Hamengku Buwono IX (1912-1988) was sultan of Yogyakarta, Java, from 1939 to 1988. In 1945, he joined Indonesian nationalist leaders in their struggle against Dutch rule. After the Netherlands formally recognized Indonesian independence in 1949, he became one of the country’s most respected and influential leaders.
Hamengku Buwono IX was born in Yogyakarta on April 12, 1912. He was the son of Sultan Hamengku Buwono VIII, ruler of Yogyakarta under the Dutch. His father named him Dorojatun. He was educated by Dutch teachers. He attended Leiden University in the Netherlands. When Dorojatun was installed as sultan in 1940, he took the name Hamengku Buwono IX.
After the proclamation of Indonesian independence in 1945, the sultan sent a telegram supporting the Indonesian nationalist leaders. Hamengku Buwono IX served as a minister in several cabinets under President Sukarno between 1946 and 1953, and under President Suharto from 1966 to 1973. He served as vice president to Suharto from 1973 until 1978. He died on Oct. 8, 1988.
