Cainta (historical polity)

unknown–1571StatusBarangay stateCommon languagesOld Tagalog, Old MalayGovernmentFeudalism under Barangay stateHistory unknown1571 CurrencyPiloncitos, barter rings,^[1] barter

	Succeeded by
	Captaincy General of the Philippines Manila (province)

Today part ofPhilippines

Part of a series on the
Pre-colonial history of the Philippines
Social classes Ruling class (Maginoo, Ginu, Tumao) Apo, Datu Bagani Lakan Panglima Rajah Sultan Thimuay Middle class Timawa Maharlika Commoners, serfs, and slaves Aliping namamahay Alipin sa gigilid Bulisik Bulislis Horohan Uripon
Political entities Luzon Caboloan Cainta Ibalon Ma-i Maynila Namayan Pulilu Sandao Tondo Visayas Cebu Bo-ol/Dapitan Madja-as Mindanao Buayan Butuan Lanao Maguindanao Sanmalan Sulu
Key figures Agustin de Legazpi Azim ud-Din I of Sulu Batarah Shah Tengah Datu Daya Datu Sikatuna Dayang Kalangitan Dimasangcay Adel Dayang Sasaban Gat Pangil Gugu Sarikula Jayadewa Kamal ud-Din Laut Buisan Lakandula Lapulapu Magat Salamat Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram Muhammad Kudarat Sultan Muwallil Wasit Rajah Humabon Rajah Lontok Rajah Matanda Rajah Salalila Rajah Sulayman Rajah Tupas Regimo Diraja Kabungsuwan Sharif ul-Hāshim Sri Lumay Tarik Sulayman Urduja
Primary sources and artifacts Boxer Codex Butuan Ivory Seal Laguna Copperplate Inscription Monreal Stones The Philippine Islands, 1493–1898
By topic Cultural achievements Historiography Monarchs consorts Paramount rulers Religion Warfare
See also: History of the Philippines
v t e

In early Philippine history, the Tagalog bayan (Kapampangan: balen; "country" or "polity")^[2] of Cainta was a fortified upriver polity that occupied both shores of an arm of the Pasig River. It was located not far from where the Pasig River meets the Lake of Ba-i and is presumed to be the present site of the municipality of Cainta, Rizal.^[3]

Descriptions of early chroniclers say that the polity was surrounded by bamboo thickets, defended by a log wall, stone bulwarks, and several lantakas, and that an arm of the Pasig River flowed through the middle of the city, dividing it into two settlements.^[3]

As described in an anonymous 1572 account documented in Volume 3 of Blair and Robertson's compiled translations:^[3]

This said village had about a thousand inhabitants, and was surrounded by very tall and very dense bamboo thickets, and fortified with a wall and a few small culverins. The same river as that of Manilla circles around the village and a branch of it passes through the middle dividing it in two sections.

When the Spanish forces of Miguel López de Legazpi first established the city of Manila in 1571, Cainta was one of the surrounding polities that went to Manila to negotiate for friendship with Manila. However, Cainta's envoys noted the small size of Legazpi's forces and decided to withdraw their offer of friendship since Cainta was a fortified polity that was perfectly capable of defending itself.^[3]

In August 1571, Legazpi assigned his nephew, Juan de Salcedo, to "pacify" Cainta. After traveling several days upriver, Salcedo laid siege to the city and eventually found a weak spot on the wall. In the final Spanish attack, over 400 residents of Cainta were killed, including their leader, Gat Maitan.^[3]

Cainta was established as a visita (annex) of Taytay on November 30, 1571, under the administration of the Jesuits.^{[citation needed]}

Title	Name	Specifics	Dates	Primary sources	Notes
Gat	Maitan	The chief of Cainta	d.1571	1572 account documented in Volume 3 of Blair and Robertson's compiled translations: [3]	the last ruler of the fortified city

• Tondo (historical polity)
• Rajahnate of Maynila
• Namayan