Jalan Anyer Panarukan (Jalan Raya Pos/Daendels)

Summary

The video script recounts the tenure of Daendels, appointed governor-general of the Dutch East Indies in 1808 by Louis Napoleon. He implemented significant reforms, including the expansion of the military and the construction of the Great Post Road. Despite the immense suffering it caused the local population, the road was a key strategic project. Daendels faced resistance from local leaders and eventual betrayal, leading to his downfall. After Napoleon’s defeat, Daendels was recalled to the Netherlands and died in isolation in 1818. The script portrays both his ambitious achievements and the heavy toll his policies took on the indigenous population.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dendel was appointed as the governor-general of the Dutch East Indies in 1808 by King Louis Napoleon to protect Java from British forces.
• 😀 Dendel expanded the military by increasing the number of soldiers from 3,000 to 10,000 and built military bases and hospitals.
• 😀 He constructed strategic forts, including in Jatinegara and Surabaya, to strengthen the Dutch presence in the region.
• 😀 One of his major projects was the construction of the 'Jalan Raya Pos,' a 1,000-kilometer road intended for rapid military movement.
• 😀 The construction of the 'Jalan Raya Pos' was marked by the forced labor of local workers who faced harsh conditions and high mortality rates.
• 😀 Thousands of workers died due to exhaustion, disease, and malnutrition while building the road, leading to mass graves along its path.
• 😀 Dendel continued the project despite the suffering and deaths of many workers, focusing on the military and colonial objectives.
• 😀 Local resistance to Dendel's policies was led by figures like Pangeran Kornel of Sumedang, who opposed the construction and mistreatment of workers.
• 😀 The natives, along with regional leaders, built a statue to honor Pangeran Kornel’s resistance against Dendel’s authoritarian rule.
• 😀 Dendel’s governance led to tension between the Dutch colonial administration and native rulers, with many eventually betraying him when British forces arrived.
• 😀 After Napoleon's fall, Dendel was recalled to the Netherlands and sent to the Gold Coast in Africa, where he lived in isolation and died in 1818.

Q & A

Who appointed Herman Willem Daendels as Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies?

Herman Willem Daendels was appointed as Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies in 1808 by King Louis Napoleon of the Netherlands, the brother of Napoleon Bonaparte.

What was the main mission given to Daendels upon his arrival in Batavia?

Daendels' main mission was to defend Java from British attacks, particularly to safeguard it from British forces stationed in India.

What military and infrastructural reforms did Daendels implement in Java?

Daendels expanded the military, increasing its size from 3,000 to 10,000 soldiers. He also built hospitals, military camps, weapon factories, naval bases in Ujung Kulon and Surabaya, and fortresses, including one in Jatinegara.

What was the purpose of the 'Jalan Raya Pos' (Pos Road) project?

The 'Jalan Raya Pos' project was designed to improve communication and military mobility across Java, ensuring that Dutch troops could move quickly in case of a British attack.

How long was the 'Jalan Raya Pos' and what challenges did its construction involve?

The 'Jalan Raya Pos' was 1,000 kilometers long. Its construction involved significant challenges, including difficult terrain such as mountains, deep ravines, and forests, with many workers dying due to malnutrition, disease, and exhaustion.

What was the impact of the 'Rodi' system used during the construction of the road?

The 'Rodi' system involved forced labor, causing severe suffering for workers. Many died due to harsh working conditions, diseases like malaria, and exhaustion, and mass graves can be found along the road.

How did the local population react to Daendels' policies, particularly the forced labor system?

The local population strongly resented Daendels' policies, particularly the forced labor system. This resentment led to resistance from local rulers, including Pangeran Kornel of Sumedang.

What role did Pangeran Kornel of Sumedang play in the resistance against Daendels?

Pangeran Kornel led a resistance against Daendels, opposing the exploitation of his people in building the road. His resistance was supported by local nobles, and it became a symbol of the local struggle against Dutch oppression.

What happened to Daendels after Napoleon's fall?

After Napoleon's fall, Daendels was recalled to the Netherlands. He later served under King Willem I and was sent to the Gold Coast (modern-day Ghana), where he lived in isolation and died in 1818.

What is the historical significance of the 'Jalan Raya Pos' project in Indonesian history?

The 'Jalan Raya Pos' project is historically significant as it represents both the Dutch efforts to maintain control over Java and the severe consequences of colonial exploitation. It left a legacy of suffering for the local population and is associated with mass graves along the road.