Arung Singkang

Arung Singkang, original name La Ma’dukelleng, (born c. 1700, Celebes—died 1765, Peniki, Celebes), Buginese aristocrat who unified his southern Celebes people and created a state that held out against the Dutch for more than a century.

As a young man Arung Singkang was exiled to Borneo, where he gathered a following and in 1737 returned and won control of his native state, Wadjo. He also defeated Bone, another Buginese state, and created a Buginese federation headed by Wadjo. In February 1739 he set out against the Dutch in Macassar but was defeated (July 20) when part of his forces deserted him. A Dutch counterattack on Wadjo failed, however, and Wadjo retained its independence for more than 100 years. Arung Singkang was forced from power in 1754 after an internal dispute.