[3][4][5] According to the tarombo (ancestor genealogy) from Deli and Serdang, Gocah Pahlawan was of keling (Indian) ethnicity,[4] sent by Sultan Iskandar Muda in 1612[3] to rule in the former Aru Kingdom.
[4] He was appointed as a representative commander (wali negara, guardian of the state) of the Aceh Sultanate for the area, to fight the Portuguese influence and establish alliances with the local population, who generally were Karo peoples.
[1][4] Deli sources mentioned that Gocah Pahlawan came from India and that his original name was Muhammad Delikhan, while Serdang sources mentioned that his original name was Yazid and he was a descendant of the rulers of Bukit Siguntang Mahameru, who left the Pagaruyung Kingdom on an Indian merchant ship.
[1] The name of the Sunggal chieftain's sister was Princess Nang Bulan (Baluan) beru Surbakti,[3][5] and the marriage was conducted around 1632.
[4] The Karo chieftains who had converted to Islam and adopted the Malay culture then regarded him as their supreme leader (primus inter pares) for the region.