Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat, the seventh Sultan of Maguindanao, was a direct
descendant of Sharif kabungsuan, was born in 1580 in Lanao del Sur.
Succeeding his father in 1619, he conquered several datus and made
himself the master of the Pulangui area. He controlled the present day
Cagayan de Oro and Caraga territories and made Misamis and Bukidnon
his tributaries. He was able to negotiate with the Dutch and the Spaniards
so that they recognize his sovereignty over these lands. The Spaniards tried
but failed to conquer him in all battles. Spaniards were systematically
defeated and forced to ransom their soldiers from the sultan. Finally,
Governor Fajardo signed a treaty with Kudarat on June 25, 1645 which
allowed Spanish missionaries to minister to the needs of the Christians in Mindanao, even allowed a
church built, and trade was allowed in the sultan’s territories.
War once more flared in 1658 when Mindoro, Bohol and Leyte were sacked. Spain was unable to
dominate the Muslims of the south.
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