In every region of Indonesia, people struggled against colonial government despotism. The struggles were commanded by society figure, religion figure, or empire leader.
People struggle took very long time, since Western countries arrived in Indonesia. The people struggle was divided into two periods, the struggle before year 1800 and the struggle after year 1800.
The Struggle before Year 1800
Historical record stated that the arrival of European countries were not only for trading activity, but also for occupying other countries. This fact arouse many kinds of refusing struggle in every region.
a. Ternate People Fought Against Portuguese
The people struggle against the stranger domination was done since the arrival of Portuguese. The arrival of Portuguese in Ternate in 1512 made Ternate people hatred.
This hatred made reaction to fight against Portuguese authority. The struggle of Ternate people was commanded by Sultan Hairun. This hostility was getting worse when Portuguese failed to take the profit of the clove trading from Sultan Hairun. On 27th February 1570, there was a reconcilement between Sultan Hairun and Portuguese. However, one day after the agreement, Sultan Hairun was murdered cunningly in Portuguese fortress.
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This murder arisen the struggle of Ternate people again. The struggle was commanded by Sultan Baabullah (Hairun's son). The war took five years long. All people were in united fought against Portuguese. Eventhough Portuguese stayed furiously, finally, its defend was broken. At 1574, Portuguese fortress in Ternate fell to Ternate people. Portuguese had big loses. Since 1575-1577, Portuguese continuously was driven out from Ternate. Portuguese then moved their activity to Ambon until 1605.
b. Moluccas People Fought Against the Dutch (VOC)
At 1605, the Dutch started to enter Ambon and could grab Portuguese fortress in Ambon. The Dutch continuously strengthen their position in Moluccas. The Dutch built fortress around occupied islands and monopolized spices trading in Moluccas.
In 1635, Moluccas people started to fight against the Dutch led by Kakiali and Capten Hitu. There were some battles everywhere. Kakiali was murdered by a betrayer in 1643. Since Kakiali passed away, the Dutch could break the people struggle.
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The struggle of Moluccas people did not quit eventhough Kakiali was murdered. Later, Hitu people led by Telukbesi fought against the Dutch. This Struggle could be assuaged in 1646. In 1650, the similar struggle arisen and spreading from Amboina to Ternate. This struggle was led by Saidi. Saidi was caught and murdered by the Ducth and finally the struggle of Moluccas people was over.
The next Moluccas people struggle was led by King of Tidore, Sultan Jamaluddin. However, in 1779 Sultan Jamaluddin was caught by the Dutch and sent to Ceylon (Sri Langka). His successor was Patra Alam, a Dutch accomplice. However, Tidore people did not admitted Patra Alam as a Sultan in Tidore. People prefer admitting Prince Nuku, Jamaluddin's son as Sultan of Tidore. Sultan Nuku was a capable and brave Sultan. He was also a good statesman.
In 1780, Patra Alam army attacked and besieged Sultan Nuku Resident. However, Sultan Nuku could escape and moved to Halmahera. In Halmahera, he built headquarter to fight against VOC and Patra Alam. For 17 years, Sultan Nuku fought against VOC and Patra Alam in North Moluccas and Papua. Sultan Nuku also succeeded to play the Dutch against British which was controlling North Moluccas. In 1797, Sultan Nuku with Panglima Zainal Abidin succeeded to take Tidore from VOC (Dutch). After Sultan Nuku passed away (1805), the Ducth could occupy Tidore Empire again.
c. Mataram Struggled Against VOC (1628-1629)
During the reign of Sultan Agung, Mataram attacked VOC in Batavia. The reasons why Matram attacked VOC, among others as follows.
- VOC did not admitted sovereignty of Mataram.
- VOC was considered to be a barrier for Sultan Agung to make all Java Island under his authority.
- VOC often blocked Mataram trade with Malacca.
The first Mataram attack was in 1628. In that attack, formerly VOC went to the wall and it took many victims. Mataram army kept attacking Holandia Fortress so that there was a big battle between Mataram army and VOC. Unfortunately, Mataram army could be defeated by VOC.
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Eventhough the first attack failed, Sultan Agung was not desperate. Mataram tried to arrange the bigger power to grab Batavia. On June, 1629, Sultan Agung sent a great army to Batavia. On September 1629, Mataram army started to besiege Holandia Fortress through ditches. Mataram army could destroy the fortress.
Then, Mataram army continued their attack to Bommel Fortress. However, this effort did not succede because Mataram's logistics supply (rice barns) was burned out by VOC. As a consequence, Mataram army were starving and their defend became weak Finally, on September 1629 Mataram army was retreated. Therefore, the second attack failed against. However, Mataram did not surrender. Mataram arnada often attacked VOC ships in Java Sea.
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