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| Alama Pedang |
Beranda Aceh News 17-12-2014 - For much of
the 19th century, Aceh’s independence had been guaranteed by the Anglo-Dutch Treaty
of 1819 and its status as a protectorate of the Ottoman Empire since the 16th
century.
During the
1820s, Aceh became a regional political and commercial power, supplying half of
the world’s pepper, which increased the revenues and influence of local feudal
rajas, growing European and American demand for pepper led to a series of diplomatic
skirmishes between the British, France and Americans.
During the
reign of Sultan Tuanku Ibrahim (1838-1870), the Aceh Sultanate brought the
regional rajas under its control and extended its domain over the east coast.
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| Christiaan_Snouck_Hurgronje |
However, this
southward trend clashes with the northward expansion of Dutch colonialism in
Sumatra. The Dutch tried one strategy after another over the course of decades.
In 1873 they tried a single rapid attack, but it filed. They then tried a news
blockade, reconciliation and concentration within a line of forts, then passive
containment.
In 1892 and
1893 Aceh remained independent, despite the Dutch efforts, Major J.B van
Heutsz, a colonial military leader, than wrote a series of articles on Aceh.
He was
support by Dr. Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje of the University of Leiden, then
the leading Dutch expert on Islam.
Hugronje
managed to get the confidence of many Aceh leaders and gathered valuable intelligence
for the Dutch government on the activities of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims.
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| Van Daalen |
In 1898 Van
Heutsz proclaimed governor of Aceh, and with his lieutenant, later Dutch Prime
Minister Hendrikus Clijn, would finally conquer most of Aceh.
The Dutch
formulated a new strategy of counter – insurgency warfare by deploying light – armed
Marechaussee units and using scorched earth tactics.
Van Heutsz
charged Colonel Gotfried Coenraad Ernst van Daalen with breaking remaining
resistance. G.C.E Van Daalen destroyed several villages, killing at last 2.900
Acehnee, among which were 1.150 women and children. Dutch losses numbered 26 men.
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| Aceh killing field |
Colonial
influence in the remote highland areas of Aceh was never substantial, however,
and limited guerrilla resisted led by religious Ulama persisted until 1942. Unable
to dislodge the Dutch, many of the Ulama gradually discontinued their resistance.
The region
of Gayo remained a center of resistance as late as 1914. One intellectual
Sayyid Ahmad Khan advocated discontinuing the “Jihad” against the Ducht since
the term was used to define military warfare against religious oppression.
Following the
Aceh War, local Uleebalang or aristocracy helped the Dutch maintain control
over Aceh trough indirect rule.
Edited by Beranda Aceh Team
Edited by Beranda Aceh Team
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History