Dutch Colonial Rule Research Articles

In pursuit of power: Land tenancy contracts and local political business cycles in Indonesia

This study examines whether strategic delegation of land tenancy contracts is linked to local-level political business cycles in the context of a village institution – bengkok land – prevalent since the Dutch colonial rule in Indonesia. Bengkok land refers to communal village land that incumbent village heads receive usufruct rights over until their term in the office ends. We test whether incumbent village heads utilize time-bound access to bengkok land for political consolidation. Based on a novel cross-sectional household survey fielded in 2018 across 130 Javanese villages, we find robust evidence of a positive correlation between the percentage of total tenancy contracts as sharecropping and proximity (before or after) to the village election. As vulnerability of the sharecroppers makes them a pro-poor target for the incumbent village heads, these results implicate political capture.

The Revolution Will (Not?) Be Colourised: Photographs from the Indonesian National Revolution (1945–49) on Social Media

This article critically reflects on the practice of colourisation in present-day recirculations of photographs originally made during the armed Indonesian struggle for independence from Dutch colonial rule (1945–49). The article focuses on digital colour manipulations of photographs disseminated on social media platforms to address ethical and methodological debates dividing academic and amateur historians on the modification of historic photographs. I compare the notable lack of controversy around colourised photographs that show the violence of the Indonesian National Revolution to the heated debates kindled by manipulated images of victims of the Holocaust and the Khmer Rouge regime. ‘Genocide’ arguably remains a special category for determining whether conflict photographs can be modified. I show how Indonesian colourisers fail to interrogate the propaganda origins of the Dutch-made photographs they circulate on social media. For Indonesian social media users, however, deep context and detailed metadata for such photographs are less relevant for generating meaning than debates about how such photographs connect to the unfinished projects of decolonisation in the Netherlands and Indonesia.

Labor coercion, fiscal modernization, and state capacity: Evidence from colonial Indonesia

What explains the emergence of centralized fiscal institutions and information-intensive monetary taxation? This is the first study to estimate the effect of state capacity expansion on labor coercion as taxation, a practice known as corvée labor. To do so, I construct a new database covering eighteen Indonesian residencies over thirty-two years (1874–1905) during the period of Dutch colonial rule. I document the wide use of corvée labor and find that national-level policy centralized state finances by gradually replacing corvée with a head tax. At the same time, a residency-level panel data analysis shows that local state capacity expansion, primarily indigenous officials working as agents for the state, slowed the movement away from corvée. These estimates are supported by an IV strategy that uses effective distance to the capital as an instrument for local state capacity. The relationship between state capacity expansion and fiscal modernization therefore depends on what part of the state is expanding and whether interests across types of taxation differ within the state bureaucracy. Opposing interests of different state actors can be key in understanding fiscal modernization and public labor coercion.

Kebijakan Pendidikan Pemerintahan Orde Lama Serta Pengaruhnya terhadap Pendidikan Islam di Indonesia

This paper discusses the education policies of the Old Order government and their influence on Islamic education in Indonesia. This paper aims to find out in depth about the Old Order government, the education policies of the Old Order government and the influence of Old Order education policies on Islamic education in Indonesia. During the Old Order era, Islamic education began to be fought for reform with the publication of various policies regarding the improvement of Islamic education, including compulsory Madrasah Learning (MWB). Indonesia became independent from Dutch colonial rule on August 17, 1945. The period of President Soekarno's reign, which spanned from 1945 to 1966, was referred to as the Old Order to differentiate it from the subsequent Order led by President Soeharto. In particular, the Old Order government's policy of paying attention to Islamic boarding schools and madrasas only began when the Central Indonesian National Committee Working Body (BP KNIP) 22 on December 27 1945 submitted recommendations to the government. The aim of this research is to understand the concept of government during the Old Order, and its influence on education in Indonesia. The research method used is a basic theory method that uses data from materials that are library research, where the author reads and studies books or literature related to the problem being studied. Regardless of the aspect The positive and negative sides of all the policies issued, it can be said that the development of madrasas is a brave effort by Islamic education to maintain its existence and identity while metamorphosing with the times.

The plural legacies of legal pluralism: local practices and contestations of customary law in late colonial Indonesia

This article explores colonial interpretations of indigenous customary law traditions in nineteenth and early twentieth century Central Java and West Sumatra during Dutch colonial rule. It argues that colonial knowledge production on and attempts at manipulating customary law interacted with indigenous responses to these attempts, generating a plurality of contentious and contested interpretations of customary legal order. Beneath the surface of the tightly knit colonial schemes of supposedly codified ‘customary law’, these interactions generated a reality of law-making that significantly deviated from initial intentions and concepts of judicial involvement as outlined on paper, thereby engendering novel forms of legal pluralism.

The making and taming of the veteran in 1950s Indonesia

Between 1950 and 1956, after a struggle for liberation from Dutch colonial rule, roughly half a million former freedom fighters returned to Indonesian society. Some of the freedom fighters turned into insurgents or joined politico-criminal bands; others sought recognition as veterans of the National Revolution collectively claiming material and immaterial benefits from the state. Given the militancy and political potency of former freedom fighters, the Indonesian state attempted to accommodate them through employment schemes and veteran legislation. In this co-option strategy, that was only partial successful, the central army command played a crucial political role. While the army leaders accommodated the major veteran associations, they also significantly reduced the room for formal political activity. This process of the making and taming of the veteran moved Indonesia into the direction of an authoritarian state with the army counterbalancing the President and a newly arrived political rival: the Indonesian Communist Party.

Bridging the Gap by Exploring Inequalities in Access to Land and Disparities in Agrarian Law in Indonesia

This article explores the historical underpinnings of unequal access to land in Indonesia, tracing its roots to colonial legacies and the lasting impact of Dutch colonial rule. Through an examination of laws such as the 1870 Agrarian Law, it highlights how indigenous peoples were systematically dispossessed of their land, exacerbating social inequality and perpetuating economic injustice. It also underscores the widespread legal uncertainty faced by marginalized groups, which hinders their access to essential services and deepens social and economic disparities. After the proclamation, Indonesia chose to create new regulations by passing Law No. 5/1960 on the Basic Regulation of Agrarian Principles (UUPA). This law became the legal framework for Indonesia's agrarian reform. Furthermore, this article explores the critical role of agrarian reform in reducing this disparity, advocating for comprehensive policy reforms that aim to strengthen legal protections for the land rights of marginalized communities. By elucidating the historical trajectory of land access inequality and its contemporary manifestations, this article contributes to a better understanding of the complex socio-legal dynamics that shape land tenure in Indonesia. Through a critical examination of colonial legacies and current policy frameworks, it seeks to inform efforts aimed at promoting social justice and equitable resource distribution. Ultimately, the article underscores the importance of agrarian reform that prioritizes the rights and welfare of marginalized communities, hoping to pave the way towards a more inclusive land governance regime and sustainable development. KEYWORDS : Land Access, Inequality, Agrarian Law, Agrarian Reform

Text and Tradition: The Dynasty of Villarvattom among Syrian Christians in Kerala, India

The present paper introduces, inventories and interrogates prevailing narratives about the complex trajectories through which a putative Syrian Christian dynasty named Villarvattom has taken root in communal genealogies and the popular imagination of Kerala. The paper, by examining historical evidence, argues that the existing historical documents compel us to consider it as a retrospectively invented and imagined tradition necessitated and facilitated by the unique socio-political structures of Kerala viz. the ideational complexes wrought by caste and allied practices, the dislocation caused by successive colonial regimes and the overall crisis experienced by the indigenous Christian community. The paper surveys the present state of literature, discusses explanatory models, points to the possibility of cultural introjection and seeks ways in which the study can be taken forward more comprehensively and productively so that we gain perceptive insights into both the ecclesiastical and secular histories of Kerala. The paper argues that it is an invented tradition, a defence mechanism collectively, and perhaps unconsciously, evolved by the beleaguered Syrian Christians under the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial rule, which had inflicted debilitating blows to the power and glory enjoyed by this community.

THE EVOLUTION OF ISLAMIC LAW IN INDONESIA: A SOCIO-HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON ITS STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE

Throughout Indonesia’s history, legal battles have been ongoing since the Dutch colonial era, with three distinct legal systems asserting their presence. Among these, Islamic law holds significance within Indonesia’s legal framework. This study aims to outline the historical struggle of Islamic law in establishing its place within national legislation. Employing a sociological approach, the research delves into the narrative of Islamic law’s struggle, utilizing secondary data and employing narrative analysis to chronologically recount its journey. Findings reveal that Islamic law has deep historical roots in Indonesia, functioning as a living legal tradition since the advent of Islam in the region. Despite being abolished by Dutch colonial rule, Islamic law persisted and continues to influence both written and unwritten aspects of Indonesian law. Post-independence, Indonesia largely adopted the legal policies of its colonial predecessors, further cementing the presence of Islamic law within its legal framework. Today, Islamic law remains recognized within national legislation, serving as a filter for legal materials and contributing to the formation of Indonesian law.

The Development of Recognition and Protection of the Customary Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Indonesia

indigenous people of Indonesia occasionally experience changes to their customary rights. The Dutch East Indies government has had exclusive jurisdiction over the communities with customary law since the time of Dutch colonial rule. Following Indonesia’s independence, Agrarian development saw quite radical transformations, including the establishment of ulayat rights for communities governed by customary law. A groundbreaking law, known as Law No. 5 of 1960 addressing Basic Agrarian Regulations, was created in 1960. Ulayat rights are acknowledged for existing and being put into practice. This essay examines Indonesia’s legal community’ growing acceptance of customary rights. This kind of research refers to the norms found in statutory rules and is normative in nature because it is based on primary and secondary legal materials. The study’s findings demonstrate that for communities governed by customary law or indigenous peoples who have lost their traditional territory, recognition does not always ensure justice. The defense of their customary rights cannot be made based on government rules and legislation.
 Keywords: recognition, protection, indigenous people, Indonesia

Islamic Education Beyond Colonialism: The Development of Muhammadiyah Educational Practices in Bengkulu City Circa 1945-1965

The emergence of Muhammadiyah education in the context of a society under Dutch colonial rule highlights a critical period where access to education was severely restricted due to oppressive colonial policies. This study examines the revitalization efforts in Bengkulu's post-independence era, focusing on the dynamics and challenges encountered in developing Muhammadiyah's educational initiatives. It explores how the Muhammadiyah organization navigated and addressed the educational challenges of the time, enabling the community in Bengkulu City to pursue quality education. Employing a historical approach, this research aggregates data from various sources, including key figures and relevant references related to Muhammadiyah education. The findings reveal that the initial phase of Muhammadiyah's educational development was marked by minimal infrastructure and a shortage of teaching personnel, coupled with the integration of private educational institutions with government schools due to state policies. Through curriculum strengthening and support from the community and government, both morally and spiritually, Muhammadiyah educational institutions emerged as vital forces in combating illiteracy. This study concludes that post-independence Muhammadiyah education played a pivotal role in the intellectual upliftment of the marginalized communities and the organizational development efforts of Muhammadiyah. The implications of this research are significant for the formulation of educational policies, as Muhammadiyah's educational endeavors are strategically important in achieving excellence in education.

Pemikiran Tan Malaka tentang Pendidikan, 1920-1926

This article aims to dissect Tan Malaka's educational thoughts in Indonesia, focusing on his works published during the period 1920-1926. The research employs a historical methodology, relying on secondary sources in the form of books written by Tan Malaka during his lifetime. Although Tan Malaka was primarily an educator, he was often perceived as a political figure by the general public. Starting from 1920, he published books with the intention of disseminating his ideas globally, established formal schools to educate the children of Indonesia, and sought complete independence for the Republic of Indonesia. In forming formal schools and disseminating his thoughts, Tan Malaka aspired to educate the Indonesian populace, expel the Dutch colonial rule from Indonesia, and attain full sovereignty for the Republic of Indonesia.

The Spiritual Transformation of the Samin Community in Tapelan Village: A Character Education Insight

The Samin community, historically staunch followers of Iman Adam, resisted the injustices of the Dutch colonial rule using their spiritual beliefs. By the 1980s, a significant shift saw the Samin community in Tapelan Village converting from Iman Adam to Islam. This research probes the history of the Samin community's religious conversion in Tapelan Village from an educational standpoint, seeking insights that could augment national character education. Employing historical research methodologies, this study traverses through phases of (1) heuristic collection of historical sources, (2) validation through source criticism, (3) interpretative data analysis, and (4) historiography. The religious evolution of the Samin community can be demarcated into four pivotal phases: (1) reactive resistance against Dutch colonial policies, (2) a period of self-imposed isolation in teak forests, (3) a phase of skepticism and apathy extending to the initial days of independence, and (4) adaptive cooperation with the emergent environment post-1980s. Analyzed educationally, this conversion journey holds potential lessons for reinforcing national character education, emphasizing religious instruction, honesty, and unwavering loyalty to the nation. The Samin community's religious transformation in Tapelan Village not only chronicles their spiritual journey but also offers pedagogical perspectives instrumental in bolstering national character education.

Kajian Prinsip dan Elemen Desain Arsitektur Nusantara

Nusantara architecture ('original' Indonesian architecture) has differences and similarities compared to European Architecture. One of the reasons for this difference is the geographical and climatology conditions of Indonesia which is located on the equator line has 2 seasons, namely the rainy season and the dry season. While the European continent is located above the equator, divided into northern, western, eastern and central Europe and most European countries have 4 seasons in a year, namely spring, summer, autumn and winter. Geographical and climatology differences coupled with differences in living patterns and behavior as well as the culture of the people, cause differences in the mindset of Archipelago Architecture from European Architecture. The oral tradition left many of the noble cultural values of the Indonesian people behind the written traditions of European culture, coupled with the Dutch colonial rule that made the European mindset be practiced in the world of modern Indonesian architecture today. There is a lack of writing and research related to the Nusantara mindset which inspire this paper to examines the elements and design principles of Nisantara Architecture in an exploratory and speculative way compared to the European mindset. The objective of the research is to identify the applicability and inapplicability of design elements and principles of European-classic architecture in the Batak Karo architectural environment.

Perjalanan Seni dan Budaya: Jejak Karya-Karya Raden Saleh dalam Perspektif Historis

Raden Saleh, a prominent Indonesian artist, has regained attention in recent times with the release of the film "Mencuri Raden Saleh" (Stealing Raden Saleh). One of the film scenes depicts a painting portraying the capture of Prince Diponegoro, which is said to represent resistance against the Dutch colonial rule and nationalism. This raises the need to delve into Raden Saleh's life, the emergence of the painting depicting the capture of Prince Diponegoro, and to understand the historical context and Raden Saleh's position within it. It is essential to provide a clear historical framework to avoid any misconceptions about Raden Saleh and his role. This research utilizes the Historical Method, beginning with the identification of the topic. The heuristic phase involves gathering primary sources such as newspapers, articles, magazines, and online archives like Delpher.nl and the Library University Leiden KITLV. Secondary sources such as books and journals are also employed. The collected sources undergo verification through external criticism to ensure their authenticity and internal criticism to establish the credibility of historical facts. Subsequently, the verified findings are interpreted through analysis and synthesis to construct a historical narrative. Finally, historiography is employed to reconstruct the gathered historical facts.

Indonesia’s new Criminal Code: indigenising and democratising Indonesian criminal law?

ABSTRACT In late 2022, Indonesia’s national parliament enacted a new Criminal Code, which replaced a 1918 Code introduced during Dutch colonial rule. Some provisions – such as those covering the death penalty, corporate liability and criminal settlements – have been relatively well received by reformists. But many other provisions have been widely and strongly criticised. While the Code claims to democratise, decolonise and consolidate Indonesian criminal law, this article demonstrates that it has achieved the opposite. It undermines democracy by seriously hampering free speech, including legitimate criticism of government officeholders and institutions. It reinstates offences imposed during the Dutch colonial era that were used against Indonesian nationalists pushing for independence, including Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno. And, far from bringing together Indonesia’s disparate regulatory sources of criminal law, the Code adds another layer of law to existing sui generis criminal statutes, which largely remain in effect. Worse, the new Code imposes conservative religious-based values allowing the state to interfere in citizens’ private sexual lives. The Code also appears to encourage subnational lawmakers to give effect to localised customary norms of criminal law, which might reflect even more conservative values and result in the prohibition of various expressions of sexuality, including homosexuality.

The impact of the Palembang war and Dutch colonial domination on socio-economic changes in Palembang in the XIX-XX century

The 1821 war between the Palembang Sultanate and The Dutch ended with the transfer of power from Palembang to the Dutch colonial government. The Dutch colonial domination over Palembang resulted in bureaucratic and socio-economic changes. This historical study discusses the condition of Palembang after the Palembang War in the XIX-Early XX Century. Three main questions are addressed in this study: 1) What was the impact of the Menteng War on Palembang?, 2) What were the forms of Dutch Colonial Policy in Palembang in the XIX-Early XX Century?, 3) What changes occurred during the Dutch Colonial period in Palembang in the XIX-Early XX Century ?. The findings of this study show that since the Menteng War, the Sultan and his family had been exiled and some had moved to the interior. In addition, the Sultan gave up his power over the Palembang Sultanate. The handover of power was accompanied by a note that the Sultan would continue to enjoy the right to military honors, the right to his coat of arms and regalia, the right to an annual allowance, and the right to participate in civil and criminal trials. During the Palembang period under the domination of the Dutch colonial rule, there were various economic policies including the formation of an administrative system. The policy has an impact in the field of development and the social sector.

The Grand Indo Meeting and the Grand Indo Future

Indos are a globally dispersed population who trace their ethnic heritage to the mixed-race Indische Nederlander caste in the Dutch East Indies colony. In the wake of the independence of Indonesia from Dutch colonial rule in the mid-twentieth century, thousands of Indos fled to the Netherlands, where they and their descendants now constitute a sizeable fraction of the Dutch population. Indo cultural gatherings in the Netherlands have evolved greatly in the seventy years since ‘repatriates’ first began to arrive in Rotterdam. These gatherings and the performances they platform have responded to a host of outside stimuli inclusive of the initial stigmatization of Indo ethnicity, the subsequent rapid assimilation of Indo people into normatively white Dutch life, the political demands of other post-Indies populations, and the desires of Indo individuals to perform their identities in community with one another (and make a guilder or two in the process.) I describe my experiences at an Indo gathering in Utrecht in 2022, just as Indo festivals were once again permitted after the loosening of restrictions on gatherings imposed by the Dutch government to control the COVID-19 pandemic. This proved a potent site to examine how Indos meet each other in the twenty-first century. I question whether the methods of community formation which served Indos in the past – specifically, gathering over Indonesian cuisine, playing Indo rock music, and Indo line dancing – will meet the needs of the future marked by contagion, intensified migration, and climate catastrophe. Finally, I question my own positionality vis-à-vis this gathering: as US Indo, how do I meet this community, whose experiences are so different from my own? And how can we meet the future of our dispersed culture together?

The Changing Roles of Ulama and the Evolution of Islamic Schools: Some Insights from Moroccan and Indonesian Cases

The ulama, who are scholars in the Islamic tradition, play a vital role in preserving the prophet's teachings and passing them down to future generations. In addition to this, they also have other important social functions. The combination of religious and social roles within the ulama allows them to influence social change with religious legitimacy. This article explores how the social roles of the ulama have evolved over time and how this has impacted the existence of Islamic schools. To illustrate this, examples are drawn from the literature on Morocco and Indonesia during the 20th and 21st centuries. During the colonial period in Morocco, the ulama and Islamic schools served as a cultural defense against French colonial influence. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, Islamic schools led by Ulama became the foundation of the Muslim resistance movement against Dutch colonial rule. In both cases, Islamic scholars and schools demonstrated their ability to respond to actual social situations, highlighting their cultural power and importance in society.

CLASSICAL JAVANESE LITERATURE WULANGREH FROM SURAKARTA PALACE: STUDY OF ISLAMIC TOURISM

Classical Javanese literary works have many variations, one of which is the work entitled Wulangreh (teaching with dedication) written by King Pakubuwana IV of the Surakarta palace when Indonesia was still under Dutch colonial rule. This study aims to describe the beauty of universal Islamic cultural values in this book, which was published in the 18th century but is still being used today. The question answered is, are the universal cultural values in the book still relevant today? What values attract tourists to come and learn about them? The research method used is descriptive qualitative with a hermeneutic approach triangulated with the opinion of cultural experts. The data was obtained by interpreting the thoughts of King Pakubuwana IV written in the book and interviews with Kanjeng Yusdianto, a traditional leader of the Surakarta palace and the head of the Radya Pustaka museum, Didik Suharjono. The results of the analysis show that the values in the book can be a reference for the world because of their universal nature, including the values of equality, multiculturalism, and civilization. The beauty of the language and the message conveyed by the King is very touching, especially if tourists want to come to Surakarta to see directly Wulangreh, the tomb of King Pakubuwana IV, the Radya Pustaka museum, and the Surakarta Palace. The religious and cultural values of Islam in the book can be used as provisions for readers in facing life today. Wulangreh, Pakubuwana IV Tomb, Surakarta Palace, and Radya Pustaka Museum are icons of religious and cultural tourism destinations in the recommended Era 5.0.