Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/371

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HISTORY OF JAVA CONTINUED, 3!27 deserves, for he was not only the greatest conque- ror, but the best prince of whom any mention is made in Javanese story. In a reign of thirty- three years, he conquered the whole of the eastern districts, including the principality of Blambangan, at the extreme east, Cheribon, and the whole of the Sunda countries, except Jacatra and Bantam. His disgrace and discomfiture in his wars with the Europeans will be mentioned in another place. His fame spread to Celebes, where he sent an embassy, as well as to Sumatra and Bornqo. The Adipati, or chief of the Javanese settlement ofFakmbang, intlie former island, paid his respects in person, and the Javanese colony of Baryarmasin, in the latter coun- try, sent a mission. These honours from distant islands, and the homage which the chief of Mata- ram received from many states of Java, had their origin as much in the terror of his name, as in any experience of his real power, for sovereign power has on the mind of the Indian islanders the mys- terious influence which religion has on the minds of all barbarians, arising from the same causes, fear, ignorance, and superstition. From a few examples of the mode in which this best of Javanese princes conducted his wars and government, we have an opportunity of estimat- ing the character of the society over which he ruled. The very year that the Sultan ascended the

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