SEJARAH: Perang Puputan/Jagaraga! (Perlawanan Rakyat Bali VS Belanda)! (History Of Puputan/Bali War)

Summary

This video presentation by Muhammad Farizky provides a detailed overview of the Perang Jagaraga (Puputan), a significant war in Bali in the 19th century. The conflict arose from the Dutch colonial demand to end the Balinese practice of seizing wrecked ships' cargo, leading to three military expeditions between 1846 and 1849. Despite fierce resistance from Balinese kingdoms, led by I Gusti Ketut Jelantik, the Dutch eventually defeated them. The war marked the beginning of Dutch control over Bali, culminating in the fall of Klungkung in 1908. The speaker calls for the younger generation to draw inspiration from this historical spirit to contribute to their nation’s success.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Puputan War (Perang Jagaraga) occurred in Bali during the 19th century, involving a fierce resistance by the Balinese kingdoms against Dutch colonial forces.
• 😀 Bali was once made up of nine kingdoms, including Buleleng, Karangasem, and Tabanan, among others.
• 😀 The conflict began due to the Dutch's objection to the 'Hak Tawan Karang,' a local practice where Balinese kingdoms seized shipwrecked vessels, a practice that often harmed Dutch interests.
• 😀 The Dutch first demanded the abolition of the Hak Tawan Karang in 1839, but after the Raja of Buleleng agreed, they went back on their promise, escalating tensions.
• 😀 In 1844, after another Dutch shipwreck, the Raja of Buleleng again exercised the Hak Tawan Karang, which angered the Dutch and led to military conflict.
• 😀 The conflict unfolded in three major military expeditions: the first in 1846, the second in 1848, and the third in 1849, with each escalating in intensity.
• 😀 Despite initial successes, the Balinese resistance, led by I Gusti Ketut Jelantik, was eventually overwhelmed by the larger Dutch forces and advanced weaponry.
• 😀 During the third military expedition, the Dutch sent a massive force of 4,000 soldiers, defeating the Balinese at Singaraja and eventually advancing towards Jagaraga.
• 😀 The Balinese people, under I Gusti Ketut Jelantik, swore the Puputan (final stand), vowing to fight until death rather than surrender to the Dutch.
• 😀 The final defeat of the Balinese resistance in Jagaraga led to the collapse of the Kingdom of Buleleng, and other Balinese kingdoms were subsequently subdued by the Dutch.
• 😀 The conquest of Bali was completed by 1908, marking the end of major Balinese resistance, with the Dutch ultimately gaining full control over the island.

Q & A

What was the main cause of the Battle of Jagaraga (Perang Puputan)?

The main cause of the Battle of Jagaraga was the conflict over the 'Hak Tawan Karang,' the right of Balinese kingdoms to seize foreign ships that sank in their waters. The Dutch, who often passed through the area, objected to this practice and felt it harmed their interests.

What was the 'Hak Tawan Karang' and how did it lead to conflict with the Dutch?

'Hak Tawan Karang' was the right of the Balinese kingdoms to seize foreign ships that had sunk in their waters, including their cargo and passengers. The Dutch, whose ships frequently passed through Bali and were occasionally wrecked, viewed this as detrimental to their trade and interests, leading to tensions.

What was the Dutch ultimatum given to the Kingdom of Buleleng in 1844?

In 1844, the Dutch issued an ultimatum to the Kingdom of Buleleng, demanding the return of seized war booty, the abolition of 'Hak Tawan Karang,' protection for Dutch merchants in Bali, and the recognition of Dutch authority over the island. This ultimatum was strongly rejected by the Balinese.

How did the Kingdom of Buleleng respond to the Dutch military expeditions?

The Kingdom of Buleleng, led by I Gusti Ketut Jelantik, resisted the Dutch military expeditions in 1846 and 1848. Despite facing setbacks due to inferior weapons and resources, the Balinese continued to put up strong resistance, even forming alliances with other Balinese kingdoms to strengthen their defenses.

What tactical strategy did I Gusti Ketut Jelantik use to defend against the Dutch?

I Gusti Ketut Jelantik employed a defensive strategy called 'clacap' (or 'capit kepiting'), which involved creating trenches around the village of Jagaraga and placing bamboo spikes as traps. This strategy was intended to slow down or halt the advance of the Dutch forces.

What was the significance of the third Dutch military expedition in 1849?

The third Dutch military expedition in 1849 was significant because it involved a large-scale force of 4,000 soldiers and 3,000 porters, which overwhelmed the Balinese forces. This marked the decisive phase of the conflict, leading to the fall of Singaraja and the eventual defeat of the Balinese in the Battle of Jagaraga.

What does 'Puputan' mean and how was it relevant to the Battle of Jagaraga?

The term 'Puputan' refers to a 'fight to the death' or a final stand, where the Balinese forces, led by I Gusti Ketut Jelantik, swore to continue the battle against the Dutch until death. This phrase symbolized their intense determination to resist colonial rule despite being vastly outnumbered.

What happened to I Gusti Ketut Jelantik during the battle?

I Gusti Ketut Jelantik died in battle during the conflict. His death marked a turning point in the resistance, as his leadership was crucial in uniting the Balinese forces. After his death, the Balinese resistance weakened, and the Dutch were able to conquer Bali more easily.

How did the fall of Buleleng influence the rest of Bali?

After the fall of Buleleng, the Balinese resistance crumbled due to the lack of strong leadership. Without I Gusti Ketut Jelantik, there was no charismatic leader to unite the kingdoms of Bali against the Dutch, which allowed the Dutch to quickly conquer other kingdoms on the island.

What was the outcome of the Dutch conquest of Bali by 1908?

By 1908, the Dutch had successfully conquered the entire island of Bali, culminating in the fall of Klungkung, which marked the complete subjugation of Bali. This resulted in the end of the political power of the Balinese kingdoms, although their cultural influence continued.