarah Raja-Raja Jawa''. Yogyakarta: Media Ilmu.

External links

"Solo Journal; The Coffee Shop King, 80, With Ladies in Waiting,"
''NY Times'' December 5, 2002, by Jane Perlez {{DEFAULTSORT:Pakubuwono 12 1925 births 2004 deaths Burials at Imogiri Susuhunan of Surakarta Indonesian royalty Sons of monarchs