Background
He was the son of Dewi Sekardadu and Maulana Ishak of Melaka (brother of Maulana Malik Ibrahim), but later adopted as a son by Nyai Semboja (a female merchant). A traditional story says that he was the son of a Hindu princess, who had come to Blambangan as a missionary.
Education
As a young man Sunan Giri studied in the school of Sunan Ampel, whose daughter he eventually married, and where Raden Patah was his fellow student.
Career
The princess was forced to abandon him in a crisis and set him adrift on the ocean in a small boat, from which he was rescued by sailors, a story reminiscent of the Biblical Moses. (see Sejarah Banten). His tomb is at Sunan Giri Mosque, near Grisik, 45 km from Surabaya.
He later established his own school in Desa Sidomukti at Southern Gresik in East Java—a location from which he got his name ("Giri" means "hill").
The Islamic School which he established was not only an institute of religious studies, but also center for various local civic activities and social development. The king of Majapahit granted Giri the authority to expand his role in political leadership, which later on to lead to the greater development of the school, popularly known as Giri Kedaton.
Sunan Giri was also known as Prabu Satmata, due to his remarkable record. Giri Kedaton, as a center of religious and political authority led by century head Pangeran Singosari was known for his most persistent resistance to the Dutch VOC and to Amangkurat II, who collaborated with the Dutch colonization efforts.
The creation of popular children"s toys and games such as Jelungan, Jamuran, lir-ilir and Cublak Suweng is attributed to Sunan Giri.