Bantilan Muizzud-Din
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Sulu Sultanate
| Sultan Bantilan Muizzud-Din | |
|---|---|
| Sultan of Sulu | |
| Reign | 1748–1763 |
| Predecessor | Sultan Azim ud-Din I |
| Successor | Sultan Azim ud-Din II |
| Born | Unknown Sulu Sultanate |
| Died | 1763 Sulu Sultanate |
| House | Maharajah Adinda |
| Father | Sultan Badar ud-Din I |
| Mother | Princess of the Tidung Kingdom |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
Sultan Bantilan Muizzud-Din was the 20th Sultan of the Sulu Sultanate, reigning from 1748 to 1763. He was known as Datu or Pangiran Bantilan and was the younger brother of Sultan Azim ud-Din I. He is remembered for resisting foreign religious influence, strengthening Islamic governance in Sulu, and engaging in diplomatic treaties with European powers.
Sultan Bantilan was born in the Sulu Sultanate, the son of Sultan Badar ud-Din I and a princess from the Tidung Kingdom of northeastern Borneo. He belonged to the Maharajah Adinda branch of the royal family, recognized as the second heir-apparent in the line of succession.[1]
Rise to power
In 1748, his brother, Sultan Azim ud-Din I, allowed Jesuit missionaries to propagate Christianity in Sulu. This was unpopular among the Muslim majority, leading to political unrest. When Azim ud-Din I left for Zamboanga and later Manila, Datu Bantilan was proclaimed Sultan by the royal court and adopted the regnal name Muizzud-Din.[1]
Reign
During his reign, Sultan Bantilan Muizzud-Din restructured the administrative cabinet and emphasized Islamic governance. He strengthened the sultanate's internal defenses and worked to uphold the sovereignty of the Muslim community.[2]
Relations with foreign powers
In 1762, he signed treaties with Alexander Dalrymple of the British East India Company. One significant outcome was the cession of Balambangan Island, which the British intended to develop as a trading post connecting Southeast Asia to China.[3]