Pakubuwono VI

Pakubuwono VI (26 April 1807, in Surakarta, Central Java – 2 June 1849, in Ambon, Moluccas) (also transliterated Pakubuwana VI) was the fifth Susuhunan (ruler) of Surakarta from 1823 to 1830 when he was deposed by the Dutch and exiled.

Biography Born as Bendara Raden Mas Sapardan on 26 April 1807, he was the son of Pakubuwana V and his senior concubine, Raden Ayu Sasrakusuma. Her mother was daughter of Raden Tumenggung Cakradipura II by his primary wife, Raden Ayu Cakradipura, a daughter of Kanjeng Raden Adipati Sasradiningrat II, the patih dalem. Through his mother's lineage, he was a descendant of Ki Juru Martani, the first patih (prime minister) in the history of the Mataram Sultanate.

Raden Mas Sapardan ascended the throne as Pakubuwana VI on 15 September 1823, ten days after the death of his father, at the age of 16.

Relationship with Diponegoro Pakubuwana VI was a supporter of Prince Diponegoro, who led a rebellion against the Yogyakarta Sultanate and the Dutch East Indies government starting in 1825. However, as a monarch bound by treaties with the Dutch, Pakubuwana VI attempted to conceal this alliance.

To prevent their meetings from being detected by the Dutch, the two leaders employed various stratagems. One such tactic was the mimis kencana strategy, where they feigned mutual hostility and engaged in staged combat to mislead Dutch intelligence. Another was the candradimuka strategy—named after a location in Gatotkaca wayang mythology—which served as a cover for secret meetings to discuss military maneuvers against the colonial forces.

Prince Diponegoro reportedly infiltrated the Surakarta Palace on several occasions to deliberate with Pakubuwana VI regarding the political stances of the Mangkunegaran and Madura. Upon the arrival of Dutch officials, they would stage a conflict, concluding with Diponegoro "fleeing" the palace premises. He had four queen consorts.

His marriage was on Jumadilakir 14, 1751 AJ, to Raden Ajeng Kusiyah, daughter of Prince Hangabehi (the future Pakubuwana VIII). Two days prior, on Jumadilakir 12, he wrote a letter to Hamengkubuwana V told his impending marrriage, and his intention to granted her the name Ratu Hemas. However, in the later sources, the daughter of Prince Hangabehi was often mentioned by the name of Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Kencana, or Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Bendara after their separation, or Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Kedhaton granted after her father ascension.

In the almanac dated on 1864, the reigning Pakubuwana IX was stated as a son of Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hageng, previously Ratu Hemas. In the source c. 1920, Ratu Emas was told as a daughter of Mangkubumen (Pupuh 01-06) and the Gusti Timur (a name used by a son born to queen consort-referred to Pakubuwana IX) was mentioned as a grandson of Prince Mangkubumi, born to the queen consort (Pupuh 17-25). He married her, giving her the new name of Raden Ayu Nyonyah Retnasmara. Ratu Anom spoke carefully to the king in a polite tone that she hadn't yet clearly heard news about certain matters and sought confirmation from the king. The king responds calmly, telling her not to be upset or offended. However, His Majesty was giving more and more attention to Nonah Kuwi. At the same time in Surakarta, Ratu Hemas was already giving birth to a son, heir to the throne. This news was so good. Later, His Majesty took new wives named Bendara Raden Ayu Tejaasmara and another Chinese lady, renamed as Raden Ayu Dewaasmara, while Nonah Kuwi Retnasmara almost rivaled Ratu Anom. Nonah Kuwi died after giving birth to a daughter, Sapariyam, adopted by Ratu Anom. His Majesty's love moved to Tejaasmara, who also gave him a daughter. She shortly afterwards conceived again and gave birth to a son who would later known as Pangeran Suryaningrat. She was also the mother of his next son, Bendara Raden Mas Sawaliman (the future Bendara Kanjeng Pangeran Harya Suryatmaja), which threw Ratu Anom in tantrums. He asked Ratu Anom to accept the fate, as she couldn't give one since they were in Java until in exile. He asked her to follow an ascetic and simple life, but unfortunately, she was getting sick and died, leaving him in sorrow.

Family Royal consorts Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Kencana (born Raden Ajeng Kusiyah), a first cousin of the Susuhunan, married in 1824, divorced. Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas (born Raden Ajeng Maknawiyah), a first cousin once removed of the Susuhunan, married in 1824, later the Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hageng (Queen Dowager). Raden Mas Gusti Duksina (1830 - 1893), titled Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Prabuwijaya, appointed as the Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Anom Hamengkunegara (Crown Prince) of Surakarta, succeeded as Pakubuwana IX. Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Madurêtna (born Raden Ajeng Blênyik), a first cousin once removed of the Susuhunan, married in 1824. Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Anom (died 1840), a third cousin of the Susuhunan. Raden Ajeng Saparinten Raden Ajeng Sapariyah, titled Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Timur Married Kanjeng Pangeran Harya Natabrata II, grandson of Pakubuwana V Concubines Raden Ayu Asmaraningrum Raden Ajeng Sadiyah Raden Ayu Imbaningrum Raden Ajeng Mublak Married Kanjeng Pangeran Harya Kusumabrata II, grandson of Pakubuwana V Raden Ayu Tejaningrum Raden Ajeng Sapariyam Married Kanjeng Pangeran Harya Santakusuma II Raden Ajeng Sapariyem Married Raden Mas Akhadiyat, titled Kanjeng Pangeran Harya Cakradiningrat, grandson of Pakubuwana V and Pakubuwana VII Raden Mas Sawal, titled Kanjeng Pangeran Harya Suryaatmaja, elevated to Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Harya Natapraja Ancestry