Rajah Sulaiman III (1558 – 1575,
سليمان in
Arabic) was the
Rajah (chieftain) of
Maynila, a
Kapampangan and
Tagalog kingdom on the region of the
Pasig River in
Manila. Along with
Rajah Sulaiman II and
Rajah Lakan Dula, he was one of three chieftains who fought the
Spaniards during the colonization of the
Philippines in the 16th century.
Spanish documents say his tribes called him "Rajah Mura" or "Rajah Muda" (a
Malayan title for a
Prince). The Spanish transcription of "Rajah Mura" is Young Rajah, a reference to the fact that he was Rajah Sulaiman II's nephew and heir to the throne. The Spaniards called him "Rajah Solimano el Mow".
After making peace with the Spaniards in 1571, Rajah Sulaiman III led a revolt against them in 1574, which Philippine historians refer to as the first battle of
Manila Bay, but is also known as the
Sulaiman revolt.
Rajah Sulaiman III is considered by Spanish and Philippine historians to be the leader of the
Macabebe tribes that fought the Spaniards during the
Battle of Bangkusay, but there is disagreement among historians about that claim.
Spanish explorer
Miguel López de Legazpi, searching for a suitable place to establish his capital after being compelled to move from
Cebu to
Panay by
Portuguese pirates and hearing of the existence of a prosperous Muslim tribes in
Luzon, sent an expedition under
Martín de Goiti and
Juan de Salcedo to explore its location and potentials.
[. Accessed September 6, 2008.]Goiti anchored at Cavite and established his authority peaceably by sending a message of friendship to various tribes in Manila. Rajah Sulaiman III, who had been ceded authority over their settlements by his aging uncle Rajah Sulaiman II, was willing to accept the friendship that the Spaniards were offering, but did not want to submit to its sovereignty unto them, and waged war against them due to disputes and hostility. As a result, Goiti and his army attacked the Muslim tribes on June 1570, and occupied the villages, before returning to Panay.
In 1571, the Spaniards returned, this time led by López de Legazpi himself along with his entire force (consisting of 280 Spaniards and 600 native allies). Seeing them approach, the natives set their villages on fire and fled to
Tondo, and neighboring villages. The Spaniards occupied Manila and established a settlement.
With this victory, Rajah Sulaiman II, Rajah Lakan Dula and Rajah Sulaiman III eventually accepted Spanish rule and were converted to Christianity. López de Legazpi granted them with
encomienda (trusteeship) of Manila and Tondo under the dominion of
Spain. With this recognition came an exemption from tribute and forced labor, which their families enjoyed until 1884 and the exclusive right for the Lakan Dula and Sulaiman
Dynasty to keep their family names.
After the establishment of settlements, Rajah Sulaiman II died and Rajah Sulaiman III ascended to his uncle's position. With Spanish approval, López de Legazpi gave Rajah Sulaiman III the settlements of Manila on April 1572.
When López de Legazpi died in 1572, his successor, Governor-General
Guido de Lavezaris, did not honor the agreements with Rajah Sulaiman III and Rajah Lakan Dula. He sequestered the properties of the two chieftains and tolerated Spanish abuses.
In response, Rajah Sulaiman III and Rajah Lakan Dula led a revolt in the villages of
Navotas in 1574, taking advantage of the confusion brought about by the attacks of Chinese pirate
Limahong. This is often referred to as the "Manila revolt of 1574" but is sometimes referred to as the "Sulaiman revolt" and the "Lakan Dula revolt" since it involved naval forces, the "First Battle of Manila Bay".
Friar Geronimo Marían and Juan de Salcedo were tasked with pursuing conciliatory talks with various tribes. Rajah Lakan Dula and Rajah Sulaiman III agreed on Salcedo's peace treaty and an alliance were formed between the two groups.
Spanish documents cease to mention Rajah Sulaiman III after the Manila revolt, so the exact date of his death is unknown, although Philippine historians set it at 1575 based on genealogical records.
Some controversy exists about the identity of the leader of the
Macabebe tribes that initiated the
Battle of Bangkusay in 1571. That chieftain, is referred to by Philippine historians as
Tarik Sulayman.
In some versions of the Battle of Bangkusay, Tarik Sulayman of Macabebe and Rajah Sulaiman III of Manila are the same person.
[. Accessed September 8, 2008.] Other versions contend that they are different people with the same name.
Some have even suggested that the two men were related.
Spanish documents do not identify the leader of the Macabebe tribes by name, but record that he died during the Battle of Bangkusay, resulting in a Macabebe retreat and a Spanish victory.
Rajah Sulaiman III of Manila is clearly recorded as participating in the battle in 1574.
See also
