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View all search resultsSurakarta Sultanate faces another succession dispute after Sultan’s death
Following the death of Sultan Pakubuwono XIII on Nov. 2, two of his sons from different wives proclaimed themselves the rightful heir.
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Great loss:Relatives of Surakarta Sunanate King Pakubuwono XIII Hangabehi and palace servants, commonly called abdi dalem, carry the coffin of the late king from the palace on Nov. 5, in Surakarta, Central Java, for his burial. Pakubuwono XIII died at the age of 77 and was buried at the Imogiri Royal Cemetery on Wednesday in Yogyakarta. (Antara/Mohammad Ayudha)
T
he Surakarta Kasunanan Sultanate in Central Java has been thrown into a succession dispute following the death of Sultan Pakubuwono XIII on Nov. 2, with two of his sons from different wives each proclaiming themselves the rightful heir.
Pakubuwono XIII had two sons and five daughters from three marriages. His first two marriages ended in divorce before he ascended the throne in 2004.
From his first marriage to Raden Ayu Endang Kusumaningdyah, he had three daughters: Timoer Rumbai Kusuma Dewayani, Devi Lelyana Dewi and Dewi Ratih Widyasari. His second marriage to Winari produced two daughters, Sugih Oceania and Putri Purnaningrum, and one son, Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Harya Hangabehi.
His third marriage to Kanjeng Raden Ayu Adipati Pradapaningsih produced one son, Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Harya Purbaya.
Twenty-three-year-old Purbaya, who had been formally named crown prince by his late father in 2022, declared his claim to the throne during Pakubuwono XIII’s funeral on Nov. 5.
“By the order and command of Sri Susuhunan Pakubuwono XIII, I, on this day, ascend the throne as the ruler of the Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace with the title Sampeyandalem Ingkang Sinuhun Kanjeng Susuhunan Pakubuwono XIV,” he declared at the time as quoted by Kompas.com.
However, the Mahamenteri (chief minister) of the Surakarta Kasunanan Sultanate, Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Haryo Tedjowulan, the late king’s half-brother, criticized the declaration, arguing that it violated palace tradition. He said a new king is typically proclaimed at least 40-100 days after the previous ruler’s death to allow for a proper mourning period.
