Dutch intervention in Bali (1849)
Encyclopedia
The Dutch intervention in Bali in 1849 was a major Dutch military intervention in Northern and Southern Bali
, following two failed interventions, the 1846 intervention
and the 1848 intervention
. The Dutch used as a pretext Balinese salvage claims over shipwrecks, which were customary to the Balinese, but unacceptable under International law.
in 1849. It was a considerable force of the Royal Dutch East Indies Army, composed of 100 ships, 3,000 sailors, and 5,000 well-trained soldiers, including a majority of Dutch troops.
The Dutch landed in Buleleng and marched on Singaraja
, meeting with Balinese resistance at Jagaraga. When they saw their situation was desperate, the Balinese committed the first Puputan
, or mass-suicide, the Dutch would be given to witness in their conflicts with Bali. In this encounter, the Dutch lost 34 men, and the Balinese thousands, including the wife of Jelantik, who was part of the Puputan. Gusti Ketuk Jelantik and the ruler of Buleleng managed to escape to allied Karangasem.
against Karangasem, an old enemy of Lombok. Lombok troops were sent onboard Dutch ships, and ambushed Buleleng leaders. In this encounter both Jelantik and the Raja
of Buleleng were killed, and the ruler of Karangasem committed ritual suicide.
The Dutch continued their campaign into Klungkung
, occupying Goa Lawah and Kusamba. The climate and diseases were taking their toll on the Dutch troops, which were in a precarious position. The Dutch suffered heavy casualties however when the sister of the ruler of Klunkung, Dewa Agung
, led a night offensive against the Dutch in Kusamba, killing the commander Major General Michiels
. The Dutch were forced to retreat in haste to their ships, confronted by a force of 33,000 Balinese from Badung, Gianyar, Tabanan and Klungkung
. This resulted in a stalemate.
Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...
, following two failed interventions, the 1846 intervention
Dutch intervention in Northern Bali (1846)
The Dutch intervention in Northern Bali in 1846 was the first in a long series of Dutch military interventions on Bali island, until total control was achieved with the Dutch intervention in Bali in 1908...
and the 1848 intervention
Dutch intervention in Northern Bali (1848)
The Dutch intervention in Northern Bali in 1848 was the second in a long series of Dutch military interventions on Bali island, until total control was achieved with the Dutch intervention in Bali in 1908...
. The Dutch used as a pretext Balinese salvage claims over shipwrecks, which were customary to the Balinese, but unacceptable under International law.
Dutch naval expedition
The expedition arrived off BulelengBuleleng
Buleleng is a regency of Bali, Indonesia. It has an area of 1,365.88 km2 and population of 577,644 . Its regency seat is Singaraja....
in 1849. It was a considerable force of the Royal Dutch East Indies Army, composed of 100 ships, 3,000 sailors, and 5,000 well-trained soldiers, including a majority of Dutch troops.
The Dutch landed in Buleleng and marched on Singaraja
Singaraja
Singaraja is the regency seat of Buleleng, Bali, Indonesia. The name is Indonesian for "Lion King". It is on the north coast just east of Lovina...
, meeting with Balinese resistance at Jagaraga. When they saw their situation was desperate, the Balinese committed the first Puputan
Puputan
Puputan is a Balinese term that refers to a mass ritual suicide in preference to facing the humiliation of surrender. Notable puputans occurred in 1906 and 1908 when the Balinese were being subjugated by the Dutch.- 1906 Badung puputan :...
, or mass-suicide, the Dutch would be given to witness in their conflicts with Bali. In this encounter, the Dutch lost 34 men, and the Balinese thousands, including the wife of Jelantik, who was part of the Puputan. Gusti Ketuk Jelantik and the ruler of Buleleng managed to escape to allied Karangasem.
Southern Bali campaign
Reluctant to follow them overland, the Dutch returned to their ships and sailed to Southern Bali, where they landed in Padang Bai in order to attack Klungkung, nominal overlord of Buleleng. In the meantime, however, the Dutch managed to establish an alliance with neighbouring LombokLombok
Lombok is an island in West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia. It forms part of the chain of the Lesser Sunda Islands, with the Lombok Strait separating it from Bali to the west and the Alas Strait between it and Sumbawa to the east...
against Karangasem, an old enemy of Lombok. Lombok troops were sent onboard Dutch ships, and ambushed Buleleng leaders. In this encounter both Jelantik and the Raja
Raja
Raja is an Indian term for a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna...
of Buleleng were killed, and the ruler of Karangasem committed ritual suicide.
The Dutch continued their campaign into Klungkung
Klungkung
Klungkung is the smallest regency of Bali, Indonesia. It has an area of 315 km2 and population of 169,906 . Its regency seat is Semarapura....
, occupying Goa Lawah and Kusamba. The climate and diseases were taking their toll on the Dutch troops, which were in a precarious position. The Dutch suffered heavy casualties however when the sister of the ruler of Klunkung, Dewa Agung
Dewa Agung
Dewa Agung or Deva Agung was the title of the kings of Klungkung, the foremost in rank among the nine kingdoms of Bali, Indonesia. It was also borne by other high-ranking members of the dynasty. The term Dewa means "god" and was also a general title for members of the Ksatria caste. Agung...
, led a night offensive against the Dutch in Kusamba, killing the commander Major General Michiels
Andreas Victor Michiels
Andreas Victor Michiels was a military and administrative officer in the Dutch East Indies.- Early life and military career :...
. The Dutch were forced to retreat in haste to their ships, confronted by a force of 33,000 Balinese from Badung, Gianyar, Tabanan and Klungkung
Klungkung
Klungkung is the smallest regency of Bali, Indonesia. It has an area of 315 km2 and population of 169,906 . Its regency seat is Semarapura....
. This resulted in a stalemate.