Sultanate of Demak

The Sultanate of Demak was the first Muslim state on Java, founded on the north coast around 1475 by Raden Patah, a noble linked to the Majapahit royal house. It began as a port fief of the Hindu-Buddhist Majapahit kingdom and declared independence as Majapahit weakened. Raden Patah built the Great Mosque of Demak and surrounded himself with members of the Wali Songo, the nine saints of Javanese Islam. Demak extended its authority over the north-coast ports of Semarang, Jepara, Tuban and Gresik and sent expeditions against Portuguese Malacca; in 1527 its forces took Sunda Kelapa, where Banten and Jayakarta later arose. Under Sultan Trenggana, who reigned from 1521 to 1546, it conquered the last major Hindu-Buddhist power in central Java and dominated much of the island. After Trenggana's death the throne passed to Mukmin, but the rise of Pajang ended Demak's supremacy; the sultanate is usually dated to 1475–1548. Its capital was Demak.