Diponegoro
Encyclopedia
Diponegoro also known as Dipanegara, was a Javanese prince who opposed the Dutch colonial
rule. He played an important role in the Java War
(1825–1830). In 1830, the Dutch exiled him to Makassar
.
In 1821, famine and plague spread in Java. His half brother Hamengkubuwono IV (r. 1814-1821) who had succeeded their father died. He left only an infant son as heir, Hamengkubuwono V. When the year-old was appointed as new sultan, there was a dispute over his guardianship. Diponegoro was again passed over, though he believed he had been promised the right to succeed his half brother. This series of natural disaster and political upheaval finally erupted into full scale rebellion.
against the Christian colonials, he started a holy war
against the Dutch. Dipenogoro was widely believed to be the Ratu Adil
, the Just Ruler predicted in the Pralembang Joyoboyo.
The beginning of the war saw large losses on the side of the Dutch, due to their lack of coherent strategy and commitment in fighting Diponegoro's guerrilla warfare
. Ambushes were set up, and food supplies were denied to the Dutch troops.
The Dutch finally committed themselves to controlling the spreading rebellion by increasing the number of troops and sending General De Kock
to stop the insurgencies. De Kock developed a strategy of fortified camps (benteng) and mobile forces. Heavily-fortified and well-defended soldiers occupied key landmarks to limit the movement of Diponegoro's troops while mobile forces tried to find and fight the rebels. From 1829, Diponegoro definitely lost the initiative and he was put in a defensive position. Many troops and leaders were defeated or deserted.
In 1830 Diponegoro's military was as good as beaten and negotiations were started. Diponegoro demanded to have a free state under a sultan and he wanted to become the Muslim leader (kalief) for the whole of Java. In March 1830 he was invited to negotiate under a flag of truce. He accepted but was taken prisoner on 28 March despite the flag of truce. De Kock claims that he had warned several Javanese nobles to tell Diponegoro he had to lessen his previous demands or that he would be forced to take other measures. The Dutch exiled him to Makassar
.
, the Central Java Military Region, is named after him.
1. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761584175/diponegoro.html
2. http://iclweb01.fsw.leidenuniv.nl/walhain/eindexamen/Level_4/cse/Indonesie/schoolboeken/Diponegoro/diponego.htm#oorzaken
3. http://www.raden-saleh.org The web site of the Prince Raden Saleh Foundation. See the page "Capture of Prince Diponegoro"
Colonialism
Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by...
rule. He played an important role in the Java War
Java War
The Java War or Diponegoro War was fought in Java between 1825 and 1830. It started as a rebellion led by Prince Diponegoro. The proximate cause was the Dutch decision to build a road across a piece of his property that contained his parents' tomb...
(1825–1830). In 1830, the Dutch exiled him to Makassar
Makassar
Makassar, is the provincial capital of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and the largest city on Sulawesi Island. From 1971 to 1999, the city was named Ujung Pandang, after a precolonial fort in the city, and the two names are often used interchangeably...
.
Early life
Diponegoro was born on 11 November 1785 in Yogyakarta, and was the eldest son of Sultan Hamengkubuwono III of Yogyakarta. When the sultan died in 1814, Diponegoro was passed over for the succession to the throne in favor of his younger half brother who was supported by the Dutch. Being a devout Muslim, Diponegoro was alarmed by the relaxing of religious observance at his half brother's court, as well as by the court's pro-Dutch policy.In 1821, famine and plague spread in Java. His half brother Hamengkubuwono IV (r. 1814-1821) who had succeeded their father died. He left only an infant son as heir, Hamengkubuwono V. When the year-old was appointed as new sultan, there was a dispute over his guardianship. Diponegoro was again passed over, though he believed he had been promised the right to succeed his half brother. This series of natural disaster and political upheaval finally erupted into full scale rebellion.
Rebellion against the Dutch
Dutch colonial rule was becoming unpopular by the local farmers because of tax rises, crop failures and by Javanese nobles because the Dutch colonial authorities deprived them of their right to lease land. Because the local farmers and many nobles were ready to support Diponegoro and because he believed that he had been chosen by divine powers to lead a rebellionRebellion
Rebellion, uprising or insurrection, is a refusal of obedience or order. It may, therefore, be seen as encompassing a range of behaviors aimed at destroying or replacing an established authority such as a government or a head of state...
against the Christian colonials, he started a holy war
Religious war
A religious war; Latin: bellum sacrum; is a war caused by, or justified by, religious differences. It can involve one state with an established religion against another state with a different religion or a different sect within the same religion, or a religiously motivated group attempting to...
against the Dutch. Dipenogoro was widely believed to be the Ratu Adil
Ratu Adil
The Ratu Adil, literally meaning Just King, is a messianic figure in Indonesian folklore. He will establish universal peace and justice in the manner of similar figures, such as King Arthur in European folklore...
, the Just Ruler predicted in the Pralembang Joyoboyo.
The beginning of the war saw large losses on the side of the Dutch, due to their lack of coherent strategy and commitment in fighting Diponegoro's guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
. Ambushes were set up, and food supplies were denied to the Dutch troops.
The Dutch finally committed themselves to controlling the spreading rebellion by increasing the number of troops and sending General De Kock
Hendrik Merkus de Kock
Hendrik Merkus, Baron de Kock was a Dutch military general, minister and senator.Hendrik Merkus de Kock was born in Heusden, Netherlands on May 25, 1779....
to stop the insurgencies. De Kock developed a strategy of fortified camps (benteng) and mobile forces. Heavily-fortified and well-defended soldiers occupied key landmarks to limit the movement of Diponegoro's troops while mobile forces tried to find and fight the rebels. From 1829, Diponegoro definitely lost the initiative and he was put in a defensive position. Many troops and leaders were defeated or deserted.
Defeat and exile
Makassar
Makassar, is the provincial capital of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and the largest city on Sulawesi Island. From 1971 to 1999, the city was named Ujung Pandang, after a precolonial fort in the city, and the two names are often used interchangeably...
.
Legacy
Today Diponegoro is a National Hero of Indonesia, and Kodam IV/DiponegoroKodam IV/Diponegoro
Komando Daerah Militer IV/Diponegoro or KODAM IV/Diponegoro is a military area command of the Indonesian Army. It covers the provinces of Central Java and Yogyakarta on the island of Java. It is named for the Java War hero Prince Diponegoro...
, the Central Java Military Region, is named after him.
Further reading
- Carey, P.B.R. Babad Dipanagara : an account of the outbreak of the Java War (1825-30) : the Surakarta court version of the Babad Dipanagara Kuala Lumpur: Printed for the Council of the M.B.R.A.S. by Art Printing Works, 1981. Monograph (Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Malaysian Branch); no.9.
- Sagimun M. D. Pangeran Dipanegara : pahlawan nasional Jakarta: Proyek Biografi Pahlawan Nasional, Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, 1976. (Indonesian language)
- Yamin, M. Sedjarah peperangan Dipanegara : pahlawan kemerdekaan Indonesia Jakarta : Pembangunan, 1950. (Indonesian language)
External links
- http://home.iae.nl/users/arcengel/NedIndie/diponegoroengels.htm A Dutch web page on Diponegoro
- http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-tourism-object/museum-and-monument/sasana-wiratama/ The web page of the museum based at his home
1. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761584175/diponegoro.html
2. http://iclweb01.fsw.leidenuniv.nl/walhain/eindexamen/Level_4/cse/Indonesie/schoolboeken/Diponegoro/diponego.htm#oorzaken
3. http://www.raden-saleh.org The web site of the Prince Raden Saleh Foundation. See the page "Capture of Prince Diponegoro"