Sincerity, hypocrisy, betrayal, hostility, alliance, rebellion, intrigue, and divide-and-conquer tactics all merged into one. It all began with a power struggle. The Sultanate of Banten’s peak of glory and golden age were once achieved under the rule of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa. As the old saying goes, the taller a tree grows, the stronger the winds that batter it. So it was with this kingdom. One by one, obstacles and enemies arose—not only from outside but from within as well. Such was the case with Sultan Haji. Who would have thought that he would conspire with Captain Tack, the cunning and deceitful Dutch East India Company (VOC) officer? Captain Tack and the VOC caused trouble by blockading the waters of Banten Bay, making it difficult for foreign merchants to enter the port; he intended to establish a partnership to monopolize trade. Of course, Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa opposed this because it would have a detrimental effect on Banten’s economy.
