Java Uprising of 1825–30

Java Uprising of 1825–30 

(also Java War), a popular uprising against the Dutch colonialists that took place on the island of Java in Indonesia; one of the largest anticolonialist uprisings in Asia in the 19th century.

The uprising took the form of a religious war. The peasantry and large segments of the feudal nobility and the Muslim clergy rose in defense of Islam, which had become a symbol of independence in the struggle against the Christian colonialists. The uprising was led by patriotic feudal lords under Dipo Negoro, who, in the course of the revolt, was proclaimed sultan and leader of Islam of all Java. The rebels sought to drive out the Dutch colonialists and restore an independent state on Java.

The uprising began in Jogjakarta in July 1825 and spread to the residencies—colonial territorial-administrative units—of Kedu, Pekalongan, Bagelen, and Semarang, all located in the northern and northeastern parts of central Java. The rebels employed guerilla tactics. In the fall of 1825 and the summer of 1826, Dipo Negoro defeated the colonialists at the cities of Semarang and Kechebon. In late 1827 the uprising spread to the residency of Rembang but was suppressed there.

Gradually, the Dutch colonialists, who possessed military superiority, tightened the ring of fortifications that they had built around the main territory held by the rebels. The colonial authorities won over a considerable number of feudal lords through bribes and concessions; discord grew in the rebel camp. As a result, Dipo Negoro opened negotiations with the Dutch, in the course of which he was treacherously taken prisoner in 1830. The Java Uprising was brutally crushed.

REFERENCES

Movchaniuk, P. M. lavanskaia narodnaia voina 1825–1830. Moscow, 1969.
Louw, P. J. F., and E. S. de Klerck. De Java Oorlog van 1825–1830, vols. 1–6. Batavia, 1894–1909.
Sagimun, M. D. Pahlawan Dipanegara berdjuang. Jogjakarta, 1957.