Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/365

HISTORY OF JAVA CONTINUED. 3^1 lladen Patah, the principal agent in the subver- sion of Hinduism to the eastern end of the island, was raised to sovereign authority by the voice of his followers. It deserves to be remarked, as a proof of the great influence of the Mahomedan priest- hood, that, during the first century of Mahome- danism, they exerted, very generally, the high prerogative of choosing the sovereign. The go- vernment of the eastern districts was in fact elec- tive, in a hierarchy, until it became hereditary in the family of Mataram. The place which Raden Fatah chose for the seat of government was Ddmak, on the north coast of the island, and about twelve miles from the modern city of Samarang. Three princes of this dynasty in all reigned at Damak, during a period of about sixty years ; and their authority seems to have extended over a considerable portion of the east and centre of the island. This partial monarchy was farther divided on the death of the last prince, when the most consi- derable state which arose out of it was Fqjan^^ a central province of the island, to which was subject several of the surrounding districts. This govern- ment fell to a chief named JoJw Tingkir^ on whom w^as eventually conferred the title of sultan by the spiritual chief of Gdrsik, Pajang was subverted by the chief of the family of Mataram, after it had existed about forty years. Its destruction VOL. II. X