The Story of Ratu Kalinyamat

Jepara was devastated by the defeat in the war at sea against Malacca in 1512-1513. Not yet finished, the territory of the Demak Sultanate witnessed a battle between Arya Penangsang and the descendants of Sultan Trenggana. After the end of the war against Arya Penangsang, Ratu Kalinyamat began to improve the economy of Jepara. Thanks to her leadership, Jepara's trade with the overseas regions was getting busier.Traders from port cities in Java such as Banten, Cirebon, Demak, Tuban, Gresik, and also Jepara established relations with the international market of Malacca. In the book Asia Trade: Asian Trade and European Influence in the Indonesian Archipelago between 1500 and about 1630 by Meilink Roelofsz, Jepara traders came to Bali, Maluku, Makassar and Banjarmasin with goods produced in their respective regions. Together with Demak, Tegal and Semarang, Jepara became a rice export region. Not only that, Ratu Kalinyamat also strengthened the trade and naval sectors.

Although the area was less fertile, in Ratu Kalinyamat's territory there were four port cities as gateways for trade on the north coast of eastern Central Java, namely Jepara, Juana, Rembang, and Lasem. The wealth of Ratu Kalimanyat and Jepara was obtained through international trade, especially with Malacca and Maluku. Ratu Kalinyamat also had a wide influence. The Brave Queen of Jepara, her power reached as far as Banten. As a queen who had a strong political position and a rich economic condition, Ratu Kalinyamat was very influential in Java. Just three years under Ratu Kalinyamat's rule, the power of the Jepara fleet had been restored.

Portuguese news reported a connection between Ambon and Jepara. It was reported that the leaders of the Hitu Guild in Ambon had repeatedly asked Jepara for help, both to fight the Portuguese and the Hative tribe in Maluku. In the 15th century, the King of Johor also asked Ratu Kalinyamat to help expel the Portuguese from Malacca. Ratu Kalinyamat agreed to the invitation. In 1551, Ratu Kalinyamat sent an expedition to Malacca. Of the 200 ships of the Muslim alliance fleet, 40 of them came from Jepara.