Pondok Tegalsari The forerunner of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor began in the 18th century when
Kyai Ageng Hasan Besari established Pondok Tegalsari in Jetis Ponorogo village of East Java (10 km to the south of the city of Ponorogo). Pondok Tegalsari was well known in its time and visited by thousands of
santris (students of pesantren) from various regions in the archipelago. The leadership of the pondok lasted for six generations. In the mid-19th century, during the time of Kyai Hasan Khalifah, Pondok Tegalsari began to decline. At that time, the pondok had a renowned santri named R.M. Sulaiman Djamaluddin, a descendant of the royal family based in
Keraton Kasepuhan of
Cirebon. Kyai Hasan Khalifah then arranged the marriage of his youngest daughter Oemijatin (known as Nyai Sulaiman) with Sulaiman and they were given the task of establishing a new pesantren and the reformation of the pondok, which in later became a pesantren known as Pondok Gontor Lama.
Pondok Gontor Lama (The Old Pondok) Supported by 40 santris brought from Pondok Tegalsari, Kyai R.M. Sulaiman Djamaluddin, and his wife founded Pondok Gontor Lama in a place located ±3 km east of Tegalsari and 11 km to the southeast of the city of Ponorogo. At that time, Gontor was still covered in forest and was often used as a hideout for robbers, criminals, and rogues. The third generation leader of the pondok Kyai Santoso Anom Besari was married to Rr. Sudarmi, the offspring of R.M. Sosrodiningrat (the regent of
Madiun). Kyai Santoso Anom died in 1918 at a young age and left 7 children, thus the leadership of Pondok Gontor Lama was cut off. Three of the seven sons and daughters of the Kyai eventually went on to revive the pondok by updating and improving their system and curriculum.
Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor After studying at various traditional pesantrens and modern educational institutions, the three sons of Kyai Santoso Anom finally returned to Gontor on September 20, 1926 (12 Rabiul Awwal 1345) for the commemoration of the
Islamic Prophet Muhammad. There they pledged the establishment of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor (PMDG). All three were known as Trimurti Founders of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor, namely Ahmad Sahal, Zainudin Fananie, and Imam Zarkasyi. On October 12, 1958 (28 Rabi'ul Awwal 1378), Trimurti donated PMDG to the
ummah, which was deemed highly as a sacrifice of private property for the benefit of society. The recipient of the mandate was represented by 15 members of Gontor alumni (IKPM) who later came to consist of the
Waqf Board of PMDG. ==Organization and administration==