Fortress senses patra (aceh great)

ucilsteem (42)in #photography • 7 years ago (edited)

Aceh not only holds the history of the glory of Islamic civilization during the Sultanate of Aceh alone. Long before Islam entered into the life of the people of Aceh, Hinduism had first developed in society. One of the silent witnesses of the golden age of the Hindu kingdom in Aceh is Indra Patra Castle located in Ladong Village, Masjid Raya District, Aceh Besar District.

Indra Patra's fortress consists of a 4900-square-meter main castle and three other fortresses, two of which have been destroyed. This archaeological site was founded around 604 AD by King Harsya's ruling son in India, who escaped from the pursuit of the Hunan Nation. The existence of this fort became a historical relic of the process of entry of Hindu influences from India to Aceh. It was estimated that at that time, the Hindu Kingdom, Lamuri, began to develop in the North Coast of Aceh Besar. This fort is one of the three forts that mark the triangle region of the Hindu kingdom of Aceh, namely Indra Patra, Indra Puri and Indra Purwa.

Archaeological expert of Repelita Wahyu Oetomo, from Medan Archaeological Center, in his paper entitled 'Lamuri Had Islam Before Pasai' reveals, architecturally, some parts of the fort still have a pre-Islamic building characteristic. This can be seen, among others, on two wells in the area of the main fort which shaped like a stupa. In the aspect of functionality, the fort was so developed that it was still used until the time of Sultan Iskandar Muda of the Aceh Sultanate.

During the Sultanate of Aceh, this fort played a major role as one of the defense lines in the face of the Portuguese. This fort was captured from the Portuguese by Darmawangsa Tun Pangkat (Iskandar Muda). During the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda (1607-1636 AD) this fortress, alongside the Inong Balee Fortress, the Kuta Lubok Fortress and several other fortresses became the center of Aceh's defense especially in blocking the attack from the sea. The position of the citadel facing the Inong Balee Fort across the east of Krueng Raya Bay plays a strategic role in preventing the Portuguese fleet from entering Aceh through this bay