Photo contributed by Fung Yu
Paduka Batara
PADUKA BATARA
THE EASTERN KING OF SULU, KNOWN IN CHINESE RECORDS AS PA-TU-KO PA-TA-LA OR PA-TU KO PA-HA-LA. TRAVELLED TO CHINA IN 1417 DURING THE REIGN OF EMPEROR YONGLE WITH AN ENTOURAGE OF MORE THAN 340 PERSONS, AND PRESENTED TO THE EMPEROR A TRIBUTE CONSISTING OF A LETTER IN GOLDEN SCRIPT, PEARLS AND OTHER PRECIOUS GIFTS. ACKNOWLEDGING THE KING AS A TRUE RULER, EMPEROR YONGLE GAVE HIM OFFICIAL SEALS, COMMISSIONS, AND OTHER IMPERIAL GIFTS AS A SIGN OF GREAT RESPECT AND ADMIRATION. ENROUTE TO HIS HOMELAND AFTER 27 DAYS IN CHINA, THE SULU CHIEF FELL ILL AND DIED IN DEZHOU, SHANDONG PROVINCE. BURIED IN DEZHOU, TWO OF HIS SONS STAYED BEHIND TO HONOR AND GUARD THEIR FATHER’S TOMB. THEIR DESCENDANTS, WITH THE SURNAMES AN AND WEN, CONTINUE TO LIVE TODAY IN DEZHOU.
IN HONOR OF THE STRONG BOND OF FRIENDSHIP AND GOODWILL FORGED TOGETHER BY THE EARLY RULERS OF SULU AND CHINA THIS HISTORICAL MARKER IS DEDICATED BY THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE KATIPUNANG GATRIZAL IN COOPERATION WITH THE SULTANATE OF SULU.
