Sultan Kudarat
The Unconquerable Hero of Mindanao
(1581 - 1671)
Nowadays, many people would think of a province or a small town in Maguindanao whenever the name Sultan Kudarat is mentioned. However, Sultan Kudarat is a much bigger name than the province and the town named after him. He is a shrewd politician, strategist, brave warrior, and a just ruler. He is a kind, benevolent, and fair ruler.
He was the 7th Sultan of Maguindanao and ruled a vast expanse of the region for 52 years from 1619 until he died in 1671.
During his time as ruler, he made a vast expansion of territories under his kingdom. He united together many kingdoms and successfully defended most parts of Mindanao from Spanish invasion and occupation. He is a brave and ferocious warrior that he was never captured by enemies.
When visiting Makati, Manila in the Philippines, anyone would notice the monument of Sultan Kudarat. It is standing as a heroic symbol for Filipino Muslims. This monument was created by Jose M. Mendoza in 1973 to retain the memory of the Muslim Hero. The name of the great hero is Sultan Kudarat who was the 7th sultan of Maguindanao.
Origin and Meaning of His Name
Kudarat is the direct descendant of Shariff Kabungsuwan, a noble of Malay-Arab origins who brought Islam to Mindanao between the 13th and the 14th century. His full name is Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat or Muhammad Dipatuan Kurlat in Maguindanaoan dialect, or in Malay Muhammad di-Pertuan Kudrat. The Maguindanaoan term Dipatuan is taken from the Malay word di-Pertuan which means ruler or owner and literally means the one who has been made to rule. The term Kudarat is taken from the Arabic word qudrat which means power.
Early Life and Rise to Power
The journey of life of the great hero Sultan Kudarat started in 1580. His birthland was Maguindanao, Philippines. He was named after the meaning “Master of Power”. He was educated by several teachers from Chinese, Arab, Malay, and the missionaries who visited the Sultanate. His education from diverse backgrounds helped him conscious of different cultures and broaden his perspective. He was taught sword fighting by his uncle. His uncle was an inspiration for him about his life and his upbringing. In 1619, Kudarat became the 7th Sultan of Maguindanao. He reigned for a long 52 years until 1671.
During this rule, he overshadowed his father, Buisan by ruling with a strong control over his sultanate. His title as a Sultan was Katchil. At the beginning of his rule in 1619 there was a war with the Rajah Buayan about a contest for primacy in Pulangi. This war reigned till 1621 and later in 1622, he faced some trouble in his reign due to some reverse action by Buayan with combined propaganda against him. He went to Cebu with the motive to gather artillery from Spaniards. He successfully managed to pillage some of them and returned to Pulangi to have his crown of victory against the Buayan Sultanate.
In 1625 Kudarat attacked a Datu since his ally in that area was exiled. He managed to capture the land of Sarangani and then burned its capital city in 1626. Then some people came under the Kudarat Sultanate from Sarangani to give him a tribute.
Resistance Against Spanish Forces
One of Sulugs men joined him in attacking the Spanish Reduccion in Dapitan in 1634. This continued to the Visayas. Spaniards built a very strong fort in Sambuyangan in 1635. Hurtado de Corcuera was the Captain and Governor General of the Philippines who was the leader of an expedition against Kudarat in 1636. Considerable difficulty led to the reduction of his forces and resulted in defeat. With a massive collection of gunpowder and firearms, he enriched his fort. From this fort, the Spaniards captured nearly 100 muskets, 27 Culverins or Lantaka, and 8 Bronze cannons.
Later in 1637, his fight against Spanish forces started. General Corcuera joined Spanish and Indio forces to attack on Muslim Citadel at Lamitan near Lake Lanao. This resulted in a bloody battle where Kudarat and his 2000 native warriors fought with brave hearts in front of larger forces. He fought vigorously but lost in the battle. He managed to avoid capture along with his wife and child.
He was steadfast even after his loss in the first battle. There were other Muslim Chieftains who joined the Spaniards. He stood alone against the Spanish and defended his territory with faith. He gradually managed other leaders like Tagalogs and Visayans who set an example for other Muslim leaders.
Leadership and Legacy
Leading the whole Muslim Filipino community, he proved his leadership by repelling the Spanish forces successfully from the Cotabato region in South-Central Mindanao. To memorize his significant role, he was declared a national hero. On January 13, 1975, he was enshrined in the National Hall of Fame by President Marcos with the names of other great national heroes. A whole province was built in his name which is Kudarat Province on November 22, 1973, in Soccsksargen. This separated the Cotabato through Presidential Decree No. 341.
Diplomacy and Resistance
Kudarat showed diplomatic skills in leading the military along with creating diplomatic relations with other nations like Southeast Asian Sultanates like Johore, Ternate, Sulu, Brunei, and more. He made these nations alliance and consolidated a force of unity to resist Spanish incursions. This was another move of greatness that made him the center of unity among Muslim leaders.
Challenges and Victories
In his ruling period, Sultan Kudarat faced numerous challenges. Even though he faced defeats but stayed unconquerable. He made his internal alliances stronger with different strategies like periods of peace. This helped in consolidating Maguindanao, Iranun, Maranao, and Samal forces. He also allied with other religious leaders for which he got support from Christianized natives in Luzon and Visayas.
Speech and Call for Independence
Some of his famous speeches are still popular which he called for independence. This speech still bears his legacy. Such a speech was in Moro to make people stand against Spanish oppression. He pointed to the plight of other nations and urged people to resist subjugation. This was submitted to the Spaniards. The people of Moro formed a rallying cry for independence with his impassioned call.
Later Years and Death
His leadership ability followed him to his old age. At the age of 70 in 1656, he declared war against the Spanish government. With his legacy in this age, he recognized other entities like the Spanish government, Ternateans, Dutch, Sulus, Bruneians, and other nations. He proved himself an intelligent and courageous leader.
In 1671 he ended his grateful life with the victorious struggle for freedom and sovereignty. At the time of his death, he was 90 years old. His legacy is followed for his courage, symbol of freedom and resilience in Maguindanao. His heroic life strengthened Philippine history with heritage through various means underscore. With his death, an era came to an end, but the legacy followed with a symbol of resilience and freedom. Such heroic life of Kudarat is evident in his recognition as a great personality to be recalled by future generations in the Philippines.
Sources:
https://filipino.cri.cn/20210113/c985bf25-c361-109c-e205-1c7d165e209a.html
https://www.facebook.com/FilipinoHistoryKasaysayan/photos/muhammad-kudarat-known-as-sultan-kudaratmuhammad-dipatuan-kudarat-15811671-was-t/1799804826706220/
https://www.ayalatriangle.com/attractions/sultan-kudarat-monument#:~:text=He%20was%20a%20fearless%20fighter,Mindanao%20sultan%20that%20ever%20lived.
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/sultan-kudarat-the-philippines-most-powerful-sultan-a00293-20190703-lfrm
https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/759/sultan-kudarat-a-mindanao-hero-mindanaos-most-powerful-ruler
https://www.bayaniart.com/articles/sultan-kudarat-biography/
https://www.facebook.com/bayannijuan.biz/photos/a.10150662002943750/10159072957543750/?type=3
