Sultanate of Cirebon: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Muslim state in West Java, 1447–1679}}{{more citations needed|date=August 2017}}

| native_name = {{Script/Arabic|كسلطانن چيربون}}

| status_text = Vassal of the [[Sunda Kingdom]] <small>(1445–1515)</small><br/>[[Puppet state]] of [[Demak Sultanate|Demak]]<br>(1479–1546)<ref name="Peacock">{{cite book |author1=A. C. S. Peacock |title=Islamisation Comparative Perspectives from History |date=8 March 2017 |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |isbn=9781474417143 |pages=21 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VjZYDwAAQBAJ&dq=sultanate+of+cirebon+vassal+of+demak&pg=PT432 |access-date=15 August 2023}}</ref><br>Vassal of the [[Mataram Sultanate]] <small>(1613–1705)</small>

| year_start = 14471445

| year_end = 16791677

| image_map = Map of Java Cirebon focus 1598.jpg

| leader1 = [[Prince Cakrabuana]]

| leader2 = Panembahan[[Sunan RatuGunungjati|Syarif IIHidayatullah]]

| year_leader2 = 1649–16771479–1568

There are several suggestions concerning the origin of the name "Cirebon". According to Sulendraningrat, who based it on the Babad Tanah Sunda script,<ref>{{Citation | author1=Sulendraningrat, S. (Sulaiman), Pangeran | title=Babad Tanah Sunda : Babad Cirebon | publication-date=1984 | publisher=s.n | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/35693692 | access-date=18 March 2023}}</ref> and Atja who based it on the Carita Purwaka Caruban Nagari script, Cirebon was at first a small hamlet built by Ki Gedeng Tapa, which eventually developed into a bustling port village named ''Caruban'' ([[Sundanese language|Sundanese]] for "mixture"), because the port town was a melting pot settled by immigrants from various ethnic groups, religions, languages, customs, and livelihoods.

Another theory suggests that the town's name is derived from ''rebon'', the Sundanese word for [[Acetes|small shrimp]] that live in the area. Initially, a common livelihood in the settlement was fishing and collecting ''rebon'' along the coast, making [[shrimp paste]] or [[Shrimp paste#Petis udang or hae ko|petis udang]] from it. The term for water used in shrimp paste manufacturing (''belendrang'') is ''cai rebon'' ([[Sundanese language|Sundanese]] for "''rebon'' water"), which later gave its name to the town as ''Cirebon''.<ref>{{Citation | author1=Sulendraningrat, P. S | author2=Soelendraningrat, P. S | author3=Seminar Sejarah Jawa Barat, Sunedang, 1974 | title=Sejarah Cirebon | publication-date=1974 | publisher=[Sumedang? | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/21623508 | access-date=18 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | author1=Sulendraningrat, S. (Sulaiman), Pangeran | title=Sejarah Cirebon | publication-date=1985 | publisher=Balai Pustaka | edition=Cet. 1 | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/22356845 | access-date=18 March 2023}}</ref>

Most of the history of the Cirebon Sultanate wascomes found infrom a local Javanese chronicle known as a [[Babad]]. SomeSeveral notable chronicles thatwhich focused on the history of Cirebon are ''[[Carita Purwaka Caruban Nagari]]'' and ''[[Babad Cerbon]]''. Foreign sources also mentioned Cirebon, such as [[Tomé Pires]]' ''[[Suma Oriental]]'', written in 1512–1515. The later period of the sultanate is documented in colonial sources of the Dutch East Indies. Other than recording its own history, one of the royal houses of Cirebon, especially Keraton Keprabonan led by the Wangsakerta princes, also actively recorded and researched the history of Java by collecting old manuscripts.

The village of Muara Jati was in the coastal area around the port of Cirebon and was part of the [[Sunda kingdomKingdom]], as stated in the travel records of Prince [[Bujangga Manik]], a Hindu Sundanese hermit who visited some of the holyseveral Hindu sites in Java and [[Bali]] in the late 15th century or early 16th century.<ref>{{cite book

}}</ref> The border of the Sunda kingdomKingdom in the west is the [[Sunda Strait]] and in the east is the Cipamali riverRiver (present-day kali Brebes) and Cisarayu river (present-day [[Serayu River|Cisarayu River]]) in Central Java Province.<ref>{{cite book | last =Ekajati | first =Edi S. | publisher= Yayasan Cipta Loka Caraka | title = Kebudayaan Sunda Jaman Pajajaran | year =2005}}</ref> AtDuring this time, Muara Jati was located around 14 kilometres north of modern-day Cirebon. The transformation from a small Hindu coastal fishing village into a thriving Muslim port began with the rule of Ki GedengAgeng Tapa.

Ki Ageng Tapa (also known as Ki Ageng Jumajan Jati) was a wealthy merchant living in the village of Muara Jati. He was appointed as port master of Muara Jati fishing village by the Sunda king in Kawali, [[Galuh]], located further inland south of Muara Jati. The Muara Jati was located several kilometres north of modern Cirebon. The thriving port town attracted Muslim traders. Ki Gedeng Tapa and his daughter, Nyai Subang Larang, are said to have been converted to Islam. NyaiHis Subang Larangdaughter studied at Quro pesantren (Islamic school) in the Karawang area.

At that time, theThe West Java region including Muara Jati belonged to the Sunda kingdomKingdom, with its capital in [[Pajajaran|Pakuan Pajajaran]]. The Sunda King Prabu Jayadewata or [[Sri Baduga Maharaja]], popularly known as [[King Siliwangi]], was married to Nyai Subang Larang and had three children; Prince Walangsungsang born in 1423, Princess Rara Santang (Syarifah Mudaim) born in 1426, and Prince Kian Santang (Raden Sangara) born in 1428.<ref name="Kabupaten" />

Although Prince Walangsungsang was the first-born son of the Sunda Kingking, he did not earn the right of a crown prince of Pakuan Pajajaran. This was because his mother, Nyai Subang Larang, was not the ''prameswari'' ([[queen consort]]). Another reason was probably because of his conversion to Islam, probably influenced by his mother, Subang Larang, who was a Muslim woman. At that time in 16th century West Java, theThe state's religion was the [[Sunda Wiwitan]] (Sundanese ancestral religion), Hinduism and Buddhism. It was his half-brother, King Siliwangi's son from his third wife Nyai Cantring Manikmayang, who was chosen as crown prince, and who later ascended to the throne as King Surawisesa.

In 1442 Prince Walangsungsang married Nyai Endang Geulis, daughter of Ki Gedheng Danu Warsih from the Gunung Mara Api hermitage. Walangsungsang, with his sister Rara Santang, wandered around several hermitages to study spiritualism. InAt Gunung Amparan Jati they met an [[ulama]], Sheikh, Datuk Kahfi from Persia. Walangsungsang, Rara Santang, and Endang Geulis, learned Islam from Sheikh Kahfihim. The Sheikh asked the Prince to open a new settlement in the area Southeastsoutheast of Gunung Jati (today the Lemahwungkuk area). Walangsungsang was assisted by Ki Gedheng Danusela, Ki Gedheng Danu Warsih's younger brother. The new settlement was called Dukuh Alang-alang. By clearing the forests, he established a new settlement on 1 Shura (Muharram) in 1358 (in the Javanese Islamic calendar), coinciding with 8 April 1445 CE.

After Ki Gedeng Alang-Alang died in 1447, Walangsungsang was appointed as the ruler of the town and established a court, and assumed a new title as Prince Cakrabuana. The coastal port village attracted settlers from overseas as well as inland and formed a thriving new society in the village namedrenamed Caruban, which means "mixture" in [[Sundanese language|Sundanase]] to describe the compositions of its settlers. Two years after its establishment, a record dating from 1447 showed that the settlers of Caruban at that time were 346 people (182 men and 164 women), composed of various ethnic backgrounds; 196 Sundanese, 106 Javanese, 16 Sumatran, 4 Malaccan, 2 Indian, 2 Persian, 3 Siamese, 11 Arabs, and 6 Chinese settlers.<ref>Yoseph Iskandar, ”Sejarah Jawa Barat” (1997)</ref>

The early period of the Cirebon Sultanate was commonly identified as the Pakungwati period. Itwhich refers to the Pakungwati palacePalace, a Javanese-style compound consisting of a series of [[pendopo]]s (pavilions) enclosed within red brick walls and gates in the typical [[Majapahit]] style of architecture. The Pakungwati compound is located north of [[Keraton Kasepuhan]] and is today incorporated within the Kasepuhan compound. During the Pakungwati period, the Cirebon Sultanate was a unified kingdom under one monarch. He was the first king of Cirebon, ruled from his palace of Pakungwati, and actively spread Islam to the people of Cirebon and West Java.

Meanwhile, Rara Santang during her hajj pilgrimage met Sharif Abdullah of Egypt and getgot married. She changed her name to Syarifah Mudaim and in 1448 bore a son Sharif Hidayatullah. In 1470 Syarif Hidayatullah went abroad to study at Mecca, [[Baghdad]], [[Champa]], and [[Samudra Pasai]]. Later he came home to Java. He learned from [[Sunan Ampel]] in East Java, served in the [[Demak Sultanate|Demak]] court, and later came back to Cirebon. He asked his uncle, Tumenggung Sri Mangana (Cakrabuana) to establish an Islamic school in Caruban or Carbon.

After his resignation in 1479 AD, Cakrabuana was succeeded by his nephew, Sharif Hidayatullah (1448–1568), the son of Nyai Rara Santang and Sharif Abdullah of Egypt. He married his cousin, Nyi Mas Pakungwati daughter of Cakrabuana and Nyai Mas Endang Geulis. He is popularly known with his posthumouslyposthumous name, [[Sunan Gunung Jati]],; with stylised name Tumenggung Sharif Hidayatullah bin Sultan Maulana Muhammad Sharif Abdullah, and also holding the title as Ingkang Sinuhun Kangjeng Susuhunan Jati Purba Panetep Panatagama Awlya Allah Kutubid Jaman Khalifatur Rasulullah. Hehe ascended the throne as Sultan Carbon I resideand resided in Keraton Pakungwati.

In 1482 Sharif Hidayatullah sent a letter to his grandfather King Siliwangi, with a statementstating that Cirebon refused to pay tribute to Pajajaran. Previously Cakrabuana had always paid Pajajaran tribute to acknowledge Sunda overlordship over Cirebon. By doing this Cirebon proclaimed itself as a sovereign independent state. The Cirebon independence proclamation was marked with ''Chandrasengkala'' ([[chronogram]]) ''Dwa Dasi Sukla Pakca Cetra Masa Sahasra Patangatus Papat Ikang Sakakala'', which corresponds with 12 Shafar 887 Hijri orto 2 April 1482 CE. Today, the day is marked by the anniversary of [[Cirebon Regency]].<ref name="Kabupaten" />

InBy 1515, Cirebon has beenwas established as an Islamic state. In the ''[[Suma Oriental]]'', written in 1512–1515, [[Tomé Pires]], a Portuguese explorer reportreported:

According to the Tomé Pires report, Cirebon was identified as ''Cheroboam'' or ''Cherimon''. In 1515 Cirebon was no longer under the authority of the Hindu Sunda kingdomKingdom, but rather identified as Java's north coast port. It referred to Cirebon as an established Muslim state, just like those of Demak and Gresik.

After the news of the [[Luso Sundanese padrão|Portuguese-Sunda alliance]] in 1522 became known, Gunungjati nevertheless asked the Demak sultanateSultanate to send troops to Banten. It was likely his son, [[Hasanudin]], who commanded this military operation in 1527, just as the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] fleet was arriving on the coast at [[Sunda Kelapa]], to capture these towns.<ref>{{cite book | last =Guillot | first =Claude | publisher= Gramedia Book Publishing Division | title = The Sultanate of Banten | year =1990

Sunan Gunungjati had Hasanudin named king of Banten by the Sultan of Demak who, in turn, offered Hasanudin his sister's hand in marriage. Thus a new dynasty was born at the same time asand a new kingdom was created. Banten wasbecame the capital of this kingdom, and was held as a [[province]] under the Sultanate of Cirebon.<ref>{{cite book | last =Guillot

DuringUnder the reign of Sharif Hidayatullah or Sunan Gunung JatiGunungjati, the Sultanate of Cirebon enjoyed rapid growth and rose to become a prominent kingdom in the region. The thriving coastal port city became the centre of trade as well as an Islamic learning and dissemination center. The port town attracted traders from Arabia to China. Sunan Gunung JatiGunungjati is believed to be the founder of the dynasty that ruled both the Sultanate of Cirebon and [[Banten Sultanate|Banten]]. He is also credited as the proselytiser of Islam in West Java. Ulamas from his court and mosque spread the message of Islam to inland [[Majalengka]], [[Kuningan]], Kawali (Galuh), as well as the neighbouring coastal ports of [[Sunda Kelapa]], and [[Banten]].

Large numbers of foreign traders came to establish trade relations with Cirebon. The Chinese [[Ming Dynasty]] in particular, established closer relations signify bywith the visit of Ming dignitary [[Ma Huan]]. The ties between China and Cirebon grew much closer when Sunan Gunungjati took the hands of Princess Ong Tien — the daughter of the Chinese Emperor — in marriage during his visit to China. With this dynastic marriage, the Chinese Emperor wisheswished to establish close relations and a strategic alliance with Cirebon. It was advantageous for Chinese interest in the region as well as Cirebon's economic interest, as the city welcomed Chinese traders and businesses. After she was married to Sunan Gunungjati, Princess Ong Tien changed her name to Nyi Rara Semanding. The Emperor of China brought his daughter some treasures. Most of the relics that Ong Tien brought from China still exist and are stored in the museums of Cirebon royal houses.{{Cn|date=March 2023}} The close relations between China and Cirebon made Cirebon a popular destination for Chinese immigrants in the following years, as they planned to seek a better life in Indonesia, where they established the [[Chinese Indonesian]] community. Cirebon ''Pecinan'' (Chinatown) is among the oldest Chinese settlement in Java. Chinese influences can be seen in Cirebon's culture, most notably the Cirebon [[batik]] ''megamendung'' pattern that resembles Chinese cloud imagery.

In his old age, SunanGunungjati was more interested in [[dawah]] efforts, propagating the Islamic faith to the surrounding areas as an [[ulama]]. He groomed his second son, Prince Dipati Carbon, to be his successor. However, the prince died young in 1565 and was posthumously known as Prince Pasarean. Three years later the king died and was buried in Gunung Sembung cemetery, Gunung Jati, around 5&nbsp;km north of the town centre of Cirebon. Since then he has been popularly referred to by his posthumous name, Sunan Gunung Jati.

After the death of Sunan Gunung JatiGunungjati, the throne was vacant since there was no descendant of Sunanhim considered worthy for the task at that time. General [[Fatahillah]], also known as Fadilah Khan, stepped in to assume the throne. He was the late Sunan's trusted officer that often took the administration role when the SunanGunungjati went out to perform dawah. Fatahillah's rule was considered an interlude that only lasted for two years, as he died in 1570. He was buried alongside the tomb of Sunan Gunung JatiGunungjati in Astana Gunung Sembung Jinem Building.<ref name="Muljana">{{cite book|pages=72 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j9ZOKjMxVdIC&q=suma+oriental&pg=PA72|title=Runtuhnya kerajaan Hindu-Jawa dan timbulnya negara-negara Islam di Nusantara|first=Slamet |last=Muljana|publisher=PT LKiS Pelangi Aksara|year=2005|isbn=9798451163|language=id}}{{ISBN|9789798451164}}</ref>

After the death of Fatahillah, there was no other appropriate candidate to befor king. The throne fell to the great grandson of Sunan Gunung JatiGunungjati, Pangeran Mas, the son of the late Prince Suwarga, grandson of Sunan Gunung JatiGunungjati. Pangeran Mas then held the title Panembahan Ratu I and ruled for more than 79 years. During his rule, Panembahan Ratuhe paid more attention to strengthening the religious affairaffairs and spreading Islam further. As the centre of Islamic learning in the region, Cirebon's influence penetrated inland and influenced the recently established [[Mataram Sultanate]] in Southernsouthern Central Java. However, since the king was more interested to become an [[ulama]], Cirebon failfailed to recruit Mataram into its sphere of power, and Mataram grew more powerful ever since.

By the 17th century Sultanate Mataram rose to be a regional power under [[Sultan Agung of Mataram|Sultan Agung]]'s reign. Around 1617 Agung launched his westward campaign targeted against Dutch settlements in [[History of Jakarta|Batavia]], and rallied his massive troops near Cirebon's border. Agung urged the aged Panembahan Ratu to be his ally in his campaign to expel the Europeans out of Java. By doing so Cirebon become Mataram's ally, thatand inCirebon practice fellcame under Mataram's influence. For his campaign against Batavia, he needneeded support and supplysupplies across northern West Java, and asked Cirebon and regents in West Java to support him. However the [[Sundanese people|Sundanese]] [[Priangan]] ''menak'' (nobles) of ''kadipaten'' (regency) [[Sumedang]] and [[Ciamis]], suspectsuspected that Agung's campaign was nonein otheractuality than Matarama strategy to occupy their lands. The Sundanese nobles fought against Mataram, and Agung later asked Cirebon to quell the Sumedang and Ciamis rebellion instead. In 1618 and 1619 both Sumedang and Ciamis were defeated by Cirebon. Both Priangan regencies fell under Mataram rule, and in 1628-291628–29 Sultan Agung of Mataram launched the failed [[Siege of Batavia]].

The realm of the Sultanate of Cirebon at that time includeincluded [[Indramayu Regency|Indramayu]], [[Majalengka Regency|Majalengka]], [[Kuningan Regency|Kuningan]], and the modern [[Cirebon Regency]] and [[Cirebon|Municipality]]. Although officially Cirebon was still an independent and sovereign state, in practice Cirebon was fell within mighty Mataram's sphere of influence, behaves not just as an ally, but more likely as a vassal. The Mataram rule upon [[Priangan]]the islandsaforementioned hasregion exposed the Sundanese people to Javanese cultures. When Panembahan Ratu died in 1649 he was succeeded by his grandson, Panembahan Girilaya.

After the death of Panembahan Ratu in 1649, the throne was succeeded by his grandson, Prince Karim or Prince Rasmi, since the latter's father of Prince Rasmi, Prince Seda ing Gayam or (Panembahan Adiningkusuma) died first. Prince Rasmi then assumed the name of his deceased father, Panembahan Adiningkusuma, also known as Panembahan Ratu II. He is posthumously referred to as Panembahan Girilaya.

During the reign of Panembahan Adiningkusuma, the Sultanate of Cirebon was sandwiched between two great powers, the Sultanate of Banten in the west, and Mataram Sultanate in the east. Banten suspected Cirebon had grown more closer to Mataram, since [[Amangkurat I]] of Mataram was Panembahan Adiningkusuma's father in-law. Mataram, on the other hand, suspected that Cirebon didwas not sincerely cementing the alliance with their Central Javanese counterpart since Panembahan Adiningkusuma and Sultan [[Ageng Tirtayasa of Banten]] belonged to the same Sundanese Pajajaran lineage.

Although Cirebon hashad never been attacked by Mataram since 1619, Cirebon has been practically held under Mataram's influence and behavesacts as a vassal. In 1650 Mataram asked Cirebon to urge Banten to submit under Mataram domination. Banten refused the threat, and in response, Mataram urged Cirebon to attack Banten. In 1650 Cirebon sent 60 ships to attack Banten's port inof Tanahara. However, this naval campaign ended in the disastrous defeat of Cirebon. This war is known as [[Pagarage war]] or Pacirebonan war that took place in 1650. OnAround the other handtime, Cirebon's relations with Mataram werehad alsobeen strained. The tension culminated with the execution of Panembahan Adiningkusuma alias Panembahan Girilaya in [[Plered]], while Prince Mertawijaya and Prince Kertawijaya were taken as hostages in Mataram.

Panembahan Adiningkusuma was summoned to Plered in Mataram by his father in-law, Susuhunan [[Amangkurat I]] of Mataram. However, he was executed instead. From his marriage with the daughter of Sunan Amangkurat I, Panembahan Adiningkusuma had three children: Prince Martawijaya, Prince Kertawijaya, and Prince Wangsakerta. He was entombed inon Girilaya[[Giriloyo]] hill near [[Yogyakarta]], near the royal tomb of the Mataram kings in [[Imogiri]], [[Bantul regency. He is now referred to as Panembahan Girilaya. According to several sources in Imogiri and Girilaya, the tombs of Panembahan Girilaya and the tomb of Sultan Agung in Imogiri are the same heightsRegency]].

With the death of Panembahan Girilaya, Cirebon was left without a monarch. Prince Wangsakerta assumed the everyday administration, but was worried about the fate of his elder brothers being held as hostages in the Mataram court. Because of this incident, the Cirebon succession was also held hostage by Mataram, and by their own grandfather [[Amangkurat I]]. Wangsakerta went to Banten to seek Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa's help to free his brothers. SultanThe Ageng Tirtayasasultan was the son of Prince Abu Maali that had died in the Pagarage1650 Warwar with Cirebon. Tirtayasa agreed to assist Cirebon and saw it as an opportunity to improve diplomatic relations between Banten and Cirebon. UsingTaking advantage of the opportunityoutbreak of the [[Trunojoyo]]Trunajaya rebellion|Trunojoya rebellion]] against Mataram, Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa secretly supported the revolt and managed to save the two Cirebon princes.

However, [[Tirtayasa|Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa]] saw an opportunity to impose Banten's influence upon Cirebon. He crowned both princes he saved as the sultans, Prince Mertawijaya as Sultan Kasepuhan, and Prince Kertawijaya as Sultan Kanoman. By doing so, the Sultan of Banten disintegrated and weakened while the Sultanate of Cirebon fragmented into several petty states. On the other hand, Prince Wangsakerta who had fought for 10 years, was only given a small title and estate. This divisive strategy was meant to weaken Cirebon and to prevent Cirebon to be Mataram's ally and becoming a menace to Banten in the future as it had done in the Pagarage War.

The first disintegration of the Cirebon lineage took place in 1677 when all three sons of Panembahan Girilaya inherited the Sultanate of Cirebon. The three princes ascended their offices as Sultan Sepuh, Sultan Anom, and Panembahan Cirebon. The change of the Panembahan title to Sultan was because the title was bestowed by Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa of Banten.

* '''Sultan Kasepuhan''', Prince Martawijaya, with official regal title Sultan Sepuh Abil Makarimi Muhammad Samsudin (1677–1703) ruled [[Keraton Kasepuhan]]

* '''Sultan Kanoman''', Prince Kartawijaya, with official regal title Sultan Anom Abil Makarimi Muhammad Badrudin (1677–1723) ruled [[Keraton Kanoman]]

* '''Panembahan Keprabonan Cirebon''', Prince Wangsakerta, with official title Pangeran Abdul Kamil Muhammad Nasarudin or Panembahan Tohpati (1677–1713) ruled [[Keraton Keprabonan]]

Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa of Banten enthroned the two oldest princes as sultans, Sultan Sepuh and Sultan Anom, in Banten. Each sultan ruled over their own subjects, and inherited their own lands. Sultan Sepuh ruled the former Pakungwati palace and expanded his palace furtherit to become [[Keraton Kasepuhan]]. Sultan Anom build a new palace, [[Keraton Kanoman]], located several hundred meters north of the Kasepuhan palacePalace. Prince Wangsakerta, the youngest, was not enthroned as sultan but remained a Panembahan. He neither inherited lands nor subjects. His estate was instead established a ''kaprabonan'' (''paguron''), a type of school to educate Cirebon intellectuals.

In the Cirebon tradition since 1677, each of the three branch lineages descends its own line of sultans or rulers. InUnder royal tradition, the heir should be the oldest son, or if not possible, a grandson. In some instances, a relative could assume the office for a small period of time.

Since 1619, the [[Dutch East India Company]] hashad firmly established their base in [[Jakarta|Batavia]], and since the 18th century, the inland mountainous region of [[Priangan]] hashad also been under their possession, ceded from Banten and Mataram. After Dutch intervention in 1807, [[the Dutch East Indies]] government has exercised further into the internal affairs of the Cirebon states. All of the four keratons finally held no real political power, and would then be held as a protectorate under the Dutch East Indies colonial government.

In 1906 and 1926, all Cirebon keratons finally lost their authority over their city and lands. The sultanates' authority was officially disbanded by the Dutch East Indies government through the establishment of ''Gemeente Cheribon'' (Cirebon Municipality), which consists of 1,100 hectares, with around 20,000 inhabitants (Stlb. 1906 No. 122 and Stlb. 1926 No. 370). In 1942, the CityCirebon of Cireboncity's area was expanded further to 2,450 hectares. The remnants of the Cirebon sultanates ( the Kasepuhan, Kanoman, Keprabonan, and Kacirebonan kratons) now only held ceremonial status.

After the war of independence and the establishment of [[Republic of Indonesia]], each sultanate of Cirebon werebecame part of the republic. The real authority was held by [[bupati]]s (regent) and walikota (major) of the remnant of Cirebon Sultanates;: City and Regency of Cirebon, Indramayu, Majalengka, and Kuningan. All regencies arebecome part of [[West Java]] province. JustSimilar liketo the Dutch East Indies colonial era, the royal houses; (the Kasepuhan, Kanoman, Keprabonan, and Kacirebonan kratons) only held ceremonial status as a local cultural symbol. Each royal house still descended from the royal family and enthroned their own kings.

After the fall of [[Suharto]] and the advent of the reformation era of democratic Indonesia, there was an aspiration to form a Cirebon province, a new province separated from West Java. The territory of the proposed new province corresponds to the former realm of the Cirebon Sultanate; (Cirebon, Indramayu, Majalengka, and Kuningan). The formation of the new kingdom-based province is similar to those of the [[Special Region of Yogyakarta]]. However, the idea remains as a proposal and has not been conducted yet. Because of a lack of funding and maintenance, inall the last decade allof the four keratons of Cirebon are in a state of disrepair. In 2012, the government planned to restore the four keratons, or palaces, in Cirebon — theCirebon—the Kasultanan Kasepuhan, Kanoman, Kacirebonan, and Keprabonan palacespalaces—which —by whichthen are allstill in various stages of ruin.<ref>

In 1679 the Sultanate of Cirebon was divided into two kingdoms, namely Kasepuhan and Kanoman, due to the struggle for power between the brothers.