Philippine History 101 Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat

(1581 - 1671) was a Sultan of Maguindanao in the Philippines. During his reign, he successfully repelled the Spaniards to conquer his villages and hindered the Christianization of the island of Mindanao. He was a direct descendant of Shariff Kabungsuan, a Muslim missionary who brought Islam to the Philippines between the 13th and 14th century.The Philippine province of Sultan Kudarat is named after him.
After succeeding his father in 1619, he defeated several tribes and proclaimed his kingdom as the Datu (chieftain) of the Pulangui region. He also governed a settlement in what is now Cagayan de Oro, Caraga, and established Misamis and Bukidnon as his tributaries. He also made friendly relations with the Spaniards and the Dutch, however the Spaniards tried to conquer his tribes, but failed and were forced to ransom their soldiers from the sultan. Governor-General Alonso Fajardo signed a treaty with Kudarat on June 25, 1645 which allowed Spanish missionaries to established Christianity in Mindanao, allowing a church built, and trade in the sultan’s territories.