1678 Kediri campaign

Amangkurat II’s March to Victory

In August 1678, the Mataram Sultanate forces led by Amangkurat II and Dutch East India Company (VOC) troops marched inland against Trunajaya’s forces in eastern Java during the Trunajaya rebellion. This campaign was a pivotal moment in Javanese history, but how did it all unfold?

The Prelude to War

Amangkurat I had expanded Mataram’s control in 1646, but Trunajaya allied with Makassarese fighters to start a rebellion in 1674. Amangkurat sought help from the VOC after facing collapse of his authority. The VOC and Mataram agreed to an alliance contract in February 1677, setting the stage for one of the most significant military campaigns in Java’s history.

The March Begins

On August 21, 1678, Captain François Tack led the westernmost column from Jepara to Semarang. Meanwhile, Amangkurat II and Hurdt mobilized their central column in Jepara on September 5. The eastern column, led by Abraham Daniel van Renesse and Frederik Hendrik Mulder, left Rembang on August 26.

Challenges Along the Way

The march was fraught with challenges. Desertion, disease, food shortages, and poor navigation plagued the loyalist forces. The western column fought skirmishes against Trunajaya’s allies, while the central column faced similar issues but also had to deal with the swollen Brantas River.

Crossing the Brantas

On October 13, finding a way to cross the Brantas proved a major challenge. The army’s numbers dwindled as many suffered from dysentery. Trunajaya’s artillery harassed them on both sides of the river, but on November 25, Amangkurat’s army crossed and attacked Kediri.

The Battle for Kediri

Kediri was defended by 43 artillery batteries and high walls. The VOC troops ultimately attacked it, with Hurdt’s column entering from the east and de Saint Martin from the northwest. Despite fierce resistance, Trunajaya fled southwards into the countryside.

Victory and Plunder

The loyalist troops were victorious, but at a cost. The Mataram treasury was among the targets of the looting, which Amangkurat and the VOC had hoped to recover. Instead, it was completely looted by the soldiers. Ten Europeans who had deserted to Trunajaya’s side were found and executed.

The Aftermath

With Trunajaya expelled from Kediri, the victorious army left for Surabaya. The city’s fortifications were dismantled, and a governor was installed to rule it. A river convoy left on December 15 but faced difficulties due to floods and heavy currents.

The Legacy of the Campaign

Trunajaya’s rebellion weakened but remained at large until 1679. The war ended by the early 1680s with all rebel leaders defeated or dead. This campaign not only solidified Amangkurat II’s rule but also showcased the complex relationship between the Mataram Sultanate and the VOC.

This battle for Kediri was more than just a military engagement; it was a clash of cultures and ideologies. The legacy of this campaign lives on, reminding us of the intricate dynamics between local rulers and foreign powers in shaping the history of Java.