Sultanate of Sulu: Map & History
Sultanate of Sulu is mapped in the atlas for 1459 CE – 1879 CE, with a peak mapped extent of about 68,286 km².
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The Sultanate of Sug (Sulu) (Tausug: Kasultanan sin Sūg; Central Sama: Kasultanan Sūg or Kasultanan Sūk; Malay: Kesultanan Suluk; Filipino: Kasultanan ng Sulu or Sultanato ng Sulu) was a Sunni Muslim Tausūg state that ruled the Sulu Archipelago, coastal areas of Zamboanga City, and certain portions of Palawan in today's Philippines, alongside parts of present-day Sabah,North Kalimantan and in north eastern parts of Borneo and Berau.
Modern Countries Once Part of Sultanate of Sulu
At its mapped extent, Sultanate of Sulu covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Sultanate of Sulu's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Sultanate of Sulu in Depth
History
The present area of the Sultanate of Sulu was once under the influence of the Bruneian Empire before it gained its own independence in 1578. During the 13th century the people of Sulu began migrating to present-day Zamboanga and Sulu archipelago from their homelands in northeastern Mindanao. Scott (1994) writes that the Sulu are the descendants of ancient Butuanons and Surigaonons from the Rajahnate of Butuan, which was then Hindu, like pre-islamic Sulu. They moved south and established a spice trading port in Sulu. Sultan Batarah Shah Tengah, who ruled as sultan in 1600, was said to be an actual native of Butuan.
Economy
Chinese who lived in Sulu ran guns across a Spanish blockade to supply the Moro datus and sultanates with weapons to fight the Spanish, who were engaging in a campaign to subjugate the Moro sultanates on Mindanao. A trade involving the Moros selling slaves and other goods in exchange for guns developed. The Chinese had entered the economy of the sultanate, taking almost total control of the sultanate's economies in Mindanao and dominating the markets. Though the sultans did not like one group of people exercising exclusive control over the economy, they did business with them.
The Chinese set up a trading network between Singapore, Zamboanga, Jolo and Sulu. The Chinese sold small arms like Enfield and Spencer Rifles to the Buayan Datu Uto.
Culture
Among the people of the Sultanate of Sulu, nobility could be acquired only by lineage, a closed hereditary system.
Datu (susultanun), acquired purely by lineage. All male members of the royal house of Sulu held this title and style "His Royal Highness (HRH)". Their spouses automatically held the title of Dayangdayang (princess of the first degree). Adopted members of the royal house of Sulu were styled "His Highness (HH)" and their spouses also held the title of Dayangdayang and the style: "Her Highness".
Datu sadja, which may be acquired through confirming the titles (gullal) on the middleman of the sultan.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Sultanate of Sulu (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Sultanate of Sulu: Key Facts
| Capital | Maimbung |
|---|---|
| Official language | Arabic |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Currency | barter |
| Founded | 1405 |
| Dissolved | 1915 |
Succeeded by
Facts from Wikidata Q422065 (CC0).
Sultanate of Sulu Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Sultanate of Sulu appears, with the other states of the time.
Sultanate of Sulu Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 68,286 km² in 1750 CE.
Sultanate of Sulu: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Sultanate of Sulu exist?
The Sultanate of Sulu is dated to 1459 CE – 1879 CE, in the Early Modern & Age of Discovery era.
What was the capital of the Sultanate of Sulu?
The capital of the Sultanate of Sulu was Maimbung.
How large was the Sultanate of Sulu at its peak?
At its peak in 1750 the Sultanate of Sulu covered about 68,286 km².
How did the map of the Sultanate of Sulu change over time?
The Sultanate of Sulu appears on 5 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1500 CE to 1850 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
Other Sovereign Realms
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Söğüt, Bursa, Edirne, Constantinople
Industrial Era • Capital: London
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Lahore, Delhi
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Raigad