Dutch intervention in Bali (1908)
Encyclopedia
The Dutch intervention in Bali in 1908 marked the final phase of Dutch colonial control over the island of Bali
in Indonesia
. It was the seventh and last military intervention in Bali, following the Dutch intervention in Bali (1906).
The intervention was triggered by a Balinese revolt against a Dutch attempt to impose an opium
monopoly in their favour. The raja
of Karangasem opposed the monopoly, leading to Balinese riots in the capital of Klungkung
. Riots also erupted in Gelgel
, when the Balinese killed a Javanese opium dealer.
The Dutch sent troops to quell the riots. In Gelgel, they killed 100 Balinese, forcing the Raja to flee to Klungkung. The Dutch then bombarded the city of Klungkung.
In a final confrontation on 18 April 1908, Dewa Agung Jambe, the Raja of Klungung, accompanied by 200 followers, made a desperate sortie out of his Palace, clad in white and armed with a legendary kris
supposed to wreak havoc on the enemy according to a prophecy. The kris failed to fulfill the desired outcome, and the Raja was instead shot by a Dutch bullet. Immediately, the six wives of the king resorted to ceremonial suicides, or puputan
, killing themselves with their own kris
, soon followed by the other Balinese in the procession.
The Dutch burned the Royal Palace to the ground. As Klungkung came under Dutch power, the Raja of Bangli submitted and in October 1908 negotiated for a Dutch protectorate
similar to that of Gianyar and Karangasem. These events ended Balinese resistance to the Dutch.
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...
in Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. It was the seventh and last military intervention in Bali, following the Dutch intervention in Bali (1906).
The intervention was triggered by a Balinese revolt against a Dutch attempt to impose an opium
Opium
Opium is the dried latex obtained from the opium poppy . Opium contains up to 12% morphine, an alkaloid, which is frequently processed chemically to produce heroin for the illegal drug trade. The latex also includes codeine and non-narcotic alkaloids such as papaverine, thebaine and noscapine...
monopoly in their favour. The raja
Raja
Raja is an Indian term for a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna...
of Karangasem opposed the monopoly, leading to Balinese riots in the capital of 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....
. Riots also erupted in Gelgel
Gelgel
Gelgel may refer to:*Gelgel, Chad, a city in Chad*Gelgel, Indonesia, a village on the island of Bali, and a former kingdom...
, when the Balinese killed a Javanese opium dealer.
The Dutch sent troops to quell the riots. In Gelgel, they killed 100 Balinese, forcing the Raja to flee to Klungkung. The Dutch then bombarded the city of Klungkung.
In a final confrontation on 18 April 1908, Dewa Agung Jambe, the Raja of Klungung, accompanied by 200 followers, made a desperate sortie out of his Palace, clad in white and armed with a legendary kris
Kris
The kris or keris is an asymmetrical dagger or sword nowadays most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia, but also indigenous to Malaysia, Southern Thailand and Brunei. It is known as kalis in the southern Philippines. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade , but many have...
supposed to wreak havoc on the enemy according to a prophecy. The kris failed to fulfill the desired outcome, and the Raja was instead shot by a Dutch bullet. Immediately, the six wives of the king resorted to ceremonial suicides, or 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 :...
, killing themselves with their own kris
Kris
The kris or keris is an asymmetrical dagger or sword nowadays most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia, but also indigenous to Malaysia, Southern Thailand and Brunei. It is known as kalis in the southern Philippines. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade , but many have...
, soon followed by the other Balinese in the procession.
The Dutch burned the Royal Palace to the ground. As Klungkung came under Dutch power, the Raja of Bangli submitted and in October 1908 negotiated for a Dutch protectorate
Protectorate
In history, the term protectorate has two different meanings. In its earliest inception, which has been adopted by modern international law, it is an autonomous territory that is protected diplomatically or militarily against third parties by a stronger state or entity...
similar to that of Gianyar and Karangasem. These events ended Balinese resistance to the Dutch.
See also
- Dewa AgungDewa AgungDewa 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...
- Dutch intervention in Bali (1906)
- History of BaliHistory of BaliThe History of Bali covers a period from the Paleolithic to the present, and is characterized by migrations of people and cultures from other parts of Asia...
- Klungkung PalaceKlungkung PalaceThe Klungkung Palace is a historical building complex situated in Semarapura, the capital of the Klungkung Regency on Bali, Indonesia. The palace was erected at the end of the 17th century, but largely destroyed during the Dutch colonial conquest in 1908...