Kudus, Administrative regency in Central Java, Indonesia
Kudus is an administrative unit in Central Java that stretches across flat farmland and wooded hills, with Mount Muria as the highest point in the north. Nine districts make up the region, which is dotted with rice paddies, tobacco plantations, and small industrial zones.
In the 16th century, the area became a center of Islamic learning under the leadership of Sunan Kudus, named after Al-Quds, the Arabic name for Jerusalem. Later, a tobacco industry developed here that continues to shape the local economy today.
The Menara Mosque from 1549 merges Hindu and Javanese building forms, showing a tower that recalls ancient temples. Local craftspeople still produce traditional batik patterns and carved furniture today, sold in workshops around the town.
The main town of Kota Kudus serves as a starting point for visits to the mosque and surrounding villages, reachable on foot or by motorbike taxi. Most religious sites and markets lie in the center and are easier to visit on weekdays.
Haji Jamahri invented the kretek cigarette in the late 19th century by mixing ground cloves with tobacco to soothe chest pain. This blend became the foundation of an entire industry that still employs thousands of workers in the region today.
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