Tegalsari Mosque and Gebang Tinatar Islamic Boarding School: Historical Islamic Heritage in Ponorogo

Masjid Tegalsari (Credit : NU Online)
One of the most visited religious sites in Ponorogo is the Tegalsari Mosque and the Tomb of Kyai Ageng Muhammad Hasan Besari. Tegalsari Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia, which remains well-preserved to this day. The history of this mosque is closely linked to Kyai Ageng Muhammad Hasan Besari, a great Islamic scholar who played a significant role in spreading Islam in Java. He also established the Gebang Tinatar Tegalsari Islamic Boarding School, one of the oldest boarding schools that produced many important figures in the history of the archipelago.

Kyai Ageng Muhammad Hasan Besari’s Lineage and Background

Kyai Ageng Muhammad Hasan Besari came from a noble lineage. From his father’s side, he was a descendant of Prabu Brawijaya V, the last king of the Majapahit Kingdom. Meanwhile, from his mother’s lineage, he descended from Sunan Ampel, one of the Walisongo, who played a crucial role in spreading Islam in Java.

The Early Establishment of Tegalsari Boarding School

Kyai Ageng Muhammad Hasan Besari initially came to Ponorogo to study at the Setono Islamic Boarding School, Jetis, under the tutelage of Kyai Donopuro. Due to his intelligence, Kyai Donopuro directed him to establish a new boarding school in the east of Kali Keyang (Keyang River), in a garden owned by Kyai Donopuro. This location later became known as Tegalsari, which marked the foundation of the Gebang Tinatar Tegalsari Islamic Boarding School around the 1740s.

Historical records indicate that this boarding school was already operational by 1742, and Kyai Muhammad Hasan Besari passed away in 1747, suggesting that the boarding school had been established a few years before 1742.

As Kyai Donopuro grew older, students from Setono Boarding School were instructed to move to the Tegalsari Boarding School. The boarding school continued to develop and became a center for Islamic education, attracting students from various regions across Java and beyond.

The Boarding School’s Role in Education and National Struggle

In addition to being a center for religious education, the Gebang Tinatar Boarding School also became a hub for spreading the spirit of resistance against Dutch colonial rule. Students not only studied religious sciences but also learned about nationalism, which fostered a strong sense of patriotism.

Some prominent figures who studied at the Tegalsari Boarding School include:

  1. Bagus Burhan (Ronggowarsito) – A great Javanese poet whose works remain influential to this day.
  2. Kyai Imam Puro – The son of Kyai Mojo, a spiritual advisor to Prince Diponegoro.

Gebang Tinatar Boarding School: The Foundation of Islamic Boarding School Networks in Indonesia

The Gebang Tinatar Boarding School gave rise to a network of Islamic boarding schools that became educational centers for many important figures in Indonesia’s Islamic and national movements. This boarding school contributed not only to the spread of Islam but also to shaping the leadership character of its students, many of whom later played significant roles in Indonesia’s fight for independence.

To this day, Tegalsari Mosque and the tomb of Kyai Ageng Muhammad Hasan Besari remain central to religious activities and religious tourism. They stand as silent witnesses to Ponorogo’s historical role as a hub for spreading Islam in Java.