Sultanate of Cirebon: Map & History
The Sultanate of Cirebon was an Islamic sultanate in West Java founded in the 15th century.
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The Sultanate of Cirebon was an Islamic sultanate in West Java founded in the 15th century. It is said to have been founded by Sunan Gunungjati, as marked by his letter proclaiming Cirebon's independence from Pajajaran in 1482, although the settlement and the polity had been established earlier in 1445. Sunan Gunungjati also established the Sultanate of Banten. It was one of the earliest Islamic states established in Java, along with the Sultanate of Demak.
Modern Countries Once Part of Sultanate of Cirebon
At its mapped extent, Sultanate of Cirebon covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Sultanate of Cirebon's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Sultanate of Cirebon in Depth
History
Most of the history of the Cirebon Sultanate comes from a Javanese chronicle known as a Babad. Several notable chronicles which focused on the history of Cirebon are Carita Purwaka Caruban Nagari and Babad Cerbon. Foreign sources also mentioned Cirebon, such as Tomé Pires' Suma Oriental, written in 1512–1515. The later period of the sultanate is documented in colonial sources of the Dutch East Indies. Other than recording its own history, one of the royal houses of Cirebon, especially Keraton Keprabonan led by the Wangsakerta princes, also actively recorded and researched the history of Java by collecting old manuscripts.
Culture
During its early formation years, the sultanate actively propagated Islam. Cirebon sent their ulamas to proselytise Islam into inland West Java. Together with Banten, they are credited for the Islamization of the Sundanese people in West Java as well as coastal Java. Because the Sultanate is located on the border of the Javanese and Sundanese cultural realms, the Sultanate of Cirebon demonstrates both aspects, reflected in its art, architecture, and language. The Sultanate of Pakungwati Palace shows the influence of Majapahit red brick masonry architecture. The styles and titles of its officials are also influenced by Javanese Mataram courtly culture.
As a port city, Cirebon attracts settlers from around and overseas alike.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Sultanate of Cirebon (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Sultanate of Cirebon: Key Facts
| Capital | Cirebon |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1447 |
| Dissolved | 1677 |
Facts from Wikidata Q2077648 (CC0).
Sultanate of Cirebon Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Sultanate of Cirebon appears, with the other states of the time.
Sultanate of Cirebon Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 30,572 km² in 1598 CE.
Sultanate of Cirebon: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Sultanate of Cirebon exist?
The Sultanate of Cirebon is dated to 1482 CE – 1676 CE, in the Early Modern & Age of Discovery era.
What was the capital of the Sultanate of Cirebon?
The capital of the Sultanate of Cirebon was Cirebon.
How large was the Sultanate of Cirebon at its peak?
At its peak in 1598 the Sultanate of Cirebon covered about 30,572 km².
How did the map of the Sultanate of Cirebon change over time?
The Sultanate of Cirebon appears on 2 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1500 CE to 1600 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
Other Sovereign Realms
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Avarga
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Söğüt, Bursa, Edirne, Constantinople
Industrial Era • Capital: London
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Lahore, Delhi