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. Among other causes was a sense of betrayal by the Dutch felt by members of the Javanese aristocratic families, as they were no longer able to rent land at high prices. Also, the succession of the throne in Yogyakarta was disputed: Diponegoro was the oldest son, but as his mother wasn't the queen, he didn't have any right to succeed his father.

The troops of Prince Diponegoro were very successful in the beginning, controlling the middle of Java and besieging Yogyakarta. Furthermore the Javanese population was supportive of Prince Diponegoro's cause, whereas the Dutch colonial authorities were initially very indecisive.
However, as the Java war prolonged, Prince Diponegoro had difficulties in maintaining the numbers of his troops.
The Dutch colonial army, however, was able to fill its ranks with troops from Sulawesi, and later on from the Netherlands. The Dutch commander, General de Kock, was able to end the siege of Yogyakarta on 25 September 1825.
Prince Diponegoro started a fierce guerrilla war and it wasn't until 1827 that the Dutch army gained the upper hand.
It is estimated that 200,000 died over the course of the conflict, 8,000 being Dutch. The rebellion finally ended in 1830, after Prince Diponegoro was tricked into entering Dutch custody near Magelang, believing he was there for negotiations for a possible cease-fire. He was captured through treachery and deported to Manado and then to Makassar, where he died in 1855.
Because of the large number of European soldiers who perished in the war, the Dutch government decided to recruit African soldiers in Gold Coast, the so-called "Belanda Hitam".

Diponegoro War Recount Text

The Diponegoro War, also known as the Java War, was a significant armed conflict that occurred in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, from 1825 to 1830. It was led by Prince Diponegoro, the eldest son of the Sultan of Yogyakarta, who was dissatisfied with the Dutch rule and their interference in the affairs of the Javanese people.

The conflict began when the Dutch implemented a new land tax system, which was deeply unpopular among the Javanese peasants. Prince Diponegoro saw this as a form of Dutch oppression and launched a rebellion against the colonial power. His leadership skills and charisma quickly drew support from various groups of people, including local nobility, religious leaders, and ordinary peasants.

The war was long and brutal, with both sides suffering heavy losses. The Dutch initially had the upper hand, with their superior weaponry and military tactics. However, Prince Diponegoro's guerrilla tactics and his intimate knowledge of the terrain gave him an advantage in the early stages of the conflict.

The turning point of the war came in 1829 when Prince Diponegoro was betrayed by one of his lieutenants, who defected to the Dutch side. This led to the capture of the prince himself and the surrender of his followers. Prince Diponegoro was exiled to Manado in Sulawesi, where he lived until his death in 1855.

The Diponegoro War had a profound impact on the Javanese people and their struggle for independence. It marked a shift from traditional forms of resistance to a more organized and united movement against colonial rule. The war also had significant economic consequences, with the Dutch suffering huge losses due to the destruction of plantations and trade routes.

Today, Prince Diponegoro is remembered as a national hero in Indonesia, and his rebellion is celebrated as a symbol of Javanese resistance against colonial oppression. The war remains an important chapter in Indonesia's history, reminding the people of their struggle for independence and the need to stand up against injustice.