Surabaya

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to navigationJump to search
"Soerabaja" redirects here. For the Dutch warship, see HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën (1909).

History[edit]
Further information: Timeline of Surabaya

Etymology
Surabaya alludes to a prophecy of Jayabaya, a 12th-century psychic king of Kediri Kingdom,
foreseeing a fight between a giant white shark and a giant white crocodile taking place in the area,
[17]
which is sometimes interpreted as foretelling the Mongol invasion of Java, a major conflict
between the forces of Kublai Khan, Mongol ruler of China, and those of Raden
Wijaya's Majapahit on 31 May 1293,[18][19] which is now considered the date of the city's founding.
[20]
The two animals are now used as the city's symbol, with the two facing and circling each other, as
depicted in a statue appropriately located near the entrance to the city zoo.[21]
Alternate derivations proliferate: from the Javanese sura ing baya, meaning "bravely facing danger";
[19]
or from the use of surya to refer to the sun. Some people consider Jayabaya's prophecy as being
about the great warbetween native Surabayan people and foreign invaders at the start of the war of
independence in 1945. Another story tells of two heroes who fought each other to be the king of the
city. The two heroes were named Sura and Baya. These folk etymologies, though embraced
enthusiastically by its people and city leaders, are unverifiable. [22]

Early history[edit]

Map of Surabaya from an 1897 English travel guide

The Kingdom of Janggala was one of the two Javanese kingdoms that was formed in 1045
when Airlangga abdicated his throne in favour of his two sons. The earliest historical record of
Surabaya was in the 1225 book Zhu fan zhi written by Zhao Rugua, in which it was called Jung-ya-
lu.[23] The name Janggala was probably originated from the name "Hujung Galuh" (Old Javanese lit:
"Cape Diamond" or "Cape Gemstone"), or "Jung-ya-lu" according to Chinese source. Hujung Galuh
was located on the estuarine of Brantas River and today is the part of modern Surabaya city
and Sidoarjo Regency.[24] The earliest historical record of Surabaya was in the 1225 book Zhu fan
zhi written by Zhao Rugua, in which it was called Jung-ya-lu.[23] The name Janggala was probably
originated from the name "Hujung Galuh" (Old Javanese lit: "Cape Diamond" or "Cape Gemstone"),
or "Jung-ya-lu" according to Chinese source. Hujung Galuh was located on the estuarine of Mas
River, one of tributaries of Brantas River and today is the part of modern Surabaya and Sidoarjo.[25]
By the 14th to 15th centuries, Surabaya seems to be one of Majapahit ports or coastal settlements,
together with Tuban, Gresik, and Hujung Galuh (Sidoarjo). Ma Huan documented the early 15th-
century visit of Zheng He's treasure ships in his 1433 book Yingya Shenglan: "after traveling south
for more than 20 li, the ship reached Sulumayi, whose foreign name is Surabaya. At the estuary, the
outflowing water is fresh".[26]Tomé Pires mentioned that a Muslim lord was in power in Surabaya in
1513, though likely still a vassal of the Majapahit.
Ma Huan visited Java during Zheng He's fourth expedition in the 1413, during the reign of Majapahit
king Wikramawardhana. He describes his travel to Majapahit capital, first he arrived to the port
of Tu-pan (Tuban) where he saw large numbers of Chinese settlers migrated from Guangdong and
Chou Chang. Then, he sailed east to thriving new trading town of Ko-erh-hsi (Gresik), Su-pa-erh-
ya (Surabaya), and then sailing inland into the river by smaller boat to southwest until reached the
Brantas river port of Chang-ku(Changgu). Continuing to travel by land to the southwest, he arrived
in Man-che-po-I (Majapahit), where the Javanese king stayed.[27]