A Tale from Bali XXV - The reign of Pakubuwana III
A tale from Bali XXV
The reign of Pakubuwana III (1749-1788)
Reigning over the Mataram Empire for 39 years, Pakubuwana III no doubt is the most important Asian monarch in the 18th century. Though not a very capable ruler, during his reign several excellent ministers aid him in ruling over the vast nation making his reign successful nevertheless. Pakubuwana III goes to war with China, The Mughal Empire and Portugal on several occasions and manages to expand the empire in India taking Goa and Bikaner. He also annexes Tibet and redefines the Religious Tolerance Act of 1466 to establish a good working relationship with the new (Buddhist) subjects.
The first 5 years of his reign, Pakubuwana III continues the colonization efforts of New Zealand and turns all the colonies there in small colonial cities. He also continues to appoint governors and chief judges to increase production and stability in his realm. On the economical front, the trade in neighboring markets is increasing again and the Mataram are slowly beginning to recover from the economical crisis of the first half of the 18th century. The Mataram are regaining their former monopolies in Chinese markets and that greatly upsets the Chinese emperor. On January 3rd 1754 he issues a new trade embargo against the Mataram.
Acknowledging the importance of the Chinese markets and not wanting to upset the cast of the traders, Pakubuwana tries to settle things with the Chinese diplomatically, but with no success. Not only the traders are beginning to push Pakubuwana to settle thing, even the nobles, who also gain income from (local) trade taxes are also urging him to come up with a resolution. On July 3rd they demand that Pakubuwana takes action in this matter, or they will. Unable to settle this by diplomatic ways, Pakubuwana declares war upon China two weeks later. Tibet, as a true ally, joins the Mataram in their struggle against China.
The Chinese government wasn’t as weak as during the first Chinese war (1664-1665) and the Chinese troops were numerous. Nevertheless, the Mataram fleet was in much better shape then the Chinese ships, who were still equipped with old fashioned cannons. The Mataram fleet had acquired more modern cannons from Dutch traders. The Mataram began several amphibious assaults on Chinese positions in Malacca (Perak province) with success as the Chinese armies there were easily routed. The Chinese on their turn tried to invade Hainan but their fleet was decimated by a much smaller Mataram fleet. The Chinese also invaded Sumatra and Bali, but their small raiding parties were easily eliminated by Mataram regulars. By July 1755, after a year of fighting, neither side had gained any territory but the Chinese obviously were losing this war. The Mataram however lacked the manpower to perform an all out invasion of China and limited their actions to border skirmishes and naval blockades, depriving the Chinese of much needed goods. Afraid to risk an economic recession caused by this war, the Chinese government offered the Mataram a deal. The Chinese would end the boycott of Mataram traders and offer them 175 ducats as spoils for a peace treaty. Because this war was never started for territorial expansion in any form, Pakubuwana accepted this offer. The cast of traders was not at all happy with this decision as they wanted to eliminate the Chinese presence in Malacca (Perak) once and for all. Though they protested, the treaty was signed anyway in late July 1755.
However, the traders continue to object against the treaty and finally manage to get some say in foreign affairs. It is decided that the directors of the several monopoly companies get a voice in the court of Dempassar. Each month the directors would assemble and point out their long-term policies for trade with their neighbors and the economical matters of state. In essence this is the first more or less democratic institute in the Mataram empire. The council of priests and the council of nobles remain far more important however and the cast of farmers still have no say in matters of state what so ever.
The period of 1755-1763 didn’t see much action. Pakubuwana was able to enlist Oman as a member of the Tibetan – Mataram alliance in 1757. Mataram traders began to take over the monopolies they used to have in China and by the late 1750s the Mataram had taken back their dominant position on the Chinese markets again. During this period Pakubuwana reformed the land army (increase to level 19) and began to centralize government institutions (infra tech level to 7) during this period.
Meanwhile on the western borders, Bulachistan was again at war with her Muslim neighbors. To prevent this war from spreading into India, Pakubuwana wanted to make a preemptive strike against the Mughals. The Mughals were assembling large armies near the Indian border from where they invaded into Bulachistan. The city of Bikaner in India was also in Mughal hands (it was handed over to them as war spoils by the former sultanate of Gujarat way back in mid 16th century. This meant that the northern Indian border was always at risk of being attacked by the Mughals from two directions.
To secure the northern border, Pakubuwana declares war upon the Mughals on November 19th 1763 just after the Monsoon period. Tibet dishonors her alliance with Mataram because she doesn’t want to get involved in this war. Though some nobles were outraged by this shameful act, it didn’t have any repercussions, as Pakubuwana didn’t want to wage a war on two fronts. Two Mataram armies march up in India, one will lay siege to the city of Bikaner (the objective of this war), the second army will launch an attack on the border province of Kabul in Afghanistan to cut off any Mughal reinforces that may be sent into India. This two-way attack proves to be very successful as Kabul falls into Mataram hands on September 20th 1764. The siege of Bikaner takes a significantly longer time as that city is better defended, even though she is completely surrounded. The city finally falls in Mataram hands on June 11th 1767 but the Mughals are still refusing to surrender her to the Mataram. It is not until the northern India army moves towards the Mughal capital that the Mughal sultan is finally willing to sign a treaty in January 1768, handing over Bikaner to Mataram. With the fall of the city, the Mughal’s reign in India ends after more then 200 years…
Meanwhile in Africa, Oman got into a conflict the Portuguese. The Portuguese had several colonies on the African continent, near the border with Oman. A border dispute between the two nations in October 1763 led to a (mostly African) war. Luckily Pakubuwana was aided during this difficult period by an excellent first minister, the admiral of the Balinese fleet Ibrahim. Ibrahim manages to commence a naval blockade of Goa, effectively halting all trade in that harbor. In India a third army is mobilized to launch an attack on the city as well. However before those troops had reached the city walls, the Portuguese had hastily offered Pakubuwana a peace treaty in which they offered the Mataram 200 ducats in August 1765. With the war with the Mughals still going on, Pakubuwana took this offer (and let Oman fight this war out for herself, they eventually lost the war and had to pay tribute in 1771).
The period of 1768 – 1777 was again an inter bellum in which the Mataram managed to stay out of any wars. To the north of India, Tibet was in conflict with the barbarians called Chagatai Khanate. The war is successful for the Tibetans as two years later the barbarians pay them a tribute of 175 ducats. However internally the Tibetan state is no longer capable to effectively function as a whole, the Tibetan system of elected kings results in the election of sever weak monarchs. It is the Dalai Lama who turns for help to Pakubuwana in July 1773. The Dalai Lama wants to appoint Pakubuwana as permanent king of Tibet if he guarantees that Buddhists in Tibet will receive the same privileges as the Muslims and Hindu’s in the Mataram Empire under the Religion Tolerance Act of 1466. Pakubuwana, recognizing this opportunity for non-violent expansion in northern direction, accepts the terms of the Dalai Lama and annexes Tibet in September 1773. A month later the Religious Tolerance Act of 1466 is rewritten by the Hindu high priests, the Muslim Imams and the Dalai Lama and sealed by Pakubuwana III. From now on all three religions would be considered equally important to the state. (Of course in game terms that is not possible. In essence Hindu and Buddhist receive an equally important status and the tolerance towards Muslims is reduced a bit)
During this inter bellum Pakubuwana created the national bank of Mataram and reduced inflation by cutting back on the amount of gold coins that were in circulation. He also reforms the navy and the land army (both increase to level 20) and just in time as war again coming to Asia.
Portugal, not satisfied with the outcome of the previous war in Africa, declared war upon Oman on February 2nd 1777, Mataram, confident that this war would bring them good fortune, decide to honor their alliance and declare war upon Portugal as well. The Indian armies are rallied and ordered to march towards Goa. Pakubuwana is determined to take this hated bastion of European dominance in Asia once and for all. Three armies converge on the city and began to lay siege on August 8th 1777. The Portuguese have greatly enhanced the defenses of the city by building a ‘mighty’ fortress there. The Mataram prepare for a lengthy siege…
Portugal has a major disadvantage when fighting in Asia. Her supply lines are extremely long and the Mataram forces, though technological inferior, make good use of this. The Mataram navy commences another blockade and starts to patrol the shores of Indonesia and India intensively. However, the Portuguese threat didn’t come from Africa this time, but from the Portuguese settlements in China, more to the northeast of the Filipino Islands. The Portuguese make a successful amphibious landing on Hainan, defeat the Mataram expedition force there and began to lay siege to the city. A similar landing takes place on Colombo (Ceylon) as the Mataram fleet is unable to effectively protect the shores of the Indian subcontinent.
Colombo surrenders to the Portuguese in June 1778 but Hainan manages to hold the Portuguese invaders off (a counter strike on Hainan launched from Luzon in the autumn 1778 is unsuccessful however). Goa manages to repel the Mataram attackers with ease, and the Mataram commanders are left with no other options but to intensify their bombardments. Oman is more fortunate in this war as they capture various ill protected Portuguese settlements in India. It are the success of the Omani and the fact that Portugal is involved in a war in Europe (against Austria and her Dutch and Scottish allies) that prevent the Iberians from taking more territories from the Mataram. All throughout 1778 and 1780 the Portuguese make several unsuccessful amphibious landings in the Indonesian archipelago but Mataram veterans slaughter any Europeans that make their way off the beaches.
Goa finally falls into Mataram hands on November 6th 1780 (for the second time in history) and a counter offensive is launched on Ceylon, destroying the Portuguese expedition army there in the process. The war is going terrible for the Portuguese as they are losing territory in Europe as well, by August 1781 the Portuguese have little options left and open negotiation with the Mataram. They (finally) offer Goa and some 200 ducats as spoils and a treaty is signed on September 8th 1781. With the Mataram occupation of Goa the Hindu population in the city turn away en masse from the Catholic religion that was imposed on them by the Europeans. By October 1783 all of the Christian churches were burned or evacuated and all of Goa was Hindu again.
During the final years of his reign, Pakubuwana builds the ‘Victory Palace’ in Delhi (1785) to commemorate the Mataram victory over the Portuguese. He also reforms the army and navy again in 1787 (both increase to level 21) as the Mataram now have access to improved techniques for building fortress as well as modern naval artillery (a large shipment of European canons was secured by the Mataram when the city fell into their hands). Pakubuwana also manages to improve his relations with other Asian states such as China and Assam by arranging a series of marriages between them. In Tibet some nationalism flares up, resulting in some revolts there that are easily put down by Mataram regular forces.
Pakubuwana III dies peacefully in his sleep on September 1st 1788, his son Pakubuwana IV is installed as ruler over the Mataram Empire three weeks later.
Map of India in the 1770s
A tale from Bali XXV
The reign of Pakubuwana III (1749-1788)
Reigning over the Mataram Empire for 39 years, Pakubuwana III no doubt is the most important Asian monarch in the 18th century. Though not a very capable ruler, during his reign several excellent ministers aid him in ruling over the vast nation making his reign successful nevertheless. Pakubuwana III goes to war with China, The Mughal Empire and Portugal on several occasions and manages to expand the empire in India taking Goa and Bikaner. He also annexes Tibet and redefines the Religious Tolerance Act of 1466 to establish a good working relationship with the new (Buddhist) subjects.
The first 5 years of his reign, Pakubuwana III continues the colonization efforts of New Zealand and turns all the colonies there in small colonial cities. He also continues to appoint governors and chief judges to increase production and stability in his realm. On the economical front, the trade in neighboring markets is increasing again and the Mataram are slowly beginning to recover from the economical crisis of the first half of the 18th century. The Mataram are regaining their former monopolies in Chinese markets and that greatly upsets the Chinese emperor. On January 3rd 1754 he issues a new trade embargo against the Mataram.
Acknowledging the importance of the Chinese markets and not wanting to upset the cast of the traders, Pakubuwana tries to settle things with the Chinese diplomatically, but with no success. Not only the traders are beginning to push Pakubuwana to settle thing, even the nobles, who also gain income from (local) trade taxes are also urging him to come up with a resolution. On July 3rd they demand that Pakubuwana takes action in this matter, or they will. Unable to settle this by diplomatic ways, Pakubuwana declares war upon China two weeks later. Tibet, as a true ally, joins the Mataram in their struggle against China.
The Chinese government wasn’t as weak as during the first Chinese war (1664-1665) and the Chinese troops were numerous. Nevertheless, the Mataram fleet was in much better shape then the Chinese ships, who were still equipped with old fashioned cannons. The Mataram fleet had acquired more modern cannons from Dutch traders. The Mataram began several amphibious assaults on Chinese positions in Malacca (Perak province) with success as the Chinese armies there were easily routed. The Chinese on their turn tried to invade Hainan but their fleet was decimated by a much smaller Mataram fleet. The Chinese also invaded Sumatra and Bali, but their small raiding parties were easily eliminated by Mataram regulars. By July 1755, after a year of fighting, neither side had gained any territory but the Chinese obviously were losing this war. The Mataram however lacked the manpower to perform an all out invasion of China and limited their actions to border skirmishes and naval blockades, depriving the Chinese of much needed goods. Afraid to risk an economic recession caused by this war, the Chinese government offered the Mataram a deal. The Chinese would end the boycott of Mataram traders and offer them 175 ducats as spoils for a peace treaty. Because this war was never started for territorial expansion in any form, Pakubuwana accepted this offer. The cast of traders was not at all happy with this decision as they wanted to eliminate the Chinese presence in Malacca (Perak) once and for all. Though they protested, the treaty was signed anyway in late July 1755.
However, the traders continue to object against the treaty and finally manage to get some say in foreign affairs. It is decided that the directors of the several monopoly companies get a voice in the court of Dempassar. Each month the directors would assemble and point out their long-term policies for trade with their neighbors and the economical matters of state. In essence this is the first more or less democratic institute in the Mataram empire. The council of priests and the council of nobles remain far more important however and the cast of farmers still have no say in matters of state what so ever.
The period of 1755-1763 didn’t see much action. Pakubuwana was able to enlist Oman as a member of the Tibetan – Mataram alliance in 1757. Mataram traders began to take over the monopolies they used to have in China and by the late 1750s the Mataram had taken back their dominant position on the Chinese markets again. During this period Pakubuwana reformed the land army (increase to level 19) and began to centralize government institutions (infra tech level to 7) during this period.
Meanwhile on the western borders, Bulachistan was again at war with her Muslim neighbors. To prevent this war from spreading into India, Pakubuwana wanted to make a preemptive strike against the Mughals. The Mughals were assembling large armies near the Indian border from where they invaded into Bulachistan. The city of Bikaner in India was also in Mughal hands (it was handed over to them as war spoils by the former sultanate of Gujarat way back in mid 16th century. This meant that the northern Indian border was always at risk of being attacked by the Mughals from two directions.
To secure the northern border, Pakubuwana declares war upon the Mughals on November 19th 1763 just after the Monsoon period. Tibet dishonors her alliance with Mataram because she doesn’t want to get involved in this war. Though some nobles were outraged by this shameful act, it didn’t have any repercussions, as Pakubuwana didn’t want to wage a war on two fronts. Two Mataram armies march up in India, one will lay siege to the city of Bikaner (the objective of this war), the second army will launch an attack on the border province of Kabul in Afghanistan to cut off any Mughal reinforces that may be sent into India. This two-way attack proves to be very successful as Kabul falls into Mataram hands on September 20th 1764. The siege of Bikaner takes a significantly longer time as that city is better defended, even though she is completely surrounded. The city finally falls in Mataram hands on June 11th 1767 but the Mughals are still refusing to surrender her to the Mataram. It is not until the northern India army moves towards the Mughal capital that the Mughal sultan is finally willing to sign a treaty in January 1768, handing over Bikaner to Mataram. With the fall of the city, the Mughal’s reign in India ends after more then 200 years…
Meanwhile in Africa, Oman got into a conflict the Portuguese. The Portuguese had several colonies on the African continent, near the border with Oman. A border dispute between the two nations in October 1763 led to a (mostly African) war. Luckily Pakubuwana was aided during this difficult period by an excellent first minister, the admiral of the Balinese fleet Ibrahim. Ibrahim manages to commence a naval blockade of Goa, effectively halting all trade in that harbor. In India a third army is mobilized to launch an attack on the city as well. However before those troops had reached the city walls, the Portuguese had hastily offered Pakubuwana a peace treaty in which they offered the Mataram 200 ducats in August 1765. With the war with the Mughals still going on, Pakubuwana took this offer (and let Oman fight this war out for herself, they eventually lost the war and had to pay tribute in 1771).
The period of 1768 – 1777 was again an inter bellum in which the Mataram managed to stay out of any wars. To the north of India, Tibet was in conflict with the barbarians called Chagatai Khanate. The war is successful for the Tibetans as two years later the barbarians pay them a tribute of 175 ducats. However internally the Tibetan state is no longer capable to effectively function as a whole, the Tibetan system of elected kings results in the election of sever weak monarchs. It is the Dalai Lama who turns for help to Pakubuwana in July 1773. The Dalai Lama wants to appoint Pakubuwana as permanent king of Tibet if he guarantees that Buddhists in Tibet will receive the same privileges as the Muslims and Hindu’s in the Mataram Empire under the Religion Tolerance Act of 1466. Pakubuwana, recognizing this opportunity for non-violent expansion in northern direction, accepts the terms of the Dalai Lama and annexes Tibet in September 1773. A month later the Religious Tolerance Act of 1466 is rewritten by the Hindu high priests, the Muslim Imams and the Dalai Lama and sealed by Pakubuwana III. From now on all three religions would be considered equally important to the state. (Of course in game terms that is not possible. In essence Hindu and Buddhist receive an equally important status and the tolerance towards Muslims is reduced a bit)
During this inter bellum Pakubuwana created the national bank of Mataram and reduced inflation by cutting back on the amount of gold coins that were in circulation. He also reforms the navy and the land army (both increase to level 20) and just in time as war again coming to Asia.
Portugal, not satisfied with the outcome of the previous war in Africa, declared war upon Oman on February 2nd 1777, Mataram, confident that this war would bring them good fortune, decide to honor their alliance and declare war upon Portugal as well. The Indian armies are rallied and ordered to march towards Goa. Pakubuwana is determined to take this hated bastion of European dominance in Asia once and for all. Three armies converge on the city and began to lay siege on August 8th 1777. The Portuguese have greatly enhanced the defenses of the city by building a ‘mighty’ fortress there. The Mataram prepare for a lengthy siege…
Portugal has a major disadvantage when fighting in Asia. Her supply lines are extremely long and the Mataram forces, though technological inferior, make good use of this. The Mataram navy commences another blockade and starts to patrol the shores of Indonesia and India intensively. However, the Portuguese threat didn’t come from Africa this time, but from the Portuguese settlements in China, more to the northeast of the Filipino Islands. The Portuguese make a successful amphibious landing on Hainan, defeat the Mataram expedition force there and began to lay siege to the city. A similar landing takes place on Colombo (Ceylon) as the Mataram fleet is unable to effectively protect the shores of the Indian subcontinent.
Colombo surrenders to the Portuguese in June 1778 but Hainan manages to hold the Portuguese invaders off (a counter strike on Hainan launched from Luzon in the autumn 1778 is unsuccessful however). Goa manages to repel the Mataram attackers with ease, and the Mataram commanders are left with no other options but to intensify their bombardments. Oman is more fortunate in this war as they capture various ill protected Portuguese settlements in India. It are the success of the Omani and the fact that Portugal is involved in a war in Europe (against Austria and her Dutch and Scottish allies) that prevent the Iberians from taking more territories from the Mataram. All throughout 1778 and 1780 the Portuguese make several unsuccessful amphibious landings in the Indonesian archipelago but Mataram veterans slaughter any Europeans that make their way off the beaches.
Goa finally falls into Mataram hands on November 6th 1780 (for the second time in history) and a counter offensive is launched on Ceylon, destroying the Portuguese expedition army there in the process. The war is going terrible for the Portuguese as they are losing territory in Europe as well, by August 1781 the Portuguese have little options left and open negotiation with the Mataram. They (finally) offer Goa and some 200 ducats as spoils and a treaty is signed on September 8th 1781. With the Mataram occupation of Goa the Hindu population in the city turn away en masse from the Catholic religion that was imposed on them by the Europeans. By October 1783 all of the Christian churches were burned or evacuated and all of Goa was Hindu again.
During the final years of his reign, Pakubuwana builds the ‘Victory Palace’ in Delhi (1785) to commemorate the Mataram victory over the Portuguese. He also reforms the army and navy again in 1787 (both increase to level 21) as the Mataram now have access to improved techniques for building fortress as well as modern naval artillery (a large shipment of European canons was secured by the Mataram when the city fell into their hands). Pakubuwana also manages to improve his relations with other Asian states such as China and Assam by arranging a series of marriages between them. In Tibet some nationalism flares up, resulting in some revolts there that are easily put down by Mataram regular forces.
Pakubuwana III dies peacefully in his sleep on September 1st 1788, his son Pakubuwana IV is installed as ruler over the Mataram Empire three weeks later.
Map of India in the 1770s
