In the tumultuous history of Mataram, the reign of
Amangkurat II stands out as a dark chapter marked by ruthless governance,
intricate conspiracies, and personal betrayal. Like his father, Amangkurat I,
Amangkurat II ruled with an iron fist, employing treacherous strategies to
consolidate his power. His reign, however, was characterized not only by
political maneuvers but also by personal vendettas and dark alliances.
Raden Mas Rahmat, who would later be known as Amangkurat II,
was a prince who mirrored his father’s iron-fisted rule. His administration was
defined by severe measures against his enemies, including intricate dealings
with the Dutch East India Company (VOC), the suppression of the Trunojoyo
rebellion, and a dark involvement with his own brother-in-law. His reign was a
complex web of power struggles and manipulations, where political and personal
motives intertwined.
Among Amangkurat II’s notable interactions was his alliance
with Untung Surapati, a fugitive from Bali with a troubled past. Surapati, who
had been a slave to a VOC official, had a long history of criminal activity,
including theft and murder. Despite his past, he found refuge in Mataram and
was warmly received by Amangkurat II. This alliance was strategic, with
Surapati serving as a useful ally amidst the growing anti-VOC sentiment.
The alliance, however, was not without its complications. In
1685, Captain François Tack was appointed as the VOC’s special envoy to
Mataram, tasked with negotiating Amangkurat II’s debt and capturing Surapati.
When Tack arrived in Kartasura, Amangkurat II faced a dilemma. Reluctant to
hand over his ally but aware of the repercussions of defying the VOC, he
devised a ruse. On February 8, 1686, he ordered a staged siege of Surapati’s
residence, leading Tack to believe it was a rescue attempt.
Tack and his troops, moving to the scene, were ambushed by
Surapati and palace troops disguised as Balinese. The attack resulted in Tack
sustaining 20 stab wounds and dying along with 74 of his men. Amangkurat II
attempted to evade responsibility, claiming innocence in a letter to Batavia.
However, the VOC quickly uncovered evidence of his involvement, revealing his
duplicitous nature.
The evidence against Amangkurat II was damning. Among the
incriminating documents was a letter linking him to Raja Sakti Ahmad Syah bin
Iskandar, a Minangkabau adventurer who had previously attacked the VOC.
Additionally, the VOC discovered letters from Amangkurat II to various
kingdoms, seeking to form an anti-VOC alliance.
Amangkurat II’s reign was marked by a series of deceptions
and betrayals. The staged siege of Surapati was just one example of his dark
tactics. His reign was also characterized by personal vendettas, including an
affair with his brother-in-law’s wife, Raden Ayu Singasari. This scandal,
involving multiple betrayals within the royal family, further underscored the
complexity and corruption of his rule.
Trunojoyo, a key figure in the overthrow of Amangkurat I,
also faced a tragic end. Initially an ally in the rebellion against Amangkurat
I, Trunojoyo’s fortunes changed as he was eventually betrayed and killed by
Amangkurat II. Trunojoyo’s rebellion, which had initially brought him great
success, ended in failure as he fell victim to the very regime he had once
supported.
The reign of Amangkurat II was a period of intense political
intrigue and personal betrayal. His ruthless tactics and complex alliances,
coupled with personal scandals, painted a portrait of a ruler who manipulated
both politics and personal relationships to maintain his power. The legacy of
Amangkurat II serves as a stark reminder of the destructive potential of
unchecked ambition and deceit in the quest for power.
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