Philippine history : reassessed / Isidro Escare Abeto.

Mindanao's Most Powerful Ruler

Sultan Kudarat's domain was situated in the mainland of Mindanao
covering what are now known as the three Cotabato provinces, the provinces
of Bukidnon and the two Lanaos. Sultan Kudarat had also some ties with the
Sulu Sultanate, he being the son-in-law of Sultan Mawallil Wasit. His
prestige and influence was not only confined within his own domain. lHe was
also widely known and respected in the ancient Sulu Sultanate as far as Sabah.
He was mainly influential in creating a pervading consciousness of the Islam
religion among the Muslim inhabitants of the different sultanates reaching as
far as the Moluccas. Sultan Kudarat was also titled Nasir Uddin and in the
1650's he was recognized as the most powerful Muslim ruler in the Philip —
pines.
Kudarat Rules After Father's Death
When Sultan Kudarat's father, Sultan Buisan, died in 1602, he
ascended to the power as Ruler of the Maguindanao Sultanate. During the
reign of his father, Mindanao experienced the first attavck of the Spaniards.
Sultan Kudarat himself had armed encounters with the Spanish conquistadors
who wanted to wrest from him the possession of his sultanate. tie successfully repulsed them.
Kudarat's Bloodiest Battle
In the early part of the year 1637, Hurtado de Corcuera, Captain and
Governor General of the Philippines, led personally the combined SpanishIndio2 forces and attacked the Muslim citadel at Lamitan near Lake Lanao.
Sultan Kudarat with 2,000 native warriors met the enemy in what was
considered as the bloodiest and one of the biggest battles of his career. The
Muslim leader and his warriors including women and children, fought with

134