Untung suropati biography of christopher

Indonesian war fighter

Untung Suropati also Untung Surapati (c. 1660 – 5 December 1706) was a warfighter in the East Indies who led a few rebellions against the Dutch East India Company (VOC).

Some of his exploits were written in Babad Tanah Jawi.^[1]

Early life

Surapati was born Surawiraaji, a Balinese in the village of Gelgel. According to Buleleng sources he was the son of the general for the kingdom of Swecalinggarsa-pura Gelgel.

After some conflict, his father alongside loyal followers sought refuge in Marga Tabanan village.

Untung suropati biography of christopher

Surapati, at the time four years old, was separated from the entourage when crossing the Ayung River.^[2] He was bought by VOC Captain van Beber in the Bali market. Surapati then lived as a slave in Batavia, the headquarters of the VOC (now Jakarta).

He was then sold to other VOC officials until he was eventually bought by edeleer Moor, which gave him the nickname "Untung" (lit. lucky) because his career