10 Oldest Islamic Kingdoms in the Nusantara, Established Centuries Before the Indonesian Republic

Jakarta — Ramadan can serve as an opportune moment to deepen understanding of Islam. One way to do this is by learning about the history of Islamic kingdoms in Indonesia, which are believed to have existed since the 13th century.

During this period, the emergence of Islamic kingdoms was influenced by maritime trade activities. Muslim merchants from various regions including the Arab world, India, Persia, and China interacted and integrated with local communities.

This transformation was marked by the establishment of several Islamic-characterised kingdoms that not only played a role in governance but also in spreading Islamic teachings throughout the Nusantara.

Based on historical records, Perlak was one of the oldest kingdoms in Indonesia and was known for producing perlak wood, a raw material used in shipbuilding. It is therefore unsurprising that Perlak was frequently visited by merchants from Gujarat, the Arab world, and Persia, allowing the Muslim community in the region to flourish rapidly. Considerable intermarriage between Muslim merchants and local women occurred during this period.

The Kingdom of Perlak endured for a considerable time. The first ruler of the Kingdom of Perlak was named Alaidin Sayyid Maulana Aziz Shah. The last king, Muhammad Amir Shah, married his daughter to Malik Saleh. Malik Saleh subsequently became the founder of the Kingdom of Samudra Pasai.