[7] Antasari was concerned about the coronation of Sultan Tamjid (or Tamjidillah), instead of Prince Hidayat (or Hidayatullah), as the replacement to Sultan Adam in Banjar in 1859; Tamjidillah's coronation was backed by the Dutch colonials,[8] who were looking to sow unrest and discord to make their attempts to take over Borneo easier.

[9] As Antasari wanted to repel the Dutch, he cooperated with the leaders of Martapura, Kapuas, Pelaihari, Barito, and Kahayan.

[8][10] On 18 April 1859, the Banjarmasin War broke out between Antasari's alliance, which was able to field some 6,000 armed men, and the Dutch.

[12][13][14] Antasari rejected Dutch attempts to negotiate an end to the war, in which they offered him wealth and power in exchange for his surrender.

[15] Hidayatullah was exiled to Java, but Antasari, who succeeded him as Sultan, together with Prince Miradipa and Tumenggung Mancanegara, defended Tundakan fort on 24 September 1861.

[20] Antasari is featured on the obverse of the 2009 series 2,000 rupiah bill, which shows traditional Bornean dancers on the reverse.