Kudarat, Sultan (1600?-1671), a Filipino Muslim leader, fought against Spanish rule in the southern island of Mindanao. He was known as a warrior, but his main strength was as a military planner. By luring Spanish troops into marshy lands in his province, Kudarat and his men were able to defeat superior enemy forces. He brought together the various Muslim rulers in Mindanao by appealing to their nationalist feelings.
After his success against the Spanish, Kudarat adopted the title of sultan. He led two piratical expeditions, to the Visayan Islands and to Luzon, to harass the Spanish. In 1656, Kudarat declared a jihad (holy war) against Christians. He remained in possession of his sultanate, undisturbed by the Spanish, until his death.
