Makassar
Major Indonesian port and former capital of the State of East Indonesia.
Makassar, known as Ujung Pandang between 1971 and 1999, serves as the capital of South Sulawesi province in Indonesia. It ranks as the largest city in Eastern Indonesia and the nation’s fifth most populous urban center, trailing only Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, and Bandung. Situated on Sulawesi’s southwestern coast, the city looks out over the Makassar Strait.
Historically a key trading hub, Makassar was home to the Gowa Sultanate’s center and a Portuguese naval base before the Dutch East India Company seized it in the 1600s. Under Dutch colonial rule, it remained a vital port for Eastern Indonesia, with local fishers venturing as far as the Australian coast. Following Indonesia’s 1946 independence proclamation, Makassar briefly became the capital of the State of East Indonesia, a Dutch-backed entity. That state lasted only four years before the 1950 Makassar Uprising led to its absorption into the Republic of Indonesia.
The city spans 175.77 square kilometers and, as of mid-2025, had an estimated population of about 1.485 million—737,239 males and 747,838 females—spread across fifteen administrative districts. Its official metropolitan area, Mamminasata, includes thirty-three additional districts from neighboring regencies, covering 2,666.63 square kilometers with roughly 2,795,639 residents by the same estimate. The National Development Planning Agency lists Makassar as one of Indonesia’s four primary cities, alongside Medan, Jakarta, and Surabaya. According to Bank Indonesia, it holds the country’s second-highest commercial property values, after Greater Jakarta.
- location
- Southwest coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia
- administrative_districts
- 15
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Makassar is mentioned in the Nagarakretagama, a Javanese eulogy composed in the 14th century during the reign of Majapahit king Hayam Wuruk. The center of the dual kingdom of Gowa and Tallo was at Sombaopu, near the then mouth of the Jeneberang River, about 10 km south of the present city center, where an international port and a fortress were gradually developed. The VOC conquered the northern Makassar fort of Ujung Pandang in 1667, and in 1669 they conquered and destroyed Sombaopu in one of the greatest battles of 17th century Indonesia. The VOC moved the city center northward, around the Ujung Pandang fort they rebuilt and renamed Fort Rotterdam. Following the Diponegoro War (1825–30), Prince Diponegoro was exiled to Fort Rotterdam until his death in 1855.
Reader's Guide
Makassar's significance lies in its long history as a major trading port and center of the Gowa Sultanate, which maintained a policy of free trade and resisted Dutch monopoly attempts. The 9th King of Gowa Tumaparisi Kallonna (1512–1546) is described as the first Gowa ruler to ally with Tallo, a partnership that endured throughout Makassar's apogee. Karaeng Matoaya (c.1573–1636) managed the succession to the Gowa throne in 1593 and guided the acceptance of Islam in 1603; the first official Friday Prayer is traditionally dated to 9 November 1607, celebrated today as the city's official anniversary. John Jourdain called Makassar in his day 'the kindest people in all the Indias to strangers.' Today, Makassar is one of the four main cities of Indonesia according to the National Development Planning Agency, alongside Medan, Jakarta, and Surabaya, and has the second-highest commercial property values in Indonesia after Greater Jakarta, according to Bank Indonesia.
Did You Know?
- Makassar was renamed Ujung Pandang on 1 September 1971, but reverted to Makassar on 13 October 1999 under President B. J. Habibie, a native of South Sulawesi.
- The city's official anniversary is celebrated on 9 November 1607, the date of the first official Friday Prayer after the conversion to Islam.
- Karaeng Pattingalloang (1600–54), Chancellor of Gowa, spoke Portuguese 'as fluently as people from Lisbon itself' and avidly read books in Portuguese, Spanish, or Latin.
- Prince Diponegoro was exiled to Fort Rotterdam after the Diponegoro War (1825–30) and died there in 1855.
- Makassar has the second-highest commercial property values in Indonesia, after Greater Jakarta, according to Bank Indonesia.
Maritime Heritage and the Phinisi Tradition
The source does not mention the Phinisi tradition, UNESCO recognition, or the word 'taripang.' This section cannot be written from the source.
Trepang, Trade, and Contact with Australia
The source states that Makassarese fishers went as far south as the Australian coast, and that the adjective 'Macassan' is usually used in the historical context of trepangers in northern Australia (the Macassan contact with Australia) and may include people not from Makassar. No further details about the scale of the industry, specific place names, or Aboriginal trade are provided.
The Kingdom of Gowa and Imperial Ambition
The source describes the Gowa Sultanate as a center of Makassar's trading port, with the 9th King Tumaparisi Kallonna (1512–1546) allying with Tallo. Karaeng Matoaya and Karaeng Pattingalloang (1600–54) are noted as able leaders. Pattingalloang spoke Portuguese 'as fluently as people from Lisbon itself' and had a passion for mathematics and astronomy. The VOC conquered Makassar with the help of the Bugis (1667–69). The source does not mention Gowa's territorial extent, treaties with Bali, or voyages to South Africa.
Diaspora and a Global Cultural Footprint
The source does not discuss a Makassar diaspora, communities in specific regions, or the plant Cananga odorata. This section cannot be written from the source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Makassar?
Makassar is a major port city sitting on the southwest coast of Sulawesi in Indonesia. It is the largest urban center in the eastern half of the country and ranks as Indonesia's fifth-biggest city overall.
What role does Makassar play in the roster?
The city has anchored maritime commerce across the eastern Indonesian archipelago for centuries as a critical trading hub. It also once served as the administrative capital of the State of East Indonesia.
What happened during the Gowa Sultanate arc?
Makassar was the seat of the Gowa Sultanate, a powerful local polity that dominated regional trade networks. The Dutch East India Company ultimately overthrew the sultanate in the 17th century, permanently reshaping the city's political trajectory.
How is Makassar organized administratively?
The city is divided into 15 administrative districts that handle local governance across its urban and coastal areas.
Why does Makassar matter in the Cities Starting With M canon?
As the dominant commercial gateway for Eastern Indonesia, it embodies the region's historical and economic identity. Its layered story of sultanate power, colonial conquest, and enduring seafaring trade makes it a cornerstone entry on the M-list.
More in Cities Starting With M 1-24
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