The Port of Banjarmasin is the capital of South Kalimantan province in Indonesia. The Port of Banjarmasin is located between the rivers Martapura and Barito on the delta island of Tapas on Borneo’s south coast. Called the “River City,” rivers and streams in the Port Banjarmasin are used as roads, and houses are raised on piles or rafts.

The Port of Banjarmasin has a good natural deep-water harbor called Trisakti, and it exports the country’s rich natural resources. The port also serves ferries to and from Java and passenger ships. In addition to the port, Banjarmasin is also served by an airport about 25 kilometers from town. In 2005, over 589 thousand people lived in the Port of Banjarmasin.

The ancient kingdom of Nan Serunai was located in South Kalimantan. The Tanjungpuri Buddhist kingdom replaced the Nan Serunai. The Malay people loved the South Kalimantan area, and the name of the Port of Banjarmasin derives from the local dialect “Bandar Masih,” meaning the Port of the Malay.

By the 14th Century, the Port of Banjarmasin was part of the Negara Dipa and then the Negara Daha Hindu kingdoms. During a civil war in the 15th Century, the Negara Daha’s rightful heir, Pangeran Samudera, was forced to flee his home. He arrived to a warm welcome and support for his struggle from the people of Bandar Masih. When his opponents surrendered, Pangeran Samudera made Port of Banjarmasin his home and converted to Islam, as did his subjects. The day of his victory has since been celebrated as the Port of Banjarmasin’s birthday.

Over time, the name slowly changed to Banjarmasin, describing the salty-tasting water of the dry season in the Banjarese language. Pangeran Samudera’s kingdom flourished, growing to cover almost all of today’s Indonesian Kalimantan.

The Dutch first opened trade in the Port of Banjarmasin in 1606. The Banjar War of the 17th Century pitted the Islamic kingdom against European imperialist countries. Great Britain controlled the city for a few brief times during the 18th Century, but in 1787, the Port of Banjarmasin surrendered to and became a protectorate of the Dutch after they destroyed the palace and captured Banjarmasin’s last princess.

The Hikayat Banjar, also called the “History of Lambung Mangkurat” is the history of Banjarmasin. The document tells the story of the kings of Banjar and Kota Waringin, two southern Borneo kingdoms.

During the colonial era, the Port of Banjarmasin continued as Dutch Borneo’s capital. Although the locals signed treaties with the Dutch East India Company, they continued to resist Dutch rule throughout the 19th Century.

After the Indonesian government was formed, the Port of Banjarmasin became the capital of Kalimantan province and remained so until the province was divided. Today, it is the capital of South Kalimantan.

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