REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL GEOGRAPHICAL EDUCATION ISSN: 2146-0353 ● © RIGEO ● 11(2), SPRING, 2021 www.rigeo.org Research Article Stream Politics in the Transfer of Power from Demak to Pajang Imam Sukardi1 Anang Harris Himawan2 Faculty of Ushuluddin, Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Department of History Education, Faculty of Surakarta, Indonesia. Education and Teacher Training, Sebelas Maret
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[email protected] Abstract The current historical theme concerning the transfer of power from Demak to Pajang was chosen because it has remained a discourse among scholars, particularly of history, to this day. Historians have opposing views regarding the background of the establishment of the Sultanate of Pajang. First, the founding of Pajang in the 16th century was, consequently, due to the Sultanate of Demak’s inability to prevent the fall of Melaka and Maluku, serving as wealth “repository” areas for Java (Demak), into the hands of the Portuguese, which resulted in a political and economic crisis in Demak, thus forcing the coastal political power house to relocate further inland to Pajang. Second, the founding of Pajang was the result of an internal political conflict within the Demak Sultanate reaching its peak, and it had transpired since the death of the First Sultan of Demak, Raden Patah. Third, the founding of Pajang signified the return of Majapahit Empire’s “throne” to its rightful heir, namely the descendants of Andayaningrat, Brawijaya’s son-in-law from the empress Dyah Annarawati. Fourth, the founding of Pajang was the culmination of a political struggle between two major religious streams championed by their respective Wali (saint of Islam in the archipelago), wherein the Walis of the coast, who adhered to genuine Islamic teachings (conservative, puritan, muti’ah) and represented by Sunan Kudus, faced the Walis of the inland (moderate, aba’ah) who were represented by Sunan Kalijaga.