| KGPAA Mangkunegara VI | |
| Caption: | Mangkunegara VI, |
| Succession: | 6th Duke of Mangkunegaran |
| Reign: | 21 November 1896 – 11 January 1916 |
| Predecessor: | Mangkunegara V |
| Successor: | Mangkunegara VII |
| Birth Name: | B.R.M. Suyitno |
| Birth Date: | 1 March 1857 |
| Religion: | Islam |
| Death Place: | Surabaya, East Java, Dutch East Indies[1] |
| Birth Place: | Pura Mangkunegaran, Surakarta Sunanate, Central Java, Dutch East Indies |
| Kangjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Arya | |
| Era Dates: | Wangsa Mangkunegoro Mataram |
| Posthumous Name: | (KGPAA) Sri Gusti Kanjeng Pangeran Adipati Aryo Mangkunegoro Ingkang Kaping Enem (VI) |
| Temple Name: | Astana Oetara Surakarta Hadiningrat Jawa Tengah |
| House: | Puro Ageng Mangkunegoro Surakarta Hadiningrat |
| Father: | Mangkunegara IV |
| Occupation: | Adipati |
| Mother: | R.Ay. Dunuk |
Mangkunegara VI (1 March 1857 – 25 June 1928) was the prince of Mangkunegaran from 1896 to 1916.
Born in the Mangkunegaran Palace, Mangkunegara was born as R.M. Suyitno. He was the fourth son of Mangkunegara IV and Raden Ayu Dunuk. As an adult he took the name K.P.A. Dayaningrat. The younger brother of the fifth Mangkunegara. When Mangkunegara V died after falling from a horse, his throne was taken by his brother.[2]
Mangkunegara VI was crowned on 21 November 1896. He prioritized economic development. When an economic crash came because the price of sugar fell due to emerging competition from Brazil, he adjusted and repaid much of the debt incurred under his predecessor. He also enacted a number of cultural policies, obliging men to cut their long hair and made saluting unnecessary. He also brought tables and chairs into meetings that had previously been conducted sitting on the floor and allowed the people to embrace Christianity. He made the Mangkunegara Sultanate an independent power parallel to the Surakarta Sunanate. Mangkunegara VI became a new competitor in the fight over Kasunanan Javanese culture.[3]
Mangkunegara focused on traditional sectors of rural economy, modernizing coffee, indigo, sugar cane and sugar production in the Praja.[4]
At one point, Nederlandsch-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij, a Dutch private railroad company was foreclosed for failure to pay taxes.[5]
The Praja policy was applied to allow the monarchy to act as both ruler and merchant.[6] The policy was later adopted by Kasunanan Surakarta and Yogyakarta Sultanate. Traditional land holdings were overturned and turned over to plantations.
The Legiun Mangkunegaran was reorganized. Commander Major Mangkunegaran was given the rank of Colonel. Mangkunegara VI removed the position of Vice Commander for budget reasons.
During his reign, bandits operating around Mangkunegaran increased their activities. Budget limitations kept the King from actively dealing with them. The Praja Police were responsible for security. The gangs looted and committed murder and rape.[7]
Along the border with Surakarta, Mangkunegara VI had conflicts with Resident of Surakarta.
Java's expansion began in 1830 with the proliferation of plantations. The gangs were disappointed in the kingdom.[8] Robber refers to those who forcibly plundered victims, while plaster refers to robbers who were relatively inactive.[9]
In 1872 the region recorded 24 events conducted by robbers and plasters.[10] On 15 November 1883 robbers killed a woman in the village of Kretek Jacks, Sragen.[11]
Mangkunegara VI had two children; K.P.A. SuyonoHandayaningrat and B.R.Ay. Suwasti Hatmosurono. Mangkunegara VI wished to make his son the crown prince, he was vetoed by a group of relatives and the Dutch Colonial government. Mangkunegara VI eventually abdicated and settled in Surabaya.[12] Mangkunegara VI is the only king of Mangkunegaran who resigned of his own free will.[13] In testimony Partini Mangkunegara VI said that on 11 January 1916 he quietly resigned and went with the whole family to Surabaya.[14]
In Surabaya his son and daughter KPA Suyono Handayaningrat and RMP Hatmosurono were active in the movement of Budi Utomo and together with Dr. Sutomo founded the political party named Parindra.[15]
When Mangkunegara VI died he was buried in Astana Utoro Nayu Surakarta. His nephew RMA Suryasuparta reigned next as Mangkunegara VII. Mangkunegara VI chose Surabaya as a place in the old days to prepare his son and daughter to continue the concept of state that can not be implemented through a Duchy.
Mangkunegara VI's accomplishments included:
In his reign, give relic Mangkunegara VI which until now frequently visited by the tourist is Sapta Tirta. Sumber water bath in this bath pablengan has seven kinds of natural resources which were located very close together, namely: Warm Water, Cold Water, Living Water, Water Off, Soda water, water Bleng, and water Mind your Mind.