Short History of Batik Surakarta Indonesia

History of batik Surakarta cannot be separated from the influence of Javanese palace. Batik Solo originated in the Kingdom of Pajang, of more than four centuries ago. As is known, which is a continuation of the kingdom of Demak dynasty transferred the capital administration of Demak Bintoro to Pajang. As written in kampoenglaweyan.com, Kyai Ageng Henis was a character who first introduced batik in Laweyan village as it goes into the kingdom of Pajang. Ki Ageng Henis is Ki Ageng Selo’s son who was a descendant of Prabu Brawijaya V, the las King of Majapahit Kingdom. He lived in the Laweyan village since the year 1546 AD.

Ki Ageng Henis known as Ki Ageng Laweyan is "manggala pinatuwaning nagari" during Jaka Tingkir still a Duke of Pajang. He is Danang Sutawijaya’s grandfather,  the founder of the Mataram Kingdom.

Laweyan village located on the banks of the River Laweyan, the former trade center Lawe (woven materials). Raw materials of local cotton are supplied from Juwiring, Pedan and Gawok. The distribution of goods in the Lawe Market through Kabanaran river port that not far from that market. First there are many river port on the edge of the river, such as Bandar Kabanaran, and Bandar Laweyan. Through this river port that connects the Laweyan village towards Bengawan Solo River. From here, batik connected with coastal areas.

History of Batik Surakarta Indonesia - Era Kraton Surakarta (Surakarta Palace)

The establishment of Surakarta Palace in 1745 contributed the development of Batik Surakarta. Starting from the split Surakarta and Yogyakarta Palace as a result of the Giyanti agreement in 1755. The whole fashion greatness of Mataram Kingdom brought to Yogyakarta Palace. Meanwhile, the kingdom of Surakarta, Paku Buwono III ordered his courtiers to make my own genre Surakarta batik motif.

Of the order was the race to make batik. Appeared many batik motifs developed in the community. PB III also issued regulations on batik fabric that may be used in court. There are some specific motifs are allowed to wear in the palace.

"Ana dene kang arupa jejarit kang kalebu laranganingsun, bathik sawat, bathik parang lan bathik cemukiran kang calacap modang, bangun tulak, lenga teleng lan tumpal, apa dene bathik cemukiran kang calacap lung-lungan, kang sun wenangake anganggoa pepatihingsun lan sentananingsun dene kawulaningsun pada wedhia."

The type of batik fabric that I forbid, sawat batik fabric, parang batik fabric and batik fabric cemukiran that led podang a bird's beak, bangun tulak, teleng oil and intangible tumpal and also batik cemukiran that led to lung (plant leaves spread on the ground), I let wear is the Patih (governor/vice king) and my relatives (sentana dalem). While the public (people) are not allowed. 

The courtiers commissioned to design batik dedicated to the interests of the palace. Those many who lived outside the palace, forming a community of batik artisans like Kratonan, Kusumodiningratan, and Kauman also Pasar Kliwon. The materials used and the coloring while still using local materials such as Java Soga.

History of Batik Surakarta - During XX Century

In the early twentieth century, batik became one of the identity of the Javanese Islam economy. At this time, batik has entered the era of industrialization and the formation of groups of traders. One such famous organization is Sarekat Dagang Islam (Islamic Trade Union), led by KH Samanhudi. He has a strong trade network to the Kudus, Surabaya, Gresik, Tuban, Cirebon, Bogor up to Batavia and outside Java. One such his distributor is HOS Cokroaminoto the figure in the organization of Sarekat Dagang Islam (SDI)

Sarekat Dagang Islam establishment backed trade competition between the Chinese and Dutch colonial. This organization suggests the existence of indigenous Javanese Islam in the Dutch colonial rule. While keeping the existence of batik which became one of the economic pillars of the Java community. SDI eventually became one of the pioneer organizations of Indonesia's independence.

Until now Laweyan Solo Batik remain. Laweyan entrepreneurs never achieve greatness in the era of the 1970s.

Now, the Government of Surakarta made two batik villages in the city of Solo, the Laweyan village and the Kauman village, located behind the Great Mosque of Surakarta. One of the famous batik trade center is Klewer Market.

From various sources, written by Muhammad Nuralim