PENYENGAT ISLAND

 PENYENGAT ISLAND

Penyengat island is located west of the city as far as more or less Tanjungpinang 1.50 km from city Tanjungpinang. Its width of 3.50 km. hilly land composed of sand mixed with gravel, while the beach is generally sloping, partly grassy, ​​partly rocky. Among Tanjungpinang Penyengat Island and there is a wide strait about 1.5 miles that can be crossed by boat. At the time of the government of Sultan Mahmud Shah (1761-1812 AD), when he married the daughter Engku binti Raja Haji Shahid Fisabilillah around 1801 AD, the island was handed over to the queen as bride price or dowry. Because the stinger is very crucial role in the island kingdom of Riau's historicity, the island became famous stinger and attract people to visit.
 
History
In the 18th century, Raja Haji to build a fort on the Penyengat Island, the fort is precisely located in Bukit Kursi, there is placed a cannon as the base defense Bintan He mastered the wife of King Hamida year 1804. His son then ruled the Riau islands of Penyengat Island. Meanwhile, his brother's reign on the island of Linga in the south and established the Sultanate of Lingga - Riau.

According to the story, a small island in the Riau Islands has long been known to sailors since centuries ago as a haven for taking fresh water island is pretty much available. Further according to legend, the name "stinger" is given to the island, because once the sailors who were taking water on the ground being attacked by a kind of bee (insect) called "stinger" to cause casualties. Since then the island is famous among sailors and fishermen as the "Island of Biting". At the central government held the kingdom of Riau on the island, he inaugurated with the name

"Penyengat Island of the Indera Sakti”.

Because the location is very strategic for the country's defense Riau based in Ulu Sungai Riau (Riau old), in the centuries past the island stinger has repeatedly become a battleground (War of Sultan Sulaiman - Small Raja Siak), even when war broke Riau Netherlands (1782-1784) Island stinging defense has become a major center. Forts with a defense system with "Portuguese style" has been developed on the island that traces can still be seen today.

In 1803 Penyengat Island has nurtured from a central defense into the country, and then domiciled Yang Pertuan Muda of Riau kingdom-linga, while the sultan officially resides in Daik-linga. Only later in 1900 the Sultan of Riau-Penyengat Linga Island. Since then complete the island's role as the central government stinger, customs, Islam and Malay culture.

Penyengat island there are relics of the Malay kingdom of Riau-Linga, the tomb of Raja Ali Haji of Riau Malay poet who is famous for its Gurindamnya, the tomb of King Ja'far, and others. Inside the Grand Mosque which was built in 1882 Penyengat Island, also there are several collections of historical relics such as The Holy Quran, handwritten and antique carved pulpit.

Penyengat island also has beautiful natural scenery, both on the beach or in the hills. You can also watch traditional township residents, Balai Adat, and artistic attractions.