Balinese People's Resistance Against the Dutch (1846-1849)
Balinese People's Resistance Against the Dutch (1846-1849)
Balinese People's Resistance Against the Dutch (1846-1849) - In the 19th century in accordance with its ideals of realizing Pax Netherlandica (peace under the Netherlands) , the Dutch East Indies government tried to round up all of its colonies over Indonesia, including Bali. The Dutch efforts were carried out, among others, through an agreement in 1841 with the kingdoms of Klungkang, Badung and Buleleng. One of its contents reads: The kings of Bali acknowledged that the kingdoms in Bali were under Dutch influence. This agreement is proof of the Dutch desire to control Bali.
What were the factors that caused the Bali war between 1846-1849?
The main problem is the existence of coral reef rights owned by the Balinese kings. This right was delegated to the village head to capture the boat and its contents that were stranded in the waters of the kingdom's territory. Between the Netherlands and the kingdom of Buleleng, namely King I Gusti Ngurah Made Karang Asem Besarta Patih I Gusti Ketut Jelantik, there was an agreement in 1843 which stated that the kingdom would help the Dutch if the ship was stranded in the Buleleng area, but the agreement could not work properly.
In 1844 there was a confiscation of Dutch ships on the coast of Prancah (West Bali) and Sangsit (Eastern Buleleng). The Dutch demanded that the kingdom of Buleleng relinquish their coral reef rights according to the 1843 agreement but was refused. This incident was used as an excuse by the Dutch to attack Buleleng.
How did the Bali war go?
Buleleng beach was blockaded and the king's palace was shelled with cannons from the beach. One by one the area was occupied and the palace was besieged by the Dutch. The King of Buleleng pretended to surrender then the resistance was continued by Patih I Gusti Ketut Jelantik . The Buleleng war is also called the Jagaraga battle because the center of its defense is the fort in the village of Jagaraga.
Why is it called puputan war?
Because war is imbued with the spirit of puputan, namely war to the last drop of blood. For the Balinese people, the puputan war is carried out with the following principles:
- The life of a knight on the edge of a weapon of death on the battlefield is an honor.
- In defending the honor of the nation and state as well as the family, the term surrender to the enemy is not known.
- According to Hindu teachings, people who die in battle, his spirit will go to heaven.
Jagaraga Fort is on a hill, in the form of "Supit Urang" which is surrounded by ditches and mines to hinder the enemy's movement. In addition to the Buleleng army, the kings of Karangasam, Mengwi, Gianyar and Klungkung also sent reinforcements so that the total number reached 15000 people. The spirit of the soldiers was supported by Jelantik's wife, Jero Jempiring, who mobilized and led the women to provide food for the soldiers who served on the front lines.
On March 7, 1848 a Dutch warship imported from Batavia with 2265 soldiers landed at Sangsit. Parukan Dutch led by Major General Van der Wijck attacked Sangsit and then stormed Jagaraga fort. Dutch attack can be thwarted.
In 1849 the Dutch brought in more troops totaling 15000 more consisting of infantry, cavalry, artillery and engineers led by Generals Major Michiels and van Swieten . Jagaraga Fort was heavily bombarded with cannons. None of the Buleleng troops withdrew, they all died on April 19, 1849, including the wife of Patih Jelantik, Jero Jempiring . With the fall of Jagaraga fort, the Dutch were able to control northern Bali. In addition to the Buleleng bellows, the Balinese people's resistance also occurred through Badung, Klungkung and other areas, although in 1909 all of Bali fell into the hands of the Dutch.