Rokan Kingdom

1. History

Rokan Kingdom whose centre situated in old City, Rokan, is established in the 14^th century. The kingdom‘s name was inspired by a big river called Rokan which flows throughout south of Riau daratan area. Hitherto, the river plays an important role as water transportation connecting people in coastal area and hinterland.

Word Rokan is originally derived from Arabic word rokana which means peace and harmony. This word assumes two important points; first is that Rokan was a harmonious kingdom where which people lived in sociable circumstance, serenity of situation, tranquillity, and respectable neighbourhood. The second is Arabic influence on Rokan which indicates the existence of Kingdom after the coming of Islam in the region. 

As a rich area that produced more spices and roaring route that expanded trade with other kingdom such as Malacca, Rokan was considered a fast developing Kingdom in the region. Moreover, the marriage between Princess of Rokan and Malacca King ‘Mahmud Syah‘ strengthened the economic and diplomatic relationship of two Kingdoms 

From this marriage, they have a son named Ibrahim who later on ascended the Malacca kingdom for a year and five months. Ibrahim was murdered by his paternal brother Kasim Muhammad Syah.    

During the Portuguese domination, Aru and North Aceh continuously committed aggression against Rokan. Indeed the kingdom then experienced declining period and fell down. Afterwards two Kingdoms; Pekaitan and Batu Hampar replace the Rokan Kingdomship.     

Following the fall of Pekaitan and Batu Hampar, several Kingdoms emerge in both downstream and upstream of Rokan.

Kingdoms In downstream;

Kubu, its centre was Teluk Merbabu

Bangko, its centre was Bantaian

Tanah Putih, its centre was Tanah Putih

Kingdoms In upstream;

Tambusai, its centre was Dalu-Dalu

Rambah, its centre was Pasir Pengaraian

Kepenuhan, its centre was Koto Tengah

Kunto Dar el-Salam, its centre was Kota Lama

Rokan, its centre was Rokan IV Koto

2. Genealogy

The information on Rokan Kings is limited. It has been said that Rokan Kings were descendants of Sidi Sultan. Unfortunately, the Information on Sultan Sidi is limited as well.

3. Kingdom Period

In the process of data collecting

4. Kingdom Territory

In the process of data collecting

5. Kingdom Structure

The ultimate authority in kingdom structure was held by King. A minister (king servant) called Datuk Bendahara was responsible for public affairs. He was selected directly by King. It is assumed that the structure of Rokan Kingdom was similar to the system developed in Minangkabau and Mandailing

6. Socio-cultural Life

Rokan community has several groups and ethnics, and each of them was headed by pucuk suku (ethnic leader). Datuk Bendahara whose duty was supervising different ethnic leaders accompanied king in adat meeting. Minangkabau culture and Mandailing as well both have significant influence on Rokan community way of life.

Credit Photo : Andy (black@physics.its.ac.id)

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Comment of "rokan kingdom"

01 Okt 2012. nanangtanamal bagus

01 Okt 2012. nanangtanamal gi mana cara ngopi ni

09 Feb 2013. dwi hardiyanti pertahankan adat melayu rokan jangan sampai hilang dikarenakan daerah tetangga.. melayu tetap melayu bukan minang atau jawa..jadi lebih bagusnya posting lebih banyak lagi dan lengkap tentang sejarah rokan sebenarnya biar anak muda sekarang paham jati dirinya. sukses trus...

20 Marc 2015. chalulaq Terimakadih atas informasi pengetahuannya.

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