Kuto Besak Fort is part of the Palembang Darussalam palace building from the 18th century

Quoted from the book Encyclopedia: Art, Culture and Tourism of the City of Palembang by Syarifussin, et
al., Kuto Besak Fort was built in 1772, its construction was initiated by Sultan Muhammad Bahaudin bin
Susuhunan Ahmad Najmuddin Adi Kesumo who ruled the Palembang sultanate at that time.

According to the book Khazanah Kota Palembang by Syarifuddin, et al, Kuto Besak Fort was only
inaugurated on February 23 1790. This means that the construction of Kuto Besak Fort took around 18
years.

This historical fact makes Kuto Besak Fort different from two famous forts in Java, namely Vredeburg in
Yogyakarta and Vastenburg in Surakarta.

Kuto Besak Fort is recorded as the only fort built by indigenous people.

However, the construction of this fort was not finished when Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin I died.

Then, the construction of the fort was continued by Sultan Mahmud Bahaudin who ruled the Palembang
Sultanate in the period 1776-1803.

Kuto Besak Fort, which was built in 17 years, became the fourth palace of the Palembang Sultanate,
after Kuto Gawang, Beringin Janggut, and Kuto Lamo.

Since its use, this fort has become the center of government as well as the residence of the ruler of the
Palembang Sultanate.