Menyingkap Jejak Jalan Raya Pos | SECRET STORY (27/09/23)

Summary

This video delves into the history of Indonesia's postal service, beginning with the Dutch VOC in the 1600s. It highlights the development of the 'Jalan Raya Pos' under Governor Daendels in the early 1800s, connecting Java's major cities. The video explores the hardships faced by workers, including the use of forced labor and the cultural exchanges that occurred, such as the influence of Chinese immigrants on local cuisine. The story also details the human cost of the road's construction and the legacy of the postal system, culminating in Indonesia's post-independence postal services.

Takeaways

• 😀 The rise of courier services and delivery companies has become a common sight in modern life, reflecting a shift towards a digital lifestyle.
• 😀 The modern postal service in Indonesia originated in the 16th century with the VOC (Dutch East India Company), which initially utilized warships for delivery services.
• 😀 The first modern postal office in Indonesia was established by Gustav Willem Van Inhoff, the 26th Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, on August 27, 1746, marking the beginning of Pos Indonesia.
• 😀 In 1807, Herman William Daendels, the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, initiated the construction of the 'Jalan Raya Pos' (Great Postal Road) to connect Batavia with other parts of Java, which later became a major historical route.
• 😀 The Jalan Raya Pos project was completed over three years, stretching over 1,000 km from Anyer, Banten, to Panarukan in East Java, and played a crucial role in connecting the island of Java.
• 😀 Despite being dubbed the 'Great Postal Road,' the construction process was fraught with challenges, including the use of manual labor and difficult terrain, especially in Sumedang, where workers had to break through hard stone.
• 😀 The development of the road caused significant hardships for the laborers, with many dying due to poor working conditions, hunger, disease, and animal attacks. It is estimated that around 5,000 workers lost their lives during the project.
• 😀 The project was not just a logistics initiative but also marked a period of cultural exchange, as Chinese immigrants brought their culinary traditions, such as mochi and cakwe, which became part of local culture.
• 😀 The construction of Jalan Raya Pos was a key historical event that altered the traditional town planning of Java, which had previously been oriented towards rivers or mountains.
• 😀 The legacy of the Jalan Raya Pos continues to be recognized, with the role of Pangeran Kornel, who stood up to Daendels in defense of his people, immortalized by a statue at Cadas Pangeran, a difficult section of the road.

Q & A

What was the origin of postal services in Indonesia?

Postal services in Indonesia began in 1602 with the VOC (Dutch East India Company) using warships to deliver messages, initially only for government officials.

What major infrastructure project helped unify Java during the colonial era?

The construction of the Jalan Raya Pos, a main road from Anyer in Banten to Panarukan in East Java, played a crucial role in unifying the island of Java during the colonial period.

Who was responsible for initiating the construction of the Jalan Raya Pos?

Herman William Daendels, the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, initiated the construction of the Jalan Raya Pos in 1808.

How long did it take to complete the Jalan Raya Pos project?

The project took three years to complete, connecting a 1000 km stretch from Anyer in Banten to Panarukan in East Java.

What was the impact of the Jalan Raya Pos on the local culture and society?

The Jalan Raya Pos facilitated cultural exchange, with immigrants, particularly from China, contributing to local food culture, including dishes like mochi and cakwe.

How did the construction of the Jalan Raya Pos impact local laborers?

Local laborers faced harsh conditions during the construction, including inadequate food, disease outbreaks, and the threat of wild animals. Many workers, especially indigenous laborers, lost their lives during the process.

What role did Pangeran Kornel play in the construction of the Jalan Raya Pos?

Pangeran Kornel, also known as Pangeran Kusumadinata IX, confronted Daendels over the harsh treatment of workers, ultimately securing a reduction in forced labor and shifting the responsibility to military forces.

How did the post system evolve in Indonesia after the colonial era?

After Indonesia gained independence, the postal system was modernized. On September 27, the postal service was reorganized and became known as the Jawatan Pos, Telegraf, and Telepon (Post, Telegraph, and Telephone Service).

What historical significance does September 27 have in Indonesian postal history?

September 27 is celebrated as Hari Bakti Postel (Postel Service Day) in Indonesia, marking the day when the postal service system was taken over by the young generation of PTT (Post, Telegraph, and Telephone) in post-independence Indonesia.

What challenges did the workers face while constructing the Jalan Raya Pos through the Cadas Pangeran region?

The workers faced extreme difficulty due to the hard, rocky terrain in the Cadas Pangeran region. Despite these challenges, Daendels continued the project, leading to a high death toll among the laborers.