Transforming Islamic Education against Colonial Secularism: Invention, Diffusion, and Consequences in the Tegalsari and Jamsaren Pesantren of Java (1742–1942)

Abstract

This study evaluates the historical educational practices at the Tegalsari pesantren in Ponorogo and the Jamsaren pesantren in Surakarta, which aimed to transform educational management and diffusion during the Dutch Islamic political era. This study employs a hybrid grounded theory and case study design, assigning 23 research participants including kiyai, descendants of pesantren founders, and history experts. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, constant comparison analysis, and sensemaking. ATLAS.ti version 9.1.3 was used to integrate the thematic analysis and constant comparison analysis. The study’s results indicate that the transformations in the Tegalsari and Jamsaren pesantren were facilitated by a scientific chain of kinship and blessings. This was found in both pesantren because Kiyai Muhammad Besari, the founder of Tegalsari, and Kiyai Jamsari, the founder of Jamsaren, had scientific chain of kinships to the Walisongo as descendants of the Prophet Muhammad SAW through the king of Majapahit. The educational transformation of both pesantren used almost the same model, namely acculturating to the Dutch model of education and combining it with pesantren education. New ideas in the Dutch educational model—such as teaching methods, curricula, teaching materials, secular politics, and the separation of Islamic teachings from politics—were successfully transformed by both pesantren through gradual invention, diffusion, and consequences.