Shark Vs Crocodile

Logo of Surabaya City in Net Indie Era

In terms of geography and demography Surabaya now is the second largest city in Indonesia, but in terms of age the existence of this city is much older than Jakarta. Surabaya was initially the gate of Majapahit Kingdom which is located in the estuary of Kali Mas. It is not exactly sure the origins of this town, but a city anniversary is commemorated on May 31, 1293, the day when forces Majapahit Kingdom led by Raden Wijaya defeated the Mongol emperor Kubilai Khan's emissary. In those days mongol army is known as the strongest in the world.

Mongol army which is came and attacked from the sea was described as SURO fish (sharks/brave), while Raden Wijaya troops who came and waited on land described as Boyo (crocodile/danger), The Battle of Suro and Boyo inspired the name of Suroboyo for the area in the estuary Kali Mas. Literally Suroboyo means as “a brave facing danger threatens”. The victory day was also celebrated as the anniversary of the city.

After the Majapahit Kingdom collapsed, Surabaya became part of the Demak Islamic kingdom precisely in 1530, then the town respectively - was subjected to the conquest of Sultan Agung of Mataram (1614), Trunojoyo of Madura (1675), and eventually took over by Verenigde Os Indische Company or better known as VOC (1677). VOC grip becoming stronger when there was agreement between VOC and Pakubuwono II on 11 November 1743 that let the city to controlled by VOC.

At the time of Netherlands Indie, Surabaya status as the capital of Surabaya residency whose territory covers the area that is now as the district of Gresik, Sidoarjo, Mojokerto and Jombang. In 1905, get the status Gemeentee (municipality) and more than twenty years later or more precisely in 1926, Surabaya became the capital of East Java province. Since then Surabaya was developed into a modern city and second largest in Netherlands Indies after BATAVIA.