https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7094-8065
Abstract
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.
1. Introduction
The Dutch Colonial domination in Palembang after the end of the war in 1821 had an impact on bureaucratic changes as well as social and economic changes (Kurniawan et al., Citation2022). The war between the Palembang Darussalam Sultanate and the Dutch East Indies Colonial government ended with an agreement between the two parties (Syawaluddin, Citation2014). The power of the Sultanate of Palembang was taken over by Sultan Ahmad Najamuddin III. This was in accordance with the contents of the contract agreement in Signed in April 1821. Subsequently, Sultan Ahmad Najamuddin III controlled the government over the Sultanate of Palembang even though some of his power had been handed over to the Dutch colonial government. The powers that had been divided were then fully controlled by the Dutch in August 1823, except for the Islamic religious court (Wargadalem, Citation2017).
So far, studies on the relationship between Between colonialism and the sultanates in the XIX Century Archipelago tend to look at the war or resistance. The Sultans fought against Colonialism with the principle of not compromising the monopolist Dutch (Ma’rifah, Citation2014). The Palembang War ended with the defeat of the Palembang Sultanate and the Dutch colonial rule in Palembang since 1821 finally brought many changes.
The purpose of this writing is to reexamine Ma’rifah’s (Citation2014) opinion that the Sultans fought against Colonialism on the principle of not compromising the monopolist Dutch. In line with that, this writing addresses three questions: 1) What was the impact of the Menteng War on Palembang?, 2) What were the Dutch Colonial Policies in Palembang in the XIX-Early XX Century?, and 3) What changes occurred during the Dutch Colonial period in Palembang in the XIX-Early XX Century?. These three questions are the subject of discussion In this article following sections. The answers to these three questions explain that the Dutch Colonial Domination after 1821 in Palembang had an impact on changes in the bureaucratic, social, and economic fields.
This paper is based on one argument, that the War between the Palembang Sultanate and Dutch Colonialism in 1821 resulted in the Sultan and his family being exiled and some moving to the interior and the Sultan handing over his power over the Palembang Sultanate to the Dutch Colonialism. 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. The Dutch Colonial Government in Palembang carried out the construction of infrastructure to support the economy, including the transition of waterways to land, as well as the construction of economic centers.
2. Research method
This article aims to prove/discuss that the Dutch Colonial Domination over Palembang after the Palembang war brought many changes in several fields, namely bureaucracy, social and economic. Prove that the Dutch Colonial Domination over Palembang after the Palembang war brought many changes in several fields, namely bureaucracy, social and economic fields.
This qualitative study employs historical research design assisted by a philological approach (Dudung, Citation2011). The primary sources of data are the manuscripts stored in the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia, the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia, including: Naskah Syair Perang Menteng, Naskah Surat Perjanjian Perdamaian Tahun 1823 (Text of the Menteng War Poem, Manuscript of the 1823 Peace Agreement), Algemeen Jaarlijksch Verlagen Van de Resident Palembang 1832– 1846.
The secondary data sources of this research are books related to the study of the Palembang region during the Dutch Sultanate and Colonial period, such as: Paintings about the Capital City of Palembang by J.I. Van Sevenhoven (Citation1971), Woelders (Citation1975) work The Sultanate of Palembang 1811–1825, Jeroen (Citation1997) Kaum Tuo-Kaum Mudo: Perubahan Religius di Palembang 1821–1942 (The Tuo-Kaum Mudo: Religious Changes in Palembang 1821–1942).
The data collection started with the collection of contemporaneous sources, which were documents written in the XVII-XVIII centuries related to the theme of the study. Information from texts in the authentic manuscripts was used as data and historical facts. The source of the manuscript was then tested for its authenticity (authenticity) and its validity through internal and external criticism. Testing on whether the source is genuine means selecting the physical aspects of the source found. If the source is a written document, the paper, ink, writing style, language, sentences, expressions, words, and letters must be examined. Tracing the credibility of sources was carried out based on the processes in the testimony, because testimony in history is the Important determining factor whether or not the historical evidence or facts are valid. Therefore, criticism was carried out as a means of controlling or checking these processes and to detect any errors that may occur.
Interpretation and explanation stages were carried out to obtain the meaning and mutual relationship between one fact and another. Interpretation was conducted by selecting and concluding factors that led to the occurrence of events. While historical data often contain multiple causes that can help achieve an outcome, it is also possible that the same cause leads to the opposite result. After testing and analyzing the data, the facts obtained were synthesized through historical explanation.
3. Results and discussion
3.1. After the Palembang war in 1821 Sultan Ahmad Najamuddin III reigned until 1825
On 13 July 1821, Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II and some of his Family members boarded the Dageraad ship on the 4th of Shawwal for Batavia. From Batavia, Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II and his family were exiled to Ternate Island until the end of his life on 26 September 1852. Some of the Sultan’s family, because they did not want to be arrested, exiled themselves to the Marga Sembilan area, which is known today as the Ogan Komering Ilir Regency, and assimilated with residents in the village he passed, starting from Pampangan to Marga Selapan, Tulung Selapan District, and Panglima Radja Batu Api. He died and was buried in Tulung Selapan (during 35 years living in Ternate and the sketch of the residence of Sri Paduka Susuhunan Ratu Mahmud Badaruddin/Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II kept by Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin III Prabu Diradja) (Media Pusindo, Citation2008).
After Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II and some of his family members were exiled to Ternate Island, Sultan Ahmad Najamuddin III occupied the throne in the Palembang Sultanate. Then, coronation ceremony was carried out for Sultan Ahmad Najamuddin III. One source mentioned (Morning News Newspaper, Citation2017). See Quote below for translation of Figure .
Figure 1. News Morning Newspaper, “The Coronation of Soesoehoenang and the Sultan of Palembang”.
“As a ceremony for the inauguration of the Sultan, at Balie (Balei) Bandang, located in the inner courtyard of the palace, a stage was prepared which was decorated with fine satin fabrics, with the colours of Eastern kingdoms and other luxurious fabrics. On the stage, three chairs were prepared. Even, the three chairs were covered in luxurious fabrics. The Dutch troops were on standby, lining up on either side of the Samarikin gate facing the river.
By 10:00 am, Leicher and Colonel Bischoff strode steadily toward the shores of Musi. They picked up General de Kock, his staff and several Navy officers who had just come ashore. Meanwhile, lieutenant-colonel Keer and Captain George were assigned to pick up Soesoehoenang; Lieutenant-colonel Arnold and Assistant-Resident du Bois fetched the (new) Sultan from the gate. The four Dutchmen accompanied and escorted Soesoehoenang and the new Sultan of Palembang to the palace.
At 11.30, Soesoehoenang got off the ship and set foot on Palembang land. The Dutch East Indies marching band started to sound the first notes. With a complete military ceremony, accompanied by music from the band, Keer and Du Bois accompanied Soesoehoenang on his way to Balie Bandang. He was greeted by General de Kock and the Commissioner, who motioned for him to come onto the stage and sit to the General’s right. Not long after, the Sultan was ushered into the palace with the same magnificent ceremony. The new Sultan took his place in the chair to the left of the General.
The seating arrangements and the sequence of welcoming Soesoehoenang and the Sultan showed that the new Sultan was deemed unfit and did not have sufficient knowledge and authority to hold the reins as Sultan. In Leicher’s view, this is indeed the case. The Sultan of Palembang is a kind and friendly man. However, he can very quickly be persuaded to agree to a suggestion; in a short time, he can change his mind through the persuasion of others again. This shows that he cannot consider and evaluate important matters that are often complicated. He tends to allow himself to be guided like a child. Nevertheless, he harboured a great desire for power in his heart.
After Soesoehoenang, General de Kock and the Sultan sat on the podium. Dutch East Indies officers took their places to the right of the podium. Princes, Palembang dignitaries and prominent Arab and Malay figures took their places to the left of the podium. While all these people were taking their places, the marching band’s music continued to sound.
With the help of de Sturler, the official translator of the Dutch East Indies, General de Kock read out a proclamation addressed to the people of Palembang. The edict confirmed the coronation of Soesoehoenang and Sultan of Palembang. At that moment, no sound was heard except that of the General and de Sturler translating his words into Malay. Everyone present listened intently. After reading the mandate, both Soesoehoenang and the Sultan signed a statement that the contracts signed at Buitenzorg (Bogor) were made voluntarily, without coercion, and that these contracts would be adhered to as best they could.
General de Kock congratulated Soesoehoenang and the Sultan of Palembang. It is official. The Sultanate of Palembang had a new Sultan. The Dutch troops in front of the palace gate fired 21 salvos. The shots were returned with 21 shots from the Dutch troops on the ships anchored in front of the city. Flags and pennants fluttered on the masts of the ships.
The Sultan’s coronation ceremony was over. Soesoehoenang and the Sultan were ushered outside the palace to the pier in front of them. The two climbed onto their respective zithers, returned to their homes, and left the palace.
General de Kock returned to his ship. At 11.00, he continued the inauguration ceremony that day. Prince Djaya Ningra (Soesoehoenang’s second son) became Prince Adipattie; Prince Adi Widjaya became the prime minister; the former Adipattie Toea became Panumbahan, and the former Adipattie Moeda received the title Prince Dipa. Other appointments and confirmations within the sultanate’s leadership structure were handed over to Soesoehoenang. The official ceremony was over. The marching band’s musical instruments have been kept.
Within ten years, the Sultanate of Palembang had experienced three successions of Sultans; and the Sultan who held power was not a strong leader. The Dutch East Indies government predicted that its leadership would not last too long” (Amran, Citation2017).
Figure shows an illustration of the war that took place in Palembang and prompted JJ Van Sevenhoven in 1823 to enter into an agreement with Sultan Ahmad Najamuddin III who was considered unable to properly carry out his duties as Sultan. The agreement contained, among other things: The Sultan handed his power over the Sultanate of Palembang with 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 courts. Letter of agreement between Commissioner General Jan Isaac van Sevenhoven and Sultan Ratu Ahmad Najamuddin III dated 11 Dzulhijjah 1238 (18 August 1823), see Figure (ANRI, No. 15 DV-16):
Figure 2. Illustration of the 1821 Palembang War.
Figure 3. Copy of agreement letter (18 August 1823) accompanied by the Sultan of Palembang stamp.
4. Transliteration of the testament (august 18 1823)
Palembang Contract 18 August 1823
This is the letter of agreement between Sri Paduka Commissioner in Palembang from the Governor of the Netherlands, Jan Isaac van Sevenhoven and Sri Paduka Sultan Ahmad Najamuddin, who reigns as a kingdom in the country of Palembang and so it should be granted and added to it by the government which is very high on all land Indie Netherlands.
Should also be presented before the assembly, which is Tuan Besar Gurnadur General, who holds the command over all Indie Nederland lands in the deliberations so that it is granted and confirmed in the meeting, so this was promised in the great palace in the city of Palembang for eighteen days of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-three or to the migration of the Prophet Muhammad to the eleven days of the month of Dzulhijjah year one thousand two hundred and thirty-eight.
5. Palembang sultanate stamp Dutch government stamp
5.1. Sultan Ratu Ahmad NajamuddinJan Isaac van Sevenhoven
In the agreement letter, it was stated that the powers of the Sultan of Palembang, both in the fields of government, security, judiciary and taxes, were abolished. The Sultan only has power in religious justice, which deals with marriage, divorce, and inheritance (Rahim, Citation1998). If the officer concerned cannot resolve a case, the case may be appealed to the Sultan. In addition, the Sultan will receive a monthly salary of 1,000 Spanish dollars, plus a salary increase of up to 500 Spanish dollars. The nobles will also receive an allowance whose amount has not been determined, which will be adjusted to the financial capacity of the Dutch government at that time. Then, the Sultan was also allowed to sit in civil courts under Dutch government officials.
Furthermore, the Sultan’s power in Palembang was only a symbol because the Dutch colonial government fully controlled it. For the Sultanate of Palembang, during the first quarter of the 19th century, various upheavals involved all parties with their respective strategies to achieve their desire, that is to gain power. Power was the ultimate goal of all problems in the Palembang Sultanate, so the great empire was abolished. Since all this power was given to foreign nations which wanted to control the Sultanate of Palembang, which is rich in minerals and other natural resources, this power was only a symbol. Realizing this, Sultan Ahmad Najamuddin III tried to break away with the remnants of his existing capabilities, but this did not mean much. So, the Dutch could easily destroy him (Wargadalem, Citation2017).
In the end, Sultan Ahmad Najamuddin III fled and was later found again by the Dutch hiding in an area that included the Bengkulu region. No men accompanied him. The Sultan was under siege. He was finally forced to raise his hand in surrender. He was brought back to Palembang. By Decree dated 6 September 1825, he was stripped of his status as Sultan, and all privileges that had been granted to him were cancelled. Furthermore, the resistance of Sultan Ahmad Najamuddin III was used as an excuse by the Dutch to abolish the Palembang Sultanate in 1825.
6. Social changes in Palembang under the colonial government from 1825 to 1942
The presence of the Dutch East Indies Colonial Government changed the social structure in Palembang (Husin & Marihandono, Citation2021). Among them, the influence of the nobility declined after they lost their agricultural, commercial, and excise privileges. Most of them fell into poverty, the allowance money given by the colonial government as compensation for the abolition of special privileges was inadequate. In Palembang, a new middle class emerged, namely Arab merchants and Chinese merchants (Tjandrasasmita, Citation2000). They were given the freedom to have a place to live and replaced the position of the “priayi”/nobility as the middle class during the Palembang Sultanate. As Figure shows, the houses of Arab and Chinese merchants are scattered in many villages with permanent buildings and made of first quality wood. Some of them were able to build houses with walls, which was taboo at the time of the Palembang Sultanate (Abdullah et al., Citation1984).
Figure 4. Ancient Arab House in Kampung Al-Munawar Palembang and the Ancient Chinese Captain’s House in Palembang.
Groups belonging to the merchant group consisted of natives and foreigners: Arabs, Indians, and Chinese. The intended foreigners received the same treatment as other residents. Even Chinese people who embraced Islam were given the title Demang and Arabs were given the title lord. The position of the Chinese during the colonial rule was better than that of other foreigners, because they were used as intermediary groups between the rulers and the population in the world of commerce, especially in the trade of coffee, pepper, and rubber. In terms of social situation, some Chinese are rich and some are poor. The number of poor Chinese living in damp and stuffy places is greater (Abdullah et al., Citation1984).
Figure shows that the conditions of social change in Palembang in the early 20th century were also marked by urbanization caused by the establishment of oil refineries in Plaju and Sungai Gerong in 1904 by a Dutch oil company, Shell. The Plaju Field area and the Gerong River became a village for oil workers. At the beginning of the Physical Revolution, the location was inhabited by 22,000 people, of which 80% consisted of oil workers. The people who lived in the area generally came from the Komering tribe, who deliberately settled there as laborers or traders Because their area could not be used for farming or growing crops. Most of their land was planted with annual fruit according to the soil conditions in the area. The Komering tribe is the most advanced ethnic group in this area and has the opportunity to enter formal education provided and organized by foreign companies on an equal basis (Abdullah et al., Citation1984).
Figure 5. Oil refineries in Plaju in 1905 and 1938 and settlements on the banks of the Lematang River.
In addition, the new companies established in the Dutch East Indies during the liberal period Grew fast so that these companies needed more personnel brought in from abroad as experts. Because of this, the number of Europeans in the Dutch East Indies grew so that they demanded comforts similar to their homeland, such as better conditions for schools, housing and health services. This situation led to the emergence of special settlements for the Dutch East Indies people.
Social changes in the Palembang Residency are also evidenced by the emergence of a class of wealthy people due to the increase in the yield of rubber cultivation (de Zwart, Citation2022). The increase in the price of rubber commodities in 1923 had a big impact with the emergence of new rich people in the Palembang Residency. Almost every hamlet in the uluan area had four or five cars, so that on weekends dozens of cars went back and forth, people traveling or enjoying the rubber (Santun, Citation2010). See Figure for the transportation method used.
Figure 6. Cars brought to Uluan Lahat using river transportation.
Social changes that lead to a decrease in stratification can be seen in the emergence of the poor in rural areas. The driving factor is the reduction of agricultural land. Poverty in the countryside in the 20th century resulted in the emergence of various peasant rebellions led by religious elites, such as kiai, science teachers or saints who were generally charismatic figures.
7. Palembang’s economic changes under the colonial government 1825 to 1942
After the government of the Palembang Sultanate collapsed, all aspects were taken over by the Dutch and one of them was the economic field where all of Palembang’s crops were monopolized on a large scale (Collins, Citation1979). Economic activities among the priyai were hindered by the notion that physical work was an insult, even the use of slave labor, which was still available, was considered social degradation. Among the priyai, this view certainly underwent changes due to economic pressures (Saepulah Herlina et al., Citation2020). In the second half of the 19th century, many priyai were forced to try to subsist on the income of handicrafts, such as making keris, songket and ivory carvings, a job that could be done discreetly at home without sacrificing the high dignity of the priyai in public (Jeroen, Citation1997).
In the 1870 Agrarian Regulations, all land that did not belong to the natives was declared as domain land (domein van de staat). This was also called free land, while land controlled by indigenous people was also called free land (Gandara, Citation2020; Wardani, Citation2018). It is also stated that the lessee is a Dutch citizen in the Netherlands or the Dutch East Indies or a company registered in the Dutch East Indies. Maximum leased area is 500 bau with leases between f.1. up to f.6. Indigenous land that is controlled under customary law can only be leased for five years, while their own land is for twenty years, and then the agreement must be registered. One consequence of this regulation is that there is a tendency to change the status of the leased land, so that it has the status of the landlord’s property. This agrarian regulation also applied to all Dutch colonial powers in Palembang, including Palembang itself (Sartono, Citation1937).
As a result of the Dutch Colonial policies, one of which was the application of the Basic Agrarian Law to manage land, private entrepreneurs emerged to invest in the Palembang Residency. Plantation lands were formed in the Palembang Residency. These plantations include cotton, coffee, and rubber plantations. The Palembang Residency also has oil refineries and coal mines, such as Boekit Assam Maatschappij (BAM) in Muara Enim Onderafdeeling (see Figure ). BAM exploits coal for heating, which produces various types of valuable coal such as natural coke, anthracite coal, sparkling coal and transitional coal. The results of BAM’s mining are marketed under the Lematang Marinekool label in the world market. Before being marketed, the coal gravel in the form of cargo is processed into briket (Putra & Sunarti, Citation2022).
Figure 7. The Bukit Asam Coal Mine in Tanjung Enim.
Since the mid-19th century, the Palembang Residency has also seen changes in plantation commodities by expanding large-scale agricultural development for export purposes (Lindblad, Citation2002). Various plantation companies (onderneming) were engaged in the cultivation of tea and coffee, especially in remote areas such as Pagaralam, Semendo, and Kisam. Initially, the coffee cultivated was of the arabica type, but the cultivation failed. Then, it was replaced with the robusta type. In the lower regions, large quantities of rubber and oil palm were cultivated, apart from rice. Forest product commodities include kulim wood, andalas, medang, meranti, merawan, merbau, nerawan, onglen, perepat, petaling, petanang, rengas, tamarind, sungkai, tembesu, swamp, balam durian, briang, bulian, aro wood, kelutum, serdang, frankincense, rattan, sego, manau, and so on (Colombijn, Citation2006). These various types of wood were transported to Palembang, processed into planks and then shipped to Singapore. Since 1916, the large European company, NV Vereenigde Bosch-Exploratie Maatschappij, had concessions to exploit this valuable timber. In addition, there were companies owned by Arabs and other local entrepreneurs engaged in the timber trade in Palembang City who bought and processed wood from the forest (Stroomberg, Citation2018).
Palm oil processing factories were also built on the palm oil plantations as was done by the multinational company Handelsvereeniging Amsterdam in Muara Enim and in the Tebenan, Banyuasin as well as around Kubu areas in 1907. The oil palm plantation company was managed by its subsidiary, Oliepalmen en Rubber Maatschappij Oud Wassenaar NV. Meanwhile, oil was exploited by two large companies, NV Nederlandsch Koloniale Petroleum Maatschappij (NKPM) in 1899, and NV Nederlandsch-Indische Aardolie Maatschappij (NIAM) in 1921 (Adolph, Citation1909).
8. Development of economic supporting facilities and infrastructure in Palembang Keresidenan
In order for the economy to run well, the Palembang Residency built infrastructure. Among them were transportation routes used for trade from rivers and land. The big change fundamentally carried out by the Dutch Colonial in building the city of Palembang was to slowly change from a city of water to a city of land which was diverted to roads (Colombijn, Citation2005). Boat transportation to get to the city center alternated with land vehicles.
Figures Show the development during the residency of Palembang in 1839. In 1907, horse-drawn carriages were introduced. This horse-drawn carriage by local residents is called Sado. When the demand for rubber exploded in Palembang, the number of four-wheeled vehicles increased sharply. On the city streets, Jeeps, VW sedans, otolet, Wills cars and city buses could easily be seen (Santun, Citation2010).
Figure 8. Colonial era road infrastructure, Road behind the fort in 1839.
Figure 9. Colonial era road infrastructure, Jalan Tengkuruk in 1839.
The city of Palembang at that time had oil resources in several areas with oil refining centers on the Gerong and Plaju Rivers. In line with trading to gain as much profit as possible, besides facilitating the transportation of postal delivery for government officials, roadways were opened in this area. In 1913 a network of roads had been made along 1074 kilometers. Likewise, since 1912 the construction of a railroad connected the City of Palembang-Teluk Betung with the 152-kilometer junction from Prabumulih to Muara Enim, where the main terminal was located in Kertapati Village. Figure shows the progress of the Palembang residency transportation at that time (Abdullah et al., Citation1984).
Figure 10. Passenger trains and coal transport trains in the Palembang Residency in 1925.
In addition to the transportation sector, the Dutch East Indies Government established several European trading agencies and their agents from the Nederlandsche Handels Maatshappij and De Javansche Bank to improve the economy of both foreign traders and native traders. In that place, detailed trade records were carried out until a comparison was obtained to advance the economy in the Palembang Residency. Even though the government is centralized (centralized government), the government is responsible for the infrastructure to support the economy. Among them, in the field of land transportation, roads were built for sado (horse-drawn carriages), cars, and trains. The development of infrastructure supported the economic development in the Palembang Residency.
9. Markets and trade commodities in the Palembang residency of the XIX-Early XX century
The estuary of the tributary of the Musi River in Palembang is a meeting point between sea and river shipping which plays an important role in economic activities as well as being a trading port for buying and selling goods (1984, p. 1). Various kinds of commodities were traded in Palembang after the Palembang War based on the records of the Dutch Commissioner J.L. Van Sevenhoven and sources from Algemeen Jaarlijksch Verlagen Van de Resident Palembang 1832–1846. Palembang Bundle. 62. 6. No. 02. See Figure :
Figure 11. Palembang trade goods commodities in 1822.
Figure shows the State records regarding the estimated sales of Palembang merchandise commodities in 1839:
Figure 12. State Records Regarding Estimated Sales of Palembang Merchandise Commodities in 1839.
Figure shows State records regarding the estimated sales of Palembang merchandise commodities in 1840:
Figure 13. State Records Regarding Estimated Sales of Palembang Merchandise Commodities in 1840.
Several records or reports regarding the estimated sales of trade goods commodities in Palembang in 1822, 1839, and in 1840 show that trade at that time greatly increased rapidly, so that it was necessary to develop economic centers to Facilitate out buying and selling transactions. In Palembang, there were two locations where buying and selling transactions (markets) took place, namely in the hinterland and the city (Sujiyati & Ali, Citation2015). There were inland markets in every inland city (Onderafdelling Ulu and Ilir). The inland market sells trade commodities in the form of rice, vegetables, fruits and nuts. From a physical point of view, an inland market is usually an open place consisting of several buildings that are not permanent. Inland goods are transported by river. Then, the merchandise is brought by boat to the interior or to the city.
Figure shows that the markets in Palembang City had permanent buildings and roofs. Trade goods from the hinterland were transported by river and then sold on boats. Such conditions show that there is a close relationship between inland markets and urban markets. The market is an effective place for social groups that interact to fulfill each other’s needs.
Figure 14. Soeroelangoen Rawas Market in 1879 (Afdeeling Rawas).
Figure shows a fish market located in the residency city of Palembang in 1900. The building structure was more closed and permanent. The picture shows the activities of indigenous people. Indigenous people meet their basic needs by buying or selling fish. The wealth of the rivers shows the abundance of fish at that time. In 1932, there were two big markets in Palembang City,Pasar 16 Ilir and Pasar Sekanak located in village 28 Hilir. Besides, there were relatively small markets, which were Pasar 10 Ilir (Kuto Market), Pasar 10 Ulu and Pasar Kertapati. With the markets located on the banks of rivers or at the mouths of tributaries, the traffic of trading boats in the waters of the Musi River became busier (Abdullah et al., Citation1984, p. 94).
Figure 15. Fish Market in Palembang in the 1900s.
Figure shows the means of transportation used by traders Where there was certain types if transportation Pasar 16 Ilir (see Figure ) had booths and two floors. It was not only a place for trading activities of buying and selling food and clothing, but also a place for storing merchandise originating from the Uluan area and goods imported from outside. In other words, these markets were a meeting place for traders who passed through the river, both from rural areas and those who lived in the city. Foreigners considered intermediary traders among the natives bought trade goods indirectly, and then these goods were transported by jakung boat to the lower reaches of the Musi River and some were even transported as far as Singapore. The 16 Ilir area was the center of the economy. When the rubber boom occurred around 1912 and 1915, many people in the Palembang Residency bought cars. The prosperity increased after 1920. One source said that in 1920, there were only 300 private cars. However, in 1927, the number had increased to 3,475 with various brands, including Ford, Albion, Rugby, Chevrolet, and Whitesteam. There was also a Ford show room in the area. In fact, car sellers had also used newspapers as a means of promotion through advertisements (Pertja Selatan, Citation1926)
Figure 16. Ships of Arab traders, Chinese Ethnic Boats, and “Kajang” Boats of itinerant traders in Rawas Area.
Figure 17. Market Area 16 Ilir Palembang.
Prior to the collapse of the Dutch East Indies government in Palembang, several new markets emerged, namel: Lingkis Market which became Cinde Market located at Muara Lorong Captain, Ladang Plaju Market located in front of Plaju’s entry and exit, Lemabang Market at 2 Ilir, and Kilometer Lima Market at city border with Muba area. These markets sell people’s needs such as garden produce, clothing, sea fish, rice, meat, fruit, vegetables, and so on (Abdullah et al., Citation1984).
10. Conclusion
The Dutch Colonial Domination after the end of the Palembang War in 1821 and the implementation the Dutch Colonial Government’s policies in the Palembang Residency had an impact on the economic and social fields. This is proven by the construction of transportation facilities and other infrastructure. In the development of transportation at the beginning of the 20th century, there was a change from the use of waterways to land routes. It was aimed to distribute industrial goods in Palembang. Meanwhile, markets as economic centers are useful for meeting the needs of the people in the Palembang Residency area. This development has an impact on the economic progress of the people in the Palembang Residency.
This paper is based on one argument, that the Sultan of Palembang fought against Colonialism with the principle of not wanting to compromise with the Dutch over the existence of a monopoly. Studies on the impact of war and socio-economic changes in Palembang in the XIX-XX centuries support the opinion of previous researchers that the Sultans fought against Colonialism with the principle of not wanting to compromise with the Dutch over the existence of this monopoly. However, the results of this study indicate that Palembang under Dutch Colonial rule actually experienced changes that led to progress and this confirmed the existence of Dutch Colonial policies that were enforced at that time to bring Palembang forward in the economic field.
This research is a qualitative descriptive study using historical method with manuscript sources (Menteng War Poetry Text, Algemeen Jaarlijksch Verlagen Van de Resident Palembang 1832–1846 Peace Agreement). Therefore, generalizations are not possible. A more general and comprehensive understanding of the impact of war on society and changes in the socio-cultural and cultural conditions of Palembang under the rule of the Dutch Colonial Government is urgently needed in order to complement Indonesia’s national history during the Dutch Colonial period. In line with that, it is suggested that it is important to carry out further research accommodating other social science approaches. In addition, further research should include other contemporaneous sources.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
References
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