Key Facts
- Campaign duration
- August–December 1678 (5 months)
- Kediri assault date
- 25 November 1678
- Brantas River crossing
- Night of 16–17 November 1678
- Army formation
- Three columns on separate routes to Kediri
- Primary account
- Journal by Johan Jurgen Briel, Hurdt's secretary
Strategic Narrative Overview
From August 1678 the Mataram–VOC army advanced in three separate columns as proposed by Amangkurat, allowing each column to recruit wavering local factions and expand the force along previously Dutch-unexplored terrain. Trunajaya's forces harassed the advance and logistical difficulties slowed progress. On the night of 16–17 November the combined army crossed the Brantas River and converged on Kediri, storming the city by direct assault on 25 November 1678.
01 / The Origins
The Kediri Campaign arose from the Trunajaya rebellion, in which the Madurese prince Trunajaya had seized much of Java and sacked the Mataram court at Plered, capturing the sultanate's treasury. Mataram Sultan Amangkurat II, driven from his own capital, allied with the Dutch East India Company (VOC) to reclaim his realm. By mid-1678 combined forces were ready to push inland against Trunajaya's stronghold at Kediri in eastern Java.
03 / The Outcome
Kediri fell quickly, but Dutch and Javanese troops thoroughly plundered the city; the Mataram treasury, seized earlier by Trunajaya, was entirely lost in the looting. Trunajaya escaped and prolonged the rebellion in a greatly weakened state until his capture at the end of 1679. The campaign secured Amangkurat II's position but the destruction of the treasury was a lasting blow to Mataram's finances and prestige.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Amangkurat II, Anthonio Hurdt.
Side B
1 belligerent
Trunajaya.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.