Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/59

 HISTORICAL EVEJy^TS. 4B

Soerakarta is surrounded by five provinces. Its climate is very agreeable and healthy, the heat never being very oppressive, and the nights and mornings generally very cool and refreshing.

As several interesting events have occurred in the history of this province, I will here interrupt the narrative of my own journey to give a sketch of some of the more important incidents in the lives of its princes, which, to those who know little of Java and its history, may prove both interesting and instructive.

On the destruction of Modjophait by Moslem invaders, a descendant of the then reigning svdtan fled, with a host of followers, into the interior of the ishmd, conquering several ])etty chiefs Avho opposed him, and finally settling down in a small town called Padjang, which he quickly walled round and dignified by the name of Kraton. In process of time he extended his conrpiests east- ward to Passeroewan; and all the land fifty or

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