Bangkalan

History

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History and Development of Bangkalan: The Gateway to Madura Island's Culture

Bangkalan, a regency with an area of 1310.71 km², plays a crucial role as the central connecting point between Madura Island and Java Island. Although not categorized as a coastal area in its historical administrative context, which focused on the agrarian hinterland and governance, Bangkalan directly borders the Madura Strait and the Java Sea, and is adjacent to Sampang Regency to the east.

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Origin and Royal Era

The name Bangkalan originates from the word "Bangselok," meaning "dead end" or "stuck," referring to a historical event where a powerful rebel was killed in this region. Historically, Bangkalan was the center of power for the legendary Cakraningrat Dynasty. The most influential figure was Raden Praseno, who was later titled Pangeran Cakraningrat I (1624–1648). He was appointed by Sultan Agung of Mataram as the ruler of all Madura. This close relationship between Bangkalan and Mataram formed a unique political cultural foundation, where the influence of Mataram Javanese culture assimilated with the firm and religious local character of Madura.

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Colonial Era and Resistance

During the Dutch colonial period, Bangkalan became an important administrative center. One of the heroic events that marked history was the people's resistance under the leadership of local clerics and nobles against the VOC's tax policies and interventions. The existence of the Bangkalan Palace, of which only ruins remain today, stands as a silent witness to past glory. In the 19th century, the Dutch East Indies government established the Madurese Auxiliary Troops (Madoereesche Hulptroepen) in Bangkalan, which indicated colonial recognition of the Madurese people's military prowess, although this was also a divide-and-conquer strategy.

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Independence Era and National Movement

Leading up to independence, figures from Bangkalan played significant roles in the national movement. One of the central figures was Syaikhona Kholil al-Bangkalani. He was not just an ordinary cleric but the teacher of the founders of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), such as KH Hasyim Asy'ari. Syaikhona Kholil's role in providing spiritual blessings for the establishment of the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia directly links Bangkalan's local history to the grand narrative of the formation of Indonesian national identity.

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Cultural Heritage and Historical Sites

Bangkalan possesses rare and authentic cultural heritage. The world-renowned Karapan Sapi (Bull Race) tradition originated from efforts to boost the spirit of farming in this region. Additionally, there is the Pencak Silat Bawean tradition, which developed uniquely in Bangkalan. A prominent historical site is the Aeng Mata Cemetery (Arosbaya), a burial complex for the rulers of West Madura, featuring a very rare Hindu-Islamic acculturation architecture.

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Modern Development

Following the construction of the Suramadu Bridge in 2009, Bangkalan has undergone rapid transformation. From a region previously considered "rare" or seldom touched by large-scale industrialization, Bangkalan is now a strategic area for industrial and tourism development in East Java. Despite the strong flow of modernization, Bangkalan's identity as a center of Madurese spirituality and history remains preserved through the conservation of religious sites and deeply ingrained customs within its community.