Video summary

Perlawanan Mataram & Makassar | Perjuangan Melawan VOC dan Perjanjian Bongaya

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas, concepts, and lessons

  • The video explains how the western colonial power of the Dutch operated through the VOC (Dutch East India Company), describing the VOC as functioning like a state, not merely a business.
  • It then traces Indonesian resistance against the VOC through two major cases:
    1. Islamic Mataram Sultanate (central Java)
    2. Gowa Tallo / Makassar Sultanate (South Sulawesi)

Key concepts about the VOC (Dutch East India Company)

  • The VOC is characterized as a company that acts “like a country” because it held special state-like powers granted by the Dutch, including:
    • Octroi rights (special privileges)
    • Permission to print and circulate its own currency
    • Permission to enforce trade monopolies
    • Permission to form its own army
    • Ability to make agreements/cooperate with sultanates across the archipelago
  • Because of the VOC’s trade monopoly power, it often attempted to:
    • Control trade routes and port commerce in the Indonesian archipelago

Case 1: Islamic Mataram vs. VOC (Resistance in Batavia, 1628–1629)

Why VOC moved its headquarters (Ambon → Batavia, 1619)

The video provides two main reasons:

  1. Ambon was too far from the international shipping route at the time.
  2. The VOC wanted to control trade in the Malacca Strait region.
    • This also connected to VOC efforts to expel the Portuguese from Malacca.
    • Outcome mentioned: by 1641, the Portuguese were expelled from Malacca, and the VOC then occupied Malacca.

Why Islamic Mataram attacked the VOC (Sultan Agung’s rationale)

Sultan Agung felt the VOC’s presence threatened Mataram, leading to orders for troops to attack VOC positions in Batavia.

The background threats described are:

  1. The VOC in Batavia (VOC HQ built around 1619) disrupted Islamic Mataram’s trade on the north coast of Java.
  2. The VOC’s presence was feared to interfere with Mataram’s goal of conquering/control of all Java, especially since some regions (like Banten and Blambangan) were not yet under Mataram control.

Because Batavia was geographically close to Banten, the VOC’s presence was viewed as a direct threat to Mataram’s expansion efforts.

The attack campaign

  • The video states that Islamic Mataram made at least three attempts to attack the VOC in Batavia during 1628–1629.
  • Result: all efforts failed, so the VOC could not be expelled from Batavia.

Why Islamic Mataram failed

  • Primary stated cause:
    • VOC destroyed Islamic Mataram’s food barns/logistics supply system.
  • Explanation given:
    • Mataram’s troops traveled hundreds of kilometers from the Mataram area (associated with the current Yogyakarta region) to Batavia.
    • Therefore, they built food stores in multiple places (examples mentioned: Cirebon and outside Batavia fortress).
    • VOC troops then burned/destroyed these food reserves, causing food shortages, leading to failure to conquer the VOC position.

VOC influence inside Mataram

  • Even after the failed military attempts, VOC later gained influence due to internal Mataram politics:
    • After Sultan Agung died, he was replaced by his son Amangkurat I.
    • Amangkurat I established relations with the VOC.
    • The video notes resistance emerged internally in Mataram, including an uprising by Trunojoyo, who occupied the Mataram capital.

Case 2: Makassar / Gowa Tallo vs. VOC (Conflict and Bongaya Agreement, 1660–1667)

Makassar’s strategic importance

  • Makassar Sultanate was located at the edge of the Makassar Strait, strategically connecting traders from:
    • Eastern Indonesia ↔ Western Indonesia
  • Because of this, Makassar’s port became a target for VOC to:
    • Capture the port
    • Impose trade monopoly practices

Makassar’s trade policy (free trade)

  • Makassar adopted a free trade concept:
    • Any trader, from any region including the archipelago or Asia (including Europe), could trade in Makassar.
  • This policy directly opposed the VOC’s desire for monopoly control.

Leadership shift and escalation

  • Around 1660, Sultan Hasanuddin became leader.
  • His rule is described as strengthening Makassar into a major kingdom.
  • Regional background mentioned:
    • South Sulawesi included multiple kingdoms besides Makassar (e.g., Bone, Soppeng, Wajo, plus smaller ones).
    • The Kingdom of Bone was under Makassar control at the time, which later affected the conflict.

Why war broke out

  • VOC tried to seize Makassar’s port to impose monopoly—Makassar rejected this under Sultan Hasanuddin.
  • War timeline given:
    • ca. 1660–1667
    • Makassar (Gowa Tallo) fought against VOC.

VOC’s tactics: using Bone against Makassar

  • VOC discovered conflict between Makassar and Bone, then approached Bone’s leader:
    • Arung Palakka
  • VOC promised Arung Palakka:
    • Bone would be released from Makassar
    • Arung Palakka would be appointed King of Bone
  • Arung Palakka then helped VOC against Makassar, increasing pressure on Makassar.
  • Outcome given:
    • Makassar surrendered in 1667.

The Bongaya Agreement (Makassar’s concession, 1667)

Makassar signed the Bongaya Agreement with key terms described:

  1. VOC received the right to monopolize trade in Makassar’s port
  2. Makassar compensated for war losses
  3. Bone was released from Makassar control
  4. Arung Palakka was appointed King of Bone

The video stresses the agreement was detrimental to Makassar, causing internal disappointment.

Continued resistance and notable figures

  • Map Pasomba (son of Sultan Hasanuddin) continued resistance against VOC.
  • Another important figure named:
    • Sheikh Yusuf Al Makassari
      • Went to Banten to help Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa fight the VOC.
      • After Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa lost, Sheikh Yusuf was exiled by VOC to South Africa.
      • The video adds that Sheikh Yusuf is recognized today as a national hero in South Africa.

Speakers / sources featured (as mentioned)

  • Andi — “History tutor” (presenter) (adsense.id / edson.id mentioned)
  • Yen Peterson — credited as the source for reasons given regarding VOC’s move from Ambon to Batavia (as stated in subtitles)

Historical figures mentioned (not speaking in the video, but referenced):

  • Colonel so western nations (name unclear in subtitles)
  • Sultan Agung (Islamic Mataram)
  • Amangkurat I (Islamic Mataram)
  • Trunojoyo (Mataram resistance figure)
  • Sultan Hasanuddin (Makassar)
  • Arung Palakka (Bone leader)
  • Sheikh Yusuf Al Makassari (cleric)
  • Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa (Banten)

Original video