The Origin of Ki Ageng Pemanahan and Mataram Sultanate Under His Reign
Basically, Ki Juru Martani and also Ki Penjawi became other important figures in Sultanate Mataram beside Ki Ageng Pemanahan and those three were known as The Three Musketeers from Mataram though Ki Ageng Pemanahan might be the most popular to be known as the pioneer. Mataram was the region under Sultanate Pajang which was centered at Bumi Mentaok that was given to Ki Ageng Pemanahan as the gift for his service. The story began after the death of Sultan Trenggana and Demak was moved to Pajang with Jaka Tingkir as the king.
The title of Jaka Tingkir was Sultan Hadiwijaya. His position was approved by Sunan Giri who was the guardian as well as the politic advisor in Java who lived in Kewalian Giri, Gresik, East Java. Sultan Hadiwijaya was known as the wise person and soon, he got the recognition from adipati throughout Central and East Java. Meanwhile, one of the son of Sultan Prawoto who was Arya Pangiri became the Adipati Demak. In his effort to expand the power of Pajang, Sultan Hadiwijaya had to face with Adipati Jipang who was Arya Penangsang.
He was the son of Sinuwun Sekar Seda Lepen who didn’t want the throne taken by Sultan Hadiwijaya because he was just the son-in-law of Sultan Trenggana. In the story, Penangsang could be defeated by son of Pemanahan and Sultan Hadiwijaya gave the land to them. Penjawi got the land of Pati while Pemanahan got the land of Mataram. However, Sultan Hadiwijaya actually hesitated to give the land of Mataram to Pemanahan. Based on the Sunan Giri’s prophecy, Mataram could be the great power and also the politic center in Java.
When it happened, it would be a threat for Pajang existence. Because of that. Sultan Hadiwijaya took more time to give Mataram to Pemanahan. After getting the advice from Sunan Kalijaga, Mataram was given to him. Ki Ageng Pemanahan became the first head of village in Mataram. The status of Mataram village at that time was the tex-free village. Many stories said that after opening the Mataram village, Ki Ageng Pemanahan went to visit his bestfriend in Giring village and at that time, Ki Ageng Giring has just got the auspicious coconut.
If a person drank the water, he would generate the Javanese kings. Ki Ageng Pemanahan arrived at Ki Ageng Giring’s house and he was thirsty at that time. He went straight to the kitchen and found the magical coconut. He drank it till the last drop. Actually, Ki Ageng Giring was so disappointed because he could not drink it but he surrendered that God chose Pemanahan as the person who would generate the king in Java. Under the reign of Pemanahan, Mataram could grow so well but the pioneer got sick before he could enjoy the result. After that, Danang Sutawijaya continued to become the king of Mataram.