Raffles and the British Rule of Java 1811-1816
Why did the British invade Java?
In 1795, the Dutch King had escaped French forces by going to Britain. Once there he ordered that all Dutch colonies surrender territories to the British. This was all the justification the British needed to take over much of Indonesia, and by 1796 they had conquered Padang Malacca, Ambon and Banda. Furthermore from 1795 the British maintained a naval blockade over Java that was so tight that when Daendels was sent to take over Java, his replacement was sent at the same time on a different ship just in case one of them was captured.
After Daendels left Java in 1811, he was replaced by Janseens who arrived in Java just long enough to surrender to the British. Their fleet appeared off the coast of Java in August 1811, and by September 1811 Janssens had surrendered.
After Daendels left Java in 1811, he was replaced by Janseens who arrived in Java just long enough to surrender to the British. Their fleet appeared off the coast of Java in August 1811, and by September 1811 Janssens had surrendered.
How did the local courts react?
The British invasion led to even more intrigue and violence in the local courts. The old Sultan of Yogyakarta retook the throne, and was openly hostile to the British. The British in turn were inflexible and refused to compromise. Raffles himself was idealistic and felt that the British regime should be paramount on Java. Relations got so bad between the two sides that when Raffles visited the Yogyakarta Kraton in 1811 it almost led to bloodshed. In the background the Sultan of Surakarta was encouraging these hostilities as he wanted the British to destroy the court of Yogyakarta for him.
Why did the Yogyakarta Kraton fall?
After the British learned of the Surakarta-Yogyakarta plot against them, they began to make preparations to destroy the local court's power forever, and in June 1812, 1200 British Indian forces conquered the Yogyakarta Kraton. With the exception of a small group of Javanese pikeman, the Javanese nobles failed to put up any resistance. As was their custom, the British army immediately plundered the Yogyakarta treasury. Most of this wealth was later sent back to the British home base in India.
How did Raffles further control the local courts?
After removing the Yogyakarta Sultan from the throne and replacing him with his son, Raffles considered conquering Surakarta but instead took over many of the outer districts of both local courts to enrich the colonial government. The British also took over control of the toll-gates and the markets.
What did Raffles achieve in Java?
Raffles is a controversial figure, but has traditionally been seen as a reformer who did aim to improve conditions for the ordinary Javanese. However, in practice many of his policies never actually happened, and he is perhaps most notable for continuing the policy of controlling the local courts which Daendels began.
How did British rule end?
After Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo in 1815, Java and other Indonesian territories controlled by the British were returned to the Dutch. The Dutch return to Indonesia in 1816 would help trigger the Java War. Raffles would go onto fame as the founder of Singapore in 1819.