Deli Sultanate

In the 16th century there was a kingdom called Aru, with its center located where Deli Tua is now (south of Medan). In 1612 the Acehnese Sultan Iskandar Muda defeated Aru. The Acehnese appointed Hisyamsudin (later he changed his name to "Tuanku Gocah Pahlawan"), titled as Laksamana Kuda Bintan as their representative in this kingdom of East Sumatra. In 1632 Aceh established the Deli Sultanate (Jawi: کسلطانن دلي) and Gocah Pahlawan became the first king. Gocah Pahlawan opens a new land in Sungai Lalang and Percut. As Mayor and Deputy of Sultan of Aceh as well as by utilizing the oversized of Aceh Imperium, Gocah Pahlawan managed to expand its territory, thereby covering Percut Sei Tuan and Medan Deli district now. He also founded the villages of Gunung Barus, Sampali, Kota Bangun, Pulo Brayan, Kota Jawa, Kota Rengas and Sigara-gara. He died in 1669 and was followed by his son "Tuangku Panglima Perunggit" who moved the center of the kingdom to Labuhan Deli, which then proclaimed the independence of Deli Sultanate from Aceh Sultanate in 1669, with its capital in Medan Labuhan, approximately 15 km from the city center now.

The third king, "Tuanku Panglima Padrap" (ruled 1698–1728), during his reign, he moved the kingdom to Pulo Brayan due to flood. The fourth king, "Tuanku Panglima Pasutan", (ruled between 1728–1761). He organized the kingdom in four tribes, each led by a Datuk (a Malay title for high ranking persons). The fifth king, "Tuanku Panglima Gandar Wahib", (ruled 1761–1805), during his time the Datuks increased their power.

The sixth ruler was "Sultan Amaluddin Mengedar Alam", (ruled 1805–1850). The Siak Sultanate during his years, became a stronger influence in Deli than the Acehnese Sultanate, the ruler was given the title to malayness name: Sultan. The seventh ruler is "Sultan Osman Perkasa Alam" (ruled 1850 to 1858), during his leadership the Deli sultanate became autonomous.

The eighth ruler, "Sultan Mahmud Al Rasyid Perkasa Alam" (ruled 1858–1873) started the relationship with the Dutch, a relationship that became rather intimate. The next ruler are "Sultan Ma'mun Al Rashid Perkasa Alamyah", ruled from 1873 to 1924 when the tobacco trade expanded. He moved the kingdom to Medan and finished the construction of the Maimun Palace in 1888. He also built the grand mosque of Al Ma'shun which is commonly known as (Great Mosque of Medan) now in 1907, he became known as the builder of early Medan in corporation with the Dutch and "Tjong Yong Hian" and Tjong A Fie, a Chinese businessman brother and also a Kapitans who built a large plantation business in Deli. They all bringing Medan-Deli as new development area including business center such as Bank, office, plantation area, housing, railroad and port. The tenth "Sultan Amaluddin Al Sani Perkasa Alamsyah" (ruled 1924–1945) expanded harbors, the commerce increased during his period. At the declaration of Indonesian Independence, the Sultan recognized the sovereignty of the republic and was in return given an important function as administrator of Deli-Malay traditions and culture.

The Sultanate of Deli still are exist till now, even though the administration power has been replaced with Mayor, the current sultan are "Sultan Mahmud Lamanjiji Perkasa Alam" the 14th sultan, (ruled since 2005). Coronated the age of eight, he is the youngest sultan that has been coronated in Deli Sultanate history.