GUGURNYA MARGONDA & TRAGEDl GEDORAN DEPOK | BELANDA DEPOK

Summary

Following Indonesia's declaration of independence on August 17, 1945, the people of Depok, initially a self-governing region under Dutch colonial rule, debated whether to join the newly-formed Republic of Indonesia. Despite their long history of autonomy, the Depok community, who had a European-influenced lifestyle, rejected the Republic. This led to violent clashes, including the Kedodoran incident, which saw the destruction of Depok and the targeting of its inhabitants by revolutionary forces. Amid this turmoil, notable figures such as Margonda and Tole Iskandar played central roles, with Margonda ultimately sacrificing his life during a major battle for the area, highlighting the fierce struggle for independence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Depok, after Indonesia's independence declaration in 1945, considered itself a separate entity, having already declared its independence in 1714 under the leadership of a Dutch landowner, Cornelis Cast.
• 😀 Depok's initial rejection of joining the newly-formed Republic of Indonesia led to a violent conflict known as the Kedodoran incident.
• 😀 Cornelis Cast established the autonomous region of Depok under Dutch colonial rule, and upon his death, freed his slaves, who later formed a community known as the 'Margickers' or 'Depok Dutch'.
• 😀 The freed slaves in Depok, many of whom had European heritage, were seen as part of a privileged social class, leading to tensions with the broader population.
• 😀 During the Indonesian Revolution, Depok’s refusal to join the Republic led to violent clashes between local militia (TKR) and those loyal to the Depok aristocracy.
• 😀 Social envy towards the wealthy, European-influenced lifestyle of the Depok community contributed to the violence and the perception that they were aligned with colonial interests.
• 😀 The period following Indonesia's independence declaration, known as 'Masa Bersiap', was marked by widespread violence, including looting, killing, and sexual violence, especially targeting the Depok community.
• 😀 The Kedodoran incident not only reflected the struggle between republican forces and loyalists to the Dutch, but also highlighted the broader social unrest in Indonesia at the time.
• 😀 Key figures in the conflict included Margonda, a leader of the Republic’s forces, and Tole Iskandar, a commander of the local militia, who were involved in significant clashes over the control of Depok.
• 😀 Margonda’s role as a mediator and his subsequent death in the battle for Depok marked a pivotal moment in the conflict, with his passing symbolizing the turmoil and loss experienced by the Republic’s forces.

Q & A

What was the immediate reaction of the people of Depok after Indonesia's Proclamation of Independence on August 17, 1945?

After the Proclamation of Independence, the people of Depok held a meeting at the Ebenezer building to discuss whether they would join the newly formed Republic of Indonesia or remain independent.

Why did Depok consider itself separate from Indonesia during the time of the proclamation?

Depok considered itself separate because it believed it had already been independent since 1714, more than 200 years before Indonesia's independence.

Who was the founder of the Depok autonomous region, and what was the nature of this governance?

The autonomous region of Depok was established by a Dutch landowner named Cornelis Cast. It was a system of governance under Dutch colonial rule, with Cast serving as the head of state of Depok.

What significant action did Cornelis Cast take in his will before his death?

Before his death, Cornelis Cast wrote a will that not only distributed his wealth to his family but also freed all of his slaves, who were then divided into 12 main clans.

Who were the 'Margickers' in Depok?

The 'Margickers' were the descendants of the freed slaves of Cornelis Cast, who later formed distinct clans and were known for their European lifestyle and use of the Dutch language.

What was the result of Depok's refusal to join the Republic of Indonesia?

Depok's refusal to join Indonesia led to riots, looting, and an attack known as the Kedodoran incident, where the People's Army (TKR) invaded Depok, causing destruction and chaos.

What were the main grievances that led to the Kedodoran incident in Depok?

The Kedodoran incident was fueled not only by the rejection of joining Indonesia but also by social jealousy and resentment toward the affluent lifestyle of the Depok community, which adopted European customs and language.

What were the key outcomes of the Kedodoran incident for the people of Depok?

The people of Depok faced violence, looting, sexual violence, and destruction of property. Their European-style lifestyle and connections to colonial history made them targets of resentment during the revolution.

How did the international community view Indonesia in light of the violence in Depok?

The international community viewed Indonesia negatively due to the chaos and violence, particularly the inability of the Republic to maintain order and control armed groups acting out of emotional reactions.

What role did Margonda play during the Kedodoran incident and its aftermath?

Margonda, a leader in the Republic's Army, played a central role as a mediator between the People's Army and the Depok Dutch community. Despite his efforts, the TKR continued to view the people of Depok as enemies of the Republic. He later led a counterattack to reclaim Depok.