[Historical Short Story by Fatchuri Rosidin]
The port of Palembang that morning was already crowded. Dozens of ships were seen leaning in the harbor on the banks of the Musi river. The ships came not only from Java, Kalimantan and Aceh, but also from Arabia, Persia, India, and China. They came to buy forest products and spices that many people of Palembang produce.
Accompanied by his two children, Raden Fatah and Raden Husein, Arya Damar visited the port which was the lifeblood of Palembang. This morning the merchant ships were already busy carrying cargo. They usually stay a few weeks to trade in Palembang. Some of them sometimes stay for months waiting for the monsoon winds to bring them home. Not surprisingly, near the port there are many Arab and Indian villages. Some of them even married local residents.
"This morning, the city of Palembang is already very busy. My father has succeeded in advancing trade in Palembang," said Raden Fatah while watching the busyness of the traders on the east side of the port.
"Alhamdulillah," replied Arya Damar. “In the past, not a single ship would stop here. It took my father years to rebuild this Palembang city into one of the trading centers in the archipelago.”
Arya Damar took a deep breath. His mind wandered to the year 1433 AD when he was assigned to be the Duke of Palembang by the queen of Majapahit, Rani Suhita. Palembang at that time really slumped. Trade with the outside world was cut off because the sea area was controlled by Chinese pirates led by Liang Tau Ming, Cheng Po-ko, Chen Tsui, and Shi Chin Ching. Trade ships from Java, India, Persia, Arabia, and China no longer wanted to dock in the area that was once the center of the Srivijaya empire.
Arya Damar is the son of King Wikramawardana who became king of Majapahit before being replaced by Rani Suhita. He was also the figure behind Majapahit's success in quelling the Pasunggiri, Bali, and Bhre Wirabumi rebellions. Unfortunately, political intrigue at the center of the Majapahit government made him out of the palace. In 1433, the Queen of Majapahit who was also his half-sister, Rani Suhita, sent him to Palembang, an area that was not reckoned with because of the economic downturn.
Although disappointed with his removal from the palace, Arya Damar began to fix Palembang. He also formed an army to repel Liang Tau Ming and his pirate gang. In that naval battle, he managed to defeat and drive them away.
"Father, since when have Arab villages been in Palembang?" asked ten year old Raden Husein, interrupting his thoughts.
“Arabs already traded in Palembang more than a thousand years ago; even before the establishment of the Srivijaya kingdom. In the Srivijaya era, they even lived around this port for several months waiting for the monsoon winds to bring their ship home.”
"Is it true? Has it been that long?” he asked surprised.
"Right. During the Srivijaya empire, this river became one of the centers of world trade. Much busier than now. Many Muslim traders from Arabia, Persia and India came to Palembang," answered Arya Damar.
"Has the Messenger of Allah been here, father?" asked Raden Hussein again.
Arya Damar smiled.
"The Messenger of Allah has never been to Palembang, but the companions of the Prophet may have been. Caliph Uthman bin Affan once sent an envoy led by the friend of the Prophet Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqash to China. Their ships always stop at the coasts of Sumatra: Aceh, Barus, or Palembang to buy spices, gold, or camphor. Sriwijaya King Sri Indrawarman even sent a letter to the caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz asking to send Islamic religious experts to become advisors in the Sriwijaya kingdom, "explained Arya Damar.
"How did you know?"
Arya Damar gestured to invite his two children to sit on a long chair made by the harbormaster for traders to rest or wait for the boat to lean in. The chairs were placed in rows along the edge of the harbor making it easier for people who wanted to rest or wait for the ship to arrive.
“When Rani Suhita was initially assigned to Palembang, my father met Tuan Guru Syarif Husein Hidayatullah who was preaching in Palembang. He was the one who made my father interested in Islam. From Syarif Husein, my father also knew about the letter of the King of Sriwijaya to the caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz. Your brother even memorized the contents of the letter," said Arya Damar, patting Raden Fatah on the shoulder.
"Is it true? What's in the letter, Sis?" asked Raden Husein more curious.
What is the content of the letter of the King of Sriwijaya to the caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz? How then did the development of Islam in Palembang until the establishment of the Palembang sultanate? How is Raden Fatah's next journey to become the Sultan of Demak?
Please read on ddhk.org and www.fatchuri.com. [Source: www.fatchuri.com]
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Fatchuri Rosidin is the Director of IMZ Consulting, a consultant and public speaker in the fields of motivation, human resource development, leadership, parenting, and community empowerment.
