Biography of KYAI HAJI SAMANHUDI

In the city of Solo, Central Java, there is a district called Laweyan. This district is
famous as a region rich people. Most of the population live Laweyan as a
merchant or businessman batik. One in antaraya is Haji Samanhudi. He was born
in 1878 with a small name Sudarno Nadi, little time he obtained the religious
education of Kyai Jadermo in Surabaya. Besides, he also obtained a general
education at primary school Bumiputera Class One.

With the simple knowledge that Samanhudi plunge into the world of commerce
batik. Thanks to the comparatively large capital and talent as a businessman, his
name quickly became known in the trade world. He held a trade with merchants
of various cities like Purwokerto, Bandung, Surabaya and Banyuwangi. He also
established trade relations with the Chinese and Arabic. Thanks to the extensive
trade relations, knowledge Samanhudi multiply. But in the meantime he also
sensed resistance from the colonial government to the commercial activities of
Indonesia. The government gives more generous to foreign traders, especially
China. The materials for making batik monopolized by Chinese merchants, as
middlemen. Batik companies belonging to the Indonesian people can not deal
directly with foreign companies that import these materials. Samanhudi feel it as
something that is very detrimental to merchants Indonesia.

H. Samanhudi had already knowing other privileges given by the government to

the people of China, for example in terms of road tax (toll), customs clearance,
buy a variety of taxes, lend money to the debt bondage system. Even China
reserves the right to conduct its own security guard. This thought raises
awareness of how people treated unfairly by the native Dutch. In everyday life he
felt, that the government has divided society into class one: The Netherlands /
Europe: two classes: Chinese and other foreign descent: and the lowest class
natives.

He did not hate the stranger, nor the Chinese, but he was quite feel the
oppression of his nation. Particularly felt is in the fairy livelihood, namely
economic terms. Because of the economic system so that the Indonesian nation
was suffering, as he says "In our country, the inhabitants deliberately stratified,
the highest Dutch, below it is the Chinese nation, being a nation of Earth's son is
under China so the people of Earth son is a nation that is seen as the nation's
most inferior, or third-class nation, even though they live in their own homeland.

The colonizers inculcate in themselves the slaves of our nation. Thus our nation
can continue to be colonized. Therefore, in order to be a noble nation our nation
should be able to throw the slave soul.

In 1911, Sala no named Kong-Sing association whose members are the people of
China and Java. The goal is to cooperate in the trading of batik and about death,
mutual help. The longer the number of Chinese people who become members of
the greater and becomes greater than the number of people of Java. Therefore,
the Javanese are feeling the pinch and they come out of the association kong-
Sing.

H. Samanhudi and his friends then founded the association "Mardi Bob"
(Preserving Morals) for the purpose of fraternal mutual help among family
members if anyone died. In the case of mutual help and assist helped H.
Samanhudi has long been well-known generosity and sincerity, no one who asked
for help was rejected. It makes H. Samanhudi loved by many, widely influential
and caused many people to follow in his footsteps in the assembly, which he
founded.

Then increasingly perceived keperluannya seek progress for the company

members. One way is to try to be able to buy batik materials directly from the
importer does not pass through China. So the main goal like that, by the end of
1911 the association "Mardi Budi" renamed "Trade Sarikat Islam", abbreviated as
SDI. Eight people accompanying in establishing SDI and also became an
administrator under the leadership of H. Samanhudi. They are Sumowardoyo,
Harjosumarto, Martodikoro, Wiryotirto, Sukir, Kelvin, Suryopranoto, and
Germany. Then was appointed as an advisor R.M. Jokomono Tirtoadisuryo, chief
editor of the daily "Terrain Prijaji" who has now been appointed by the
Government of Indonesia as one of the Pioneer Press. R.M. Jokomono is also
chairman of SDI that has stood first in Bogor.
Against the establishment of SDI in Sala Chinese people show antipathy, not
happy, because SDI clearly challenge the monopoly of China in terms of materials
batik. The reaction of China was not living in his displeasure, but it increases to
fight China opponent Javanese repeatedly occurred in the Sala up once also
involves Legion (soldiers) Mangkunegaran favor of SDI. Chinese-Javanese fights it
spread to Surabaya, Semarang and Holy.

H. Samanhudi has always shown poise and discreet, not anti-Chinese. He never
issued an announcement, if China acted incorrectly, members should give in, but
if they're daring, report it to the police. Nonetheless Netherlands already worried
that antagonizing China-Java also increased. Then on August 10, 1912 Resident
Surakarta Kasunanan invite representatives of the Government and Chairman of
SDI for talks. The result from that moment SDI for easy States have started is
often called Islam "(SI) may not accept new members and hold meetings banned.

The decision was followed by police raids on home management members. Which
is found only: association rules, the register of members, register of magazine
subscriptions Sarotomo (Arrow Top) issued SDI, letters request its members to
borrow money, bonds, purchasing accounts and so on. The conclusion of the
shakedown, SDI has no intention secret and not bevy harm: Then the Kraton
Surakarta argues that the prohibition against SDI immediately revoked. Similarly
H. Samanhudi and the chairmen of the group SDI trying as hard as possible. get
the ban lifted. Finally, on August 26, 1912, SDI was allowed active again with the
provision, that are allowed to be members of SDI only resident of Surakarta.
Other provisions, is to finance SDI should be better organized and clear.

Such provisions constitute barriers to the movement of SDI further, but H.

Samanhudi not discouraged and did not even retreat. He immediately called
consolidation. In the thought that with vigorous efforts, he found the exact
figures taken part in the struggle of Muslims, namely R.M. Umar Said
Cokroaminoto. It was he who suggested that SDI membership is not limited to the
trade only. Then word of Commerce in the name of the assembly should be
removed so that it becomes "Sarikat Islam" abbreviated S.I.
The proposal was well received by H. Samanhudi and his friends. Umar Said
Tjokroaminoto assigned to draw up Statutes SI. On 10 September 1912 by notarial
deed and the Articles of Association of Islamic States are set and start the day that
the official change of name and the "Trade Union of Islam" to "Islamic States".
The purpose is to promote trade SI, bring relief to members who get into hot
water, promote physical and spiritual interests of the bumiputera, and improve
the lives of the Islamic religion.

Statutes it requested approval to the government, but rejected by surat_20

March 1913. In a report to the Netherlands, the Governor General Indenburg
argues that the SI would be against the government, which indeed they suspect
pangrehpraja. Finally, will oppose the Dutch East Indies, because pangrehpraja is
part of the Government of the Netherlands East Indies. The nature of their souls
considered difficult to separate from the soul rebel and strike, write Indenburg.

Rejection government will Statutes SI that in fact does not make the matter,
because it is recognized or not recognized as a legal entity. SI goes on according to
plan objectives.

Everywhere has stood SI with great influence. Facing the First Congress

25-26 January 1913 in Surabaya, the number of members have approached

80,000 people. First Congress took place with the greats. Envoys came from rural
areas in droves. Pick up at the train station enlivened with music. H. Samanhudi
party time arrives, thousands of people complaining penjemput-elukannya,
resulting from train to car jemputannya, H. Samanhudi more widely supported
than walking people. Those people loved H. Samanhudi not because his personal,
but as the founder of SI are working hard with energy, thoughts and possessions
anyway. Accompanying accompaniment from the station to the meetinghouse
Wildlife Manikam not less than I5 and 30 train cars, while along the way people
gave a rousing welcome at all.

Congress-I was set SI organizational structure. Each place considerable number of

members established branch with selected managers. Each branch is divided into
several branches, and each branch into several groups. In West Java Hoofd
afdeling formed, covering an area of West Java, Sumatra and islands near
Sumatra. Leaders called Hoofdbestuur region (Executive Board). Similarly, in
Central Java, including Central Java and Kalimantan with the Executive Board in
the amount of Surakarta. East Java covers East Java, Sulawesi, Bali and Lombok,
administrators magnitude in Surabaya. Thus the SI is the federation. It just does
not violate the provisions resident of Surakarta in advance.

SI's leadership throughout Indonesia held by the Central Committee of Islamic

States East Indies domiciled in Surakarta with board members, Chairman: H.
Samanhudi and Vice Chairman: Umar Said Tjokroaminoto concurrently chairman
of the Executive Board of East Java, Sulawesi, Bali and Lombok, and leading
newspapers "Timoer Indies" (read: the East Indies).

The congress ended with a rally in Stadstuin (Kebonraja) led by Umar Said
Tjokroaminoto, attended by approximately 8,000 to 10,000 people including
government representatives and some Europeans and Chinese. Meeting in the
Indonesian language that was then still called the Malay language. Umar Said
explained the situation and the progress of the SI until that time, has branches
and thousands of members. Then others speaker explains the purpose of SI and SI
next steps. In his closing Umar Said Tjokroaminoto introduce founder "Islamic
States" H. Samanhudi.

H. Samanhudi then spoke briefly in the Java language kromo (smooth), ask the
audience to really pay attention to the destination SI. namely the implementation
of everything for the sake of the people Bumiputera. He hoped that the SI be a
strong association.

H. Samanhudi is the initiator and founder of "United States of Islam" pioneers of

Muslim political movements in Indonesia. Knowledge completely simple, yet is
flexible and skilled. H. Samanhudi attention SI remarkable progress. He concluded
that he personally would not be able to and does not have the ability to lead a
large bevy it. Therefore he had to find friends who believed and were able to
drive the next SI, and friends who have and are believed Umar Said
Tjokroaminoto educated, smart and bold.

H. Samanhudi selection once it turns right, SI proven development under the

leadership of Umar Said Tjokroaminoto extremely rapid progress to be enormous.
In 1916 SI members across Indonesia has approached the number of 360,000
people. In 1918 to 450,000 people. Then continue to rise, so Tjokroaminoto said
Dutch as De ongekroonde koning van Java (king was crowned in Java).

Tremendous increasingly more advanced SI for H. Samanhudi, he finally retreated

with hearts satisfied because the plants have become fertile and can be expected
bemanfaat great for the people of the nation. SI is not a political party because it
was the establishment of political parties is still a ban. SI is a non political
economic social gatherings, but since the establishment of always fighting about
the increase in the wages of workers, defending the oppressed farmers, renting
land tinggj, defended the people who have been abused by the village head,
landlords and so on. Thus the SI is already running a practical political partiality
commoners.

H. Samanhudi resigned from the leadership of the Central Committee of the SI

and are not included in the arrangement in 1915, chaired by Umar Said
Tjokroaminoto, but SI still appreciate his services and was appointed H.
Samanhudi honorary chairman. He still watched the SI Statutes approved by the
Dutch government to the letter dated March 18, 1916.

Stepping H. Samanhudi old days life does not appear in happiness. Companies
batik completely bankrupt. Parents who contributed to the nation's life from her
sons support totaling 9 people (3 women and 6 men) from two mothers, all in a
state completely simple. Therefore H. Samanhudi ever stayed at her sons being
alternated, in Nganjuk, Mojokerto, and Klaten. He lived in one of his sons in a
living death until his death in Klaten, Central Java.

New in 1955 H. Samanhudi receive assistance from the government as a

forerunner of Independence and awarded a Hero House. Just one year he
received his award and assistance was due on December 28, 1956 he died in
Klaten.

H. Samanhudi, his name is listed as the founder of Islamic States and the pioneer
of the movement of the Indonesian people, especially Muslims. By the
Government of Indonesia by Presidential Decree No. 590 of 1961 dated 9
November 1961 Kyai Haji Samanhudi awarded the title of National Hero.