Pulau Bali
History of Bali
At the time of Holland’s final conquest of Bali in 1906, the island was administered by autonomous lords and their officials. Each of its nine warring principalities-Klungkung, Karangasem, Mengwi, Badung, Bangli, Tabanan, Gianyar, Buleleng and Jembrana-was separated by sharply demarcated borders and each competed for the loyalty, support, and deference of the population.
In May 1904 the small Chinese steamer Sri Koemala was wrecked and looted off Sanur. The owners held the Dutch government directly responsible. The Dutch, in turn, demanded the raja of Badung pays damages and punish the looters. The raja, with the support of bordering states, refused. The dickering between the Dutch and the raja dragged on for two years, with the deadlock finally used as a pretense for the Dutch to throw a complete naval blockade around southern Bali.
On 15 September 1906, the Dutch anchored a large war fleet off Sanur and landed an expeditionary force of 2,000 men. Opposed on the beach at dawn the next day by Balinese attacking with golden spears, the Dutch started their final advance on Denpasar, trundling their cannons behind them. By 19 September they reached the town’s outskirts. The naval bombardment commenced early the next morning, firing the king’s palace and the houses of the princes.
