Soul Catcher Java's Fiery Prince Mangkunegara I, 1726-1795

Mangkunagara I (1726-95) was one of the most flamboyant figures of 18th-century Java. A charismatic rebel from 1740 to 1757 and one of the foremost military commanders of his age, he won the loyalty of many followers. He was also a devout Muslim of the Mystic Synthesis style, a devotee of Javanese culture and a lover of beautiful women and Dutch gin. His enemiesthe Surakarta court, his uncle the rebel and later Sultan Mangkubumi of Yogyakarta and the Dutch East India Companywere unable to subdue him, even when they united against him. In 1757 he settled as a semi-independent prince in Surakarta, pursuing his objective of as much independence as possible by means other than war, a frustrating time for a man who was a fighter to his fingertips. Professor Ricklefs here employs an extraordinary range of sources in Dutch and Javaneseamong them Mangkunagara Is voluminous autobiographical account of his years at war, the earliest autobiography in Javanese so far knownto bring this important figure to life. As he does so, our understanding of Javas devastating civil war of the mid-18th century is transformed and much light is shed on Islam and culture in Java. "The Prince Sambr Nyawa is a very familiar name among Indonesians. However, our knowledge on his life and role as member of the Mataram royal family is very limited. The story of his character circulated is more of myths than a historical figure. This book convincingly provides readers a very rich biography of this flamboyant man based on first hand Javanese primary sources, including Srat Babad Pakungaran, and the VOC archives." Oman Fathurahman, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University "M.C. Ricklefs Soul Catcher is a rich and deeply textured portrait of Mangkunagara I (172695), a man who played a crucial role in in the history of 18th-century Java. Rickefs magisterial biography traces this princes life story, with an especially detailed history of the 15-year long military campaign he waged against the forces of the Dutch along with those of his various royal Javanese rivals. Ricklefs captivating narrative vividly displays his unparalled command and careful use of primary sources from both the Dutch colonial and the royal Javanese archives." Nancy Florida, University of Michigan COVER Half title page Editorial Board Full title page Copyright page Contents Transcription, Orthography, Toponyms and Personal Names Dating Systems List of Maps Abbreviations Introduction Part 1 - Youth and War Chapter 1 - A Child at Court, Briefly Glimpsed, 1726–42 Chapter 2 - Into Rebellion, 1743–46: Early Skirmishes Chapter 3 - The Third Javanese War of Succession, Phase 1: Together with Mangkubumi, 1746–51 Chapter 4 - The Third Javanese War of Succession, Phase 2: The Collapse of the Rebel Alliance and Internal Warfare, 1752–53 Chapter 5 - The Third Javanese War of Succession, Phase 3: Mangkunagara Fights Alone and Mangkubumi Becomes Sultan, 1753–55 Chapter 6 - The Third Javanese War of Succession’s Final Phase: Mangkunagara’s Concluding Battles to Senior Princedom, 1755–57 Chapter 6 - The Third Javanese War of Succession’s Final Phase: Mangkunagara’s Concluding Battles to Senior Princedom, 1755–57 The Part 2 - War by Other Means Chapter 7 - Becoming Established in Surakarta and the Defeat of Marriage Diplomacy, 1757–68 Chapter 8 - Dealing with Marginalisation as the Courts Faced a New Century, 1768–78 Chapter 9 - Mangkunagara’s Later Years: Piety, the Arts, Illness and Loss, c. 1779–88 Chapter 10 - Religion, the Crisis in Surakarta and Mangkunagara’s Final Victory with His New European Allies, 1787–95 Chapter 11 - Mangkunagaran Legacies Maps Genealogy of Principal Members Appendix 1 - Detailed Discussion of Principal Primary Sources Appendix 2 - Who Was Seh Ibrahim? Appendix 3 - Site of the Battle at Tugu, October 1754 Appendix 4 - A Glimpse of Yasadipura I in 1788 Appendix 5 - Senior Officers of the VOC in Java during Mangkunagara I’s Life Acknowledgements Illustration Credits Glossary Bibliography Index List of published titles under the series Employs an extraordinary range of sources in Dutch and Javanese to bring the life of a key figure in Javanese history to life, illuminating our understanding of Java's devastating civil war of the mid-18th century.