Carta Soura lay in the Javanese interior and was the headquarters of the Susuhunan, the suzerain of the Mataram region in central Java. This sovereign ruled over a large number of regents, who were required to attend the court at Carta Soura once a year. When conflicts arose with these regents, the suzerain applied for the help and protection of the VOC. The Company decided to aid the Susuhunan and despatched 200 soldiers to be stationed at Carta Soera to safeguard the Company's interests and those of the Susuhunan. However, relations between the suzerain and the Company remained in a state of flux.
