In the 17th century, the western coast of Sumatra witnessed the emergence of a new political force led by the descendants of Tuan Ibrahimsyah. This historical figure left behind a trace that can still be detected today through his inscribed tombstone bearing the name "Tuan Ibrahimsyah." According to the Barus chronicle, this figure, who originated from Tarusan, Inderapura, West Sumatra, and was the father of Sisingamangaraja I in Bakkara, was not only a leader but also the founder of his descendants' power, who later played a significant role in the political constellation of the Barus Sultanate in the 1600s.
The descendants of Tuan Ibrahimsyah not only successfully established their influence in Barus but also extended their rule as far as Meulaboh, in the Aceh province. They were not merely rulers who came with military might but also astute political figures who skillfully employed strategies of alliance and co-optation of local power to build a new governmental structure.
The success of this power expansion began with the fall of Baroes Ilir as the old kingdom's center. When the kingdom weakened, Raja Baroes Moedik seized power. However, this situation became a turning point for the descendants of Tuan Ibrahimsyah, who began to move through subtle yet effective political means.
By reforming traditional positions and weakening the legitimacy of the old rulers, the descendants of Tuan Ibrahimsyah began to attract sympathy and support from various levels of society, including the influential merchants who had settled at the mouth of the Batu Garigis River and held significant economic power in the region.
The support of these merchants became the primary capital in consolidating their power. The descendants of Tuan Ibrahimsyah then went further by forming a new, inclusive power structure through the appointment of four rulers from different ethnic and regional backgrounds, as a symbol of shared strength united under their control.
The first ruler came from Meulaboh, Aceh, likely appointed to ease tensions with local Acehnese groups and build regional stability. This simultaneously demonstrated that the descendants of Tuan Ibrahimsyah were capable of establishing excellent inter-ethnic diplomatic relations.
The second ruler appointed was Orang Kaya Bosar from Barus, who was of Minangkabau ethnicity. This appointment showed the close trade and cultural ties between Barus and the Minangkabau region, as well as the desire to embrace external forces that already had economic and social reputations.
Maharaja Lélo, a figure from the indigenous people of the area, was appointed as the third ruler. This step reflected the recognition of the existence of local communities and the importance of maintaining harmony between the new rulers and the native inhabitants who had long resided in the region.
The fourth ruler was Soetan Didjamboe, a member of the Rao clan, which is part of the Malay ethnicity. This decision expanded the scope of power and strengthened the legitimacy of the Tuan Ibrahimsyah descendants' government in the eyes of the Malay community around Barus.
The appointment of these four rulers became a new political symbol: that the descendants of Tuan Ibrahimsyah not only seized power but also established a system of governance that accommodated various groups to maintain stability and expand influence.
The drastically changing political constellation of the Barus Sultanate cannot be separated from the dominant role of the Tuan Ibrahimsyah descendants. They emerged as the new political architects in the western Sumatra region, replacing the old power with a more open and strategically alliance-oriented governmental structure.
These steps made the descendants of Tuan Ibrahimsyah central figures in the local history of Sumatra, not only because they successfully controlled the region politically but also because they built a foundation of cross-ethnic governance that was resistant to internal conflict.
Barus, long known as a major trading port, became a new center of power under the control of the Tuan Ibrahimsyah descendants. They not only regulated trade routes but also cleverly controlled the socio-political structure of the port community.
Over time, these descendants transformed into a strong and respected local dynasty. They were not only known in Barus and Meulaboh but also established relationships with other political forces in the western and central regions of Sumatra.
The influence of the Tuan Ibrahimsyah descendants remained evident in the social structure of Barus even during the colonial era. Prominent figures such as Orang Kaya Bandaharo and Maharaja Lélo, whom they appointed, became symbols of the success of the inclusive strategies they implemented in forming the government.
The tombstone inscribed with "Tuan Ibrahimsyah" stands as historical evidence that this figure was not fictional but real and once lived and shaped the mainstream of local history in Sumatra. He became a central figure in blending elements of tradition, Islam, and trade into a strong configuration of power.
This history confirms that local powers in the archipelago in the 17th century were very dynamic and capable of creating complex systems of power, as demonstrated by the descendants of Tuan Ibrahimsyah. They are a reflection of this nation's ability to form its own political order, long before the massive influx of colonial influence.
Today, the narrative about the descendants of Tuan Ibrahimsyah has become an important part of the historical heritage of Barus and West Aceh. Their story teaches about the importance of vision, political intelligence, and the ability to unite differences to build a stable and sustainable government.
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