Cultural Heritage of Bandar Senapelan (1600–1900): Islamic Trade and Migration Shaping Local Identity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24090/jihm.v5i1.15126Keywords:
Bandar Senapelan, Cultural heritage, Islamic history, Malay world, Siak SultanateAbstract
This study explores the rich yet often overlooked history of Bandar Senapelan, a former port and commercial center that served as the capital of the Siak Sri Indrapura Sultanate from 1761 to 1779. Once a vital hub for trade, cultural exchange, and the spread of Islam in the Riau region of Sumatra, its historical role remains insufficiently examined in scholarly discourse. Addressing this gap, the research analyzes the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Bandar Senapelan to illuminate its contribution to the development of Islamic society and to situate it within the broader narrative of Islamization in Southeast Asia. Employing a historical–interpretative methodology, the study draws on primary sources such as archaeological artifacts, architectural remains, and historical accounts to reconstruct the relationship between material culture, belief, and governance. The findings reveal that Bandar Senapelan’s heritage directly reflects its role as a key center of Islamic history in the Malay world. The peaceful arrival of Islam through trade and its institutionalization under the Siak Sultanate fostered a dynamic synthesis between Islamic principles and indigenous Malay traditions, evident in the city’s architecture, law, and educational institutions. Ultimately, the case of Bandar Senapelan demonstrates how Islam in maritime Southeast Asia evolved through adaptation and negotiation rather than conquest. Its enduring cultural legacy underscores the inseparable link between faith, commerce, and identity, affirming the importance of heritage preservation for understanding the historical dynamics of Islamic civilization in the region.References
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