Pakubuwono XII
Soerjo Goeritno was forced to quit his education for 5 months, as he must follow his father who was mandated by Pakubuwono X, his grandfather, to leave for the Netherlands with other local monarchs in Dutch East Indies to attend 40th jubilee of Queen Wilhelmina's coronation.
According to Javanese tradition, the heir must be the Pakubuwono XI's eldest son, Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Haryo Mangkoeboemi.
Kentjana (the first wife of Pakubuwono XI), had died in 1910, so she couldn't be appointed as queen consort when her husband was crowned.
Soerjo Goeritno was chosen as Pakubuwono XII because of his young age and ability to adapt to a new situation.
His coronation plan was once opposed by the Japanese colonial government, who stated that they didn't dare to guarantee the safety of future king.
Pakubuwono XII was often nicknamed as Sinuhun Hamardika, because he became the first Susuhunan of Surakarta who reigned in independence era.
On 6 September 1945, Surakarta Sunanate and Duchy of Mangkunegaran were granted Special Region's Charter from President Sukarno.
At that time, Indonesian government was led by Sutan Syahrir as prime minister, with Sukarno as head of state.
As commonly occurred in a country, an opposition faction who did not support the governmental system of PM Syahrir emerged, for example the group of General Soedirman.
The radicals namely Barisan Banteng (meaning "Ox Front" in Indonesian) led by Muwardi deliberately abducted Pakubuwono XII and Sutan Syahrir as a protest against the government of Indonesia.
Barisan Banteng successfully took control of Surakarta without being eradicated by the Indonesian government due to Gen. Soedirman's protection.
In his early rule, Pakubuwono XII was viewed as a ruler who failed in taking an important role and using the political situation of Indonesia, which caused his prestige to be lower than that of Hamengkubuwono IX of Yogyakarta.
On 15 January 1952, Pakubuwono XII explained extensively about Special Region of Surakarta to the ministerial council in Jakarta.
The award was given as a form of honor for Pakubuwono XII as the first king in Indonesia to swear allegiance and stand behind the republic government in the early independence era.
Pakubuwono XII also voluntarily contributed a half of his personal and royal wealth to central government in that era.
Although in his early reign, Pakubuwono XII was politically less successful, he still became the patron figure of Javanese culture.
[4] In the middle of 2004, Pakubuwana fell into coma and underwent intensive care in Panti Kosala Dr. Oen Hospital, Surakarta.
Family consensus has now acknowledged that Hangabehi is the rightful heir and is now titled SISKS Pakubuwono XIII.
