Tombs of the sultans of Bima

Sumbawa, Indonesia

Fuji S2 digital, Nikon 12-24

These tombs are located on a hill on the edge of the town. There are no markings, so I don't know which tomb belongs to which sultan.

Bima's history is complicated. This area went Islamic in the 1600s, after one of two brothers fighting over the throne was able to obtain military assistance from Makassar, but only if he converted. He became the first Islamic sultan of Bima - earlier rulers had been rajas. The last sultan gave up his powers in 1951, but as in many other localities in Indonesia, a descendent is now said to be attempting to revive the position.