Dutch intervention in Bali (1849) | |||||||
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The Raja of Buleleng killing himself with 400 followers, in an 1849 puputan against the Dutch. Le Petit Journal, 1849. | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Netherlands Lombok |
Kingdom of Buleleng Kingdom of Jembrana Kingdom of Klungkung Kingdom of Karangasem | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Andreas Victor Michiels † | I Gusti Ketut Jelantik † | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
100 ships 3,000 sailors 5,000 well-trained soldiers | 33,000 men | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
34 | 1,000s |
The Dutch intervention in Bali in 1849 was a major Dutch military intervention in Northern and Southern Bali, following two failed interventions, the 1846 intervention and the 1848 intervention. The Dutch used as a pretext Balinese salvage claims over shipwrecks, which were customary to the Balinese, but unacceptable under International law.[1]
Reluctant to follow them over land, the Dutch returned to their ships and sailed to Southern Bali, where they landed in Padang Bai in order to attack Klungkung, nominal overlord of Buleleng.[3] In the meantime, however, the Dutch managed to establish an alliance with neighbouring Lombok against Karangasem, an old enemy of Lombok. Lombok troops were sent onboard Dutch ships, and ambushed Buleleng leaders. In this encounter both Jelantik and the Raja of Buleleng were killed, and the ruler of Karangasem committed ritual suicide.[2]
The Dutch continued their campaign into Klungkung, occupying Goa Lawah and Kusamba.[3] The climate and diseases were taking their toll on the Dutch troops, which were in a precarious position.[2] An outbreak of dysentery among Dutch troops prevented them from striking a decisive blow. The Dutch suffered heavy casualties when Dewa Agung Istri Kanya led a night offensive against the Dutch in Kusamba, killing the commander Major General Michiels.[3] The Dutch were forced to retreat to their ships, confronted by a force of 33,000 Balinese from Badung, Gianyar, Tabanan and Klungkung.[3] This resulted in a stalemate.[2][3]
The death of Jelantik nevertheless represented a considerable blow to Balinese resistance.[2] Through the intervention of the trader Mads Lange and the ruler Kesiman of Badung, a new treaty was signed in July 1849, giving control over Buleleng and Jembrana to the Dutch.[2][3] The ruler of Lombok obtained control over Karangasem.[3] The Dutch had their headquarters in Singaraja, where a Dutch Controller ruled over the local Raja from 1855.[2]