Pakubuwono I (also as Pakubuwana I, before his reign was known as Pangeran Puger), uncle of Amangkurat III of Mataram was a combatant for the succession of the Mataram dynasty, both as a co-belligerent during the Trunajaya rebellion (from 1677 to 1681), and during the First Javanese War of Succession (1704–1707).
He created a new name to his line, with the title Pakubuwono, the standard name for rulers of the subsequently created Surakarta. Most Javanese chronicles () depicts him as a great wise ruler. He ruled from 1705 to 1719.
His son succeeded him with the title Amangkurat IV.
Origin
Born as Raden Mas Darajat, he was the son of Amangkurat I, the last Mataram ruler based in Plered, from his second queen consort, Ratu Wetan. Ratu Wetan originated from Kajoran family, descended from Sultans of Pajang.
RM. Darajat was once appointed as a crown prince () when a conflict between his father and Raden Mas Rahmat (later Amangkurat II of Mataram) occurred. RM. Rahmat was Prince Puger's half-brother, born from Ratu Kulon (the first queen consort of Amangkurat I). Amangkurat I relinquished crown prince title from RM. Rahmat and ceded it to RM. Darajat. But, when Kajoran family was proven to support Trunajaya rebellion in 1674, Amangkurat I was forced to draw the title from RM. Darajat.
Defending Plered
The peak of Trunajaya rebellion took place in 1677. This Madurese prince made a great invasion to Plered, capital of Mataram. Amangkurat I escaped to the west and assigned RM. Rahmat to defend the palace. But, RM. Rahmat refused and chose to evacuate as well. Prince Puger appeared to replace his half-brother to prove to his father that not all of Kajoran family members were involved in Trunajaya rebellion.
When Trunajaya troops came to Plered Palace, Amangkurat I had evacuated. Prince Puger stood against them. But, the enemy's strength was too great, so he was forced to escaped to Jenar village (now in Purwodadi, Purworejo). Prince Puger built a new palace namely Purwakanda there, and appointed himself as a king styled Susuhunan Ingalaga.
Trunajaya plundered Mataram heirlooms. He subsequently moved to his post in Kediri. Meanwhile, Sunan Ingalaga came back to Plered to destroy the remaining Trunajaya's followers placed there. Sunan Ingalaga then appointed himself as a new Mataram ruler.
Defeated by Amangkurat II
In the meantime, Amangkurat I had died while escaping to Tegal. RM. Rahmat was appointed as a new ruler of Mataram, styled Amangkurat II. As his father's will, Amangkurat II requested Dutch East India Company for help. Trunajaya rebellion was eventually suppressed in the end of 1679.
Amangkurat II was a king without palace because Plered had been occupied by Sunan Ingalaga, his own half-brother. He built new palace in Wanakerta forest, later renamed to Kartasura, in September 1680. Amangkurat II then summoned Sunan Ingalaga to join with him, but Sunan Ingalaga turned it down.
The refusal caused a civil war. Eventually, on 28 November 1681 Sunan Ingalaga surrendered to Jacob Couper, a Dutch officer who helped Amangkurat II. Sunan Ingalaga himself was titled Prince Puger again and recognized his half-brother's rule Amangkurat II.
The defeat of Prince Puger marked the end of Mataram Sultanate which became vassal of Sunanate of Surakarta. Despite of that, Javanese chronicles still praise Prince Puger's existence as an ordinary man in Kartasura. The king was indeed Amangkurat II, but the government of sunanate was controlled by Prince Puger. It is understandable because the Javanese chronicles were written in the era of Prince Puger-descended rulers.
Death of Captain Tack
Amangkurat II was successfully ascended to throne because of Dutch assistance, but accompanied by treaty that worsened Kartasura-based Mataram Sultanate. When the situation was conducive, the anti-Dutch Patih Nerangkusuma persuaded him to betray the treaty.
In 1685, Amangkurat II protected Dutch fugitive namely Untung Suropati. Captain François Tack arrived in Kartasura to arrest him. Amangkurat II pretended to help Dutch East India Company. But, he secretly tasked Prince Puger to be disguised as Untung Suropati's follower.
In a bitter fight taken place around Kartasura Palace in February 1686, the 75-man Dutch troops are killed by Untung Surapati's troops, including Captain Tack who was unable to go down from his horse.