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, Old Rajah, • B
M , L895.
With
the Dutch in the East.
An outline of the Military Operations in Lombock, 1894,
Giving also a Popular Account of the Native Characteristics,
Architecture, Methods of Irrigation, Agricultural Pursuits,
Folklore, Religious Customs, and a Eistory of the
Introduction of Islainism and Hinduism into
the Island.
By
Capt. W. Cool, (Dutch Engineers)
Knight of the Order of Orange Nassau; decorated for important War Services
in the Dutch Indies;
Professor at the High School of "War, The Hague.
Translated from the Dutch by E. J. Taylor.
With a Copious Index, a small Glossary of foreign Words and a
List of Authorities quoted.
Illustrated by G. B. Hooyer,
Late Lieut. Col. of the Dutch Indian Army; Knight of the Military Order of William;
decorated for important War Services in the Dutch Indies.
London :
Luzac & Co., Publishers to the India Office,
16, Gtreai Russell street.
1897.
I S II BNEB,
'. and).
INTRODUCTION.
Id various articles relating to matters connected with the Indian
army and to the Atclieen war, we have endeavoured to explain the
wants of the Indian army, to give an insight into the life of the [ndian
soldier, to awaken sympathy for that army of which our own people
know too little and which therefore often receives l>nt scanl recognition
and is with difficulty rendered efficient for its task.
With this question ever before us, was it possible for lis to refuse
the flattering request of our former comrade, in collaboration with whom
w r e published "A Beautiful page from Atcheen's history," once more to
join hands and undertake a similar task?
We labour under no delusions as to the difficulties attached to writing
about an expedition not yet belonging to the past.
Ought we then to have waited until the interest and sympathy for
our troops, now at its height, had gradually subsided? We have decided
otherwise and propose "to strike while the iron is hot.!" Unfortunately
our doing so is subject to certain disadvantages, for in spite of even
effort to be accurate and correct, mistakes arc bound to occur and For
these Ave beg the indulgence of our readers.
Under these circumstances it is but natural, that from the critic's
Point of view, we shall only occupy a very modest place.
T/ie Author.
iif>*m<)
PREFACE.
If the writer of this work has considered it necessarj to claim the
indulgence of his readers, with all the greater reason musl the translator
do so. There is a wide-spread, and, I must admit, ;i well-founded
prejudice against translations in general, and in tin's particular instance
I cannot even put forward the plea, that the author's name is ;i familiar
or household name in our midst.
The title of the book however will, I hope, ensure for it a friendlj
reception; all things Eastern, appertain they to Eastern Europe, rBastern
Africa or Eastern Asia, appeal to the sympathy of the Weste n mind
and that is why I have ventured upon the translation of the present
volume.
It not only covers the political history of Lombock (one of the Sunda
Islands) from the year 1595 to the present time, but also deals with
'the every day life of the Sassaks, an interesting people, about whom
little has been written in consequence of the stringent measures taken
by their rulers to keep the foreigner at a distance.
The book opens with a letter, written in 1891 by the Sassak chiefs
•to the Netherlands Government, asking for protection against their
neighbours, the Ealinese, who had acquired a preponderating influence
in the island. These poor natives enumerate their grievances and enlarge
upon them in a quiet, dignified manner and one cannot help pitying
the simple-minded men who write so touchingly about the sad fate
awaiting the wives and daughters of their fellow-countrymen when bereft
of their natural protectors and who not unfrcquentlv in the lite-time
of husbands and fathers are exposed to the insatiable lust of their
so-called masters.
Their religious observances, their funeral rites, their marriage cere-
monies, all point to an extreme degree of conservatism and in many of
their self-imposed laws we find not a trace of alteration since the time
of their institution, many hundred years ago; it is ver\ certain that
numerous radical reforms are needed ere we can speak of the Sa^sak>
as even semi-civilized and there is no disguising the tact that, "their
customs are barbarous and morals they have none." Underlying all
their peculiarities and superstitions, then' exists, however, an honest
•desire for right, which is revealed in many of their long-standing
traditions; it is astonishing to see the sense of honour found amongst
the women, who submit to any humiliation rather than bring disgrace
ing thnr husbands' homes. Education too is
and mothers .-til teach their children how to
show a marked love of music and the}
[•a] performances and watching the dancing
[y, the men air strongly addicted to opium-
gambling ami their infatuation for cock-
ooked upon as the prevailing vices in the island.
cannot Ik- looked upon as a mere pastime it
,1 b) the princes a- a mean- of levying taxes
What admiration and respect is the marvellous
ii which exists. This is especiall} noticeable in the
..in the verj earliest times for the protection of the
the division and suppl} of water for irrigating the
ipon myself the responsibilit} of reducing an exceedingly
liapter on the Earl} Connections of the Dutch
i and Lombock to a mere readable quantity, retaining only
- absolutely necessan to prove the right of the Netherlands to
the time her help was sought.
\^ : d m the title page, the work contains an account of
uteri-tics, habits, agricultural pursuits, architecture and
_ tion; the folk-lore and religious customs, and the
the introduction of Islamism and Hinduism into the Island
uj)\ a prominent place. The second half of the work
torj of the military operations of the Dutch Indian
landed in Lombock in Juty 1894, and who. after a series
icceeded in taking the reigning Balinese Rajah
_ -rdcr to the island.
Mi best thanks are due to Captain Walter .lames of 5 Lexham
who has aided in translating military terms, which are difficult
uninitiated to understand.
E. J. TAYLOR.
CONTENTS.
Section. I'a,,i
I. The Immediate Cause oe the Expedition 1
II. Composition and Departure oe the Expedition 19
III. Our Knowledge oe the Country and its People h'>
IV. Our early Connections with Bali and Lomboce LG5
V. The Landing and other Incidents at Lomboce,
up 25th— 2Gth August L85
VI. The Attack 223
VII. Reinforcement of the Expedition 27 I
VIII. Operations for the Siege of Mataram 286
I'X. Capture of Mataram 31 » I
X. Occurrences preceding the Attack of Tjakra Nagaba ... 314
XI. Fresh Reinforcements. Fall of Tjakra Nagaea 334
XII. Fall of the Lombock Dynasty
Index I
Glossary of a Few Words not sufficiently explained in
the Text EX
Authorities Quoted a
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
FULL PAGE.
View of Tandjong Priok 1 1 1
Portrait of General Major Van Ham 39
Gusti with Balinese attendants 63
Portrait of Lieut. Col. P. van Lawick van Pabsl
Buddhist Temple at Lingsar j 1 1
Roadstead of Ampenan. from the shore J I : :
General Vetter's Retreat 228
Van Lawick's column at Tjakra Nagara J 1J
Lieutenant de Jong in the Sawah 245
Lieutenant de Graaf and sergeant Sadinian attacked by the Balinese -'>'■'•
Attacking the N.E. Poeri of Tjakra Nagara 339
IN THE TEXT.
Soldiers' wives 1 •">
European soldier 17
Native trumpeter I -
Embarking at Tandjong Priok -< »
Loading at Tandjong Priok -1
Transport of military goods at Meester Cornelis 22
Native soldier : 9th battalion - 1
Roadstead of Samarang • 25
Departure of the field-artillery -~
Arrival of 7th battalion at its place of embarkation Samarang 29
A game at Keplek 30
Along the coast of Java 31
The Maetsuycher (at night ) : '> : '>
Pirogues along the quay at Soerabaya :; '
Sassak Kampong chief • <
Sassak Woman ,s
Sassaks in the Kampong 51
Balinese man 55
Gate of the Poeri at Tjakra-Nagara ,; '
Stone gate within a Balinese Kampong 73
Gate before the great waringin tree at Ampenan < <
Hindoo sacrifice houses at Ampenan
Dewa-temple at Tjakra Nagara
The Bade
Griffin
" A Gamboeh performance." 1
Balinese Kampong at Ampenan ' ' -
Guardian of the Temple
Various types of Sassaks
House in a Sassak Kampong '
Sassak fishermen on the beach at Ampenan '
Sassak woman washing clothes ' -
" Ploughing the Sawahs "
" Working the Sawahs "
INTINUT D.
L25
IT
;■■• ,:,'
■ 00
i.'.'!.'.'.".'.'.'.'.'!.'.'.'.'!!!.'.'! ii-
1 1 1
""' _
14*
I.M
- - g
. '.' '.
' '
''"
L69
•' a Eamil J [:''
' "
'""
• 1-:'
m on Llth July 192
■ ^ u ;
Batu Klian 215
rhere General Van Earn is buried 235
.1 >w
-■'_
Impenan - 1,
rah Karang Aaem, Rajah of Lombock 256
! I .' h Headquarters -"- ;
bical department 288
:: "'
B 312
1 1 igkok 323
329
; ; ;;s
. l.-iv .iii march 342
:;M
::,M
i'i \
1 1 I
dw< Uinga 153
194
285
■"in
-
292
294
295
298
315
31 B
322
324
326
I.
THE IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF THE EXPEDITION.
This letter* is from us, poor and uneducated people, by name:
Marui Moestiadji, Raden Ratmawa, Mami Bangkol, Radon Wiranom,
Marui Noersasi, Raden Melajoe and Djero Ginawang, residing respec-
tively at and being chiefs of Kopang, Rarang, Praja, Pringabaja, Sakra,
Mas Bage and Batu Klian.
We are also writing it the name of the inhabitants of all the "dessas"
and hamlets of this country and Ave wish to convey our most respect-
ful greetings to the Resident in authority at Buleleng.
AVe hope you received our previous letter and we want to give you
further details about the position of the Mohammedans and Balinese here.
First of all, we wish to acquaint you with the fact that the king-
dom of Salaparang originally belonged to the Mohammedans; from
generation to generation our ancestors have owned this hind: it was
by force that the Balinese took possession of the primely dignity and
placed the entire country under their own rule.
AVe have acknowledged their princely dignity and since we have
become their subjects, we have always carried out their commands,
yet we have always been cruelly treated and robbed.
At their bidding we have always paid the taxes on gardens and
,, sawahs " (nice plantations) and have brought in a sufficient supply
of rice, paddy and kepings (money).
AVe have never failed in this since they have become the masters
and we the subjects of this country.
When there has been question of building houses, or raising other
edifices, or laying out pleasure grounds, we have done the work punc-
tually. AVhile thus employed we had to bring our own food, which
was very hard for those living at a distance.
In addition to having to work like this for the princes, we had to
do the same thing for the smaller Balinese chiefs, and still, notwithstand-
ing this, Ave have been shamefully treated.
People have been put to death without trial and have ver\ frequently
been droAvned in the sea. If the chiefs were annoyed with a man.
he would be found guilty of some crime and condemned, and we
dared not rebel. Often our property, such as "sawahs," garden-.
* Translation of a letter written by the chiefs of the East coast <>f Lombo
Resident of Bali and Lomboek and produced by the Colonial Minister in the First Chai
7th and Sth July, 1894 at the interpellation of Heer Pijnacker Bordjjk.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
i from us without any sort of corn-
stated, we were never remiss in paying
full.
. .■■- rod our daughters, especially if
th, were taken away l»\ force, some they took for
bjected to all sorts of outrages
- imetimes grown up girls were taken—
- little girls of about Beven. It not unfrequently
; that the parents of these children went out of their minds
hut was to be done? nobody dared raise his voice.
re I"-. -n raised in a very unjust manner.
plantations, but after the harvest the prince's hirelings
ized it nearly all, so that we had uot even enough for
[f more than two or three „katis" of coffee were
. one's h"ii-.-. it was immediately seized and, in addition
owner was fined; the same thing toot place with the
ed from Buleleng or Sumbawa.
the princes or notables wanted anything, either | pie or horses
g apparel, they simply took them, without seeing the neces-
giving any compensation.
• the Princes cock-fighting and dice-playing were con-
illy kept up; those who owned any thing lost it. whilst others
to theft; the princes encouraged this pastime because
• • imposed on the players; as a result the small man became
i in those dessas, where the games did n<>t take place regu-
larly, the chiefs were punished.
\\ th regard to the inhabitants of the coast, the regulations were
■ h a nature, thai it became next to impossible to obtain a liveli-
iport and export duties were levied and even certain articles
• i itiable were nevertheless taxed.
:ii«l the above mentioned dues have been exorbitantly
I and the princes have never troubled to look after the welfare
i':tr\ or the interests of the poor islanders.
We bave been informed recently that the princes at Ajnpenan con-
■ duty on "kepings"; they claim 1 per cent on all
of debts and the same amount on all g Is, which
ile of the interior come and buy. The originator of this
tain Entji Oemar, of whom yon may have heard
W( elded to this last demand of the princes, bui jrou your-
justice of this las! measure.
isfa to inform you, that, when hostilities broh t
and Klongkong, we were ordered l>\ the princes
l. Some of the inhabitants of certain
Ij summoned to take part in the war and
ed of means of subsistence provided for them-
• those who were poor were very badlj
ild afford to return here did so, but manj
-'ill hit in ignorance as to
THE IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF THE EXPEDITION.
whether they are dead or alive. This is the waj we have always
obeyed the princes.
Besides, we must tell you that when a Mohammedan dies here
without leaving male issue, all his female relations, as well as all
his real and personal estate are appropriated l»\ the prince
result of this the girls are mostly convert.', I into prostitutes. It the
deceased leave brothers, they get unfiling either, and later, when some
Balinese is banished here from Earangassim, the lands are given to
him, so that he may crush down the Sassak population to his heart's content.
Probably you have heard what happened in the case of the Chinese
Bandar Ketjoe, who died at Ampenan; he only Lefl a widow ami one
brother— he had no sons— well, we are treated in the same way.
Tracts of land which are suitable for "sawahs" or gardens, are
frequently not allowed to be cultivated by the poor man. Imt are
turned into zoological gardens (menageries) for the exclusive use ol
the princes; and these tracts are often to be met with, and the princes
say, "we must show no pity to the Mohammedans, tor they may rise
up against us any day."
From this you can judge how ill-used we are by our rulers. They
have also made it known that they had heard that some of the
Mohammedans of Tangkah were going to rebel against them ami that
owing to the complications connected with the war in Bali, they were
unable to do anything, but that after the war all those who had wanted
to rebel, as well as all the notable Mohammedans, all the "hadjis"
(pilgrims to Mecca) and the leaders of that faith should he put to death.
The Balinese "Punggawa" Ida Bargus Gama Oka stated this tact
at the house of Hadji Abdurrahman at Ampenan in the presence of
several people, some of whom came from Buleleng.
Several young men, who had been employed in the palace, had
heard the same thing and told us about it. For this decision of the
prince there is absolutely no cause whatever, and we are continually
hearing that many Mohammedans are to be put to death, especially
at Praja. A young man, belonging to Praja, but in service at the
palace, had heard the same thing and told the inhabitants of his ''dessa "'.
Not long afterwards a young Mohammedan was put to death by order
of the Balinese punggawa, under pretext of his having stolen "padi",
of which offence he was not in reality guilty.
In consequence of this, Goeroe Bangko] went three times in gee
the above named chief, but his complaint remained unheeded. Then
he returned to Praja, informed his fellow-citizens of what had occurred
and also of the intention of the rulers to put them to death.
The inhabitants of Praja immediately prepared to light: this occur-
red on the 2nd of the month of Muharam (August .
When the rebellion broke out at Praja, the other Mohammedans
knew nothing about it and we obeyed the order to march against
that dessa. Praja was besieged and many of the hamlets belonging
to it were burned to the ground.
Persons belonging to the dessa, who surrendered as being unwilling
to take any share in the rising, were nevertheless put to death imme-
diately by command of the prince. Amongsl these were numbers of
old men, women and children.
THE LOMBOi B EXPEDITH
\\ , i the pi - to fight against Praja and on our
n killed and wounded. No provision was
find our own f 1. bo thai those who had
- suffered untold privations. Although we
the princes, -till they did not trust .is. lor. us
Pj : .. - not being brought into Bpeedj subjection,
that the Mohammedans were Becretlj in unison with
did not throw themselves heart ami soul into the fight,
the chiet ot Batu Klian ami all his children ami follow-
in number, were summoned from Pudjan to Sakra ami
arrival were all put to death. The -am.' tat.- befell Mami
\ son of the murdered chief of Batu Klian i- one
a .-,[ this Letter with us. When these occurrences
- were at Pujong, in the neighbourhood of Praja,
"radens" ami chiefs of the Sassaks dwelling in the
rimor djoering were present.
\ . chief of Sakra. was ordered to come to Mataram
with all his followers ami bring a cannon witli him, ami whilst on
learned that they were all t<> !»»■ taken prisoners— so tin*
k t<> hi- dessa. The same 'lay 150 inhabitants of Sakra.
\ . and 150 from other dessas, 150 in all. were taken
and put in chain-. When the Mohammedans heard that all
were to 1..- put to death, they decided to rise in a body
ilers, tor they now well knew whatwas in Btore for them,
ere no Longer going to submit to seeing their fellow country-
killed off like chickens; ami besides, the princes had expressed
their determination that all the "hadjis" should he put to death, they
3 ssaks to rebel. A- a matter of fact the "hadjis"
all; we were influenced by no one. hut decided
ger to yield obedience alter the outrages above
■
r 1 1\ poor people, hut how can that he helped?
lured all the things above set forth, and they are certainly
e have had to put up with.
We hope t! will arrange to meet us. then we can tell you
miserable condition. We have not been able to do bo
we are very plain and simple people, unacquainted
way of expressing ourselves. We hope that you will
to our communications ami that jrou will act as
ed yourself.
ire not quite right or if in any other
led in respect, we hope that you will not he vexed
u nd you that in our previons letter we asked you
' -a\ that we hope you will be kind
■''■ f this 1 ountry, even those of the dessas
ted to have this Letter written by me him,,
made them acquainted with its contents.
• : ■ •■ tiul greetings ami hope to receive
THE IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF THE EXPEDITION.
Written at Kopang, on the 7th of the month of Djoema I
(9 December 1891 .
DJERO MOESTIADJ] of Kopang.
MAM] BANGKOL of Praja.
MA XI N0ERSAS1 of Sakra.
GINAWANG of Batu Klian.
Etaden RATMAWA of Rarang.
„ WIRANOM of Pringa baja.
„ MELAJOE KOESOEMA of MAS BAGE.
At first however the prayers of those '-poor simple people" were but
as cries from the wilderness.
Had not the endless difficulties of the Ateheen campaign shaken our
confidence in ourselves and in our strength both with the people and
with the Government?
Was it not imperative that the troops should have more time to rest
and recruit their strength? Was not the exchequer drained, was not ;i
deficit imminent? And — quite recently — did not the unfortunate results
of the Flores expedition show the necessity of greater prudence?
Was not our policy inspired by a pusillanimous, yet easily-to-be-understood
dread of complications, combined with a desire to avoid all that might
lead to disturbances?
Anyhow no attention was paid to the violation of the treaty of 1843
by article 1 of which, the government of Lombock had acknowledged
our suzerainty ! *
* Thin contract, produced by the Colonial Minister at the interpellation of Eeer Pjjnacker
Hordijk is as follows :
AGREEMENT drawn up between Heer Hendrik Jacob Huakers Eoopman a- com-
missioned plenipotentiary of the Dutch Indian Government and His Highness
Gustie Ngoerah Ketoet Karang Assam, prince of Mataram, now sole ruler of the
island of Salaparang (Lombock) and dependencies.
Art. I. I, Gustie Ngoerah Ketoet Karang Assam, prince of Mataram, at preBenl sole ruler
of the island of Salaparang (Lombock) and dependencies, acting for myself as well a- for
my successors, declare this island to belong to the Dutch Indian Govern ut.
Art. II. Therefore I, promise that neither the above named island nor yet any part of the
same shall ever be ceded to any white nation of whatever name, nor shall I enter into alli-
ance with any such.
Art. III. Every three years an embassy shall be sent to Batavia by me, prince of Sala-
parang and my successors to pay homage to His Excellency the Governor-General, as repre-
sentative of His Majesty the King.
With that object in view an embassy shall he sent for the firs' time in this current year
of 1843.
During their stay at Batavia the expenses of these embassies -hall he defrayed bj the
Government, whose special protection they shall enjoy.
Art. IV. If the Government should think tit, for any reason, to Bend from time to time.
an envoy to Salaparang, (Lombock) the said envoy shall enjoy the same privileges there i
those guaranteed in the foregoing article to the Salaparang envoy.
Art. V. The commissioner and the above-named prince, judging it aecessarj that i
should be put to the barbarous practice on the island of Salaparang, known bj tie' nan
Tawang-Karang, (right of jetsom) by which the cargo of ships and steamers wrecked off
coast of this island, ceases' to belong to the passengers ami crew who besides Iobu
THE LOMBOi B EXPEDITION
I new encroachment was blinked at with mosl
1891 when the Governmenl ot Karangassim
|>, <va Igong" of Klongkong and the Lombock
nsulting the Governor-General conveyed troops and
ssisl Karangassim.
v igtisl 189] when a rebellion broke out amongst
.,,■ both decided to laj down the following
■ Karang Assam declares that in c pliance with the
nent he makes an irrevocahle renunciation for all time ol the
" d^ribed. ,, . . . ,
this he, the prince, promises that in future, all ships and vessels,
■ wrecked off an) part ol the coast within bis
,j IM „n ,|, »ers and crew, shall receive all possible help, Buch as
under the Dutch In. linn Govern nt.
red tnusf be reckoned at 15 p. cent at the verj lowest and
.;. on the value of the materials Baved,
• „,|| onh I- accepted on things which have been Baved with
i.l with. >ui tint _
- must be given, when for instance there is need for deep
t Hi.- an. I incurring heavj expenditure.
:,t of til-- salvage money, -hull always be fixed bj an arbitral corn-
ling ,,, ti,,. B cale before nam.. I ami taking int.. consideration
,1 the more or less trouble ami expense incurred in the
-•
I • • Dutch In. linn Government;
tenting the prince of Balaparang (Lombock) and
- ■ tig the \\ recked vessel.
the Dutch Imlian Government is George Pocock King,
\ npcnan.
• .rth.-r promises that the mosl active protection -hall be afforded t..
tch Indian Government declares that a- long as the princes of Salapa-
,t faithfulh the foregoing articles, up attempt shall be made b> it
Kland m>r t<> interfere with the internal administration thereof, which
the contrarj be left entirely, under the control of the princes of the
I. in the island of Balaparang, « I bock i, on this the Beventh da)
■ I forty-thi
II. .1. Ilii-kn- Koopman.
the islandti ..t Bab! ami I bock,
Hi, accredited envoy I" the islands,
\\ . II. Brouwer.
writti-n m Balinesc characters air that of the reigning prince.
Guatie Ngoerab Ketoel Karang Assam,
hi. I probable successor t.> the throne,
<i. e Karang Assam ami
Gcdci w anasarie.
Dewa Am 'in.
< iii-i i l • Rai.
Ninga Pagoejangan.
Gustic Njoman Tankaban.
known t.> me,
//.,' /.. n,, commissioner of the island*
B ■>■ and Lombock.
\\ II. Brouwer.
THE IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF THE EXPEDITION.
the Sassak population and the princes neglected to notify the Government
of the occurrence.
Thus it was in February 1892 — when, in consequence of the risi
the controller, J. 11. Liefrinck, soughl to obtain admission to the princes
at Mataram and was put off under various pretexts, while two letters
of the Resident's received but unsatisfactorj and evasive replies.
It was the same thing again when the princes imported weapons and
Avar materials without asking the consent* of the Gover enl and even
went as far as chartering vessels, manned partly or entirety l»\ Europeans,
for the transport by sea of their troops and war materials.
Although the controller Liefrinck repeatedly warned them that the
importation of arms into the Dutch Indies without leave was prohibited
by the Government, and, that under no circumstances, would it be
possible for the Dutch Indian Government to allow these steamers to,
be used for warlike purposes: still no notice was taken. The Lombock
princes went even so far as to forbid the captain of one of the char-
tered vessels to go on board of one of our men-of-war. When called
upon to present his ship's papers, he refused to do so and at the same
time behaved in a most unbecoming manner to the Dutch Naval Authorities.
Finally, when in May 1892, the Resident of Bali and Lombock wenl
himself to Lombock to demand an explanation of these extraordinary
proceedings, he was not received; he was informed in haughty tones
that the Government of Lombock did not consider itself bound by the
dictates of our Government as regards the use of warships; and apologies
for the unseemly conduct towards our naval officers were refused.
In more recent despatches the princes denied the right of our Govern-
ment to apply to them the police regulations observed at sea and tlu\
entered a protest against the embargo, which our Government had finally
considered it necessary to place on two Lombock vessels, lying at Surabaya.
They even went so far, these Lombock princes, as to try and sow
dissension between us and a foreign Government. First of all, the\ sent
one of their dependents to Singapore with the political treaty, in order
to obtain legal advice about it and, if possible, to seek the interven-
tion of the British Government against the Dutch Indian Government.
I, the undersigned, declare that I was present at the concluding of this treatj and respect-
fully accept the appointment to be a member of the arbitration committee.
(.. I'. Kin-.
The present treaty is confirmed on this the 28th day of August L843, but only on tl
express condition, that the wording of article VI shall be understood to mean, that \i a
Dutch subjects should wish to establish themselves in business on the island, the prince Bb.aU
allow them to do so, and that they shall be permitted to place themselves under the Dutch
flag in such a manner, as to feel that they are secure in their places of abode.
The Governor Gt neral of tin Jhiich 1 ■
I*. Merkus.
In the historical survey of our former relations with Lombock, we shall again rel
treaty.
* In contradiction to the general decree of 30 Nov. L876, regarding the import and ex|
as well as trade with the interior in fire-arms, gunpowder and ..ther materials oi wai
than for the public benefit.
THE I. "Ml ZPEDITIOE
wrarted in this by the advice the) received, they
at Anipenan, to Singapore with an announce-
English and intended for the "Straits Times," to
the prince, as Rajah of Lombock, had nothing whatever
Government, and that he was perfectly independent
the request, however, of our Consul-General the
nserted.
might be looked upon as really the "last straw!"
did the Government consequent) feel thai if was undignified to
• nought and decide al last upon taking summary measures?....
\ • i< not yet quite the " last Btraw ! "
would tr\ and have recourse to "amicable" intervention.
rnement decided therefore— April 1893 — to consult with
Bali and Lombock, Heer Dannenbargh, as to whether
Lombock Government would receive favorably a proposal from us. to
and bring about a compromise between the lawful authorities there
and tin- rebels?
At the same time the Governor senl to the resident under date of
._ \ j nil. :i letter addressed to the Lombock prince:
a well-meant letter such is the friendly beginning — dictated by
:i dear conscience, is b) the help of the Lord of all the worlds, sent
man) greetings from us, Meester Cornelis Pijnacker Hordijck,
-Genera] of the Dutch Indies, Commander of the Order of
Netherlands Linn, knight of the Order of the White Eagle of
authorized to govern all the Dutch Indies and seated on
• Buitenzorg, to our friends Etatoe Agoeng G'de Ngoerah
\ — 1 1 1 » and Ratoe Agoeng rC'toet Karang Assam, who, by
of the treaty concluded with the Dutch Indian Government, are
ed t-» rule over the provinces of Salaparang and Karangassim
\\h<> arc enthroned in the palace of Mataram. May they and
elonging to them have long life and prosperity."
I ■ all the "Well-meaning and kind wishes," it was just possible
the remainder of the letter should prove less acceptable.
into consideration the fact that Lombock forms a part of the
niiiions of the Dutch Indies and. that therefore, the inhabitants there
our protection, when it is soughl for on good grounds,
think, now that the Sassak population has had recourse to the
I Indian Government for help and protection — see beginning of
that the time has arrived to draw the attention of our
■ that a greal part of the island of Lombock has
i than a year and a half in a state of insurrec-
amount of disorder in everyda) life, which is
udicial t" the pcple. I.nt which has also been in no
prodw troubles and complications to our friends."
the (. ir-General, •the Resident had am reason to fear
letter might in an) wa) lead to armed inter-
it would be just as well to postpone the delivery."
THE IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF THE EXPEDITION. 9
We will only point out how very cautiously the) went to work.
Although the Resident replied, that the offer of compromise would
probably be acknowledged by a polite, bill evasive answer from the
princes, yet the Governor-General— June 181)3 — decided to lei matters
proceed so far as to prepare the Lombock rulers for eventually receiving
a letter from the Governor-General at least, if the controller, bearer
of the letter from the Governor, would be received in a satisfacton
manner. For if not, then the delivery of the document must be post-
poned or at least further instructions would have to be obtained from
Batavia.
Again, we must bear witness to tin: great prudence displayed.
And in order, above all things, to prevent complications, it was once
more earnestly impressed "/ton the Resident to avoid anything, which might
lead to an armed expedition against Lombock.
For instance, consideration Avas given to the danger to which the
controller might be exposed and to the eventuality of the Lombock
Government sending a reply of a threatening nature. The Resident was
most emphatically instructed to stud)/ the situation carefully ami if in
his opinion any such danger was to be anticipated, he was to notify ///<■
same to the Governor-General before sending the letter.
This again goes to prove with what extraordinary cautiousness and
circumspection the Governor-General acted in this matter.
The colonial report will supply us with further information concerning
the letter in question.
On the 22nd June a native interpreter was sent from Buleleng to
Lombock with a (not the) letter from the Resident to enquire when and
where, in view of the existing disturbances in the island, the princes
would receive the controller entrusted with the letter of the Governor.
The answer dated 4th July sounds somewhat droll!
If the controller were coming to bring the letter and to settle the
matters, which the princes had discussed in their letters of July 1892
these letters expressed a desire for the repeal of the police regulations,
directed against them in connection with the embargo laid on the two
famous Lombock steamers, etc. — then they would receive him in the
usual way!
On the 17th July the Resident was authorized by telegram to allow
the controller to start for Lombock in order to hand over the letter.
and if necessary to hear any proposals the princes might make, without
however committing himself to accept them.
Surely this advice was superfluous!
On the 24th July, the controller having arrived in the harbour at
Ampenan, sent the interpreter ashore, and the latter not meeting any
of the Lombock "pumbuckles" there, went to Mataram. where the
Governor promised him that he would, without delay, acquaint both
the Princes, now at Kota Radja, of the controller's arrival.
Although two "pumbuckles" came on board oexl da\ and assured
the controller, he should have a speedy interview with the princes
±yj
-;v.
i
liv
I
N - I
1
ft
THE IMMEDIA TE CA USE OF Til E E \ I ' E VITH )N.
Mataram, still the meeting was constant^ postponed for some
or another.
In our opinion the disturbances must l>\ tins time have spread as far
as the immediate neighbourhood of Bogor, the usual residence of the
Government officials, so that it would have been difficult In receive the
controller there. No heed was paid to the suggestion made l>\ him,
that it would be sufficient if he were afforded an opportunitj <»f
presenting the letter to the princes iu one of their "poeris at Mataram
or Tjakra Nagara and that he could return on board until the n p!\
was ready and. once more go on shore to receive it at one of the " poeris. '
Instead of that, in the afternoon of 29th July, a "pumbuckle" came
on board, as representative of the authorities to prevail upon the con-
troller to return to Buleleng for a time, as it would be impossible for
the princes to see him within the next few days; bu1 that a- soon as
it was convenient they would let the Resident know.
They had however on this very morning received in audience ;i
European lawyer, from Singapore, one who was evidently advising the
Lombock rulers.
After wasting six days in the harbour the controller was obliged to
return, without having accomplished anything.
And of course there was no question of an apology !
The promised notification as to when tin- Governor-General's letter
could be received remained non-forthcoming.
Such then was the conduct of the Lombock rulers towards then- Suzerain '
During the whole of this period warfare was being carried on in the
interior and the inhabitants were running imminent risk of utter annihilation '
Such was the state of affairs when the Governor-General Pijnacker
Hordijk gave up office.
Very shortly after his appointment, the new Governor-General,
Jhr. C. H. A. van der Wijck, redemanded the letter written b\ his
predecessor and which was still in the custod} of the Resident and
began seriously to consider what would be the besl line of conduct to
pursue in connection with Lombock.
From various sources information was being brought in about
the insurrection.
Thus the commander of the warship stationed at Ampenan reported
that owing to the disorders having spread to the West coast of Lombock,
the rulers had been obliged to withdraw some of their troops from Central
Lombock in order to defend Mataram, Tjakra Nagara and Narmada,
and that the rebels seemed to be getting the upper hand
Permission was refused to Gusti G'de Djilantik, prince ol Karaiig-
assim, who was still fighting the Sassaks, to purchase a large number
of guns and a proportionate quantity o\' ammunition, ostensibly
Karangassim, but in reality intended tor the Lombock ruler*
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
ioufl preparations to win back lost ground and to bring
subjection the dessa of Sekarbela, which was suffering
;:, "" m '- , .111
v Fanuar) a trustworthy Bugis, who had been sent
the Bast coast to obtain information,* was able
had been but little fighting in Easl Lombock during
„ths and that by mutual consent it was drrul-d to place
ration along the frontiers, but that although the rice
I onlj take place in three months' time, in several districts
tj of food, and mam Sassaks had to be satisfied
w jth all »f makeshifts and that in the neighbourhood of Praja
done, over two hundred people had died of starvation. The
- kra conveyed to this Bugis a letter— 20 February— in which
m the name of all the Sassaks in authority, requested the inter-
vention of the ( lovernment. v
order to procure further particulars as to the accuracy ol these
rding the existing famine and if necessary to take
zainst it. the Governor-General sent Liefrinck to East Lom-
i was at the same time to acquaint the princes with the reason
: the object of his mission 26 Feb .
27th the controller left Buleleng and on the 3rd March
lied the E si coast, which district be really found in the most
table condition.
I. • .... w hat he says about it •.
■On the following morning," he writes, "I went to visit the fugi-
i m the settlements of the neighbourhood of Sakra and was not
in discovering that the reports which had reached Buleleng were
from exaggerated. In man) cases the dwellings consist only of the
cocoa-nut tree and there is no (piestion of am suitable
ommodation, so that a good deal of sickness results.
ilking through these temporal") settlements, there is no need to
uire whether hunger exists; the hollow cheeks, the emaciated bodies
tell their own tale too plainh .
poor little children are the most to be pitied; owing to the
and lack of food of these past Few months, hardly anything is
ir little mites but skin and hone.
"In several places I saw the people preparing their meals, which con-
t a quantity of chopped papajastam, pisangstam and a
and in verj rare cases a handful oi "djagoeng
[led.
true or not thai the aged prince was -till alive —
• Mt in. It i- characteristic of the people, thai tlii- Bpy
m mi tlii- point, regarding which uncertaintj prevailed
nit him.
"This letter ia sent with the utmost humility
Mami K< rtawang of Sakra to the Resident of Buleleng.
the difficult circumstances, in which we are placed and we
in authority in tlii- country are relying upon the assistance
Written 20 February, I s '"-
THE IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF THE EXI'EIHTIOX.
L3
"After this look round, during which 1 visited aboul 200 of
these unfortunates, I saw that help was absolutely needed, and know-
ing, that in that case, it would be given, 1 decided to return on
hoard immediately and inform Your Excellenc} of the State of
affairs."
After that the controller had an interview with the chiefs and what
he gathered from them he relates as follows:
"Referring in the course of conversation to what I bad -ecu that
morning, it was
pointed out to
me that what 1
had been able
to discover in
such a short
survey, was but
trifling in com-
parison to the
misery in other
places, Praja for
instance.
"In order to
give me some
idea of the ex-
tent of the fam-
ine they men-
tioned the names
of 28 dessas
which are now r
nearly quite de-
serted, amongst
which several,
such as Rarang
Kopang, Batu-Klian and
or more inhabitants, so
Soldiers' wives.
Turadadi formerly contained three
that according even to their ven
thousand
moderate
estimate, the fugitives must amount to 50.000 persons.
"There is not a single dessa or hamlet where they are nol to be
found; sometimes they are received in the dessas and establish them-
selves in the existing homesteads, where frequently the open spaces
as tn accommodate an entire
themselves in groups outside
under the rice barns, are fixed up so
family; and sometimes they establish
the dessas.
"All the chiefs declared that they did
the sufferings of these poor people, bu
for them to supply food for all.
"In many instances they have given
ill in their power to alleviate
that it was quite impossible
up
all the available ^\y,\rc in
their own homesteads
as seventy wanderers.
one of them assured me lie had lodged as mam
u THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
the following days" continues the controller, "I
,, - i; ._. i. Dasan Lekong, Kali-Djaga and Pring-
ns well as in the outskirts, there were mam Fugitives,
badl) off as al Sakra, and in Pringgabaja things
ble, won
I 1 , , , I ns to lie suffering from the greatest distress oi
all; I h u unable to go there, as it is a three days' journey,
which, there is a rumour current that an invasion of the
•n;i\ be expected an) day.
a what I have actually witnessed, I have no difficulty in believing
the report received at Buleleng that corpses had been seen on the
Iside near Praja; I have not seen an} with m,\ own eyes, but
j,,,!- g f rora the emaciated skrunken appearance of the greater number
it is quite possible to imagine thai some of these poor
iccumb on their waj from one dessa to another.
rv where 1 receive the same accounts of the famine and in the
dcssas [have more recently visited the} seem to use the same sort of
»r food.
I mi;iii\ cases parents have been known to sell their children to
obtain I themselves; nsuall) the price received is a 'rijks-
dalder,' Is. Sd. but instances have occurred, where they have had to be
! with 400 kepengs. Is. 4d.
cception of the chief of Praja, I have met all the present
chiefs of the Easl coast. The most influential amongst them are:
i. n G'de* Main} Ketawang of Sakra, Raden G'de Melajoe ECesoema
and Raden Soehara of Mas Bagei, Raden Rarang of Rarang, Mangei
E Batu-Klian and Raden G'de* Wiranom of Pringgabaja.
irding to my instructions, I have abstained in all my interviews
with the chiefs from discussing their hostilities with the Balinese and
I given them to understand from the outsel that my mission
• '.kin Bolel} to enquire into the state of the people in edi-
tion with the terrible famine.
cr did nol prevent them on their part from repeatedly
i the disturbances which had been going on for some years
id to the events which had driven them to rise against the
ICCOUUts of the treatmenl which the} and their inferiors
cd coincide entirely with what we have already heard.
sh it to be clearl) understood that under no possible circum-
would the) ever again submit to Balinese rule: what the} had
■ i the outbreak of the war would baffle all description
the intention of our Governmenl to force them to it.
them, prefer to be put to death at once.
ishing that the chiefs should express themselves bo
r th< one and all acquainted with the plans made by
i ^termination, after the rebellion has
large meeting al Mataram he announced,
Mint i \ was once again under Ins rule, it was his
THE IMMEDIA TE CA USE OF Til E WX PEDITION.
intention to put to death all the former chiefs, all the descendant
good families and all the hadjis; and if there is an\ truth in the
following story, which is being widelj spread all along the East coast
of Lombock, then he realty appears to lie a likel) sort of man to
satisfy his insane hatred by carrying nut his terrible threat.
"Some little time ago two notables of Praja, having acceded to the
pressing request of Gusti G'de Djlantik, prince of Karangassim to place
themselves once more under his rule, were well received l>\ him.
provided with all necessaries and lodged in the neighbourhood of Sekar
Bela. No sooner did Anak Agoeng Made hear this, than he -em for
them to go to Tjakra Nagara, and after detaining them there for one
day had them put to death, for no more ostensible reason than his
inveterate hatred of all the Sassak notables."
The perusal of this report quite did a\\a\ with all hesitation ;i- Far
as the Governor-General was concerned — the time tor intervention
had arrived.
"Under the circumstances," writes the Colonial .Minister to the
Governor-General on 28 May, and the manly tone does one good to
listen to, "it appears to me that it is the duty of the Dutch Indian
Government, as Suzerain of Lombock, to give active assistance to her
subjects, who have repeatedly begged for protection and no further
time can be lost in passive observation of events, etc."
In the early part of February the Resident of Bali and Lombock was
summoned to Batavia for a personal interview. This however \\;i- post-
poned until the latter part of March, so as to secure the presence of the
controller, after his recent inspection of the country.
It is more than probable that the Lombock Government was warned
of the impending conference, for with that, cunning peculiar to then-
race, the princes suddenly decided that something must be done.
Anyhow, just a few days before the departure of the Resident and
the controller, a letter dated 12 March was received by the former, who
had been waiting seven months for a reply to his requesl to be received
by them.
All sorts of pretexts were put forward for having been unable t<>
receive the letter of the previous Governor-General in .Inly 1893, but no
apologies were offered ; they intimated that as far as the war was concerned,
they felt more and more reassured— in other words that there was no
occasion for our interference; — that they would be pleased to learn in
writing, "whether it was intended to earn out the plan of sending the
controller to Selaparang, so as to be able to meet him as mentioned
in their answer of 4 July 1893."
Perhaps the reference to that letter was meant to be a piece of irony !
and, certainly, it was overstepping all limits, when two days later II March
the Lombock government, in reply to a letter, containing an accounl of
the terrible misery prevailing and verified by investigations instituted
at the request of the Resident, expressed their displeasure, and
was no part of the Resident's prerogative to meddle with the
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITH
_. that none of his predecessors had ever done so
• them better if the Resident would act as the
isal to his Suzerain!
lent had left for Batavia before receiving this letter.
• all these events and taking into consideration the
e military authorities concerned, that there was nothing
sive measures being taken against Lombock, to be followed
s l„ \,\ more forcible ones, tin- Indian administration finally
tied t<> i>i/,'- action.
ding t-. arms, the Governor-General decided to try
pressure once again. In 1887 our naval demonstration had the desired
mpelling the princes to accede to the demand- we made.
•_;•• \| ; .-, the Resident was instructed to obtain a personal
i t 1 1 the' princes and place before them the grievances and
,, lints ol the < lovernment and to demand :
1 . a proof of sincere regret at their disrespectful conduct towards the
eminent and it- envoys ;
.■inn assurance that henceforward the Government of the
princes should implicitly obej the orders of the Govenor-General,
a- ruling the whole of the Dutch Indie-, of which Lombock is a
part— especially In- orders regarding the import and export of
war material and the use of steamers manned either partly or
entirel) l>\ Europeans;
the immediate surrender of Anak Agoeng .Made, so that be might
be banished to some other island, he being looked upon a- the
instigator of the present e\ ils;
1 . tin- acceptance of the mediation of the Resident to put an end
the unsettled state of the island and the promise to abide bv
tlw regulations, which on enquiry, the Resident, -hall find it
necessan to impos
9th June the Resident acquitted himself of his mission.
• -.irw with the prince's two -on- they were informed ot
•he memorandum and were given three days tor reflec-
th the additional warning, that, if the\ did not comply with the
til, hostilities would he proclaimed. On the lllh .lime a
i indefinite postponement was promptly refused by the
lie was, that the\ onl\ wanted to -lnll\ --hall\ . and
them clearlx to understand that if a speed}
ed, it would be considered equivalent to a refusal
lids liiad.\
iwcd foi ' ion having been permitted to go K\
iken, th< Resident returned to Buleleng on
in In- mi — ion
THE IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF THE EXPEDITION
17
Orders were given by the Governor-General for an expedition] to^start
from Surabaya on the 3rd Jul v.
At the same time more stringent regulations were issued regarding
the import and export of war materials to Lombock.
_ Notice of the new regulations was at once given to the Naval author-
ities in Lombock waters and, in addition to guarding against the convey-
ance of auxiliary troops from Bali to Lombock, they were to prevent
the probable flight of Anak Agoeng Mad.' from Lombock.
Controller Liefrinck was despatched to
the East coast of Lombock to superintend
the distribution of rice to the starving
population. He was further empowered to
tell the Sassaks of the decision taken by
the Indian Government to come to their
assistance and put an end to their grievances
and sufferings.
Besides this the Resident was instructed
to inform the princes of Bali and Lombock
of our decision; as a matter of precaution
a corps of observation Avas to be stationed at
Buleleng. It was to be composed of a
mixed company of infantry, a section of
mountain artillery, besides some engineers
and auxiliary troops, with an eye to con-
tingencies, which might possibly arise at
Bali itself.
And "last but not least," three ships
belonging to the auxiliary squadron: the "Prim Eendrih" the " Koninqin
European soldier.
JEmma" and the " Tromp," were attached to the expedition, as well as two
3 Indian military marine: the "Sumatra" and the " Borneo."
belonging to the
The sword must now solve the problem !
The decision of the Governor-General has excited criticism here and there.
The question has been raised as to the alleged motives and the
expediency of sending out an expedition; fear is expressed that we are
not strong enough; that the unwholesome climate will decimate our men;
that a large enough number of troops could not be left behind for
possible emergencies; even our just "rigid" has been denied.
Concerning the first comment, we think that the foregoing disclosures
are sufficient proofs of the urgency of the case and that if the Govern-
ment is to be reproached at all, it is with having been too cautious and
too dilatory, to the prejudice of our prestige and that of the suffering
population, whereas, the only persons, who have derived an) distinct
advantage from this great caution, have been the Lombock princes, to
whom time has been afforded to equip themselves!
As to the other questions which were raised in our Senate on the
8th June, it strikes us that fear occupies too prominent a place, and.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
jellor. Where would be the strength and greatness
: olden times our military authorities and ourrulers
guided bj " Fear? v
think we cannot do better than repeat the answer
l,\ ill, I Minister:
"Noboch '•.in foresee the future, the result of
even expedition is uncertain, lint what can be
done to ensure its success shall be done.
Considerable forces are available for the expedition
and a large reserve force is prepared for any possible
emergency. The health conditions of Lombock
leave nothing to l>c desired. No comparison is
admissible between this expedition and the one
M'M to Atcheen; here we have only to deal with
a small island, the greater part of whose inhab-
itants are on our side and have besought our help,
rring to our rigid to interfere, article
\11 see above — of the treat} of 1843, does not
prohibit all intervention, as the Minister's prede-
cessor, Heer van Dedem, took care to inform the
previous governor. No one can surely wish to
allege that the misrule of the Sassaks, the original
inhabitants of Lombock, is only a matter for internal
at ion. Our suzerainty over a native state brings with it a responsibility
dich we cannot divesi ourselves. In British India too, it is an under-
d thing, thai where abuse and misrule are found to exist, the Suzerain
i- bound to interfere, while the acknowledged position of the protected
princes i> like that of the self-governing princes in our dominion*."
Tli ertainly mosl just; for there can lie no doubt that our
d obligations towards the people of our Archipelago must rank
i- than the doubtful clause of a contract !
obligation forbids our remaining passive spectators of the
and oppression of a starving people on an island in tin- midst
■ II- '
lority, which we air called upon to maintain there, cannot
"in- dignit) to l»e insulted with impunity, our claims to be
d and our demands to lie vet at nought!
colonial existence depends upon the high standard we keep
thirt) million subjects '
ii" expedition of recent years has been more justifiable !
'i'»w the expedition was composed and follow it on its way !
'K written work "I' William I -Warner entitled :
p( in Chapter \ "Obligations affecting internal legisla-
tion i- nut confined to the case of open rebellion
Natn Stati sometimes readj t" endure
in to the I'mt by recourse t" Buch riolenl measures.
. or the duty, of interference arises, notwithstanding
rule ' « bich treatii - ma\ contain."
II.
(COMPOSITION AND DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION.
A stirring and motley spectacle presents itself to the spectators gathered
round about the inner harbour of Tandjong Priok on the last day of
June 1894.
Projecting over the right hand side of the bridge are endless contin-
uous iron girders, looking like a long archway, one side of which is lost
to sight in the glistening waters of the harbour and hidden by the
massive frames of the great ocean steamers lying alongside the basalt
blocks of the quay.
Beneath this deep archway are dark shadows, driven there by the
blinding rays of the sun, beating against the iron walls of the wharves
and the basalt blocks covered with rails and pulleys.
In the sunlight is a whirlwind of colours ever changing and shifting-
as in a giant kaleidoscope.
Here are groups of Europeans mostly dressed in white: there, natives
in light coloured jackets, yonder, Chinese in long white or blue tunics;
mixing amongst them, sailors in their undress uniforms, convicts in dark
blue, coolies whose half-naked bodies display various shades of brown;
further on a solitary yellow silk turban of some Mnsulniaii is distinguish-
able and rising high above the heads of a group of women, whose
dark faces are partially concealed by bright coloured handkerchiefs, and
in the distance the European ladies in their gay and fashionable gowns
are walking in front of the shops on the raised pavements.
To the left of the quay a long row of floating palaces, the glistening
portholes contrasting strongly with the dark colour of the hull and
higher up still masts and riggings, flags and pennants enveloped in fl
flood of light. Beyond this majestic row of ships the waters of the spa-
cious harbours sparkle in the' sun; a steamer from Europe is slowly
advancing to take her place alongside of the quay; fl few white rowing
boats are gliding about, their oars playfully catching the sun's rays or
dipping simultaneously into the water without an effort, without a sound.
On the opposite side white arches stretching across piles of black
diamonds are lost to sight amongst the nipa-palms which rise in [.re-
fusion for miles alono- the coast of the far-reaching lagunes, in the mids
-
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
,,„ Ulc • And out , uk tints; nsmg far
i riok.
n horizon we have the Pangerango, the Gedeh and
ik.
: all the confusion an unusually long train approaches
COMPOSITION AND DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION.
21
in stately fashion; it comes from Batavia and carries the Commander-in-
chief and the second-in-command of the expedition with their respec-
tive staffs, accompanied by hundreds and hundreds of people.
The station at Weltevreden had been crowded at half pasl three in
/
TUJJWM
Loading at Tandjong Priok
the afternoon-for it was from this point that the ( ommapder-in-chiel
started on his momentous expedition. Various civil and military author-
ities, amongst whom, the commander of the army members of th
council the'head of the Internal Administration, the Resident oi Ba
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
the Goverm I Adjutant as proxj for His Excellency, were all
tabled ' take leave of fhein and it was almost impossible to
surrounded as they were l>\ relations, friends and
• i the national guard and the regimental bands had
1 rnelis.
a : ""l when the hour for departure struck, all who had
• kcts went with the train to Tandjong Priok. 4s
1 at Batavia ;i large concourse of people was already
which had to be hitched on to thedeparting train.
COMPOSITION AND DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION
This dense crowd renders it somewhat difficull to gel on hoard the
" Maetsuycker" on which the two native companies of the 9th battalion
had embarked in the morning.
Finally they have succeeded and the whistle of the steamer gives the
signal for departure; there is barely time to shake hands £or the last
time.... but the hawsers are unloosed and the steamer glides away.
The band strikes up, a thundering hurrah ascends from the quaj and
echoes and re-echoes from the iron archway to the departing ship!
Handkerchiefs and helmets and officers' and soldiers' caps are waving
away, fiery rays shoot forth from the big black eyes of the brave native
soldiers and here and there a stray tear is seen glistening in the eyes
of the officers, promising volumes for the future, and expressing more
earnestly than Avords, how deserving these gallant men are to be entrusted
with their country's honour.
The hearty chorus of cheers is taken up by all the boats as the
steamer passes by and on the quay the broad stream of people keeps
up with the ship, advancing slowly at first and then walking more hur-
riedly as the ship moves more rapidly and then with hastening footsteps
to the point where the foundations of Tandjong Priok plunge into the
sea of Java; all are desirous of exchanging farewells as long as possible.
of watching that tiny speck growing less and less vwvy minute and
bearing away such a precious cargo.
Once more the band plays the national Anthem and ere the last sounds
have died away the Maetsuycker is already out at sea on her way to
an unknown future. Alas! what disasters and sorrows were hidden in it !
Accompanied by the remainder of the infantry from Batavia and
Meester Cornelis the two European companies of the 9th battalion had
left Weltevreden on the previous day — 28 June — at 7.30a.m. Various
officials, amongst them the commander of the army and General Vetter,
and the bands of the national guard and of the regiments, together with
a great mass of people had met them there also. Those about to leave
took their seats in the carriages waiting, while the 10th and 11th batta-
lions were posted outside the enclosure.
The train had steamed out of the station amidst loud cheering at
Sa.^i. Before embarking the men were taken to a shed at Tandjong
Priok. There Colonel Kalff addressed them, pointing out to the soldiers
what was expected of them and telling them that all eyes were directed
upon them, not only here but even in their homes in Holland, whence
Her Majesty the Queen was watching them with intense interest and pride!
After once more toasting the officers and the Resident's saying a fey
words to the soldiers in the name of the citizens, who hail shown their
sympathy by the distribution of various dainties, the embarkation began ;
one division after another crossed the gangway of the Gouverneur-Gem
raaVs Jacob, the 3rd squadron of cavalry having gone on board at 6a.m.
Not less cheering had been the departure on that same mornii
the two native companies of the 9th battalion: what a splendid collecti
■ EDITION.
ten it was' what large numbers of the non-commissioned officers
„ m l irated with the medals for six or more years 1
ni wearing the Atcheen medal, not awarded since ls74!
Lieutenant-colonel van Lawick van
Pabst miLrlit well be proud of command-
ing such a bodj of men, for who
would dart- to oppose tliriii in the
open field?
Alas! even he himself was not proof
against assassination. The different Sands
had contributed gay music, friendly hands
had reached forth fragrant bouquets
and amidst waving of hands and lusty
cheers, the train steamed out of Welte-
vreden at 8a.m.; the 10th and 11th
battalions present arms and salute the
departing colours of the 9th; one more
encouraging speech in Malay at Tandjong
Priok from the commander of division,
offerings of material sympathy from the
citizens of Batavia and the men with
all their hopes and illusions embark
on the •• Maetsuycker" .
The same morning the pikol horses
of the train had been embarked on the
Graaf v. Bijlandt and the " Prtna Alex-
ander ; their embarkation however was
not effected with as little trouble as
that of the soldiers. The pikol is a
curious beast : in size, it is a little
larger than a donkey and somewhat
smaller than a mule. . . . viewed from
the front it looks like a calf, it is go
narrow-chested ; its hack is clipped or
covered \\ ith a saddle of white hair mark-
ing where the heavy loads have been
carried ; looked ;it from behind it resem-
bles a deer in consequence of its how
legs; whilst viewed sideways it reminds
one of a cow suffering from foot and
mouth disease, so oddlj do its hones
project : on the whole It looks likca sheep.
a colt m its golden youth it
merril) bj its dam's side until, even before losing its
|>"< on its poor little hack ! Almost from the;
move about with the great square wooden
'■ ; if- back, and it looked old and wizened even in
COMPOSITION AND DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION.
its babyhood — though in reality such horses never attain am great age.
The most useful are now being shipped off to Lombock; with melan-
choly-looking eyes and lowered heads, they gaze around; frightened at
the bustle and confusion, they huddle close together like sheep. But no
sooner is the first of these little
animals expected to cross the
gangway, than signs of life are
evident and it begins to show
its spirit and strength of char-
acter by positively refusing to
put one leg before the other
in order to accompany the sol-
diers to the seat of war!
The poor little beast has
clambered over many a bam-
boo bridge in its endless jour-
neys across hill and dale in
the interior of Java ; with great
cunning it had avoided any little
hidden hole and invariably
reached the other side safe
and sound, but to climb up
such a curious wooden thing —
that is something novel and
nothing would induce him to
attempt it !
At last one of the sailors,
tired of the struggle and delay,
clasps his sinewy arms round
the body of the refractory
pikol and carries it bodily on
to the gangway, when all the
others follow without any
further trouble.
The next morning, 1st July,
the rest of the artillery leave
on the steamers Graaf van
Bijlandt and the Amboina at
9.80 o'clock, the Alexander
having started a few hours
earlier for Samarang.
It is Sunday morning early, very early in fact; the roadstead of
Samarang is enveloped in a mysterious calm; the sky is of a dark blue
tint and the stars are still visible in all their splendour. The Southern
Cross inclines to the West but has not yet quite disappeared, the
is of a dark lead colour, just brightened up at intervals U the glistening
animalcula clinging to the sides of the steamers.
-t iv
The roadstead oi
THE LOMBOE EXPEDITION
the Japara, the Generaal Pel and the
i Royal steam-packet compan) and chartered for
• the troops are reposing quietlj on the water like giant
\ small native boats are also discernible.
ship tin-- of! it- morning Balvo, which resounds tar and
ming the dawn of a new day. The morning mists slowlj
grows lighter, the outline of Moeria, Japara's great
omes more distinct; a silver) streak tints the horizon of the
lapara and to the South a pink} stream of light encircles
iimiit of Merbaboe, raising it- densely covered brovi high
grounding hills; and beyond these the cone-shaoed giants
entral Java, the Soembing and the Sindoro, Suddenly goldenarrows
■ ir th into the air from the East, the hitherto bidden mists appear
.lendent in gorgeous rays of purple; a soft morning breeze steals
th( waters and each little wavelet sends up a hymn of joy to the
opening day.
Man and beast alike awaken from their slumbers, the crew rise
v\\ from their resting places on the slanting sheds which shelter the
[ro; m the distance you can hear the creaking and rattling of the
whilst the stores and provisions are being embarked for Lombock.
And. hark! what is the noise we hear: It is the well-known sounds
the music of the 5th battalion and the national guard, who with an
imnn use crowd together with the military and civil authorities, the
the national guard and even many ladies are accompanying
this early hour a section of the mountain artillery.
troops are inspected b) the local commander, lieutenant-colonel
Munniks de Jongh; the resident steps forward with the commander of
division, Colonel Segov, who speak- a few words of encouragement to
the men: the commander of the national Guard, Major van Oosterzee
fame, bids a heart} farewell in Malay to the native soldiers
and all take their places in the boats, which are to be towed to the
Pel.
Still was the excitemenl at the departure of the 6th battalion,
•t two European and two Amboynese companies, arriving
Magelang. Europeans, Chinese, Javanese and
Kliugs came pouring in on foot, in carriages or b\ tram: at 10.30 the
- the station! the platform is crowded with the officers
■ S imarang. As the soldiers come out of the station thei
line and headed l>\ the band of the national guard and fol-
I l-\ the multitude thej march to "den Boom" where the} form
the officials and the members of the civil commission
• olonel Segov's address, spoken first in Dutch,
: ful appeal to all the better feelings of the
-■in to do their dut\ faithfully and earn out minuteU
i xplaining to them that the success of the expedition
orders even in the smallest detail. " You
COMPOSITION AND DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION.
27
have the honour and supremacy of Holland to uphold", he Baid,
the flag, which you carry with you to Lombock, as an emblem of a
soldier's integrity and fidelity, is 'yours, — to defend with your \< i\ last
breath !"
Departure of the field artillery,
Then the Resident spoke in the name of the civilians: '
inhalants of Samarang, yes of all our In.lu, olio, you ■"££*£
and confidence, assured as they have been recently by your Comn
in-chief, that every man of you will do bis dutj
Shortly after this they embark; as they leave the harbom
•-
THE I- "Ml ZPEDITION
I . battalion, Major van Biilevelt, stands bare-headed
on ^e . little boat, looking towards the shore at Ins friends
aI1 ,l the band strikes up the national anthem: "Wieu
\ d" and the thousands of spectators bare their beads.
cheers bave died a\\a\ and the sounds of music arc
audible, we can -till Bee that brave officer standing on the
waving his cap as a last farewell!
presentiment of the disaster which was to overtake him
The Resident, colonel Segov and the other officials who had escorted
pe to the Bteamers "Both" and "Reael" return without delay,
'.,;.. [ve the 10th company of field-artillery who were to
an special train from Ainharawa at 2.15P.M.
When witnessing the embarkation of the artillerj horses one was able
lark the striking contrast between these fine animals and the Javanese
pikol; the\ were und< »itl itedlv small but they had no painfully prominent
bones or unkempt coats, being in good condition and well-groomed.
;,v not sad and hollow, thev sparkle and gleam round
enquiringly; when the) refuse to cross the gangway thev do not stretch
out their legs like bars of iron, but prance and kick about. A little
••n the neck, a kind word from the master soon pacifies the fie r \
little animal and where his master walks tirst and encourages him to
follow, he docs not hesitate long.
The embarkation of the 7th battalion, consisting of two European
and 2 M • lur< se companies, take- place the following morning 2
July— at the -Mine time and in the same order as that of the 6th.
- _ seized the opportunity to remind the soldiers of this
talion of the famous victor} won l>\ the 7th 44 years ago against
nemy, the Balinese of Djagaraga and how their triumphant
had been decorated with the Military Order of William. Faith-
ful to such a record he felt convinced that the 7th battalion would
main conspicuous for their valour! •
harbour presented a gaj and festive sight with all the steamers
tilled with soldiers and flying the national tricolor, while all the other
in addition to their own national flags had hoi-ted the signal:
Hearh success, pleasant voyage!' There was but a slight ripple on
oth surface of the waters when all these might} ocean steamers
Both" carrying the staff with two companies
battalion; the Reael with the two remaining companies of
ittalion; the with the staff and two companies of the
ii. the Japara with the other two companies; the (1<>iut<ioI
mountain artillery, the horses and mules; the Alexander
me of the convicts, the remainder being divided
ships.
allied off earl\ this morning with the lield-artlllen
Reael is just preparing to Btart; Bome of the other
COMPOSITION AND DEPARTURE OF TDK EX I'EDITInX
29
boats are receiving the last visit of the officials and various officersand
ladies, amongst the latter the wife and daughter of Generaal van Ham.
Mejuffrouw van Hani has come provided with endless little "button-
holes," which she attaches to the e<»ats of the officers.
By the time they put out to sea the short-lived coolness and the
lovely tints of the early morning have long since made \\a\ for intense
heat and the full glare of midday. The sol't gray blue sk\ lias grown
Arrival of the "tli battalion at its place of embarkation at Samarang.
darker;" the silvery shimmer of the sea is transformed to sombre indigo ;
the shadows have disappeared beneath the blinding sun. which shoots
forth from on high those fiery rays, which are multiplied tenfold b)
reflection on the ships and on the water.
The hills of the interior have turned from deep dark blue to i
greeny gray and the outlines are no longer discernible; the clumps
cocoa-nut trees along the coast are of darker shade-, one might
colourless; the surf has drawn a long white margin, where the
have dashed against the strand or spent their foam along the swamp} shon
The awnings have long since been spread on the quarter-decks ol
THE LOMSOCK EXPEDITION.
g ami ti - ■'. ii \ a subdued light; now and then the bn
awnings, admitting a blaze of light and the
I there feel a< though suddenly a furnace door had
this they have long since grown accustomed and
ill chatting awaj cosily, the card-tables are brought forward and
the • s s] nt a>; pleasantly as possible and every soldier has received
Irani before proceeding to his midday meal. The men had also
\ . lek.
ii turning their time on hoard to account and had successfully
Appropriated a nice room} space for themselves, their rifles and then
amidst the chaos of cases and baskets and animals.
\\ awnings h si their shadows, groups of men have
es down to rest, mam wearing I »ur little covering, except
sely fastened around their loins; the
_ wiping with the sailors or talking over the busy
days; the natives settle themselves down on
• "keplek", a favorite Chinese game at
COMPOSITION AND DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION.
cards) which is prohibited in the barracks excepting on Sundays
holidays ; others follow Nature's lead and just keep quiet, waiting for the
sun to set and give them a little fresh air.
Although the rapid movement of the steamer produces a slight breeze,
still it continues to be stifling hot until the western horizon be<
resplendent with golden rays and purple ripples flit along the water's
surface. Above the South west coast of Java -behind the " Doodkisten "
(coffins)— this is the name of the Rembang promontory little groups of
dark clouds, formed by the heat absorbed from the earth during the
day, stand out against the radiant sky.
Along the coasl of Java.
This glorious display of colours, admired by all on deck, is but of
short duration; before long the sun is obscured by a cloud: suddenly
the golden rays have disappeared; darkness has fallen o'er the scene.
This is the hour when the men sing songs walking up and down the
deck, where they can find room and when all enjoj the soft evening brei
Side by side they stand on the forecastle, gazing at the sea and
watching the swell of the waves.
The weird sound of the beating waves against the port- alternated
with the blowing of signals; the buzz of hundred- of voices
with the flapping of the sails and awnings and the noise of the machinery.
The moon is not vet visible and total darkness envelops the
TEE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION,
darkness, almost as complete as that, which surrounds the fate of those
brave nun she carri
The soldiers hunt around for a nook, where they can lay down theii
mats and pillows and take rest beneath the black and white striped
quilts, which are to protect them against the chill night air. After all
ed down for the night, not even the smallest space is visible
• the long rows of anus and legs and heads which are stretched
Ollt Oil deck.
The lights have all been put <»ut; only the glimmer of the pale
electric lamp is left and it throws an odd fantastic glare over this
Strange multitude at leM '
Since vesterdai afternoon the steamer Gouverneur-Geneiraafs Jiacobh&s
been lying in the harbour ;it Surabaya, having on board two European
companies <>f the 9th battalion of infantry and half the cavalry squadron
from Batavia.
"To-morrow the Graaf van Bijlandt and the Amboina are expected
direct from Batavia, as well a- the sewn other ships from Samarang.
The whole fleet will leave simultaneously for Ampenan. The embark-
ation ;it Surabaya will take place at 11.45a.m. The convicts will go
on hoard in pirogues, as soon as the Amboina mid Bijlandt arrive in
port. The officers' horses will also he shipped immediately.
"The engineer troops arrive from Malang by the 10.12a.m. train and
they -tart by the 10.45a.M. train for the 'Oedjong.'
•The artillery and those belonging to the medical service at Surabaya
will he paraded near Modderlust at 11 o'clock."
This announcement was to hi' read in the Surabaya newspapers of
the 2nd July.
K.uh in the morning of 3rd -Inly — 7a.m. the civil and military
authorities reached the "Oedjong" to pay their respects to the Commander-
in-chief and his staff on hoard the " Maetsuijcker."
Meanwhile it was decided that the Maelmijcker with the generals
would not come into tii- harbour, hut steer straight for Ampenan in
order to deliver the nltimatum to the prince of Lombock; there only
remained to he added to it the time, which would he allowed for
finally accepting the conditions and this was to he filled in when they
hod the harbour at Ampenan.
I ■ the four previous articles were added the following:
•"» tin- abdication of the reigning prince in Favour of the lawful heir
in- throne;
6 declaration of willingness to conclude a new political treaty in
accordance with the wishes of the governor-general;
7 payment of the expenses of the campaign;
and to article r, which demanded an "expression of regret," it was
further added that this was to he expressed verbal!} to the governor-
COMPOSITION AND DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION,
general through an embassy composed according to the desire of the
commander-in-chief of the expedition.
At the appointed hour the engineers arrived; the} were met al the
station by the lieutenant-colonel, and inspector militairj coi ander and
the local adjutant and several officers of the national guard.
They continued their journey to the Oedjong in the tram.
Arrived here at 11.15a.m. they found the artillery with the hospital
staff ready waiting and surrounded l>v thousands and thousands of
Surabaya townsfolk.
""^sBi
niB i&ffiiSSfQ^^*'
The Maetsuycker (at night,) carrying over the ultimatum.
The troops were drawn up and inspected in front of "Modderlust."
The commander of division wished them all a hearty farewell.
The bands of the 13th battalion, the national guard and the "barisan"
strike up. Major Rost van Tonningen, commander of the expeditionary
artillery, expresses his thanks for the great evidences of sympathy and
encouragement; they tarry one moment more to s,i\ good-bye the
trumpets give the signal for departure. The band of the loth battalion
advances at the head of the troops to thr point of embarkation; here
again the officers and soldiers receive proofs of the people's goodwill
and kindly interest
The final signal is given the band of the 13th plays the national
anthem and once more the departing ones are greeted with enthusii
LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
p from thousands of throats and repeated again and again!
: have started!
But in the harbour we witness another impressive ceremony. Amongst
the authoril had escorted the departing troops, was a deputation
from the barisan, * come expresslj from Bangkalan to do them honour.
deputation consisted of the commander of the corps, lieutenant-
Majang Koro, the adjutant-lieutenant and the 4 captains,
i< d l»\ the band.
IV ^*S&
• ■ £
^tt.
• g terabaya.
Il> splendid man, this Majang Koro, a living illustration of
Ik.w even in ;i country, like Madura swarming with princes, a simple
en can make Ins mark. He had entered the [ndian army as a com-
mon Boldier, when scarcely sixteen years old and alread} tin- following
in the campaign againsl Bali, he was rewarded with the bronze
couragi and loyalty. He received the silver medal for
nl for In- conduct during the hostilities in Palembang
•id for his conducl during the war in the Western
553 and 1854 he received an honorable mention.
In ' • left the army, having attained the rank of sergeant— bul it
onl) that he mighl place his services at the disposal of the barisan.
I ura.
COMPOSITION AND DEPARTURE OF THE IJXI'EDITIOS.
He soon rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and by royal (Ken.
6 Oct. 1S74 lie was created knight of the Militnn Order of William,
4th class, and by that of March 1877, (n°. 5) presented with a sword
of honour, bearing the inscription: "Royal recognition of valour dis-
played;" it cannot therefore be said thai it was as courtier in the
"dalems" of Madura that he had earned all these distinctions!
It is now about twenty years ago. In the spacious audience room
open on three sides, the sultan of Bangkalan takes his share in an
evcr-to-be-remembered and touching ceremony. Within his "Kraton,"
surrounded by its seven high walls, sits the deaf old prince on his
golden throne in the midst of his numerous courtiers.
His venerable head is hidden by a tightly drawn dark handkerchief;
the collar and the front of his long black coat are ornamented with
gold trimmings; his kris,* studded with large diamonds and precious
stones Hashes from his girdle; a costly sarong covers his legs. In front
of him is the battalion of his barisan, 500 strong, and they are to
start under command of Major Majang koro for Atcheen, where side
by side with the Indian army they will prove their loyalty to Holland
and to Holland's king. Every one of those five hundred men stepped
forward in turn, first the officers, then the soldiers, and all crept on
their knees towards their sovereign, took his foot between their hands
and rubbed their heads against it. Then the old ruler laid his hand
on the head of each one of his children and spoke to each a word of
friendly advice and encouragement.
In this wise did those children of the soil, who had practised mus-
ketry and had been drilled into soldiers in their spare hours, receive the
paternal blessing of their sovereign!
Thus did the prince cheer the hearts of those who were leaving wife
and children, buffaloes and rice crops, to go far a\\a\ over the sea to
fight for the glory of Holland!
And Majang Koro, their commander, proved himself on the battle-
field in the first Atcheen campaign, where he won all his well-earned
honours by his bravery and loyalty, and well-deserving trust now placed
in him by his sovereign and our Indian Government.
Even this is not a complete history of the long and distinguished
career of this most faithful servant of 'our Indian Government!
At Kamal, on the south west coast, opposite Surabaya, the pr I
"Pangeran" Adi Negoro, veteran of the Bali war and of princely blood,
had joined the "barisan" deputation.
The Coen and the Japara on which the Madurese soldiers oi the
7th battalion had embarked were now visited h\ this deputation. In
words coming straight from his heart, the pangeran addresses his fellow-
countrymen, he exhorts them to remain true to the standard, wh
had witnessed so many brilliant victories and never to sullj the nam
of Madurese! At the conclusion of his speech, the soldiers throw then
selves at his feet in emotion and clasp his knees and kiss his toot.
* Longer than a dagger not so long as a -word.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
Meanwhile Majang Koro has kept in the background and has not
i W ord bu ii ;is the men perceive the old, beloved chief
their enthusiasm knows no bound and all vie with one another in
showing marks of affection and respect.
hour for departure has been fixed for 5.30 p.m.
ie appointed time the anchor is lifted; but it is just a little too
r the ship sticks fast in the mud. fortunately, she was soon
sed l»\ the spring tide.
Having however got outside the harbour, the anchor is again dropped
and the ship does not actual]) start until the following morning at five—
as it was considered wiser not to set out as darkness was falling.
\,,\\ is our opportunity, while all the troops arc present, to see how
the expeditionary force is composed.
ORDEB OF BATTLE
KJl a l: l i
I mmander-in-chief :
- Ond in <<>niniand
le-de-camp :
Major-General J. A. Vetter.
1st Lieutenant of Infantry II. dotting.
Major-Genera] P. P. 11. van Earn.
Captain P. Wmrsma of the Infantry.
Total : I officers, I officers' horses and
servants.
9
Chief "i the
Assists
Clerl
Hie-
staff: Major A. J. Bamerster of the General Staff.
Captain II. P. Willemstijn of the General Staff.
Van Bommel van Vloten of the Infantry.
t si Lieutenant W. \l. de Greve of the Engineers.
3 non-commissioned officers.
i ,,
Total : I officers, 5 European and l' native bud-
ordinate officers, 3 officers' and 2 troop-
horses, 10 attendants and 8 com Lets
m< \i. I » i P \i: i mini:
W. II A ran der Zwaan, Lsi Lieutenant of [nfantry.
in-commissioned officers.
Total: 1 officer, _' European non-commissioned
officers, 2 officers' horses and I convicts.
I i :
Major M. B. Etost van Tonningen.
! - ! Lieutenant A. van den Bovenkamp.
' I non-commissioned "tli< er.
Total : - officers, 1 European Qon-commissioned
officer, - officers' horses and 5 attendants.
COMPOSITION AND DEPARTURE OF TBE EXPEDITION.
Commissariat Department :
Head: Major L. C. van Berg.
Assistant: Captain N. .). van den Bent.
Quatermaster : Captain C. F. Julius.
Quartermaster: 1st Lieutenant F. A. von Balluseck.
Clerks: 2 non-commissioned officers.
Total: 4 officers, 2 European non-commissioned
officers, 2 officers' horses, 10 attendants
and 4 convicts.
Medical staff:
Head: Health officer of 2nd class C. J. de Freijtag.
Veterinary surgeon of 2nd class: H. J. Tromp de Haas.
Clerk: 1 non-commissioned officer and 1 native carrier.
Total: 2 officers, 1 European and 1 native
non-commissioned officer, 1 offici
horse and .". attendants.
Civil staff :
Military Auditor : Mr. J. Klein.
Parson: Ds. C. Rogge.
Almoner: Pastoor F. J. A. Voogel.
Panghoeloe: Mas Bey Loema Widaja.
Chief of the field-post: J. W. Palmer van den Broek.
Clerks: 2 subalterns and 18 servants.
INFANTRY.
Oth. Battalion :
Commander: Lieutenant-Coloned H. F. C. van Bylevelt.
Adjutant : Lieutenant G. W. Honigh.
Staff clerks.
2 European companies.
2 Amboynese companies.
In all : 19 officers. 332 European and -'^
boynese soldiers, 2 officers' borses, 26
servants, t " mandoors " and 108 convicts.
Administration: Sub-lieutenant quartermaster II. <i. C. 1 ><-ni^.
Clerk : 1 subaltern.
2 servants ami 2 convicts.
Ambulance : 1 Health officer.
Hospital staff: 4 European and :! native soldiers.
2 servants, ."> mandoors and 7fi convicts.
Total of 6th Battalion: J I officers, 337 E
ropean, 257 Amboynese ami :i native
soldiers, 2 officers' horses, 30 servants,
7 "mandoors" ami L86 convicts.
7th. Battalion :
Commanding: Major A. A. van Blommestein.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
Lieutenant 0. L Kalfsterman.
2 I
- Madurese couipa .
In all L8officers,333 European and 242 native
soldiers, 2 officers' horses, 26 Bervants,
I "mandoors" and LOS convicts.
I. .. utenant Quartermaster W . L. Kraal.
Clerk one subaltern.
2 servants and 2 convicts.
1 Health officer.
Hospital staff: 1 European and 3 native soldiers;
; •• mand -s", and 7<; com Lets.
Total of 7th battalion : 20 officers, 338 Eu-
ropean and 245 native soldiers, 2 officers'
horses, 30 servants, 7 " mandoors" and
180 convicts.
9th. Battalion :
In command Lieutenant-Colonel I'. van Lawick van Pabst.
• ■ Lieutenant J. Hildering.
• I clerks.
j European companies.
2 Javanese i ompanies.
In all: L 7 officers, 333 European and 242 native
soldiers, 2 officers' horses, 26 servants,
1 •• mandoors" and 108 com icts.
Ajhcihistbatioh : Sub-lieutenant Quartermaster B. K. A. Eamakers.
Clerk; 1 subaltern.
_' servants, 2 convicts.
1 Health officer.
Hospital staff: I European and 3 native soldiers.
2 servants, 3 "mandoors" and 76 convicts.
Total of 9th battalion: 19 officers, 338 Eu-
ropean ami 245 native soldiers, 2 officers'
horses, 30 servants, 7 "mandoors" and
1 36 convicts.
.mi;)
II Field squ idb<
In command: Captain C C. Raaijmakers.
_• officers, 1- European and 36 native soldiers,
ind 64 troop-horses and 7 servants.
1 •• mandoor" and 2 1 convi< t-
Total of the Cavalry : 3 officers, 12 European
and 36 native soldiers, 2 officers' horses
and 64 troop-horses, 7 servants, 1
•• mandoor" and 2 I com icts.
ARTILLERY
In command: Captain J. J. Temminck, with
2 officers, 33 European and 12 native soldiers.
3 officers horses, 33 troop-horses.
1 7i MA guns.
General Major Van Ham.
COMPOSITION AND DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION. 1 1
Mountain-Artillery :
5th Company: Commanded by Captain Gr. C. Manders, with
2 officers, 37 European and 28 Dative soldi
3 officers' borses, 9 troop-horses and 29 mulet
4 7c.M.A. guns.
Garrison- Artillery :
In command : Lieutenant J. J. Henames,
13 European and 14 native soldiers.
1 officers' horse, 12 troop-horses and 2 mules.
4 cohorn-mortars.
Park and Reserve :
2 officers, 40 European and 4<> native soldiers.
2 officers' horses, 13 troop-horses and 7 mules.
2 12c.M.A. guns and 2 20c.M. mortars.
Total of the Artillery: 9 officers, 123 Eu-
ropean and LOO native soldiers. 9 officers'
horses and (37 troop-horses, 37 mules, 23
servants, 2 "mandoors" and I I convicts.
ENGINEERS.
Detachment op engineers :
Commanded by: Capt. E. Ruenipol, with
2 officers, 30 European and 30 native soldiers.
1 officer's horse, 7 servants.
2 "mandoors" and 40 convicts.
Signal detachment and park :
20 European and 3 native soldiers.
1 servant and 14 convicts.
Total: 3 officers, 56 European and 33 native
soldiers, 1 officer's horse, 8 servants,
2 "mandoors" and 5 I convicts.
Administration, composite troops (Cavalry, Artillery and Engineers).
Sub-lieutenant Quartermaster E. F. Th. M. Bovens.
1 adjutant Quartermaster.
Clerks : 2 subalterns.
3 servants and 2 convicts.
In all: 1 officer, 3 European soldiers,
servants and 2 com icts.
Ambulance, (Cavalry, Artillery and Engineers).
1 Surgeon.
Hospital staff: 4 European and 3 native soldier-.
2 servants, 3 mandoors, and 7(> convicts.
In all : 1 officer, I European and :'. native
soldier-. 2 servants, 3 " mandoors " and
76 convicts.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES.
Field hospital.
1 Adjutant-sub-lieutenant-Quartermaster.
Clerks : 2 subalterns.
1 servant.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
II, irtermaster M. N. Beets.
1 «■» r-Quartermaster.
<
i S :
1 Adjutant.
baltern.
1 Bervant.
\ \ i.i. in.. :
1 Captain Quartermaster.
Clerk : 1 subaltern.
_■ servants.
- mi; i ship :
1 Adjutant
Clerk 1 subaltern.
1 servant.
Total of Military Administration : - officers,
11 European soldiers, v servants.
MEDICAL staff
D HOSPN \l.
He - geoB Lsi class J. Kunerl and
I Surgeons.
1 Military Apothecary 2nd class, Ferguson,
j I European and 12 native soldiers.
II servants, 2 "mandoors" and t8 convicts.
Total of Medical Staff: 6 officers, 23 European,
and L2 native soldiers, 1 I servants, -
■■ mandoors" and 48 convicts.
In command: Captain P. Gr. Schmidhamer, and
1 officer of Infantry and 1 officer of Artillery.
ropean and 5 native soldiers, 2 officers' norses.
7 fcs, 27 " mandoors," 7 12 convicts.
.! t- and pikol norses.
Two Am i.i i. w bs - I tealth officers.
Hospital staff: 8 European and <i native soldiers,
vants, 6 " mandoors" and 152 convicts.
1 Adjutant.
Clerk 1 subaltern.
1 Ben n\ icts.
Potal oi 5 offii era, ->\ European and 1 1
native Boldiera, - officers 1 boraes, 15
servants, 33 " mandoors," v, "'> com Lets,
l_'n cart- and l"i» pikol torses.
COMPOSITION AND DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION. i ;
The total strength of the expedition was
107 officers, 1320 European and 948 native soldiers, 386 borses, 37 □
210 servants, 04 " mandoors " and 1718 convicts, besides the civil stafl
mentioned.
What cannot fail to strike one especially in the composition of tin-
expedition is the extraordinary care bestowed upon the transport and
supply branches.
The greater portion of our lenders being no doubt unacquainted with
the various tasks performed by the convicts, will be somewhat astonished
at the large number included, but we Mill show how the Transport
corps is constituted; it will then be easier to understand the reason of
this inevitable accompaniment attached to every militan undertaking in
our colonies.
As a preliminary, let us remark, that, strange though it be, their i-
no regular Transport in the composition of the Indian army, so thai
every time an expedition is planned, the Transport must !»•• formed
anew, usually consisting of convicts, and in exceptional instances of free
coolies, pikol horses, carts or waggons.
That serious difficulties should ensue is but natural; it is only needful
to notice the considerable loss of time and onerg\ which even expedi-
tion causes, not to mention the very palpable fact thai all previous
experience and practices in other expeditions has been quite wasted
For this expedition the Transport was divided into that which formed
integral part of the various arms, what may be called the Permanent
or Regimental Transport, and that which was not so attached, but was
temporarily affected to the use of bodies of troops, as occasion required
and thus supplemented the first-named, and may be called the Provisional
or General Transport.
The supervision of the means of transport forming the Permanent
Transport Service was entrusted to the commanders of the troops to
whom they were attached.
The rest were under the orders of the officer in command of the
General Transport, Captain Schmidhamer of the Infantry; and he took
his orders direct from the chief of the staff of the expedition.
Composition of the Permanent Transport :
Attached to the General Staff: 8 convicts tor the transport of the office
equipment and to cut grass for the borses.
to the 0th battalion of Infantry : 1 "mandoors" and 108 convicts, vv,
10 for each coinpanv to cam the ammunition, v to carry tin-
kitchen utensils and*:! to carry the pioneer equipenent.
to the 7th battalion of Infantry: t "mandoors" and 108 convicts, like for 6th
.. „ „ 0th ., „ " I ,,108
u THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
rv i mandoor and 24 convicts, viz.: J to carry kitchen utensils
2 I to cut the grass.
the Artillery: 2 tnandoors and II convicts, viz.: 12 to tarry kitchen
a and 32 to cut the grass.
- 2 mandoors and •"> I convicts, viz. : 6 to carry the boilers,
eserve equipment and II for the signal brigade,
graphical Btaff: I convicts.
Military Administration : (ordonance I convicts to carry office equipment.
with the : 10 convicts, viz. : - for
each one of the archives of the different corps.
Medical Btaff: 1 Field hospital, 2 mandoors and t8 convicts.
r, Field ambulances, 18 mandoors and l.'.ii convicts, viz.:
each field ambulance (consisting of 1 medicine- and 1 bandage
chest, 15 tandoes and -2 improvised field-stretchers) 1 to carry the
medicine chest, I to carrj the bandage chest, I for every tandoe
or improvised stretcher.
position "i mi: Pbovisionai. Tkansi-ort Corps:
27 mandoors and 742 convicts to look after pikol horses and cart-horses,
transport of victuals, to keep clean and clear away the ground,
to replace sick, wounded, etc.
Total : 6 1 mandoors, 1718 convicts.
To the Provisional Transport there further belonged 55 two-horsed
ms, 120 draught-horses and 100 pack-horses.
\\ . :na\ look upon tlic addition of these horses and carts to the
expedition as a great advance in the right direction.
Ma) it prove the first step in a resolution to have a properly organ-
trnnsport service even in times of peace > for it is one of the priniar)
requirements in the oft recurring expeditions of our Indian army.
So less trouble was taken with the reinforcements than had been
shown in the composition of the expedition.
The European and Javanese troops were to be reinforced by the
battalion, stationed at Surabaya and the Madurese and Amboynese
be reinforced from Central Java. The 13th battalion was to be
maintained at its full strength from Batavia, while all those men who
e n<it lit for service oi whose service was less than six months were
to lit- replaced by substitutes.
that of the expeditionary battalions the 9th would be entirely
lied from Surabaya, and the 6th and 7th in so far as the
p«an element \\a^ concerned.
5th Jul\ a couple of hundred soldiers arrived here from
board the Carpentier.
COMPOSITION AND DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION. r,
The 4th of July has dawned, the anchor is weighed and awa} steams
the fleet, following the line of the coasl of Madura for abonl eight
miles.
Madura is a peculiar country! Our thoughts are bent in a different
direction just now, so we must content ourselves with a cursors glance
•as we pass by.
In many respects it reminds one of the Java of olden days, when
the high road from Daendels was the only means of communication,
.and all the clessas and villages, not touching it, la\ lost as it were in
the broad valleys between the volcanoes; when Bantam and Cheribon,
•as Solo and Djocja now do, possessed their own princes, and the regents
•of Bandong, Saniarang, and Surabaya, not to mention others, lived in
princely splendour.
The wide post-road runs between kanial on the south-wesl const
through Bangkallan and Pemakassan to Soemenap, thus connecting the
three princely seats of the former Madurese rulers, now only regents.
In spite of the new form of government the simple inhabitants of the
'bamboo cottages still look up with the greatest reverence to the descend-
ants of their former kings, and these latter, like their ancestors,
continue to be preceded on the high way by numerous attendants, richly
arrayed and carrying magnificent krisses and lances, and richly-inlaid
"sirih" and "bedak" boxes.
When the panembahan goes to pay a visit to the Resident the people
place themselves, in two rows in front of the palace, to do homage
to the visitor.
The regent is preceded and followed by lancers on horseback: he
himself is seated in a gorgeous state carriage, drawn by six white horses
•and the crowd bends low as he passes; the scarlet livery of the outrid-
ers forms a striking contrast to the green palm trees, and the tall white
pillars of the residence of the present representative of the Netherlands.
Now there arises a new island on the horizon! Bali !
What crowds of recollections it brings back; what famous names it
recalls to our memory: van der Wijck, de Brauw, Michiels, van Swieten!
What fierce struggles in three consecutive expeditions; what insuperable
obstacles were encountered in conquering that strong line of Djagaraga;
what a bloody drama was enacted there on that dark black oighl of
the 25th May, 1849, when our men were overwhelmed and the com-
mander-in-chief, Michiels, met his death!
And it is once again the same foe that we are to meet at Lombock
and this thought carries us back to the object of our vovage.
Come, let us together examine this land and its people and find out
what is known of them and what our former connections with them were!
111.
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE.
I , appearance of the island is striking; the entire surface is
red with m rich fertile -oil and an elaborate system of irrigation is
,d ..in from one end of the island to the other. The best cotton
the whole Archipelago is grown in the valleys between the hills.
I poad to Matarain lies between cultivated rice-fields, which extend
for nidr- iii various directions. Bananas growing about a foot high
and loft} bamboos, together with the shady, elegant cocoa-tree flourish
profusely. The approaches to the capital are lined on each side with
tall wanngin-trees, the luxuriant branches of which meet and intertwine.
presenting a majestic and impressive picture, such as one would hardlj
expect t" see in Lombock.
Bui the sight of such an enormous population along fields and roads,
which neither believes in God nor in any future world, is enough to
e a hearl "t stone."
This i< what we read amongst other things in a painstaking geographical
xiption in the " Tijdschrift voor Nederla?idsch- Indie "I 1839. The
aspect of the island is in no way altered since then accord-
ing t>. more recent descriptions and many more hearts of stone would he
deeply touched could the} hut see the vastly increased numbers of unbelievers!
It was at the time that article was written l>arel\ a quarter of a
turj since the great eruption. ."> 17 April 1815 of the Tambora
in Sumhnwa, h\ which 12.000 people were destroyed beneath the
burning ashes and according to the official statistics about 200.000
:ik^ hum have died From starvation mid exposure; the whole island
laid waste, being covered with from one to two feet of lava and
rops weir raised. The inhabitants of Lombock never
itastropne except with fear and trembling and in whispered
The above-mentioned review gives the then number of inhabitants
Bnlinese and 170.000 Sassaks and eight years later (1847
naturalist, Zollinger, to whom we arc indehted for
■
«»ui information concerning Lombock, L r i\es the following
_' Bal 380.000 Sassaks, besides, ~><>ihi Bugis.
the middle of tin- century the increase of the popula-
ning larger proportions! The traveller. .1. P. Freyss,
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE 17
who describes his travels in Mangarai and Lombock in 1856 maki 3
following statement: 200.000 men, capable of carrying arms, thai
from 15 to 40 years of age; this number includes 30.000 Balim
20.000 Bugis and 150.000 Sassaks; from these figures it 1- computed
Sassak Kampong chief.
that the entire population amounts to one million souls! Ami tint
an area of 103 square geographical miles— jusl aboul the size o\ N<
Brabant ! . . . T , ,
It was all important, as we shall see, thai the Rajah <-t Lombock
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
should be accurately acquainted with the Diunber of Ins subjects and
Wallace in Ins interesting work, "The Mala} Archipelago, narrates the
trick resorted to by the Bhrewd prince to obtain the desired information.
\lthough the diplomac) resorted to on that occasion contains no practi-
cal teaching for present-day rulers, still the narrative gives an insight
into tin- habits and religion of the people:
rhe Rajah of Lombock was a ver} wise man. and he Bhowed his
wisdom greatly in the w;i\ he took the census. For mj readers must
known that the chief revenues of the Rajah
were derived from a head-tax of rice, a
small measure being paid annually by everj
man. woman, and child in the island. 'There
was no doubt that ever} one paid this tax,
for it was a light one. and the land was
Fertile and the people well off; but it had to
pass through mam hand- before it reached the
Government storehouses. When the harvest
was over the villagers brought their rice to the
Kapala Kampong or head of the village; and
no doubl he had sometimes compassion on
the poor or sick and passed over their short
measure, and sometimes was obliged togranl
a favour to those who had complaints against
him : and then he must keep up his own dignity
l)\ having his granaries better filled than ms
neighbours so the rice he took to the
'waidono' that was over his district was
generally a good deal less than it should have
Keen. And all the 'Waidonos' had of
course to take care of themselves, for they
were all in debt, and it was SO easy to take
a little of the Government rice, and there
would Btill he plenty for the Rajah. And
the '(iustis' (princes) who received the
lice from the Waidonos helped themselves
likewise, and so when the harvest was all over and the rice tribute was
brought in. the quantity was found to be less each year than the one
- 1 . 1 1* - — iii one district, and fevers in another, and failure of
crop, iii a third, were of course alleged as the cause for this falling
oil; I, nt when the Rajah went to hunt at the loot of the great moun-
tain, or went to visit a GllSti on the other side of the island.
he alwa the villages full of people, all looking well-fed and
bappy. And he noticed that the kri8Ses of his chiefs and officers were
ng handsomer ami handsomer; and the handles that were of yellow
ed for ivory, and those of ivorj were changed lor
i. and diamonds and emerald- sparkled on man} of them ; and he
knew \er\ well which way the tribute-rice went. Bui a- he could not
*
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PE0P1
prove it, he kept silence, and resolved in liis own hear! some daj
have a census taken, so that he mighl know the number of his pco
and not be cheated out of more rice than was just and reasonable
"But the difficulty was how to gel this census. He could nol go
himself into every village and even house, and counl .-ill the people;
and if he ordered it to be done by the regular officers they would
quickly understand what it was lor, and the census would be sure to
agree exactly with the quantity of rice he gol Last year. It was evidenl
therefore that to answer his purpose, no one must 'know thai there was
any census taken at all.
"This was a very hard problem; and the Rajah thoughl and thought,
as hard as a Malay Rajah can he expected to think', bul could nol
solve it; and so he was very unhappy, and did nothing bul smoke and
chew betel with his favorite wife, and eat scarcely anything; and even
when he went to the cock-fight did not seem to care whether his besl
birds won or lost. For several days he remained in tins sad state, and
all the court were afraid some evil eye had bewitched the Rajah; and
an unfortunate Irish captain who had come in for a cargo of rice and
who squinted dreadfully, was very nearly being- krissed, bul being first
brought to the royal presence was graciously ordered to go on board
and remain there while his ship stayed in the port.
'One morning however, after about a week's continuance of this
unaccountable melancholy, a welcome change took place, for the Rajah
sent to call together all the chiefs and priests and princes who were
then in Mataram, his capital city; and when they were all assembled
in anxious expectation, he thus addressed theni;
"For many days my heart has been very sick and I knew not why,
but now the trouble is cleared away, for I have had a dream. Last
night the spirit of the 'G-unong Agong' — the great fire mountain
appeared to me, and told me that I must go up to the top of the
mountain. All of you may come with me to near the top, but then
I must go up alone, and the great spirit will again appear to me and
will tell me what is of great importance to me and to you and to all
the people of the island. Now go all of you and make this known
through the island, and let every village furnish men to make clear a
road for us to go through the forest and up the great mountain.
"So the news was spread over the whole island that the Rajah must
go to meet the great spirit on the top of the mountain; and ever}
village sent forth its men, and they cleared awa\ the jungle and mad.'
bridges over the mountain streams and smoothed the rough places for
the Rajah's passage. And when they came to the steep and cragg
rocks of the mountain, they sought out the best paths, sometimes along
the bed of a torrent, sometimes along narrow Ledges of the black rocks;
in one place cutting down a tall tree so as to bridge across a chasm.
in another constructing ladders to mount the smooth face of a precipice.
The chiefs who superintended the work fixed upon the length of each
day's journey beforehand according to the nature of the road.
THE . OMB )CK EXPEDITION
tut places b) the banks of clear streams and in the neigh-
l, llU1 ■ s had\ where the} built sheds and huts of bamboo
we ll J with the leaves of palm-trees, in winch the Rajah and
_ t eat and sleep at the close of each day.
when all was reach, the princes and pilots and chief men came
R ijah, to tell him what had been done and to ask him
up the mountain. And he fixed a day, and ordered
-, man of rank and authority to accompany bim, to do honour to
,irit, who had bid him undertake the journey; and to show
w illinirl v the) obeyed hi- commands. And then there was much
preparation throughout the whole island. The l>c-r cattle were killed
and the meat salted ami sun-dried; and abundance of red peppers and
• potatoes were gathered; and the tall pinang-trees were climbed
the spin betel nut, the sirih-leaf was tied up in bundles, and ever}
man tilled iii- tobacco pouch and lime box to the brim, so that he
might not want an) of the materials for chewing the refreshing betel
during the journey. And the -tore- of provisions were sent on a day
m advance. A.nd on the da) before that appointed for starting, all the
chiefs both LTeat and -mall came to Mataram. tin' abode ol the king,
with their horses and their servants, and the bearers of their sirih boxes
and their sleeping-mats and their provisions. And they encamped
under the tall waringin-trees that border all the roads about Mataram.
and with blazing fires frightened awa) the ghouls and evil spirits that
nightl) haunt the gloom) avenues.
•In the morning a great procession was formed to conduct the Rajah
to tin- mountain. And the royal princes and relations of the Etajah
mounted their black horse-, whose tails swept the -round; they used no
-a. Idle or stirrup-; lnif -at upon a cloth of ga) colours; the hits were
- Iver and the bridles of man) coloured cord-. The less important
people were on -mall strong hoi-.- of various colours, well suited to a
mountain journey; ami all even the Rajah were bare-legged to above
the knee, wearing only the ga) coloured cotton waist-cloth, a silk or
■ II jacket, ami a large handkerchief tastefully folded round the head.
me wa- attended b) one or two servants bearing hi- sirih or betel
taxes, who were also mounted on ponies; and great numbers more had
■i in advance or waited to bring up the rear. The men in
»uthorit) were numbered b) hundred- ami their followers b) thousands,
and all the island wondered what ureal thing would come of it.
the first two days the) went along good roads and through
li\ villages which w«rc -wept clean, and had bright cloth- hung out
window-; and all the people, when the Rajah came, squatted
ii upon the ground in respect, and ever) man riding got oft his
nil squatted down also, and man) joined the procession at ever)
where the) -topped for the night, the people had
_ each side of the road- in front of the houses.
I rosswise at the top. and in the cleft were fastened
liti lamp- and between them were stuck the green leave- ol
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY A1W lis /■/ ..,■ ;.,-
palm-trees, which dripping with the evening den gleamed nrettih
with the many twmkhng lights. A„,l f,„ we. 1,^ , , ,,!! ,
the mornmg hours, for ever, se held a knot of ,,,,,■ talkers and
much betel-nut was consumed, and endless were the coniectura - „
would come ot it. -l
"On the second day they left the Inst village behind them and entered
the wdd country that surrounds the great mountain, wt ed in the
Sassaks in the kamponj
huts that had been prepared for them on the banks of a stream of cold
and sparkling water. And the Rajah's hunters, armed with long and
heavy guns, went in search of deer and wild bulls in the surrounding
woods, and brought home the meat of both in the earl} morning, and
sent it on in advance to prepare the inidda\ meal. On the thir
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
thej advanced as far as horses could go, and encamped at the fool of
high rocks, among which narrow paths onl) could be found to reach
the mountain-top. And on the fourth morning when the Rajah set out,
be was accompanied only bj a small party of priests and princes with
their immediate attendants; and the) toiled wearily up the rugged way,
ami sometimes were carried l>\ their servants, till the) passed up above
the great trees, and then among the thorny bushes and above them
on to the black and burnl rock of the highest part of the mountain.
And when the\ were near the summit the Rajah ordered them all to
halt, while he alone wren! to meet the great spirit on the very peak ol
the mountain. So be went on with two boys only who carried his
sirih and betel, and soon reached the top of the mountain among great
rocks on the edge of the great gulf whence issued forth continually smoke
and vapour. And the Rajah asked for sirih, and told the boys to sit down
under a rock and look down the mountain and not to move till he
returned to them. And as the) were tired, and the sun was warm and
pleasant, and tin- rock sheltered them from the cold wind, the boys fell
asleep. And the Rajah went a Little way on under another rock: and
vas tired, and the sun was warm and pleasant, and he too fell asleep.
\nd those who wire waiting for the Rajah, thought him a long
time on tin- top of the mountain, and thought the great spirit must
have much to say, or might perhaps want to keep him on the mountain
always, or perhaps he had missed hi- way in coming down again. And
they were debating whether they should go and search for him. when
the\ saw him coming down with the two hoys. And when he met them
he looked \er\ grave and said nothing; and then all descended together,
and the procession returned as it had come; and the Rajah went to his
palace and the chief to their villages, and the people to their bouses, to
tell their wives and children all that had happened, and to wonder \et
again what would come of it.
•And three days afterwards the Rajah summoned the priests and the
trinces and the chief men of Mataram. to hear what the greal spirit
lad told him on the top of the muoiitaiii. And when the) were all
assembled, and the betel and sirih had been handed round. In- told them
what had happened. On the top of the mountain he had fallen into a
trance, and the great spirit had appeared to him with a face like
burnished gold, and had said — '() Rajah! much plague and sickness and
ra are coming upon all the earth, upon men and upon horses and
upon cattle; lint as you and your people have obeyed me and have
p to m\ great mountain, 1 will teach you how you and all the
if Lombock ma) escape this plague.'
' And all waited anxiously to hear how the) were to lie saved from
il a calamity. And after a short silence the Rajah spoke again
:i >'d told them, that the great spirit had commanded that twelve sacred
liould !><• made, and that to make them every village and even
Send a bundle of needles -a needle for ever} head ill the
And when an) grievous disease appeared in any village, one of
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE.
the sacred krisses should be sent there; and if every bouse in that
village, had sent the right number of needles, the disease would imme-
diately cease, but if the number of needles senl had not been exact,
the kris would have no virtue.
"So the princes and chiefs sent to all their villages and communicated
the wonderful news; and all made haste to colled the needles with the
greatest accuracy, for the} feared that if bul one were wanting the
whole village would suffer. So one by one the head men of the villages
brought in their bundles of needles; those who were near Mataram
came in first, and those who were far off came last; mid the Rajah
received them with his own hands, and put them a\\,i\ carefulh in an
inner chamber, in a camphor-wood chest whose hinges and clasps were
of silver; and on every bundle was marked the name of the village and
the district whence it came, so that it might he known that all had
heard and obeyed the commands of the great spirit.
"And when it was quite certain that every village had sent in it-
bundle, the Rajah divided the needles into twelve equal parts, and
ordered the best steel-worker in Mataram to bring Ins forge mid his
bellows and his hammers to the palace, and to make twelve krisses
under the Rajah's eye, and in the sight of all men who chose to see
it. And when they were finished, they were wrapped up in new silk
and put aw 7 ay carefully until they might be wanted.
"Now the journey to the mountain was in the time of the east wind
when no rain falls in Lombock. And soon after the krisses were made
it was the time of the rice harvest, and the chiefs of districts and of
villages brought in their tax to the Rajah according to the number of
heads in their villages. And to those that wanted but little of the full
amount, the Rajah said nothing; but when those came who brought
only half or a fourth part of what was strictly due, he said to them
mildly. 'The needles w r hich you sent from your village were man)
more than came from such-a-one's village, yet your tribute is less than
his; go back and see who it is that has not paid the t;i\." And the
next year the produce of the tax increased greatly, for the\ feared that
the Rajah might justly kill those who a second time kept back the right
tribute. And so the Rajah became very rich, and increased the number
of his soldiers, and gave golden jewels to his wives, and bought fine
black horses from the white-skinned Hollanders, and made great feasts
when his children were born or were married; and none of the Rajahs
or Sultans among the Malays were so great or so powerful a- the
Rajah of Lombock.
"And the twelve sacred krisses had great virtue. And when any
sickness appeared in a village one of them was sent for: and sometimes
the sickness went away, and the sacred kris was taken back again with
great honour, and the head men of the village came to tell the Rajah
of its miraculous power, and to thank him. And sometimes the sickness
would not go away; and then everybody was convinced that there had
been a mistake in the number of 'needles sent from that villi
THE LOMBCH K EXPEDITION
kris had no effect, and bad to be taken backagaii
11 with heavy hearts, but still with honour, for was not
fault their own! "
Whethei we look upon this narrative as fact or fiction, it is more
that the pnnces were prett} well acquainted with the number
ts and at the time of Zollinger s u-it. it did not reach
ther with this and other facta and consylering that the
ilation would not grow so rapidly in more recent times owing to
oppression, povert} and sickness, we look upon the reports of controller
s, who visited Lombockin 1884 and those of captain II. P. Willemstijn
Indian Military Review IS91 " as being tin- more approximate
\ irding to these accounts the Inhabitants <>t Lombock
would amount I Ml souls, of whom 600.000 belong to the aborig-
nbock, the Sassaks, and 50.000 to the ruling race, the
lu-Balinese and there might he an average of say 6000 persons
_ ng respectively" to the Malay, Aral) or Chinese races.
pting these figures as correct, there would, according to European
•K be 120.000 men averaging from fifteen to forty years
I
shorter duration of life amongst the native- and the recent great
ations endured by them would have a decidedly diminishing effect
upon the number of men capable of carrying arms and would probably
reduce it to 100.000, which is the figure given by Heijligers.
\ >rdingly, and in confirmation of the (.pinion expressed l>\ Zollinger,
there would onl} be one fifth of this number — 20.000 — capable of acting
in the coolie or transport service in time of war.
From all accounts, it -.ems that the Sassaks were quite untrained in
th<- use of arm- and in time of peace arc not even provided with guns.
In time of war the\ air summoned and the greater pari of them are
i with spears and lances from the stores in hand at Tjakra
and the others are given Hint and percussion muskets.
the continuous warfare against the Rajah, things havealtered
ut latterh and different kinds of fire-arms have come into
■ ion and the} now have breach-loaders and repeaters. Still
capon i- the 'kris", which is borne b} all native-. "Klew-
ecn, according to Zollinger.
I rider tin- present circumstances we had not much resistance to fear
on the contrarj we might anticipate their more or
il support.
a- the Balinese arc concerned, the} are all compelled to
• of war. According to the above made calculation- the}
about l'Minii strong in the Held: however from later
hear that the prince- onl} had 6000 nan at their disposal,
Luxilian troops from Karang A--im under their
notorious ( rusti Djilantik.
oldiei do not constitute a standing army, bul are
and receive their arm- from Tjakra Nagara
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COl'STUY AX1> FI'S VEOl'l.E
fi."H
like the Sassaks. One hundred and fifty soldiers are always under arm
and compose the prince's body-guard. The uniform of this body-
guard consists, according to Zollinger and Dr. Jacobs, who visited Lom-
bock in 1882, of a white head covering and a jacket of red baize and
according to Dr. Jacobs they also wear a "sarong" caughl up between
the legs.
There is no question of drill or practise in times of peace, lieu-
van Eck says that a merchant at Ampenan told him, however, thai Ins
coolies were constantly being called away for lour or five days at a
time to practise target shooting. On these occasions the} were obliged
to provide themselves with food and lodgings, which caused much
privation and sickness amongsl them and the drilling or
practising cannot really have been of any advantage to
them. Opposed to well drilled troops in the open field
the Balinese need not he considered as \ti\ serious
opponents, but their powers of resistance under cover,
behind walls and earthworks is remarkable and In no
means to be despised. We had an experience of this
in the earlier expeditions against their ancestors.
The Rajah cannot in an\ degree depend upon the
Bugis, whose recruits would probably onl\ number
about 50 and whose chief. Pa Molda, alias Doci, has
always under some pretext or another managed to
secure their immunity from serving in the army. And
finally the prince did not venture to summon those
Sassaks, who were nominal I \ faithful and bound to
him by ties of blood and who dwelt among the Bali-
nese, for fear they might eventually join the rebels.
The number of firearms they are said to possess
differs considerably. Willemstijn reckons about 25.000, amongsl whirl,
a great number of breach-loaders. By this time however, man\ must
be in the hands of the rebels and many must be defective. Of course
we are ignorant as to the competence of their gunsmiths to repair them;
but our experiences at Atcheen would go to prove that we are justified
in thinking that their skill is somewhat exaggerated, especialhj regarding
modern firearms.
Less divergent and more reassuring are the opinions expressed regarding
their acquaintance with cannon. At most the\ have not more thai
or 80 and these are of ancient construction and various calibres
the greater number are unprovided with gun-carriages. At the beg
ningof the uprising the greater part of them were conveyed to l'raj;. l>\
the Sassaks but would have been more dangerous to themselves
to the enemy!
No one knows how to charge them. Zollinger was informed that i
was intended to force the Bugis to use then, in case of nee,
would not have been dangerous for us as we afterwards disco
Balinese man.
THE 1 OMBOi K EXPEDITION.
gunpowder, almost enough for two years, is
d* powder and shot are being continually imported
gniticance of this is lessened however by the circum-
Zolliuger, a great am. .nut is consumed on the occasion
, * if. to what we have already stated, we add that
an) question of horses during the war, then we shall
ted what we have to sa) regarding the military system
says that the entire Balinese population resides at Mataram
ami tin- <>ut-kirt-. or at Ampenan, Karang-Assim (afterwards called
: , . ,tc Tin-, la' add-, i- a wise measure, for if they were
scattered over the country the) would have far more difficulty
in defending themselves in case of attack. The opinion expressed by
Zollinger was correct hut we must bear in mind that it was formulated
re tlu- great rebellion of l s ">">. and although the outskirts have in
of time extended considerabl) and the border line of Balinese
Bupremac) ma\ now be said to reach from Sanah Tepong to the East
• Narmada to near Raja on the South-east, still it will he a matter
to man) how such a comparatively small number of Hindu-
inhabitants of the -mailer part of the island, should have
attained authority over such a far greater number as the Mohammedan
topulation dispersed all over the island and not only obtained it. hut
it.
re proceeding to show how the Lombock rulers obtained such a
firm footing in the island, we -hall endeavour to sketch the historical
and religious institutions of the rulers.
r
[| was probably in the first centuries of the Christian era that the
Indians or Hindus, in the pursuit of then- extensive trade with Southern
and China, established themselves in Java, Sumatra and other islands
inhabited b) tin' Mala) race and planted colonies there.
With their Hindu religion these Indian- also brought their knowledge
nlturc rice culture), cattle-breeding and to Java in particular
their architecture, in which island the) laid the foundation of that high
ization of which we -till see the remains in such wonderful achieve-
the master-piece of Buru-Budur. There the) established
man) kingdoms the once so powerful and famous Madjapahit,
cached the zenith of it- glor) towards the end of the 14th
II") under AiiL'ka \\ idjaja and extended it- influence far and wide
countries. Thu- it came to pa-- that, even amongsl the early,
r amongst other things, thai at the celebration of Borne
i nt which he was going to assist, the princes would
rder for salutes during the procession it pikol in about
I
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE.
the original inhabitants of Bali they disseminated the seeds of their
morality, their religion and their civilization.*
All this was not accomplished without a struggle, although the yoke
of the indulgent and broad-minded Hindus was sure not to weigh too
heavily upon the people. One of the most serious attempts at rebellion
was during the latter part of the 15th eentniy shorty before the tall of
Madjapahit.
The two chief generals of this kingdom were ordered to cross over to
Bali and subjugate the island by force of arms. Aija Damar and Patih
Gadja accordingly went with a considerable army; the former was
especially successful in a series of battles and Bali was soon compelled
to submit again to Hindu ride; the name of Arja Damar occupies a
foremost place in Javanese literature! and in Balinese legends a- the
hero of the day and many of their "wajangs" are made to represenl
the feats performed by him.
This expedition was the last display of power of the once --,, mighty
kingdom of Madjapahit.
What then can have been the events that led up to the downfall of
this realm?
Probably at a much earlier period, but at all events certainl) during
the reign of Angka Widjaja, Arabian missionaries had come over to Java
to propagate Islamism. Conspicuous amongst these was Raden Rahmat,
whose adherents became so numerous and whose influence was so wide-
spread, that he actually married one of the daughters of Angka Widjaja,
from whom he received leave to establish himself at Surabaya and
assume the title of Susuhunan, whilst his sons wire raised to the por-
tion of Adipati or stadholders.
So firm a footing had Islamism now gained in .lava, that it spread
very rapidly and towards the middle of the 15th cent my half the island
may be said to have been peopled with followers of the crescent.
In proportion as the teaching of Mohammed was promulgated, so
was the power of Madjapahit weakened, internal divisions hastening the
disruption.
If hitherto Rahmat and his adherents had pursued peaceful methods
* Great diversity of opinion prevails regarding the origin of the Balinese and their conver-
sion to the Hindu religion: in view of a similarity in morals, van Eck thinks they originate
from Celebes; Van Hoevell alleges that the Hindus conic direct from India as well as from
Java. In support of the idea that Hindus came direct to Bali from Imlia, Friederich of
whom later— speaks of many customs practised in Bali ami unknown in .lava such a- the
burning of widows, the building of houses of brick, etc.
Accordingto tradition, the first Hindus came to Bali from India, (see Jonkes " Volkskunde
von Bali"). On their arrival, says the sage, they found two prince-, at Kali: not men. but
demons. One of them had the head of a cockatoo !— and this is a remarkable statement, for
Wallace says that this bird is not met with further Westwards than Lombock, where tie-
Australian fauna commences, but oddly enough specimens are found at the present da
the island of Noesa or Penida, belonging to Bali.
This same tradition relates how several years later Ida Bapien Dalem Dewa A.gong chose
different wives from different parts of the island. At Ealong-Kalong he bough* a »
who bore him a son with woolly hair, but who could not be kin- on account of bis
having been a slave.
Does this narrative point to relationship with an inferior race perhaps from Lus
THE I "Ml:"' B EXPEDITION
i„ t . ;ir ,\ r purpose, it was not so with his successors; who
did not place their swords in the scales.
ii Pal a Mohammedan fanatic, struck the final blow to the
ch\ about 1478 of our era, which finally succumbed
; hard fighting h itli varying success.
_ |, \\ djaja, utter struggling in vain to withstand the
iumphant followers of the crescent, was compelled to seek
island of Bali with a few of his faithful subjects; he
ed himself at Gelgel, a dessa in Kalongkong, not far from the
capital of the Dewa Agong. From here he the first Dewa
rcised his authority throughout the island, which he parti-
ato various divisions, where the chiefs of his army— poenggawas
., M t ;i» hi- vassals. B\ degrees these duets of districts made
then udependent of their ruler and founded the small principalities
into which Bali is now dh ided. *
ah particular attention in h\> "Volkerkunde" to the Bpread of Papuans over
where thej were transported as Blares bj the sea-faring Malays
towns. Bui even further inland elements of the Papuan race are
. and the Balinese were nol a sea-faring people.
- circumstances that, both at JSali and Lombock, we have to
an ante-Papuan | pie, mixed up first with the Malay race and subsequently
ih ami llimlu-.lavai
a moment ti> Balinese traditions it appears thai the Bone of [da Sapien
ii wi-p- the iliri . i ancestors <>t' the present princes of whom the Dewa A gong \i/. the
■ Kalongkong is the most important branch, he being descended from a union
Dalem and his own Bister, both being of equall] high birth.
w -! ill bav< to refer again later on to this Dewa Agong of Kalongkong, who strangelj
-till entitled by our Government as SuBuhunan.
d fact that in certain dessas of l>ali, like Sembiran and Sangsit, there
many traces of the ante-Balinese, (Bali-aga) who in their worship had preserved
the ancient Polynesian heathens for instance these people neither burytheir
to them, but lay them in or under a tree ontside the dessa, as is still done at Nia-.
• og t.i hear more of 1 1 1 < - popular traditions regarding the origin of
taken from a manuscript of 1842 and is written by Beer van Reea to the
1 . Baud :
il of the Musulmans with their Koran at .lava caused great displeasure to 1 1 1 » •
reverenced there. Desirous of avoiding even the re test contact
•h'-\ determined to leave .lava: accordingly thej departed and going
bed Bali, where thej decided to establish their earthlj throne. Their
in. t with opposition; Bali already possessed her own gods, wicked
Thej had the courage t" defend themselves energeticallj against
finally defeated. Sowever one of the Raksasas succeeded
i annihilation and continued t<> Bojourn in the island and this was the Balinese
ma
including that 1 1 1 i i- deity is representative of the ante-Balinese,
portions of the island and to whom we have alreadj referred?
ronicle" from which this narrative is taken, the victorious
to build for themselves worthy earthlj habitations. In those days
• would !»' undignified to place themselves on the same
that thej Bhould transfer the four bills from the Bas1
East, the place of honour and was given the name of
• .ir greatest mountain. Henceforward this was to
Bali; the other three were located in the West, North
i tli. different gods according to their respective rank-.
human beings were born from the fruit of the cocoa-palm
- a mini ami the other a woman; these were taught
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Thus it came about that Hinduism found shelter on ihe ver) l>
of its earlier domains; here have been preserved up to the pr<
day their sacred writings, their historical traditions, their religious insti-
tutions: these have left an indelible mark both for good and evil on
the aborigines, but in an\ ease they have resulted in a higher civilization
and great development in agriculture!
How now did the I lindn-IJalinese succeed m extending their rule to
Lombock?
Very little or nothing is known of the carl\ Instor. of the Sassaks;
a decided uncertainty prevails regarding the period when the} accepted
the doctrine of Islamism. It must presumably have been shortly after
the fall of the Hindu dynasty in -lava, when the Arabian merchants
were no longer admitted to the island of Bali in pursuit of then- busi-
ness and consequently turned to Lombock to sell their wares and at the
same time disseminate their religions \ie\\s amongst the inhabitants.
The date of the conversion of the Sassaks to Islamism may rough]} be
put down as being the latter part of the 13th and the earlier part of
the 16th centuries. This conversion differs from the conversion to Hin-
duism, both in Bali and Lombock, in so far as it only touched the
outer life and consisted chiefly in subscribing to the dogma: '-There i-
no god but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet" and in the abstention
from pork and submission to circumcision. *
by the gods how to instruct the people in their religious worship. These two firs! teachers
received the name of Manko (head-priest) and 1 1 1 < • \ (there are still female priests in Bali)
also taught the people who had by this time come from Java.
But what had occurred meanwhile in Java ?
The numerous calamities and disasters which overtook the Hindus aow assembled in
Java, made them feel that they were entirely forsaken bj the gods under whose protection
they were placed, but who had" now- left Java. The Natung Willa Tikta (prince), im« occu-
pying the throne of Madjapahit, on being informed by the Brahmins that the temples were
empty and deserted, charged his general, Pateh Gadjamada to seek out the new abode ol
the absent gods. Escorted by a powerful following, the general landed at Bali, where he
was soon on the traces of the missing deities. As booh as these tidings reached the prince
he hastened to gather a large army and crossed over to Bali, which became the scene of
many bloody conflicts ; the natives were led \>\ the invincible Raksasa "Mraya Dawana," the
own"god, who had escaped the fury of the Hindu gods. Finallj however Willa Tikta (Bra
"Widgaja) conquered them and became master of the island ; he selected one of the hills
the West, only half the height of the Gunong-Agong, as the seat of his Government and 1
built there the town of Kalonkong. The Brahmins established themselves on a projecting
angle of the highest hill between the u-ods and. the princes this again confirms tin-
that the priests constituted a higher caste and the heads of the armj scattered thcmsel
in a southern or south-western direction, all receiving smaller or larger -rant- o
in proportion to the services rendered in subjugating tie island.
* Regarding the introduction of Islamism in Java and Lombock, Van I
the "Tijdschr. v. Ind. Taal- Land- en Yolkenkunde. Is;:,." the following tradition, which
generally accepted in Bali and which we subjoin as forming part of the people
Those readers who may take exception at the narrative must hear in nun.
accounts are current concerning the origin of tribes in other islands ol the An-
Java for instance. One has only to remember the Ealangs in Central Java, regar
origin Professor Veth gives all the uecessarj details in his famous wor
u One day, a verv lone- time ago, Batara Indra. the much-feared chiel ol I
or dewas in Bali was right up on top of the hill, assigned to him lor his d«
Suddenly, whilst surveying from these heights the nether world at his feet,
with the violent need to relieve nature. Anxious, however, that none ol the -
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
We intend r«» discuss the political situation of Lomboclt presently, but
n that presents itself to us is: whence aid the name
,| r| .,. Nothing much is known for certain} all that can be
r sized place of that name is situated on a bay on
the lia\ also being called Lombock and according to
of the natives, one of the Sassak chiefs must have been
B th Zollinger and Van K<k state that a place
;irl\ named i- also found <>n tin- west coast. There is no difficulty
ising that tin- earl} East India navigators, who used this place
station, should have given the name to the whole island.
iow we find tin- name of Lombock mentioned by our traders, as
later in our review of our early relations with that kingdom.
The natives -rill adhere t«» the old name of Salaparang, as we have
n in tin- letter written b} the Sassak chiefs.
I ie origin of Salaparang is likewise hidden in obscurity; Valentyn
-p.ak- of an island called " Salamparang " subject to the Balinese, possibly
the old name of the island, but more probably of one of the independ-
ent little states into which it was divided before the arrival of the Balinese.
he '-all.-. I upon the animals of tin- Burrounding wood-, promising that which-
them would .Irink hi- urine Bhould give birth to a human being ami that the
-iioulil In- a girl. The tir-t to respond to this appeal was a sow, who was rewarded
- rime bj bringing into the world a lovely little girl, whom she brought up
th the greatest possible care.
■ \ attained to womanhood the had all sin- way- and habits of a well brought
• man ami -In- was specially -kilt'ul in weaving Barongs. From early morning
rening Bhe might be Been at her loom: one day while very busy at work,
r shuttle -In- picked it up hurriedly, but it fell again and this occurred again
i- the girl attempted to take the shuttle in her hand it dipped from her
Bhe exclaimed in despair: -Will no one pick u|> my shuttle for
- if u man answers my prayer I will be his wife, it' a woman, she shall be a Bister to me. 1
• l|. r prayer reached the ear of Batara [ndra, who taking pity upon his foster-daughter
- (spirits) to her assistance. Be acquitted himself of tin- task appointed
a and to his great Burprise, he became that very day the husband of this lovely maiden.
• "t this union was a fine boy; his parents called him Mantring Moder (perhaps a
Moihir or Prince of death). The] themselves could give no reason for thus
- not enlighten us. All wo have ascertained i-. that a- the boy
sed hi* mother considerable annoyance by continually enquiring who his
• ashamed to till him tin- truth until compelled by circumstances to do so.
norning Mantring Moder went as usual to hunt in tin- wood. His special purpose
ill. irhereal t- of a long and lank] dog, which was in the
. round their dwelling at night time and disturbing their slumbers by his
Knalh b< espied bis tormentor, who Buspecting no evil, was seated peace-
is in friendly conversation with an old bow. Naturallj Mantring Moder
i a before him hi- father and hi- grandmother, bo In- lei fly at him —
moment later thi i corpse.
i thi- heroic deed tin- young man returns homo. Presently ho tolls
inting and onlj then does In- learn from tho widow, of what
He does not appear very repentant, and indeed what
11. i- tin- thought that hi- father Bhould have been a dog. after
tcbod rate tor a considerable length of time, ho decides to try and
neets with a kindly reception and does no! hesitate
••»t, thai il maj I tara to grant him a bangsa (status) amongst men.
his inability t.. comply. I have only jus! bo
rmtituted the tjatoer-djalma (caste divisions of which later) amongst my
: them into four claSBes and it than that I cannot do.
Batara added: You have come too late and I cannot
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE C0UNTR1 AND ITS PEOPLE. 6]
According to Zollinger the title of Rajah of Salaparang was taken I
the princes of the island to commemorate the conquesl and destrnc
of the capital of one of the Sassak states bearing thai name and in
favour of this suggestion We have the Fad thai at the Fool of the lull
of Rcndjnni, in the Sassak division, there siill exists a village of thai name.
Before the arrival of the Balinese the island was divided into various
more or less independent districts, which were ruled l.\ chiefs under
the title of Datoeq or Raden. One common ruler was not acknowledged,
on the contrary there were continuous internecine struggles for authority
and supremacy.
So it came to pass, that during the middle of last century someserious
struggles were going on between the princes and one of these, the Rajah
of Praja, sent a message to Ratoe Gedeh Ngoerah of Karangassim in
Bali, to come and assist him to defeat the other native princes. The
Balinese prince was not slow to accept the invitation, seeing before him
the opportunity of establishing his own authority in Lombock. He agreed
to help the prince of Praja in recovering his independence, hut on the
include you in the tjatoer-djalman, but I will do something else tor you; I will create a new
tribe for you. You shall be the head of the 'slams' (Islam, 'slam.) Here is a t in \ phial.
take it with you to heathen Java and pour its contents into all the waters where tin- people
bathe. The result of this will be that all will bo attacked b\ a deadly disease; when this
has come to pass, then present yourself to the public and proclaim Loudly that yon are
possessed of an infallible remedy against the fatal disorder. That remedj Is 'circumcision. 1
"Now go at once and I promise you that within a very short time yon shall be at tie
head of a race innumerable as the stars in heaven and that to perpetuate your memorj they
shall be called: 'slams."
Mantring Moder had no sooner received the phial from the hands of Batara than be
departed and without resting on the way, he sped to Java. Here he followed on! minutel)
the instructions received and everything occurred as had been foretold. All who bathed were
seized with sudden illness and as all stood in fear of death they readilj submitted to cir-
cumcision; within a few months the whole of Java was converted to Islam.
Our hero instead of being satisfied at finding himself at the head of thousands and tens
of thousands of people, pined for further aggrandizement and desired to extend bis fame
beyond the limits of Java.
In due time Mantring Moder remembers that Batara Indra had spoken to him of Bassaks
and he prepares to visit their island with some of his followers: they reach there safely and
establish themselves at Dangin Djoering. No one troubles about the stranger, who i- appar-
ently peaceably inclined. Very shortly after the Sassaks begin to find out their mistake
An unknown disease, whose ravages the cleverest doctors cannot arrest, has been Bpread
amongst the inhabitants. It must be the stranger who is the cause thereof! The islanders
driven to the verge of despair assemble in front of Mantring Bffoder's abode, and certain i
is that his life would have been worth short purchase, had he not possessed the knowledge
how to allay the strange malady. Without (he slightest demur everj man on the island was
circumcised and the disease disappeared from their midst as rapidlj as it had come.
As a mark of gratitude all the admirers of the honoured stranger covered their head with
apiece of cloth (ikat kapala), intended to represent the skin of a dog and the band!.- of their
krisses were so re-chaped, as to remind each one of the circumcision.
This then, according to tradition, would explain the wearing of the head-cloth by the
Sassaks, whereas it is only worn in exceptional instances by the Hindu-Balinese.
Regarding the later fate of the propagator of lslamism. the legend Bays: "that, while his
success had been so boundless, there was one to whom it rather gave cause for anxiel
that was no less a personage than Batara Indra. who began to tremble lest Mantring Mod.
might take it into his head to cross over to Bali with his followers. And what to do 1
prevent it? The only thing was, to get rid of him and that i- what Batara did. M
Moder was once more preparing for fresh conquests, when he died qutte suddenly a
adherents laid him to rest at Dangin Djoering, where hi- remains arc still said to
present day."
THE LOMBOi K EXPEDITION
understanding that in return for his services he, the prince of Karang-
should k< himself all that he could take.
tradition crossed over from Bali to fight the enemies of
. princes of Lombock were totally unprepared to defend
then such an ana} of force, and one by one the} were
all di When all had been vanquished, the Balinese turned against
.Hid thi^ too fell into his power; and since that time the
rule has been established in Lombock.
je is the story. But is it not doubtful whether a series
ts which occurred at short intervals have not all been rolled into
l>\ tradition?
osidering the close proximity of the islands it is more than probable
imunication and connection between Bali and Lombock existed
much earlier period and that the repeated marauding incursions of
the more powerful race of the Hindu-Balinese led up to the ultimate
usion of power. A.s a matter of fact, we find mentioned in Van Eck's
writings, that the cause of the Rajah of Praja's troubles with the other
princes of Lombock, was his being on too friendly terms with the
the Balinese — and even before that, the reigning princes of
the two islands had intercourse with one another. For instance the
prince Gusti Wayan Taga, who reigned over Lombock from 1741 to 1775
under the supreme authority of Bali, was on his father's side a de-
li nt of the Sassaks, although his mother was of Balinese descent.
There remains no doubt about the fact that since the middle of last
1 1\ the Balinese have ruled Lombock and their influence has been
imount.
This is an opportune moment to speak of the Hindu-Balinese institu-
tions and religion, for without a knowledge of these things it is impos-
ible to obtain an insight into the social conditions of Bali and Lombock.
_'i..ii of the Balinese permeates their whole existence— their gods
present everywhere, they are all-powerful and exercise a direct
influi r'en acl of their lives.
I- i child smiles in its Bleep it is a token that its guardian angelis
watching over it: abundant rains and plentiful crops are other proofs of
gods, who frequently place themselves in commuui-
<n with men and advise them how to acl in the interest of their
families. It is thought that the deities when in a bad
_ I'd send all sorts of misfortunes, such as epidemics, or
I'heir favours are gratefully acknowledged, but it is
which most influences the people, who spare no efforts or
propitiate them and turn aside their resentment."
death of the notable Balinese woman on the da\ planned
attack on our troops looked upon as an ill-omen and
gods to delay?.... How grateful we ought to he
• we often find trace- of their curlier beliefs,
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUXTI!) A.\l> ITS PEOPLE
this is certainly a marked characteristic in the Hindu-Balin<
which is largely interspersed with the tenets of the original creed oi
the Malays.
The ancient Malay faith was a pure worship of nature, with the sun
as chief deity, while ranking next in order came those deceased persons,
who had been raised to the dignity of gods, and whose protection was
sought against the evil spirits who were wont to dwell in the houses,
woods, rivers, etc.
In some cases it was necessary to appease the spirit- b\ blood-offer-
ings; and here and there human sacrifices have occurred.
Friederich asserts in his oft-mentioned "Previous Report" thai he
lias been able to ascertain by means of indirect questioning thai human
sacrifices have taken place in Bali.
"A former ruler of Karang Assim having been defeated inwar,sought
to be restored to the favor of the gods by the sacrifice of a human
life. He took one of his slaves into a wood, killed him, clothed the
body and placed it amongst the other offerings. Whilst the pandita
(priest) was reciting the invocations from the Veda,* the wind got up
suddenly and raising the covering revealed the sight of a human form.
A curse overtook the foolhardy king, who was never restored to power.
"Another well-known instance is that of the prince who had also decided
to sacrifice a slave; in the dark of night he went in search of him, but
found his own son instead, who was roasted on a spear and sacrificed.
"It would be difficult to deny these two facts, for regarding the
former, I not only heard of it at Badong, but it was confirmed l>\ Men-
goei who was a faithful friend and ally of Karang Assim; but of course
the people there refuse to acknowledge the truth of it.
The second one about the prince of Gianjar is spoken off openly.
Whether this ghastly custom still prevails in a densely populated country
where the common man is a slave f and of no value. I dare not
undertake to state. In the "Verh. v. h. Bat. Uenootsch. XII" we learn
that on the night of the 7th March 1875, the people were assembled
to offer sacrifices and amongst the remains of dogs, ducks, pigs and
other animals, besides the usual profusion of fruit and flowers, there
was also the dead body of a man, whose demise would, according to the
pemangkoe, avert the prevailing epidemic.
* The Vedas occupy the highest place both in the Balinese and in the Hindu literature.
They comprise all the prescribed formulas of prayer for the us,, of the priests, wheth
private or public functions, or on occasions of rejoicing or sacrifice. Thej remain a
all, excepting the Brahmins, who are taught by the panditas. Friederich says thej are all
written in pure Sanskrit; in his opinion it would be of the atmosl importance to master the
contents of the Vedas, for this knowledge atone could render it possible to understand their
religion in its entirety; furthermore, we might deduce from such knowledge a standard
whereby to judge the state of Hinduism at the time it spread its influence over the tndi
Archipelago and also be enabled to learn more of the Polynesian civilization at that period.
f This is less correct. The common man belongs to the "S He onlj b
slave under certain circumstances, as in ease of debt, or for having committed a crime, pun
able by a fine, he is unable to pay. The wife andchildren of a criminal caughl
and the wife and daughters of a "Sudra," dying without leaving sons or brothers, b
property of the prince.
/•/// LOMBOCK EXPEDITION,
-iilt of the fear inspired by our government, which naturally
ftrohibita human sacrifices, the custom has been discontinued in Bah,
>ut in Lombock, where our authority was much less felt, these occur-
ttlUSl have hccli 1 lie | lUIlt .
Wallao r ' 11- us that during his visit to Labuan Tring, on the S. W.
mbock, he one evening overheard his servant and a Malay
man whispering earnestly together outside his door and could distinguish
various allusions to "krisses, throat-cutting, heads, etc., etc." At Length
his servant came in looking verj serious and frightened and said in
Sir -must take care; no safe here; — want cut throat." (hi
further enquin if turned out that the Malay had arrived with the news
that the Kajali had just sent orders tn the village, that he required a
tain number of "neads" for an offering in the temples, t<> secure a
i crop "t rice.
Two '»r three other Malays and Bugis confirmed the news and declared
that it was an annual custom and that it would be most inexpedient to
neglect the warning and go nut alone, as every one had to be most
cautions and watchful. Wallace endeavoured to persuade them that it
was ;i mere tale and he himself continued his daily wanderings and
irehes in the woods. Although no harm did overtake him, this is in
all probability due to his being a European; but if we take this narrative
in conjunction with the previous ones, 1 do not think that the statements
cf the natives are to he dismissed so Lightly.
Another curious surviving custom of the earlj Malay religion is the
high honour bestowed on the " Raboet-Sedana " (a doll made of coppers .
Once a \ear this image is carried out of the dessa temple on a golden
litter, and arrayed in gala clothes; it is carried to the edge of a
:n or to the sea shore in order to celebrate its birthday with the
1 hi this or similar occasions the religious ceremonies con-
nected with the festivities, are presided over by the " Pemangkoes "
village-priests and the Hindu priests keep in the background.
A few of the religious practices have still been retained, although
the Hindu conquerors have thrown the mantle of their official religion
the shoulders of the ancient paganism of the Malays.
But even this religion of the conquerors was itself a medley ofBudhism
and Sivaism.
The Budhists, so says de Hollander in bis "Handboek der Land- en
Volkenkunde van Ned. Oost-lndie, " were certainly first on the scene
and came direct from India to Bali and although oiil\ mel with in limited
one finds them in a few villages, like Hoeleleng. Karangassim
igar. The\ all profess to belong to the highest ciass. ),, contra-
Saivas, thej eal beef and the flesh of horses and dogs.
" "<^\ combination of u Budhism and Sivaism in the fire
■ '■■■ < >n these occasions the sunrd water of the
mingled with that of the pandita of Ihidha. as a
followers of the former require the aid of the latter
*nd i is .till a mb-division of the Balinese religion.
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOl'l.l..
Thus the Kawi manuscripts arc written partly by the Saivas
partly by the Budhists, both using the same language.
Gate of the Poeri at Tjakra-Nagara.
The followers of the two religions are allowed to intermarry, in which
case the wife adopts her husband's faith.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
ling to the panditas the connection between the two religions
elder brother Siva to a younger Budha). They live
other.
the Budhist influence was ver} strong and it is still
tivala for priests of both religions to officiate, bul
accepted Brahminism and are worshippers of Siva,
has supplanted all the other Gods and sects of Hinduism.
th( Balinese belief is propitiation and reverence:
■ the evil spirits and reverence for the birthplace of
ill ancestors and for the gods who govern the destinies of the
li.
predominant element in the religion of the Hindus in Lombock
and Bali is fear, accompanied by a natural and incessant desire to
appease the wrath of the evil spirits. These "boetas", as the} are
called, till the air, and not content with punishing men for crimes the}
have committed, they take the greatest delight in tormenting poor
mortals, simply as an enjoyable pastime!
|- s especiall} towards evening that extra precautions are necessary,
that being the favorite hour for their wanderings, when the} tr\ to
force their wa\ into peoples' dwellings, ruder the circumstances the
onh thing to be dune is to tr\ and pacif} them: so it frequently
happens thai the mother of a famil} will place food of various kinds
in front of her house and even a light to show the "boeta" the way.
It is always considered a good omen if the spirits partake of the
nourishment provided for them in that ease they proceed npon their
journe} without attempting to enter the house.
The remains of the "boetas" meal are much appreciated by the dogs
and pigs, the Balinese domestic animals.
ithstanding all the precautions that are taken the spirits do
sometimes succeed in penetrating into the houses and therefore special
mil's are made from time to time; this is usually done on the eve
the Balinesi New Year's day, when a choice selection is placed in
middle of the " erf | homestead .
thi- i- insufficient; once ;i year ever} dessa must lie exorcised
thoroughl} and this ceremon} has always to lie carried out at the time
new moon. The firel thing t<> be done is to define most accurately
boundaries of ever} dessa; this being accomplished, the ceremon}
B ;i\\a\ the boetas lie-ins this ceremon} is called "Menjepi";
- the onl} occasion on which the Balinese discard their krisses.
■How in:_ r description is i_ r i\en h\ Van Eck in the "Tijdsch. voor
"kalas and "boetas" have enjoyed \vn- scope for a
earth becomes "panas," heated then the "padanda"
must l.r driven awa} l>\ force. In accordance with
vhole population of the village or surrounding district
Of the chief temple, where a large SCaffold is erected
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE.
69
at the cross roads. The offerings (banten) are arranged round n in the
shape of a compass; this form is chosen, so as to prevent am oJ the
"dewas" fancying that they have been forgotten and thus' feeling
inclined to wreak their vengeance by depriving the ceremom of its
power. The necessary offerings for the wicked -pints are not forgotten.
Everything being ready the "padanda" appears in magnificent i
and ascends the scaffold, now dignified by the name of " pampoespa-an ".
and sprinkles the "beten" with holy water and mumbles the prayers.
Beneath him are a male and a female priest who join in the invocations.
As soon as — and • it is now seven in the evening the end of the
prayer is notified, one of the bystanders blows the "soengoe" (;i trumpel
made out of a shell) in order to summon the "kalas" and the "boetas"
to the repast. At the same time several of the men approach and
light their torches at the sacred lamp burning before the priest. A.8
soon as they have done this they disperse in all direction-, followed l.\
the multitude, they rush through all the streets and lanes shouting:
"megedi," " megedi " ! (go away, go away.) Wherever they pass, those
who have been compelled to stay at home, come rushing out of their
houses and try to assist in driving away the demons. h\ banging the
doors, beating the trees, etc., etc. The poor "kalas", unaccustomed
to all this noise, come forth from their hiding-places and hasten to
partake of the feast prepared for them, but then growing afraid of the
curse, so recently uttered against them, they all vanish into the air in
less than no time. One solitary one, who cannot resist the "tjaroe"
(dainties) tarries in the neighbourhood, but he is so startled l>\ the
sound of the big drum that he hastens to follow in the track of his
brothers. Finally the last of the evil spirit- has departed mid the
tremendous uproar and tumult is succeeded by a deathlike stillness,
which continues the whole of the next day. The "kalas" would
naturally ask for nothing better than to return once more to their old
haunts, so in order to make them believe that the country they now
see is an uninhabited island and not Bali, everybody is obliged t<>
remain indoors for the next twenty-four hours. Everything is to be
at a standstill and all house-work, especially cooking, is to be scru-
pulously avoided. Only the "sambangs" or watchmen are allowed to
appear in the streets. In order to warn strangers, all the entrances to
the exorcised village or district are decorated with wreaths of thorns
and leaves and whoever ventures to pass the barrier thus marked i-
fined by the watchmen, even the prince himself not being exempt. The
roads are not open till the third day; even then, buying and selling
in the market is forbidden, as also working in the sawahs. The
natives never indulge in walking for their pleasure, so the} content
themselves with rilling up the remainder of the time with card- and
dice-playing.
Whilst an epidemic is raging, or under any other exceptional circu
stances these exorcisms are not considered sufficient and other mea
are resorted to to appease the "boetas", and then it is that t' 1
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
niinan sacrifices arc made and we are afraid that human victims
arc then offered up.
l> r . Jacobs relate various instances of the tear inspired by the
■■I, ml the consequent superstition of the Balinese:
• \ woman, who is with child, is verj apt during that time to Look
upon most ordinary events as bad omens. In her imagination she s
hundreds of "kalas", having designs against her life or that of her
child or wanting to take her period of pregnancy one of great anxiety.
whining of a dog, the croaking of a bird, the action of a crater.
all fill her with fear; ber personal enemies, even the people
with whom Bhe has been on friendly terms, try to bewitch her bo as
her life or her child'-, and then in her despair Bhe frequently
jome known means and offers up her unborn child in order
her own life.
Should a Balinese woman give birth to twins of different sexes —
curiously called "kembar boentjing", ('twin flowers' or 'twin brides')
taken forthwith to the churchyard after her confinement and
the children are carried to her; here she must remain for three months
in a hastily built lint and her food i> brought to her. Her house i-
burned to the ground, thus forcing her husband and other members of
the family to seek a home elsewhere: the dessa in which the house
stands ha- t«» he cleansed; the temples of the dessa, excepting those
dedicated to tin- meinoi\ of the dead, remain closed for ('><> days;
innumerable offerings are made and the dessa. as well as the mother
and children are sprinkled with holy water toja tirta); and all this is
done in order to wipe out the incest committed in the mother's womb.
Only the wife of the prince or of a Brahmin i- exempt. It is cas\ to
understand, says Dr. Jacobs, that this religious ceremony in mam cases,
demands the sacrifice of a human life.
ild a woman — or yet a domestic animal— give birth to
misformed offspring, this i- looked upon as a warning that some
calamity i- about to befall her dessa and the prince has at once to
1m- informed of the fact: he then commands a religious ceremony, called
" prajastiata," to take place, in order to propitiate the gods.
I' i woman dies in state of pregnancy, her body is not allowed
r to I..- buried or to be burnt. Imt as a sign of the greatest eon-
tempt, it is huiled down a precipice, or placed in an open grave or
Feel deep, this, according to Balinese notions, being the greatest
ir that can be shown to am one. \o exception- are made in
me fate befalling princesses."
Hue measure a- the Balinese look upon it as a greal favor
- to have man) children, especially sons, or to have the
that k alternate l><>\ and girl) so do thei
a woman who is childless. \aturall\ the fault lies with
island ha- therefore the right to lea\e her. Needless to
ried couples are most profuse in their offerings to
'he j if hymen, Dewa Boetoehaja or Dew a Sanbangan!
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PE0P1
The treatment of all illnesses is very simple; either the peopl<
some indigenous plant, directions for the inward and outward application
of which are contained in a recipe hook called "oesada", or the} offer
sacrifices to the gods and the "baljan" (native doctor) mutters some
invocations from the "mantras" (secret writings). Witchcraft — "nglejak
is the chief source of all sickness. If it can lie proved (!) that any one
has by means of sorcery brought illness or misfortune on another, thai
person is banished from the kingdom; formerly the penalt} of death was
inflicted. Sorcery is not foreign to the Hindu belief, and is probablj
entirely of Hindu origin, thinks Dr. Jacobs.
If the "baljan" is unsuccessful in his treatment, then it must be a
"kala" that is opposed to the recovery or has lodged himself inside
the patient. It not only happens that the "boetas" look upon nun as
their dwelling-places, but sometimes in obedience to the gods the}
assume the shape of noxious animals like monkeys, tigers, etc.. etc., and
in this guise they visit men.
Naturally the Balinese entertain a superstitious tear of these animals
and never slay them unnecessarily, yet they are not worshipped b\
them as in India and Further-India. Neither do they worship the " boetas" ;
they fear them too much. Their images are only tolerated at the
entrance of the temples over which they watch, or if within the pre-
cincts, they are placed at a distance from the temples.
Just outside the temple gate is a stone alms-chest the 'tangoe 5 — in
which offerings are placed from time to time for the "boeta", who is
appointed guardian of the temple. Besides that many private residences
are watched over by the "boetas", yet the Balinese never feel quite
sure about them, for if anything mysterious happens, the "boetas'" are
always blamed.... and their favor is again sought for by renewed
offerings.
Having done everything to keep the evil spirits at a distance, thought
is then given to the remaining duties, and foremost amongst these is
"worship of the place of one's origin." Many families have increased
so rapidly that it has become impossible to continue living together, or
some have left their homes to improve their positions, or out of fear
of punishment or from other causes and finally they have become heads
of families in other dessas.
As soon as they are able to do so, they build places of sacrifice in
the dessas where their forefathers lived, and at certain periods of the
year make pilgrimages thither, which are frequently attended l>\ numerous
difficulties and dangers, especially where the distances are great.
Temples belonging to the members of one family, "kaboejoetan .are
called " poera-dadia " and "pocra-iboe '* and form the connecting link
between the different branches of the scattered stock. For the
benefit of their common interests they have instituted societie
"seka-dadia", and furthermore they select one from their mid-
guard the temple and make all the necessary preparations when the da}
of sacrifice arrives.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
It is impossible to sa) much harm of a people showing such a spirit
and faithful affection for family ties. We think that these
u up children maj be made tractable and in time good and faithful
emment, but on one condition only! We will refer
the presenl we will try and add to our knowledge
of these poor [jeople.
\ s ight acquaintance with their mode of worship cannot fail to be
Correctl) speaking, that is to saj according to the teachings
of the panditas, there exists only one god, Siva, who is the equivalent
. | g ,,.,., ,,,. t he sun god, thai is, the soul of nature, ruling all
,' nature. He is the creator, the sustainer, the destroyer.
He is addressed b\ the names of all the Indian gods by the people,
who in their childlike ignorance labour under the delusion that there
are several different deities. Thus Maheswara, (the great god the boh
fcher than Siva himself and his wife I ma and his
children are simply attributes of his far-reaching supremacy, evidences
of his creative power. Likewise Kala. and his wife Durga, with all his
followers, "boetas" or rakshas represent nothing more than the capac-
the u r "d to punish, to harm and to destroy.
The large image in the temple represents Siva as seated on a high
pedestal with hi- legs crossed, his arms and ankles profusely adorned
with bracelets and anklets-, the imprint of the trident is on his forehead
and he wears a garland of human skulls round his neck. The symbol
Siva i- the Lingam, emblematic of creation, which follows destruction.
r fear <.t being to., discursive, we will not go into many details,
l.nt we will jn-t remark that whereas in India "Vishnu" is looked
- "the lord of the Earth", in Bali he is considered more as
,| become man" and occupying a far inferior rank to Siva, and i-
introduced a- the hero iii their epic- simply to give additional lustre to
the teachings of Budha or Siva.
Neither is Brahma ever worshipped, excepting on the occasions of
when .me altar i- erected in honour of Brahma and
nil who -hare one heaven; and this altar is never of -tone and
always destroyed again after the solemnities.
cording to the panditas Brahma and Vishnu and Siva are co-equal
and together constitute the trinity or "Triniurti". "
Indra has a third eye like Siva; although one of the inferior gods,
ranks with the Bahnese after Siva, lie i- however looked upon as
..nit deity, and consequently held in ereal awe: manj sacrifices
ide to him anil he has a temple -peeialk dedicated to him.
sun-god,' says Liefrinck, 'who sends plenteous rains to
th and make the crops grow, or who at times destroys
the Balinese have peopled nature with numberless other
divinitii gods ar< Bupposed to roam aboul aero— seas and
lak< r in the valleys or in the tie.-. ..r el-e in the houses
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY J.\i> its PEOPLE. 7 I
or the burial grounds. The habitations of the superior gods are sup-
stone gate within a Balinese kampont
posed to be in the mountains, in that chain of mountains which
through Bali from East to West, in particular the peak of Ri
71
THE LOMBOCK EX I * EDITION.
which rises above Lombock. The simple-minded native, who rarel)
leaves his dessa and never the island Looks up with reverence to these
colossal mas mnecting as it were heaven and earth, and always
half shrouded in mysterious clouds.
And on the topmost Bummit, his Olympus, sojourns the Bupreme god
ol all ll i r i •
We will now proceed to describe their mode ol worship.
Although the "Oesana Bali" speaks of six greal temples in Bali,
dedicated to the worship of Siva— probabh erected by the Hindu-
Javanese at the time of their invasion— and though the princes and
notables still continue to make use of them for their sacrifices, these
:m . no t the places of common worship. With the Balinese, religion
n the distinct mark of individuality and each person prefers to
worship in his own waj and al his own convenience and with his own
family: hence the prominent place assigned to the "home-temple".*
Each family dwells on its own "pekarangan", (estate, seat frequently
ven extensive and always separated from the outer world by a wall
high enough to prevent being overlooked.
\s we shall often have to refer later on to these "homesteads'
enclosed bj walls, it will be instructive to hear what Dr. Jacobs says
about them :
Entrance to the enclosure is obtained through a narrow doorway
;i i„l ir is built over with a number of small lints or sheds of wood or
clay, representing the respective homes of the various members of the
family or household. The space which is left vacant between the house
filled up with fruit parings and the excrements of both man and
•. Iieaped-up leaves, etc.. and the refuse which is despised as food
l.\ the Bwarms of pic^ and dogs and chickens that wander about at
leisure, i- left to accumulate until it grows to one vast manure heap,
little Bheds arc Bmall, damp and low; daylight is admitted through
the door, and the crack- in the walls and the roof serve as ventilator-.
In the middle of the square or yard i- a soil of "pendopo" where
jta are received, but the "hale mambeng", which serves a- their
.in-: apartment, contrasts favorably, both as regard cleanliness and
orations, with all the rest. Though the "hale mambeng" is con-
ercd more especiall} the guest room, still \isitors are frequently
housed in other hales." With the exception of the "Oeniah-ineten "
■■ abode . all the little huts are shared in common 1>\ the various
• the fainih and their cattle and poultry, which are allowed
as the) phase",
oiii- of these homesteads ;i special portion is allotted to the
wo: , L1 ,ih: this portion is walled in and the gateway is
cd on each side l'\ -tone guardians placed at the entrance. The
in! other temples is mostlj borrowed from Liefrinck.
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE
enclosure shows more signs of care than the homestead itself and I
and flowers are often planted there.
On one or more sides of the walls arc rows of little wooden com-
partments or stone recesses, each one dedicated to some particular deity.
The gods are invoked here from time to time, hence the appellation of
" pasimpangan ", which signifies a place where someone remains temporarily.
Naturally the god " Gunong- Agong " has a "pasimpangan" in ever}
temple, whilst at the same time about ten other gods dwell there too
and these may be designated as the special fnniib gods, Prom whom
assistance and counsel is expected in times of difficulty.
On his wedding-day a man at once erects his own little altar his
"sanggah kemoelan ", first hurriedly of leaves and branches, later on
of bamboo, and only when this falls to pieces through de<a\ is lie
allowed to replace it by a wooden one.
The women of the household take daily offerings of fruit and flowers
and on the birthdays of the gods or of any member of the family,
there are special ceremonies and large quantities of incense are consumed.
As regards the men, they are perhaps less assiduous in the fulfilment
of their religious duties, still they would never think of starting on a
journey without making an offering to the gods and in case of sickness
befalling their children they always make offerings to the deities to ti\
and turn aside their displeasure.
Does not this child-like trust and familiarity with the gods speak of
the innate goodness of these people?
Just as all matters immediately touching the family are prayed for
in these home temples, so all things concerning more general business
are prayed for in the "dessa" temple, which is for the common use.
The greater part of these temples — also called 'Prajangan' or 'poera'
or 'poeri' * — are composed of two or three different enclosures sur-
rounded by walls.
The exterior of these walls built of brick is decorated witli carved
Hindu figures.
Admission to the first enclosure is obtained through a narrow door,
the "tjandi bentar". The most conspicuous object here is the waringin
tree, the sacred tree of the Hindus, but the space is not much utilized:
sometimes it contains a "bale" or "pendopo", where discussions or
conferences are held.
A stone gateway, generally in pyramid shape and provided with a
small ornamental door, leads' to the second enclosure, which in a half
and half sort of way is considered to be the temple. In tin- precinct
assemblies are held/ preparatory arrangements for festivals and sacrifices
and sometimes even oaths are taken here.
Still, in cases of the three higher classes of Balinese— (aboul then-
caste later on)— this is only done at the cross-ways of a public road.
* "Prajangan" is correctly speaking the general name for places where the \
worshipped in common. "Poera" means the same thing, bu( does not always
temple; we know that the residences of the princes and notables are called "Po<
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
swearing or taking of an oath with the Balinese, has a different
what we understand thereby, with them it means: "the
denial of an accusation". An oath thus taken sets at naught the
:,\ judge, even though one Bhould be convinced that it is
oath. Hut the perjurer i- severely punished and docs not
•in the anger of the gods.
mple proper, separated from this second enclosure b) a second
with stone gateway, is composed of endless Bmall shrines for the
LTie simplest are small wooden or stone recesses, placed on
3 of the same level. On a higher level, which is reached by
means of steps, are small compartments for the higher gods these
compartments are roofed with tiles and have miniature doorways leading
into them.
The highest kind of house for the gods is the "meroe"; -borrowed
from Hinduism— It consists of a little wooden election with from three
n pyramidical raised root'-, placed one over the other and getting
-mailer and -mailer as they near the top.
The red brick walls decorated with carvings and adorned with figures
in has relief representing characters in Hindu history; the doorways
adorned with flowers and foliage, all point to a strongl) developed
artistic feeling in these people, the more so that the implements with
which all this arduous work has been accomplished were of the most
primitive kind.
The actual offerings are seldom made here — at least less often than
in the home temple- and a- a rule it is only when there i- a full
moon or a new moon or some special day which is considered as par-
ticularly marked out to obtain favors of the puis.
In ever} temple there are one or more images, not much bigger than
a doll \oii could carry in your hand, and the) are made of "kepengS
tin) copper coin- . The belief i^ that the gods enter into these images
when the) wish to leave the temples and lie conveyed to the sea-shore
or th<- river.
The Balinese look upon their divinities as invisible beings, who have
fixed places of abode i»iit are not bound to remain there. The other
den or -tone images found in the temples do not represent the gods,
but a- a rule personages from some of their legends and the) serve as
Watl er the temple.
The) enter into communication with their gods upon every important
imstance of their lives; in prosperity and in adversity; at the
if their agricultural labours, when building a new house, or
commencement of an) undertaking the Balinese never fail to
th gods.
ighbourhood of all these temples there is generally a big
iling that. B wooden or stone pillar, containing a small
supposed to lie the abode of the "taksoe" or intermediary,
being, not possessing divine power, lnit who transmits
to 'he deity.
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE C0UNTR1 AND ITS PE0P1
When the members of the dessa come to the temple to consull the
god, they place themselves on the ground close to where the tal
dwells. By previous offerings they have soughl to make him favorabh
inclined to their requests and now they implore of him to enter the
Gate before the great waringin tree at Ampenan.
body of one of those present in worship; meanwhile all are b<
prepared to receive the spirit by the copious use of incense and by oft
repeated formulas of invocation.
At a given moment one of those present loses consciousness
78 ////. LOMBOi K EXPEDITION.
is nothing new under the sun— and begins making spasmodic move-
ment .1- betokens that the "taksoe" has entered his body.
The fin tion pur to the individual possessed, is, whether the god
they want to invoke is present in the temple and whether he is ready
to listen to them
\.-, some little lapse of time the "taksoe is delivering the mes-
the deitj and waiting for the reply— the answer is given by the
mouth of the privileged patient, and the "taksoe" having fulfilled his
earthl) mission quits his temporary earthly dwelling and the "dessa"
man regains consciousnt
The deity has declared his willingness to receive audiences; how arc
the offerings made to him and how are the prayers of these poor
mortals conveyed to him?
It is natural that these should be fitting occasions for the requisition
of the priest's services. *
What are they like these Brahminical priests or padandas? In what
does their office consist ?
The principal distinguishing mark of a "padanda" is the tightly
drawn-back hair, tied up in a roll or coil, in which more often than
not are our or two lotus flowers the sacred flowers of the Hindu, the
Bymbol of the sun, who calls them to the water's surface when he rises
and liids them disappear when he sets.
He wears his sarong falling to his feet, not drawn up like the other
Balinese. He never walks in the street without his crook, which is a
little taller than he is himself. Whilst performing the sacred rites in
the temple he wears rich and costly robes. It would take too long to
ribe these in detail, so we will content ourselves with quoting from
Friederich as to how he acquits himself of his duties in the service of
the temple:
•The -padanda' is then clothed in white, the upper part of the
bod) i- naked according to the Balinese-Indian custom, lie sits facing
the East; <>n a wooden hoard in front of him are vases containing
r and some flowers, a \\w grains of rice, a chafing-dish and a
bell Whilst mumbling some incomprehensible words or prayers from
the Veda, he dip- the flowers into the water and then with the thumb
and forefinger OI his right hand he waves toward- the East, while he
up the content- of the chafing-dish and mixes a lew grains of
with the fire. Having continued in prayer for some time, and
Led "permas" -who are preordained t" Berve as earthly
■
to take counsel with the gods, the "perma" is requested
- .iiiii.- in- Bwoons even before Leaving hi- house. In thai case
!•• with the utmost reverence, bo that tin- god maj enter into his
v • t takes Longer for them t « > beco onconscious and
arc used and the patient is Burrounded by chanting
iiiin to t':iii into the desired state. Finally the soul oi
■ !•. temporarily, t" make room for the "dewa", and any
"perma" whilst he is in this trance are Baid to !»•
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE.
making all sorts of gestures with liis hands and twirling abon
rosary-beads, he finally appears to be possessed with the spirit of
divinity. Siva has as it were transferred himself into the padanda.
This is further proved by the convulsive movements of the bom as he
becomes more and more agitated. Now that he is the earthly abode of
the god, he not only wafts the flowers towards the East, bul also
towards his own person to show honour to the divinity who has
honoured him with his presence. The bells are not used for the ever)
day ceremonies, but only when there is a new or a full moon and when
there are burnt offerings.
"The Padanda is thoroughly purified by these acts of devotion; all
his actions, even his partaking of earthly food, are considered sacred.
He only has one meal a day and nobody is presenl excepting his own
children, who wait upon him and this is always done in silence. The
leavings of his repast are like "amreta" (ambrosia) and are much in
demand by every one, even by the princes when they have a "pandada"
staying with them or are staying with him, and they eat the broken
bits. The water, which the pandada uses during the religious functions,
becomes sanctified by the reading of the invocations from the 'Veda 1
and the people eagerly buy this 'toja tirta' to sprinkle their dead with
and to cook the offerings with— and the sale of it brings in a large
income to the priest."
Another source of income is the fines imposed on men sentenced to
death; the padanclas as members of the "kerta" take a tenth part:
and generally speaking, when they are raised to the dignity of priest-
hood the prince either lends them or gives them out and out a slice of
"sawah" land.
Their spiritual influence is incalculable; no Balinese would ever
entertain the idea of consigning to the earth the mortal remains of an)
relative without seeking the assistance of the padanda, the intermediary
between gods and men and his services are abundantly rewarded by the
bestowal of many material proofs of gratitude.
Cremation always takes place under his supervision.
Not a marriage, not a journey, not any work of importance, nut even
a cock-fight comes off without his approval and blessing.
He is the man of learning, he studies the general and the sacred
Kawi literature; he instructs the youthful Brahmins in the knowledge
of the Vedas; he is also the astronomer and he it is who regulates
the Calendar.
Then he blesses all weapons; every weapon is brought to him hrsl
by the manufacturer and then again by the purchaser; he says some
prayers over it and it is only then that the weapon becomes ol am real
value and is strengthened to' do its work-in return for this service I
padanda is made the recipient of offerings, varying according to the
position and means of the donor.
Although the priests enjov these and other advantages, -nil the om
is not much coveted, and few young Brahmins enter upon the
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
iv having had their share of this world'-, pleasures. The privations
enjoined upon them are not verj man} ; true they may only have one
;, ,la\ and are forbidden the use of beef, pork and chickens- still
prohibition to have more than four wives doc- not point to a very
austere mode of lifi
I i ail outward appearance- the padandas have not niiieli influence in
Tin- i- naturally circumscribed in public, owing to the
distinctions of caste, but it i- impossible to estimate in how far they
!,, bear in private and then- i- no doubt, that even in stale
their influence mav be -aid to be unlimited amongst a people
i look upon them a- invested with supernatural power- and holding
in their hands the de-tinv of man.
\. a rule the Hindu priest is good-natured and tolerant like the
doctrine he inculcates; he l- the veriest stranger to ambition, for which
he usually lack- the energy. I> this perhaps a result of his early
student life and his late preferment ?
Whatever ■view maj be taken of the position, science owe- a debt of
gratitude to these men: the} it i- who have made us acquainted with
the condition of tin- Javanese previous to the introduction of Moham-
medism ; and the} are even now the sole guardians of the ancient litera-
ture: we mii-t apply to them for information concerning the kawi
language; and it i- the) who are still the interpreter- of the ancient
Hindu law- and institutions, which they have faithfully transmitted from
ration to generation.
Their influence over the people is undeniably great and it i- a wise
policy always to bear this fact in mind!
In addition to the Brahminical priest, there is usually a "pamang-
attached to the temple-. They are chosen from amongst the
people and we -hall hear of them later on when describing the mode
nmenl existing in the dessas. Their position towards the gods
■ iv humble one and in the dessa chronicle- they arc simply
o-d in a- "djoero sapoehs" sweeper) of Ida Batara.
Although their dail\ duties -inipU consist in sweeping out the temple
and keeping watch over the -acred buildings, still the people of the
ec 111 a man so intimately associated with sacred things a person
indoubted importance and he i< surrounded 1>\ a certain amount of
<n in hi- e\er\ da\ acts disconnected with his services iii the
pie and lie exercises considerable influence over the inhabitants of
I pamailgkoe -how- the inmost indifference for all the
itside hi- own dessa, nor dues he care for the manner of this
■ ship.
i proof of tin strong bond between their religion and their daily
■•\il! describe how the\ celebrate a urem festival l>oth in the
and ill the home temple.
tival of "Galoengan" or New Year, which recurs ever]
h month consisting of five week-, making in all about
210 dai
OUR KNOWLEDGE Oh' Till: cor S Tin AM> ITS PEOPLE
31
The Javanese and the Malays content themselves with paying visi
their friends and acquaintances on this day, bul not bo the Balii
they are only too glad to seize the opportunity of celebrating the
opening of the New Year by seasonable festivities. As is customan
amongst Christians, so do the Balinese likewise ir\ to arrange their
affairs so as to
spend the last few
days of the old year
in the circle of their
families — another
proof of their love
of home — and these
days are employed
in great prepara-
tions for the ap-
proaching festival.
Every day has its
fixed task : on one
day the fresh picked
fruits are put into
barrels, on another
the yeast is pre-
pared, on a third
the sweetmeats are
made in all sorts
of quaint shapes
and lastly — this
always on New
Year's Eve — the
fatted boar is killed.
And the poor are
not forgotten either.
Various dessa so-
cieties send their
contributions and
the needy even
receive their share
of the fatted boar !
But New Year's day is before all things a religious festival ami here
once more every effort is put forth to soothe "the gods and the wicked
spirits". According to the teaching of their priests the Balinese ought
always on New Year's day to make a pilgrimage to the sacred mountain
of "Gunong Agong", in order to return thanks to the gods for the
benefits received during the course of the year. As however it wen
prove a matter of verv great difficulty in most cases, a \\a\ out ol
has been found. A tall bamboo cane' called "pendjor" is stuck in f
ground in front of every homestead and on it is fastened a Long pia
Hindoo sacrifice houses at Ampenan.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
, ro CU ( in shape of a borne temple; this flag, waving in
tne au . iting the cods of Gunong Agong in the name of the
inhabitants and telling them, that although unable to bring their
offerings in person, they will not fail in their duties to the family
temple and offerings in the Bhape of "kepengs" are placed on the top
of tne bamboo cane or "pendj6r", as thej call it.
1 these preparations", says van Bijck, "Galoengan" has
dawned.
\t an early hour even one is up and doing. Towards 8 a.m. the
entire family, all dressed in their Sunday best, the girls decorated with
rings and flowers, the little boys with their father's krisses, proceed to
the home temple to place the prepared meats, with the fruit and
rs on the altar- Then follow- a sort of silent ceremony, though
not always peaceful and the moment is anxiously awaited when the gods
shall signify then- acceptance of the offerings.
E rything is then packed up again and carried home and further
preparations are made for the banquet. The busy housewife hastens
illecf the least ripe fruit, the most faded flowers, the least sought
after sweetmeats from the different dishes and platters and entrusts
these to her daughters to distribute amongst the various implements,
. the ploughs, the looms, the rice Mock, etc., as offerings to the
evil spirits, so as to give them no cause for jealousy on this day of
Galoengan". To guard themselves from harm, all the members of the
household sprinkle themselves at intervals during the day with "toja
tirta", which they have bough! from the padanda for a few pence.
Meanwhile, no matter how enticing may be the 'tjlleng', or how
appetizing the sweetmeats, the hour for the feast has not yet struck.
elebrations in the private temples, it is obligatory for every
one to go to the public temple as well."
. the whole the ceremonial here is much the same as that in the
private temples; when it i- over, the women, before proceeding to their
home-, visit the grave- of their deceased relatives, where they place
cooked rice, flowers and fruit.
This visit lead- us up to the subject of the second temple, which is
either in or close to ever} dessa next to the common burying-place, and
tin- t. -mple i- called "poera dalem" or •'temple of death". The arrange-
ments here are in m08l re-pect- similar to those of the de— a-
temple-; the chief divnht\ lieiv IS Durga. the wife of the evil Kala
and the head of the Boetas or Rakshas. She is the authoress of all
the ill- that befall mankind, -he rule- over the dark powers and her
• !n|» i- one of m\-ter\ : those de-iioii- of learning the art of SOrcerj
sourse to her and m addition to their numerous
• . \ spend man) nights in the temple of death.
ho receives the -.nil- of the dead and deliver- them over
Appointed to decide whether their lives upon earth were
'hem to a place in heaven or whether the\ are to he
ell.
Lieut. Col. P. van Lawick van Pabst.
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Iii cases of serious illness Durga is always invoked with greal
" When the patient has arrived at such a stage — says Liefrinck -that,
although life is not yet extinct, still he is unconscious of whal is going
on around him, the people think thai bis soul has already lefl his body,
but is still on earth in the temple with Batari Durga. All hope is not
abandoned and the nearest relatives of the sick man go to the much-
feared goddess and try by various offerings and promises to obtain the
Dewa temple at Tjakranagara.
release of the soul. They remain in her temple indifferent to ti
until the divinity shall either intimate through the oracle what
necessary means for recovery are, or until it becomes apparent that
hope must be relinquished.
Besides the temples already named, there are others maintained
the dessas and these are dedicated to the sea-god "poera segara' 1
to the god of the hills "poera boekit", and are situated either on
sea shore or in the woods or on the top of a hill. These •jmU
having any permanent abodes and onl) visiting these temples at interv
the periods of their visits are chosen for the faithful to inak<
me.
the
i li-
the
als,
im-
THE LOMBOCR EXPEDITION.
there and thei go in procession carrying all the other gods in
:ut;i\ to do them honour.
I reeling these temples is oftentimes most arduous, but
neither the inhabitants of the hills, nor the inhabitants of the coast
allow an\ obstacles to stand in their way and the dwellers on the bill
have their temple on the coast, and those on the coast have one in the hills.
all\ there are certain special temples built h\ certain families,
winch for some reason or another arc interested in having one and thej
form themselves into a "society" or "pamaksan", so that their com-
bined efforts ma\ secure the building of a "poera pamaksam"; and
are often met with in the different dessas.
Thus the agricultural and soebak societies have temples of their own,
dedicated to certain gods, as we shall see.
In the sawahs one frequently comes across " bedoegoels ", viz., -mall
temples dedicated to "Uma", the wife of Siva, and goddess of fertility,
of tlu- crops, of abundance, of happiness. Her attire is similar to that
Siva ... her attitude, that of a "ronggeng" <»r dancing-girl, i- less
modest; but according to Tonkes, viewed from the standpoint of Mala}
morals, the religious feeling is supposed to express itself by the twisting
about of hand- and arm-.
True, "to the pure-minded, all is pure", yet one cannot fail to he
struck l»\ the mixture of immorality and religion existing amongst the
Bali:.— ll is evidenl that tin' Hindus, when introducing their pure
teaching to the island, were obliged to take into consideration not oiil\
tin- \en low standard of morality, but the sensuality of the early religion.
< hie of the chief- institutions of Hindu origin and one that is deeply
looted in the entire race is the Spirit of caste.
Iii principle the caste divisions are the same in Bali and Lombock as
in India The "Brahmins", from amongst whom the priests are < hoseil,
ip3 the highest rank: the second rank comprises the "Kshatryas",
formerly consisting onlj of warrior-, from amongst whom the princes
i originally selected; the third division or "Vaisyas" were onginall}
the merchant- and husbandmen, who however rose so high in
Lombock and Bali thai the rulers were taken from this class : whilst all
who belong to none of these classes, forming as it were the nobility,
reckoned among the Sudras. *
in India these castes are again subdivided; but the custom still
in force there, that the members of each caste onlj follow certain
:- no longer extant in Bali and Lombock, where all. even
re more or less occupied in agricultural pursuits.
the original introduction of these caste divisions intended to
-aide Lanier between the high rank of the priests and
nobles ami the inferior rank of the massi
i" the Brahmins proceed from the uth, the Cehatryae
the thigh, and the Sudras from the foot of Brahma.
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PE0P1 I
It is more than probable; for there has never been anj hesitation or
shrinking from anything likely to foster such results.
Mother Nature, however, did not draw such fine distinctions, Eor she
made all her children — Brahmins as well as Sudras— on the Mime
pattern and in Bali even the clothes do not make the man.... nor
the woman !
The every-day clothing of the Balinese man is composed simply of a
piece of blue calico falling from the hips to the knees and kept up li\
a waist-cloth — saboek — and this he changes ever} live or six months.
On solemn occasions he adds to this scant \ attire a "sarong" or
"sapoet", coining from the breast to the knees. He always carries his
ever faithful "kris" in his saboek.
The princes and nobles also go about with the upper part of the
body exposed; naturally in their case, the "kamben" is of finer
material and is wound round the body oftener, the waistband is moo
ornamental and is interspersed with gold and silver threads, the sarong
is very costly, and the handle of the kris is beautifully ornamented
but then all these things do not go to form a different type of man.
The women's dress is also very plain and the same for all: two
kambens, one over the other, a red one on top of the blue one.
reaching to about a few inches below the knee and held up at the
waist by the "saboek"; the under one, the shorter of the two i> never
changed, but worn until it drops to bits; the upper one. has ;i >lit on
the left side; further a "selendang" — called here a "tenkaloeng" i-
worn across the shoulders and that is the entire costume. The sarongs
are drawn up to the arm-pit by the women in the palaces or by women
nursing their children. On feast-days the girls and newly-married
women wear silver and gold bands round their arms and legs and in
their hair they put variegated flowers in great profusion; hut a- a rule
very slight attention is paid to hair-dressing.
Children — boys and girls alike— run about naked until their seventh
or eighth year.
Although to all outward appearances there is so little distinction
between the castes, that, — according to Dr. Jacobs— on meeting a stranger
the first question put by a Balinese is invariably: "Antoeh Lmggih?
what caste do you belong to?— still the Brahmins— the law-maker-, have
taken good care that for all practical purposes a solid line of demarca-
tion should exist.
Unions have been allowed between men of the upper classes and
women belonging to the Sudra caste, and their children have been raised
to the rank of the father; but should a woman of the higher ci
venture to love a man beneath her, she is sentenced to death at one,.
A girl of the Brahmin caste who should so far forget herself is burnl
to death and her lover is sewn in a sack, weighted with stones
thrown into the sea. In the districts of Boeleleng and Djembrana
under our rule, the death sentence is commuted by the "kerta
of justice —to life-long exile from the island of Bali.
TEE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
\ rirl belonging to the 2nd or 3rd class in whom the offence is not
looked m so heinous is onlj "krissed !
I ni this barbarous practice is entirely in unison with the customs
nml . the majority of the upper classes is proved bj the fact,
that the parents of a girl, who has thus disgraced her family, feel no
erief at seeing her put to .hath, although in other matters oi morality
their ideas are rather tar advanced, as we shall see later on.
principle of "the same rights for all" is unknown amongst the
different castes; for instance no Sudra would think of sitting on any-
thing raised above the ground it' anyone of a higher caste were sitting
on J lna ,. There is no doubt thai round this question oi "sitting
high or low", revolves the important mystery of Balmese etiquette!
\\ | s I,, the administration of the law that the distinction of caste is
most noticeable, for the penalty for crime is always fixed in exact
opposition to the rank of the delinquent; for the same crime a man <>t
low rank would receive heavy punishment, whereas a man of high rank
would receive a light one
How does the administration of justice take placer
1,, go tar as it is possible all disputes arc settled by the adminis-
trators of the dessas or soebaks. Matters of serious import or cases
where an agreement has not been arrived at in the dessas. are sub-
mitted to the prince's decision.
The verdict of the prince is as a rule the result of advice from the
padandas. Three or more of these form the "kcrta" or tribunal. The
litigants are assisted 1>\ "kantjas" or lawyers. Van Bloemen Waanders
relates anenl the sittings of "kertas", how on the appointed day. both
tppear before the tribunal accompanied by their lawyers. No
speaks. At a signal given by one of the indues, the lawyer oi the
plaintiff writ.-- down his charge on a lontar-leaf and throws it across
e defendant's "kantja", who make- use of the same mean- to
his reply. This interchange of notes continues as long as any-
thing remains t" be written on either side and when they have done,
or rather leaves are gathered up and placed before the
judges in the order the} were written; a decision will he given after
ir perusal and a tew moments' deliberation.
||.,w enviable i- Buch a short road to justice '. Bui the question
i- n justice"?
Although in former times the decision lay with the judges, that
••an ha- fallen into disuse now. and it is the princes who give a
ion.
also written on lontar-lea\ i - according to which judgmenl
the "pas' wara L r 'de" the actual code of Bali) and the
ol(l Hindu law-books. The contents of these are not founded
customs of the Balinese people, but on the contrary
•it variance with them.
re particularl) attached to their own local customs
\ much averse to having recourse to this supreme court; —
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PE0P1
the priests themselves onl) partly understand the laws as the) are written
and which are more often than not in contradiction to one another;
so that it is a well-known Pact that unless the passions are ver) much
roused or there is a determined desire to settle matters at any cost, the
people never appeal to the decision of the "kerta". It is niter nil
only a leap in the dark, for no one can say how the prince ma) lie
influenced, and the penalties are unusuall) severe, especiall) tor the
lower classes.
Adultery, incest, high treason are punished by immediate death, either
by the kris, or being bound hand and foot and thrown into the sea.
Zollinger relates, that the father of one of the Rajahs of Mataram
was forced to put his own wife to death, although nothing could be
proved against her, excepting that she had made a young man .1 present
of some sirih leaves; but there the sending of this present might be
construed as a declaration of love !
The law is especially inexorable in cases of incest, which crime is
very prevalent among the Balinese. Zollinger tells us that the Last king
of Karangassim was compelled to order five of his own children to be
drowned, charges of guilt having been brought against them.
No matter what accusation be brought against a Brahmin, the death
penalty is never passed on him.
Murders and thefts committed during the night are liable to ver)
severe penalties, which are however frequently remitted on paymenl of
an exorbitant fine ; in cases where the accused cannot pay, he is krissed.
If a Brahmin murders a Suclra, he is ordered to pa) a small fine;
or should he insult a man of inferior rank, tin' same penalty is inflicted,
whereas under identical circumstances the Sudra would be heavily
mulcted. Inability to do so means being krissed or sometimes a
lighter punishment is substituted and the accused has his tongue
cut out!
We think that these few illustrations will sufficiently indicate the
spirit of the law in Bali; we refer those of our readers, who wish to
obtain further details, to the article of Ileer van Bloemen Waanders.
Matters are sometimes more serious still, that is when the priests are
not consulted at all and the prince, without any kind of formality
whatever, imposes a punishment, which is generall) speaking much m<
severe than anything contained in the code.
The old Rajah 'of Lombock must have been most arbitrar) and
certain forms of death, such as crucifixion and dismemberment still
occur there, though seldom heard of in Bali now.
Later on we shall have occasion to refer to the boundless cmelt) ol
Anak Agung Made.
The distinction of caste is strongly emphasised b) the language its
to begin with, the mode of address' varies: a man of the highest e,
is always spoken to as "Ida," one of the second as "Dewa and on<
of the third as "Gusti;" in speaking to women of these thr.
these appellations are followed by the additional word or
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
■■ Uoe". In Bpeaking of the Sudras, the little word "hi" is prefixed
to men's uames and "ni" to women's. If there are several sons, the
••Ida". "Dewa" or "Gusti" are followed 03 "Poetoe" or
•■(i'lK'". for the eldest son, "Made"' Eor the second. "Njoman" for the
t lii i-tl and •• k ■ r the fourth- so that two titles always precede
the actual family name The eldest son of a Sudra is called "Wajau",
the second "Nengah", etc. It frequentl} occurs that at the birth of
child the parents add bis name to theirs with the additional
word Tan father or Men mother .
Europeans it is at times most difficult, almosl impossible, to
know a man's caste; on such occasions it is always sate to address the
person a- "djcro."
Am one belonging to a lower caste invariably speaks to a person of
high te in high Balinese; a person of a higher caste addresses one
lower class in low Balinese. Exception of course is made tor the
princes and their families, who, as we have said before frequently
belong to the third class the\ are always spoken to in high Balinese.
Strangers or foreigners are considered on a level with the Sudras and
are always addressed in low Balinese. This is not very flattering,
considering the slight esteem in which the Sudras are held by the
higher classes, who look upon them as people of no position whatever
and speak of them as "pengen" — which means "beasts of burden."
And in realit) that i< jus! what they are! From their birth the\
hear the -tamp of servitude; ir is the} who are the " pengajahs " — the
vassals or bondsmen.
One year after marriage every young man becomes a "pengajah .
and retains the privilege (!) until he is old and worn out. or has become
the father of married -on-, or is left a widower without sons. . . . or
ha- offered his wives a- slaves to the prince!
Until such periods he peached he has to keep the princely residence
in repair, a- also the small temples and the roads and bridges, and
furthermore he has to attend to the cock-fights; he must he ever readj
cl a- body-guard or coolie and to accompany the prince and the
poenggawas on their journeys and even to war. if called upon to
do
Not even death, the leveller, can bridge the impassable gulf existing
between the castes. Most unfavorable conditions are imposed upon the
Sudra- a- regard- the inheritance of both land and nioiie_\ : in the
burial places each caste ha- its own allotted -pace: while cremation 1-
being performed a special sorl of bier serves to notify that it is 011I3
hoe Sudra that i- being burned; true, his soul must be
liberated, hut still it is not intended that it -hall return to the earth
or rank a- do the souls of the higher castes.
Iiotcwortll} that 111 Bali, where our influence ha- somewhat
•otlied the sharp angles of caste distinctions and where the numbers
"I 'he high) arc insignificanl a- compared with the entire popu-
lation, instances an to be found where influential Sudra- have attained
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PE0P1
important positions and have been created poenggawas or he:
districts. Doctor Jacobs says that these are ver\ exceptional casi the
princes being averse to encouraging this sort of promotion, as the three
higher castes owe no obedience to these Sudra-poenggawas.
In the island of Lombock such appointments are unknown.
Here we see the comparatively small proportion of conquerors main-
taining with rigid severity their superiorit} in all their dealings with
the people. Liefrinck remarks that the notables are Erequentl} to bi
seen standing in front of their dwellings with a spear m their bands or
going to work in the sawahs with krisses in their belts, so ;is to be nt
all times prepared to defend their rights, should an\ one think of
assailing them.
Cremation is another institution of Hindu origin.
What was taught concerning immortality centuries and centuries before
our era by the great and wise Yajnawalkya in the Brahmanas and
Upanishads ?
"As a piece of salt dissolves in water in such a manner ;is to make it
impossible to take it out again and as the water becomes thoroughly
permeated with the salt Avherever you taste it, so is it with the
"Atman", the great being, a mass of knowledge drawn from the crea-
tures of the earth, to whom he again imparts it. That great being,
endless, boundless, penetrates, permeates everything as does the salt the
water. As long as they remain united, they constitute one whole,
although the mind may be able to distinguish them. Thus it is with
the soul and the body. At his birth man is endowed with conscious-
ness; at his death consciousness leaves him: but it cannot therefore be
said that it is lost to him."
The idea of Resurrection or Transmigration of Souls not only formed
the basis of the forementioned writings, but it also served in the foun-
dations of later Budhism and other Indian worships. The Atman. of
himself pure and spotless as the light of the sun, become- sullied by
union with matter— the body. Just as towards twilight the dear white
tints of day are tinged with the lovely yet treacherous red ot night.
so is the primeval purity of the soul overshadowed h\ the allurements
of the senses, which lead to the commission of acts contradictory to it-
real nature. Atman is pursued and overtaken by the calamities insepar-
able from sin. To escape these he must return once again to a state
of original purity, he must learn to know himself, and 1>\ this means
only can he be freed from the painful bonds of matter the body.
the highest goal of man therefore, is to strive tor del.verai.ee: until
this be obtained he continues a prisoner in the bonds oi matter, from
which death itself is powerless to release him. For e\en when th
union between Atman and the body is dissolved, man is not spot*
enough to resume his original state. After a period o more or
duration he is again united to some substance or other, oi lower or
degree according to the manner in which his previous Life has been
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
He, who was once ;i human being may be born again in a higher
rank, or he may, in punishmenl for his evil dtvik be born amongst
the lower specii
ss numbers of dogs thai wander about the Balinese
^ai,,] pe looked upon as beings come back to earth to serve their
term of punishment, and therefore n e would think of molesting them.
od deeds, which are to be performed by man during his
lifetime, are clearl) indicated in the Indian philosophical treatises, the
l' panish ads, which inculcate a ver} 1 1 i <_r 1 1 standard of morality but of
course our Bpace does not admit of our enlarging upon tin- subject.
We will 011I3 mention that it i- taught therein that, although society is
a true school where all these virtues can he practised, -till it is too
filled with distractions to allow of quiet thought and contemplative
philosophy. Thus in this religion we find that monastic lite for both
men and women 1- very largely developed; the climate and the few
wants of these people adding \en materially to the numbers. Naturally
it would have oeen impossible for the majority to have embraced this
il was declared possible for tin- three hignesl castes to achieve the
highest goal in societ) l>\ knowledge.
The Sudras, who were excluded from the Mml\ of the sacred books,
therefore denied the right to strive after deliverance in this world.
ibtain this privilege it wasi ncumbent upon them to die and he
l>oru again to a higher caste; the Brahmins on the other hand were
exempt from any purifying process: the spirit once freed stood in no
d of resurrection.
How then was thi- separation of the bodj and the soul accomplished?
cremation. A.s long as this remained undone the spirit was unable
iter its new organism or higher state. The moral duty of crematioi.
ted upon all believing Hindus, who more than any other people are
deeply imbued with a spirit of reverence for their dead, a reverence
bordering on worship .'
I ' ■ is much to admire in this conception! The precept was a
simple one and might have been carried out with simplicity.
All idea of simplicity has been abandoned; cremation is ;i very costly
inonial, involving extravagant offerings and feastings. and exorbitant
tributes to the padandas, sometimes ai mting to hundreds of florins. ..
it 1- ident that the simple inhabitant of the dessa is unable to
• expenses that would he incurred by these riles. Therefore the
• postponed . . . . in course of time some of them unite and
• xpenscs of the ceremonial, which is performed to show
<>ur to all the deceased relatives, of those who are aide to contribute
'lie outlay.
what is done with the bod) during the interim between
eination. It is washed and then wrapped in a kain
ccd on a bier amidst the wailings oi the family, who
. tor a tunc he will require nourishment, as he is
m all earthh ties. On the d;,\ fixed for the funeral
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTR? AND ITS PE0P1
the body sheltered by a big "pajong" (umbrella) is taken to the burial
ground — sema— amidst the chanting of members— all sorts of religi
bodies — and is laid in a grave about two feel deep and then covered
with earth.
At the head of the grave they place a bamboo cane, supporting a
little niche for food which is brought from tunc to time during the
beginning of the delay, caused by the reason we have just mentioned
When the time lias conic that the family itself or the united membi
of the dessa can defray the expenses of cremation, then, if the place
can be found, the body or what remains of it, is dug up - etimes
they have to content themselves with a handful of soil. If they cannot
find the spot where the body has been buried, well, then the\ simph
carve a wooden image, upon which the rites of cremation are performed!
Princes and those belonging to the higher castes, with wl ie\
is plentiful, are not subjected to a preliminary burial and their souls
are allowed to quit their bodies within a reasonable time of their
demise. Immediately after death the body is washed and perfumed,
tightly incased in matting, and covered with white and coloured kains,
sometimes very costly ones, and then it is laid between bamboo laths
and placed in a bale bandoeng, generally within the enclosure of the
homestead itself, but always on an eminence: after that it is weighted
down with some very heavy object, so that the moisture caused b\
dissolution may the more easily escape. This moisture from the corpse
is carefully kept in vases placed under the bale and is \er\ highb
valued. A man is appointed to keep watch * over the dead bodj and his
duties are to besprinkle the remains with toja-tirta about ever} five days
and to take precautions that none of the moisture from the corpse is Ic
By degrees, says Dr. Jacobs, the body begins to be mummified l»\
the continuous nauseous stench and the heavy weights ....
Finally, sometimes after months of waiting, for the preparations for
the ceremony are lengthy, the body is transferred to the bade or wadah,
where cremation takes place.
Before describing how this rite is carried out, we must draw attention
to the fact that not all persons are allowed to be cremated: and fore-
most amongst these are those who have been condemned to death 1>\
the law. May we not therefore justly conclude from this fact that the
infamous Gusti Made, natural son of the old Rajah of Lombock, was
krissed by order of the prince himself? Under no other circumstances
would he have permitted the remains to be thrown into the sea, thus
preventing all chance of Gusti Made ever going to heaven, which was
only attainable by cremation.
* Where slavery lias not been abolished this task is performed bj a slave, who i- a
wards granted his freedom.
f This custom is not prevalent among tin- Bindu-Balineee only. Dr. Jacob tellf
the early Balinese,— who neither buried their dead nor cremated them, but placed
outside the dessa— were in the habit of washing the corpse and that the wain- u
purpose was afterwards used in cooking a large quantity of rice, to eat whic
members of the family and their friends were invited.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
People who die of small-pox are not cremated and the number of
great both in Bali and Lombock; the disease Is very
dent * in the islands and it is thought that the measure was
decided upon for sanitar) reasons, although much benefit could not be
derived from the alternative custom of placing the body in an open
. throwing it down a precipice. In Boeleleng and Djembrana,
districts under our immediate administration, the bodies are taken out
of the open e a after a few days, and after being properly washed
are buried for good.
I,, ,f leprosy cremation may not take place immediately, but
are Duried and remain in the earth for certain defined
periods, varying according to caste — thus a Brahmin must wait ten years
and a Sudra twenty-five years before being permitted to undergo the
purifying process. And a- we said before a woman, who dies in state
<>f pregnancy, i< denied cremation.
Let us !i"\\ see bow this rite of cremation is performed.
Phi Kotta, says Dr. Jacobs, was gaily adorned in holiday garb,
processions were advancing in every direction, here and there were
ki'.^U adorned with gold and silver tinsel and bright flowers and all
d;i\ long there were gamboeh and wajang performances, where the
dj<>!_r rt |s and legongs displayed their musical and dancing talents. All
this however, was not in honour of the prince's guests, but to celebrate
;i grand cremation festival, which was to take place in three or four
days' time, on which occasion one of the prince's brothers, who had
i dead two months and one of his concubines (selir) who had been
dead seven months, were to be cremated, both bodies being still above
ground ....
"In front of the house where the remains were deposited and which
was easily recognizable !>\ the two big Chinese lanterns hanging outside.
mtinual series of dancing performances was being executed, in which
two of the king's son- were taking part.... this part of the town
Jabanan, capital of the little kingdom of same name was almost
impassable ....
"One of the processions is about to pass. First of all came eight men
armed with muskets, which they kept incessantly Loading and discharging;
they were followed b\ thirty more carrying long bamboo canes, fastened
to which were branches ,,|' ,b\ palm leaves; behind these came a
clan-tjoemangkirang, consisting of gongs and kromongs, which were
without interruption; after this band walked twenty men, carrying
"ii the top of long bamboo canes siindiw pieces t>\ wearing apparel,
in miniature of the clothes worn by the deceased; some men
trying old chairs or other articles of furniture, I saw one with a
next came a padanda-istri ;i female priest with a sancti-
■± pinched-up face and heading ;i long line of women
riia of the late prince, sue], as decorated krisses, and
• i introduce measures against tlii- disease and to insist
a.
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE.
all imaginable and unimaginable kinds of drinking-glasses, mostl} i ntain-
mg water, (presum-
fans, coloured cush-
were followed by three
containing each a
boy of about twelve ;
by a second gamelan
one. It is hardly
the procession was
by crowds of priests
of horror ran through
those people in the
going to be cremated
me pictures of misery
have to obtain further
subject."
Dr. Jacobs was never
further, as he was
the final rites ; so we
Eck and Doctor
to say about the
but before pro-
do that we
the portable
bade (bier),
is used for the
latter f or people
three castes ;
consists of a
bamboo frame
gether with
base is
from three
long and
twenty-
high. The
shape is
making
sive toem-
il»ly toja-tirta decani
ions, etc, etc. I
sedan-chairs, the first two
female and the third a
tlic procession was closed
(band similar to the first
necessarj to add thai
flanked on either side
and priestesses. A feeling
ni\ veins when I saw
sedan-chairs ; were thej
too: The} appeared to
and martyrdom ; I shall
information on the
able to discover am thine
prevented from attending
will sec what I leer van
Rijckevorsel have
ceremony .
cecding to
will describe
wadah or
The tonne)'
Sudras, the
of the other
the structure
])\ ramidal
fastened to-
ielll|>; the
soinetll
tofourmet res
is frequently
five metres
]»\ raniuiai
obtained l>\
each 8UCC< S-
pang (tier
'I'll.- Bade.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
smaller and smaller, and each one represents a small temple. The
Dumber inpangs" varies according to the caste of the deceased;
thus the one erected for Tabanan consisted of seven " toenipangs,"
whilst that of the concubine onlj had five; the Dewa-agong of Kalong-
right to eleven. The poor ill-used Sudra is not permitted to
_ i i ne. In the verj top comparrmenl of all there is a bed
i which tin- lx>(l\ of the defunct i-^ laid.
[n Sudras the bed <»t' repose is cum red over, to prevent
ioIi rays of tin- sun shining on tin- unholy body of a person of
Phe priests are however exempt from this last injury:
their remains are exposed
to the beavens and their
resting place is con-
structed after the model
of Siva's seat.
The bamboo frame-
work, which is orna-
mented with colossal
monsters, \\ ilmanas and
garoedas griffins) and
dragons' heads, etc.. 1-
covered <>\rr with \\ bite
linen, a ariegated flowers
and all sorts of coloured
ribbons, whilst sundry
illustrations from their
hero Legends and often-
time- \i-r\ obscene facts
i.t e\er\ day life — so
that the people should
lint feel too depressed —
form a strange picture
of this curious religion,
so eloseU blending the
sublime with the frivo-
lous. All the tin\ doors and pillars of the "toempangs" and every small
-pace that i- available are covered with gold tinsel: here and there are
added little bannerets of coloured silk and hundreds of little square
looking-glasses in gilt frame- give a verj effective finishing touch to
the w bole arrangement.
The da\ prCVlOUS to the final rite is devoted 1 >\ the priests to the
of the corpse, which betokens, that when the deceased
the earth under a new form, he will have lmel\ eyes, well-
•■ . and these ablutions are followed l»\ a sort of absolution,
leclaring the defunct now five from all sin.
dinar} tumult and uproar the corpse i- conveyed from
ting place to the ivad\ prepared "wadah." As soon ;i-
Gritlin.
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTED AND ITS PEOPLE
the body is laid on the bed of repose, all those who have helped to
carry it up descend, only one remaining in charge, holding in his hand
an open pasong (umbrella) to signify thai onl} one ni\ of bim ihall
penetrate to the "bal6-balejan," (this is the name of the bed of reposi
Whilst he tries to settle himself as besl he m;i\ m his elevated position,
from fifty to a hundred men raise the structure on to their shoulders
and proceed slowly to the square in front of the prince's residence or
the dessa chief's, and walk round it in procession, so thai the deceased,
whose soul is still present, may have an opportunitj of once more bid-
ding farewell to his friends. This formality concluded, the procession
proceeds to the Sema, (crematorium) and the body is carried down and
placed in a kind of chest,* where for the last time the priesl sprinkles
it with "toja-tirta." We, Europeans, who were presenl ;it this ceremonj
tried to keep at a safe distance, but evidently the "holy' 3 man i- pos-
sessed of olfactory organs different to ours, for nothing daunted, he
stooped over the remains and read the prescribed formula over \ \
From time to time an assistant handed him a vase containing the toja-
tirta; this vase may only be used once for this purpose, after which it
is flung on the ground and smashed to bits.
"Meanwhile two men are waiting to hear the padanda pronounce the
last words, and then they immediately kindle the wood under the trough
and under the wadah; in a few moments a loud crackling announces
that the flames are spreading; this sound is the signal for the afflicted
members of the family and their guests to take their departure with
the utmost possible speed. A couple of live hens are tied to the top
of the wadah; they are to assist the departing soul in his flight to
heaven and no doubt every one would gladly witness this ascension, but
they are all afraid of the evil spirits, who crowd around the Sema to
disturb the sacred rites if they can. Only a couple of men stay behind
in order to scrape together the ashes of the deceased and place them in
a little heap; properly speaking it is their duty to keep watch over them.
but they are just as frightened as everybody else and they are grateful
to the law, which allows them to substitute an image in their stead. When
the kalas come in search of their victim they find that he has flown to
higher regions and no living person is visible on whom to vent their wrath!
It is only on the following morning that the family return- to secure
the ashes and wrap them up carefully, then with the accompaniment of
music and song they carry them solemnly to the shore: here a final
religious ceremony is gone' through, after which the remain- are handed
over to a couple of men,, who row out to the open sea. where tin
ashes are consigned to the deep; this last act constitute- the final sever-
ance from this earth, but from this watery grave the soul may eventuall)
return with impunity.
But this return may not take place forthwith. Even after the tin:
function, (makirim) several other religious ceremonies m commen
* It is really a wooden trough supported bj four iega and carved in the Bhape i
animal. Every corpse has a separate trough.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
oration of the dead are performed, and before the conclusion of all
these, the departed soul may not revisit the earth. It does sometimes
happen that the deceased member of some Eamirj grows impatient and
returns too soon; but then this is always followed bj the death of the
infant into who-.' bod} Buch a soul shall have entered. The instances
in which a Balinese will point out to von a child bearing a striking
uiblance to Borne member of the familj dead and cremated wars and
are just as aumerous as the instances where the death of a new-
born child is ascribed to the impatience of some .lead relative to return."
We have given this description at length, because it throws such a
ig light on the religious belief, so strangely mixed with superstition,
that one finds among these people.
lint what about those women in the sedan-chairs? had they realk
been burned alive?
"Well, n«» '.''that at least was the reply of the Rajah T;il>anan. Since
the Government have signified to the Balinese princes their disapproval
of this hide.. ns practice, it has been discontinued, at least publicly.
But who can saj what is done privately and in Lombock, where our
authority was so Blight ?
h, order to evade the letter of the law, Dr. Jacob tells us that in
the) have succeeded in circumventing it by a practice which i-
inly quite a- barbarous; when the hour of sacrifice arrives the
victims kriss themselves.... this is not prohibited 1>_\ the law.... and
|y.... ilic\ are permitted to cremate dead bodies? Zollinger was
presenl at a kris-feasl or festival .... we call it feasl for want of
;i better name, and tin- i- really what it always is ... . at least for the
spectators. From his account we extract the following:
A deceased Gusti ;it Ampenan had left three wives. One of them
being childless desired to offer up her life in proof of the love she had
borne her husband. We musl remember our previous remark, that the
wife was always blamed if there were do children of the marriage.' She
• id. -red that by tlii- sacrifice she would l.e privileged to accompanj
him on his long journej and he his favorite in another world. After
the corpse of the Gusti had been treated as described in the foregoing
sketch, the widow was carried on the outstretched arms of her women-
frund- to the place of execution.
Her onl\ garment was a piece of white linen; her head was crowned
with lovel) chrysanthemums; she was perfectly calm and collected and
displayed neither fear nor regret. She stood in front of her husband's
1....!. d her arm- on high and prayed in silence. Women ap-
iched her and offered her little bunches of red and white flowers;
. them one h\ our and placed them between the lingers ol the
hand raised above her head a- she did this the women took them
her hand and dried them. Even time the widow accepted
the flowers and returned them she made a -light movement to the right
bat h\ the time she had had the eighth bouquet, she had turned
ml completely. She prayed once more m silence, then approached
the dead bodv, kissed the head, the breast, the abdomen, the knees and
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS I' Eon
the feet and then resumed her place. Her rings were taken off.
crossed her arms across her chest. Two women supported her and then
her brother (an adopted one) placed himself opposite to her and asked
her in gentle tones if she were determined to die and when she oodded
her head affirmatively, he asked her forgiveness for being obliged to
kill her — suddenly he grasped bis kris and stabbed her in the left side,
but not very deep, so she still remained standing; thereupon he flung
away his kris and took to flight. Then a man in authority took his own
kris and plunged it up to the hilt into the breast of the unfortunate
woman, who fell to the ground without a murmur.
"Some women placed her on a mat and tried to make the blood flow-
as quickly as possible by rolling the body about and squeezing it, but
as the victim was not yet quite dead one more kris was thrust into the
body between the shoulders. After this she was placed on ;i resting-
place near her husband and the ceremonial that had been performed
for him, was now performed for her. When all was over the two
corpses were anointed with resin and cosmetics and wrapped in tine
linen and then laid in the "bale bandoeng," where they were left until
the time appointed for the cremation."
The cost of cremation being considerably greater than that of "kis-
sing," it is only the Avidows of very wealthy men who can indulge in
that luxury. The wives of the priests are spared the trouble of choosing,
as they are exempt from both.
Concerning cremation we quote from Friederich, who was present at
the cremation of three widows at Giangar:
"A very high scaffolding was erected. Once again the three widows
went through endless ceremonials. Then they climbed the scaffolding.
They looked at one another to see if they w r cre all ready to die. It was
not a look of fear, but a look of impatience to hurl themselves into the
flames beneath them. When the planks, saturated with oil. on which
they stood were pushed over the fire they executed three "sembahs"' — a
movement with the hands above the head — and as the doves placed on
their heads ascended on high with their souls, they, without a murmur,
cast themselves headlong into the flames below.
"The air resounds with music, shouts of joy go forth fr everj
throat, even cannons are tired off . . . . ! "
But not always does unconsciousness follow immediately, uol always
does death put an instantaneous end to their tortures.
Then the most gruesome sights are witnessed. "It must frequently
occur," says Dr. Jacobs on the authority of Clavel in his 'History of
Religions' „that the women, at the sight of the funeral pyre, try to
draw back from their terrible fate; the final struggle must he terrible
beyond words when they are accompanied by their children on this last
journey; their shrieks of anguish pierce high above the jubilant shouts
of the crowd; they implore "of their executioners, the priests, who are
with them, to let 'them live for the sake of their children, whom they
press to their hearts again and again and who in this hist agon)
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
ime doublj precious to them; the} try to escape, but their plans are
frustated l»\ the priests and the fanaticism of the multitude...."
We learned from the letter of the Sassak chiefs that the princes
incited the people to all kinds of gambling, dice-playing and cock-fight-
ing, etc.; that the heads of districts, where these pursuits were not the
order of the day, were punished, because the taxes levied on these
oot productive enough; that, in a word, all sorts of miseries,
such as poverty and theft, were the results of such measures and a more
intimate knowledge of the Balinese goes to prove that there cannot be
much (loulit as to the veracit} of the complaint. Their whole life,
exclusive of their sacrifices and offerings, is composed of Feasting, dice-
playing and cock-fighting. Ajs we have already given some details of
their ceremonials, we will only set forth the following. It appears
that the festivals in honour of the Balinese gods last not [ess than 4 ( .t
days. An entirely new town is built for the occasion and i< after-
wards demolished. The population throngs thither from all directions.
The Rajahs, the [das, and the Gustis all have dwellings there. Images,
in which tin- gods are supposed to come and take up their temporary
abodes, are manufactured in all sizes both in card-board and in wood
and on the last day of the festivities the) are all carried in solemn pro-
ion to the shore and amidsl the saluting of guns and the firing of
cannons the} are cast into the sea. During these days nothing is done
except eating and drinking and dancing and watching the wajangs Zol-
linger 1847 .
Slusic and dancing and theatrical performances are very common, the
Balinese, even more than the other native tribes, being passionately fond
Qusic and singing. Night after night the "gamelang" is played in
the dessas and here they almost surpass those of Java. You may \'n-\
sure, says Dr. Jacobs, that hundreds and hundreds sit round the
performers for hours, doing nothing Imt listen to the sweel sounds that
skilful players know so well how to draw forth from their instruments.
The Balinese "gamelangs" air divided into different categories according
t«» the occasions on which the} are used and are composed of various
thus at Java the well-known "gamelang gambang" is used
at burials anil cremations, and also for festivals in the temples; then
there is the "gamelang tjoemankirang," composed of drums and cymbals,
played whilst walking in processions to wedding-parties or on solemn
to a town; the "gamelang gong," consisting chiefrj of loud and
r-SOUnding instruments, i^ pUyed as an accompaniment to national
rar dance-, and lastlj the "semara pagoetingan," the most perfect
ot all and which requires about '_'•"» performers, i^ used mostly
npaiiy the "ronggengs" and "gandroengs."
• celebrated of these " ronggengs — dancing-girls — are the rong-
: the\ i.nl\ dance on ver} solemn occasious and feast-
days, and : are then allowed t<> participate in the dance. It is
- a question of earning mone} that the "djoged-tongkohan"
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AM) ITS PEOPLE
101
appears; when the dance is finished the dancing-boy retires an*
spectators and is followed by the ronggeng, who goes round to col
money.... as is done in more civilized places in "cafd-chantants" and
music-halls. _ The '-caresses" to which the singing or dancing-girl bas to
submit — resistance is forbidden— are carried even to greater lengths than
in the European establishments.
But the performance of the "gandroengs" or dancing-boys, is ven
much worse; they are dressed like the <;-irls, in costl} sarongs drawn up
to under the arms, a broad band round the lower pari of the body,
round the hips a "salendang;" they glide about gracefully to the sounds
of the music, gesticulating with their arms the spectators cage rh
"A Garnboeh performance."
crowd around them and otter them kepengs These representation
bear undeniable testimony to the very low standard of Balinese morality,
especially among the higher castes, who in this particular, are Par ahead
of the others.
Any one wishing for further information on these subjects can refer
to the writings of Dr. Jacob and I leer van Bloemen Waanders.
Besides the "ronggengs" there are other dancing-girls, the "lego
girls of about ten, who are kept exclusively for the princes and live
the poeris and only dance before the princes or their guests oi high
degree. The dress is the same as that of the "gandroei
And further the princes own a special class of girls, forming a 1
source of income, but of these later. . . .
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
\. far us the theatrical or "gamboeh" performances are concerned,
thei general!) represent Borne episode of the Hindu period or some battle
.1 are mostlj given in the Kawi language; the Balinese do not
understand that tongue, but the mimicrj is bo cleverly dour, that it
leaves no doubt as to its meaning. There is always a "semar" down)
whose Bailies and wit, bear favorable comparison with his European
colleagues. Women of ten act, but sometimes the female parts are taken
l, v boys According to the late oriental scholar, Dr. Neubronner van
der Tuuk, the "gauiboeh" is of Lombock origin.
Never 1- b da\ allowed to pass without the Balinese paying a visit
ami making and offering to the god of gambling, Dewa Mfosej. The
most common game is once-playing, and the number of pips decides the
game. Various games at cards arc well-known, especially those played
with Chinese cards. Apparently one game played with Dutch cards is
not unknown to the natives, viz. vingt-et-un!
How much has been achieved in the Archipelago in the way of civilization! ' !
[I is the " tetadjen " — cock-fight — which holds the foremost place in
the estimation of 1 lit* Balinese. They love it above all things and prob-
ably there are no people in the world who indulge more assiduously
in this pastime than they do.
In addition to the cock-fights held by private individuals in the
dessas in their spare time— and the Balinese have plenty — lleer van
Bloemen Waanders gives us the following official report.
First of all there i- the " saboengan-rajah," the cock-fights which are
held once a year in the poeri these last for two months, and as we
have remarked before their year is considerably shorter than ours. The
taxes connected with this event and the tines levied on the dice-playing,
which necessarily results from it, are collected for the benefit of the
prince and besides this, he has the right to claim two game-cocks from
everj " pengajah" vassal 1.
arse tin- "saboengan-rajah" is looked forward to eagerly by
the thousands of Bpectators who come from all parts, and even the
padandas are present ; it is reckoned that on an average fifty cocks are
made tu fight every day, and out of these, aboul one half are killed
out right.
The nexl in importance is the "saboengan poengawa." These do not
take plaee at regular intervals, hut vari according to the gambling
propensities of the chiefs. The permission to hold the cock-fights has
to be obtained from the prince, but is never extended for more than a
month. The proceeds of the cock-fight dues are on these occasions for
" poenggawas," while, as a matter of course pengajahs are called
upon to provide either one or two birds each, with the option of a tine.
Bloemen Waanders calculated that at Boel£leng aboul four of
the- take place yearly.
nothing is more gratifying to the heart of the Balinese
princes and nobles than justice towards their inferiors, they do not
grudge them their official cock-fights, in addition to other pleasures.
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Thus every year after the rice harvest there is the "saboengan soebak,'
that is the cock-tights which are celebrated in the various soebaks
polder districts, comprising the members whose lands are irrigated Prom
the same source; these are a form of thanksgiving for the crops. Thes<
only last five days and the dues collected are for the benefit of the
society, the "seka soebak" (these may be compared with our polder
administration).
Finally there is the "saboengan-dessa," in the neighbourhood of the
dessa temples and these continue for a week. Every Farmer has to
provide a couple of cocks for every temple of his i\v^;\. It mighl be
hoped that in this case at any rate the people themselves might derive
some little benefit from the fines, but alas! it is not so! This time it
is the temples who enjoy the advantage and once more the inhabitants
of the dessas are the losers.
Van Bloemen Waanders alleges that through these compulsorj cock-
fights about one-tenth part of the male population are taken away from
their work; this is at least the case at Boeleleng and there is no
reason to believe that matters are worse here than elsewhere. The evil
is further intensified by the burden of taxation and the incidental
expenses attendant upon these performances, not to speak of the perni-
cious moral results, these celebrations placing as it were a premium on
idleness and disorder and bringing all the evil passions into play; it is
not infrecjiient that at these periods a man gambles away not only
all his property, but even his wife and children. The "saboeng rajah "
which is of such long duration and provides such exciting sport is
especially productive of these sad results. This is a busy time for
the "Ajoeroe-soerat" (prince's secretary) if he tries to arrange satis-
factorily (!) all the deeds of transfer that are submitted to him during
these two fatal months!
Regarding the actual festivity itself, we will only say, that the
arena consists of a plot seven metres square, marked oft' by bamboo
canes — around this enclosure is a second one about one metre wide.
Pretty bamboo cages — "Goeoengans" — in each one of which is a cock,
are placed all round the course. At a given moment two of the cages
are carried into the arena and this is the signal for a general uproar
and the betting starts immediately. Meanwhile the birds are let out
of the cages and a tiny double-edged spur is fastened to the left claw
of each cock; the beginning and end of the combat is notified by the
"Kemong;" sometimes however the fighting proclivities of the assailants
are too strong and they start before the official notice is given.
We again refer our readers to Dr. Jacob tor further particulars
about this custom, which is so prejudicial to the welfare of the people.
Naturally, in order to propitiate the gods, a religions tone is lent to
these performances : the arena is always in close proximity to the temple
to which a share of the profits are given, sacrifices are offered before
and after the performances, and as a final expiatory sacrifice two speckled
birds fight till one or other is killed.
THE LOMBOi K EXPEDITION
The Balinese are not only confirmed gamblers, but inveterate slaves
to opium, in Bali there is not one exception amongst the men, but
women the vice is more confined to those of the higher
[icing-girls and the inmates of the harem.
diligent and active, the Balinese men degenerate into
habits of idli ad indolence through the abuse of this noxious drug,
which not only impairs their intellect but so weakens their whole
;;l . that thej are ever read) victims to any epidemic that may
break out in the island.
Amongst the higher classes especially, where the indulgence of opium
and women is the greatest, the once clear mind becomes gradually
dull and brutish and finally, the last raj of lucidity thai is left is
concentrated on one goal, the Bearch for new excitement and fresh
sensual delights, which for a time shall banish indolence and conjure
upa glorious heaven. This paradise is peopled with godlike " Bayaderes, '
wh<> execute voluptuous dance-, with lovely women clothed in beautiful
transparent attire, and dazzling angels of both sexes, who offer to their
parched lips that drink of the '^h\<. that heavenlj nectar, for which
their souls thirst '
V these times the Balinese are prepared for anything and will fight
with the courage of a Lion, and even perish gladlj in the hope- of
being admitted to that glorious paradise.
The greater bulk of the population are so much under the influence
e padandas, that even without opuim, it is easy to work them up
state of fanaticism that they would willingly sacrifice their
lives to reach the heaven we have depicted.
It is when tlie\ are wrought up to this state of frenzy that those
desperate struggles, known as "poepotans" take place: the chiefs attired
m white, and having broken off part of their spears SO as to handle
i more effectually, rush on to the enemj with furious onslaught,
having frequentl} killed wife and children beforehand.
In these cases no quarter is given or asked.
\i;d woe to the chief win. should take to flight or surrender...! Ho
would be eternalK dishonoured and his authority would be lost forever.
And as long as the chiefs display C age, the lower caste will not
hesitate, but will stand ami fall to the last man. Even the women are
i\ to follow in the footsteps of their husbands and do not shrink
m seeking death in the last desperate struggle!
We -hall have occasion to see this fanaticism put to the test in our
Hint of the traffic struggle which terminated in the fall of the
. ling dynasty at Lombock.
Meanwhile let us form no exaggerated opinion of the courage and
like qualities of the Balinese under normal conditions. In the same
proportion as their physical power- of resistance have been stunted, so
have th< I powers of the notables been weakened by gambling,
unrestrained [Missions and opium. This i-. evidenced l>\ their mode of
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNT!, 1 )' AND ITS PEOPLE.
carrying on their internecine struggles, when instead of fighting
straightforward gallant fashion, they have recourse to plunder, rapine,
murder and arson.
How then, under these circumstances, account for the resolute oppo-
sition encountered in our previous Balinese expeditions?...
This was caused chiefly by our own mistakes.
In 1846, after the capture of Boeleleng and the capital of Si
Rajah, the princely residence, the Balinese were so terrified that the}
showed themselves ready to accept peace at any cost. Then, instead of
following up our victory, we contented ourselves with the little we had
achieved; politics undid what had been gained l>\ splendid fighting,
and time was given to the Balinese to recover from their fright and to
fortify themselves both morally and physically... so thai when we were
compelled once more to take up arms against them two wars later.
two expeditions barely sufficed to restore what politics had spoiled.
And even then the Balinese fought principally from behind the line-.
the fortifications and the walls;* their main strength l;i\ in treachery.
And did they not resort to the same measures in Loinbock?
But we must give this kingdom its due; by the decrees of the Etajali
the misuse of opium is much less frequent, although not altogether
stamped out.
In other matters too, the old Rajah appears to have been a real
censor, a regular guardian of morals. He was inexorable in cases of
adultery, intercourse between the castes and the ravishing of young
girls — these crimes were all punished by immediate death. Games <>1
chance were prohibited and the stakes at the cock-tights were not
allowed to exceed a certain figure. Pederasty, which was so common
in Bali, was severely forbidden, therefore the "gandroengs" were not
allowed to perform in Lornbock. The "gegoedens" were allowed, but
were exclusively for the prince's benefit and men were not permitted
to visit the bazaar (market-place) in the morning. The prince- repug-
nance for obscene productions was so great, that man} of the frescoes
representing scenes from Balinese life, which had been selected for the
adornment of his country seat at Gunong-Sari, were subjected to severe
censure and many of the more offensive ones were erased by In- order-.
as witnessed by Dr. Jacob on the occasion when he visited the palace.
What a careful father to his subjects! But wait
That same ruler, who rejoiced in the possession of a hundred wives
and all things else his heart could desire and who kept such strict
supervision over the morality of others, that rider took no measures to
put a stop to the shocking and brutal immorality of hi- higher subjects
towards the lower Sassak population; and he did not even refrain from
sending his " panjoerans "—public women- far and wide through the
land, carrying licentiousness in their train ....
* It is an undisputed fact that during this expedition the Balinese kidnapped th
and children of the Bugis living on the coast and carried them ml to Hi-
male Bug-is population to place themselves at the head of the troops in order to
ransom of their families.
I.,., THE LOMBOCE EXPEDITION
To form a correct idea of this state of things, it is necessary to
understand the true position of the woman in Bali. According to the
Brahminical teaching thej ought to occupy a high place.
"Wherever the woman is held in reverence, the gods are satisfied,"
says the book 'Manava Bastra (the law-book of Manu .' "where she is
not respected the most pious actions will remain fruitless. No family
will exist long where the wife is unhappy, but where her days are spent
in gladness, the family will increase and prosper. The houses which
have been accursed by women, to whom just honour has not been
shown, shall disappear from the face of the earth, as if by magic...
In even home where the hushatid delights in his wife and where the
wife delights in her husband, there shall happiness reign supreme. If
a wife be not elegantly or neatly dressed, she awaken- no joy in her
husband's heart, and if he feels no pleasure, then the marriage will
remain childless."
\ lu | is it not natural that women should lie held in high esteem by
Budhism, with it- attractive and gentle teachings, even purer and simpler
than those of Brahminism?
That religion, which holds that selfishness must he suppressed and
that justice i< the greatest virtue, attainable only by charity and good-
will ; which teaches that 'good people must love everybody because they are
like unto themselves," that "all that one desires for one's self , one must
desire f"i- one's neighbour," that "the more highly a person is cultivated,
the more he will wish to alleviate suffering in others".... Surely that
religion with its sad theories of life, full of sorrow and pity, will teach
it- followers to hold their women in honour.
It l- therefore not surprising to find that amongst the laws regulating
the conduct of life, there should he one regarding the conduct between
man and wife. It is written: The hushand must love his wife: 1" he
must treat her with respect; "J" he must he affect innate ; 3° he must
be faithful to her: 4" he must oblige others to respect her: 5° he must
provide her with the necessarj clothing and ornaments. The wife must
-how her love for her husband: 1" by keeping his house in order;
b) being hospitable to his relatives and friends; 3° bj being chaste:
<\ being a careful housekeeper; 5° by performing all her duties
with -kill and industry. In another part of Mann's lawbook, we find
that man and wife are enjoined "to he guilty of no transgression tow ard-
each other a- loii<_ r a- the} live;'" and the wives are spoken of as "the
light of the homes, the goddesses of joy."
This i- their moral philosophy! Hut lei us see what is the actual
■ on of the Balinese \\ oman of to-daj '.
Heer van Bloemen Waandera says that the Balinese law only recog-
nizes a- lawful one kind of marriage: the " inepadik."
The young man who ha- Income enaiiioii red of a girl a-k- hi- fathers
-•lit to niarrv her and if the father approves of his son's choice, he
to the girl's father and a-k- him if he is willing to give his
daughter in marrige to his son. If both fathers agree, then free inter-
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE C0UNTR2 AND ITS PEOPLE. 107
course is allowed between the betrothed and the padanda appoints the
wedding-day, when all the relatives and friends assemble and spend tin-
day in eating and drinking and talking to Hie merry sounds of the
gamelang. In the evening the girl is carried m triumph in a sedan-
chair to the home of her prospective husband and he follows her on
horseback. Once the door of their allotted apartment is locked, the
marriage is considered as completed.
A few days later the newly-married pair carrj ;i few offerings to the
padanda and beg of him to bestow the blessing of heaven upon their
marriage.
But however simple this sort of marriage may appear, it i> often
found too tiresome and complicated for the impatient and passionate
Balinese. He has found a shorter and quicker waj of possessing the
woman whom he may desire, with or without her consent or thai <»t
her parents. This extraordinary mode of proceeding must have been
approved of by the lords of creation, for, from first being <»nl\ .1
custom it has by force of habit become law.
The two most common methods of marriage are the "merangkat,"
in which the woman gives herself up to her lover with her own
consent, and the " melegandang " when she is seduced against her will.
The prince of Lombock has however put an end to this latter
practice, as we mentioned before.
In case of the former, the matter is arranged between the young
people themselves ; they make all the necessary plans and at a certain
date the young man elopes with the girl and takes her generally speaking
to the house of a friend, where she remains in hiding until the anger
of her relatives is appeased and after paying the fine of two "Boengkoes
(50 florins) — which is the sum stipulated for this offence— the marriage
is valid and the matter is at an end.
We must admit that it would be difficult to suggest a more simple
way of getting joined in wedlock.
The "melegandang" is somewhat more complicated. The woman
might offer resistance, or she might possibly be already married to some
one else, or she might be betrothed, and some slight consideration is
due to this third party.
The lover settles the matter with a few intimates.... scoundrels.
They lie in ambush on the road where the woman passes to go to her
work, or to the river to bathe, or wherever it may be. The woman is
•seized, her mouth is gagged and she is carried off to some house
the dessa, where a safe asylum is given, even should the people of the
house be unacquainted with the parties concerned simpl} because it is
the custom of the country. Once inside the house tin- seducer i- -ate.
on payment of seven boengkoes (175 florins) he ma\ even retain sole
possession of the woman; the only precaution that he has to take
to remain concealed until the fine' is paid, otherwise the anger of
husband or other relative might cost him his life.
If, after he has had the woman in hi- keeping for a re* daw
106 THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
considers that the fine is too high or if be does Dot fancy her any
IU «.i, ii, on payment of a smaller tax, Bend the poor creature back
t<» her husband or her family ! *
Kut this is not all!
When it is question of a young girl, no< yet marriageable, the fine
,,. ( | a t 4 "boengko (100 florins) the caste of the seducer is
always considered, and the higher the caste, the lower the penalty!
[1 i s easj to imagine that these practices must lead to endless
immorality; we will onh relate one instance from the diary of Van
Bloemen Waanders, which will corroborate what we have already said
about the tree intercourse allowed between the young people of opposite
.. The storj refer- to children, who had not yet attained their
maturity, and could not therefore be realh properly married.
"Ida K'toet A.nom told me to-day that his eldest son, Ida Bagoea
Mantra, a little felloe of about fourteen, had seduced his cousin
Id;, \ Poetoe, of about his own age and daughter of the padanda
Made* Gunong and that he h;ul eloped with her to Bandjar Djawa.
"When I remarked that 1 was rather astonished that a child like
Ida Mantra had dared to do such a thing, he looked rather
ashamed and told me the truth about the matter.
"This is the gist of In- story.
"From their \er\ babyhood almost the children had shown signs of
mutual affection and it had therefore been decided by the parents that
they should be allowed to main and as they dwelt within the same
homestead, familiar companionship was permitted and Ida Bagoes Mantra
had been enjoined to sleep at uight in Ida Ajoe Poetoe's room, in order
to protect her iii all emergencies.
"Things went en perfectly well for years and the children had lived
•her in close though innocent intercourse for most strict orders
given to the liu\ to treat his cousin honourably; six days ago the
boy's mother was warned that a Brahmin of Bandjar intended kidnapping
the girl in order to marry her of course against her will.
result of this information a family council was held and it was
decided that the young people should elope, secretly as it were, and
that l»\ the news should he made pnhlic and that in future Ida
would he protected from all assault. The children them-
selves were disinclined to play their parts in this comedy, but the\
weir forced to do -ii.
\ _ r I friend at Bandjar Djawa was let into the secret and agreed
them shelter in In- house tor a few days.
All these preliminaries being settled, the) went last night to Bandjar
ompanied l>\ the mother. Bisters and others and the two
locked up together in ;i -mall room.... and the marriage
wa- accomplished.
Dg Ida K'tOl ' \liom went to -ee them.
lilted to return home at an\ price, a- he was afraid that
In- doves and other birds would he neglected and die of hunger in his
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTHY AND TTS PE0P1
absence. His father told him to put all such nonsense oul of his hi
that he was now a married man, but thai in six or seven days when
the news had got well limited abroad, he should return home with his
young wife.
"It is most lamentable -very justly remarks van Bloemen VVaanders,
that parents should be compelled to resort to such measures to prevent
their plans being thwarted with impunity by a third party, tor the
adat — custom —ordains that the young girl shall remain with her
seducer," etc.
This then is the way in which women are protected by the laws of
their country!
The man who pays the purchase money, the fine, is her lawful owner;
he can do what he likes with her; he can raise a mortgage on her or
sell her; he can use her as a stake at the cock-fights or at a game of
chance, just as he would a cow or a pig. The woman is, with lew
exceptions, therefore not an individual, but a thing, a means wherewith
to satisfy one's wants.
Can the wife leave her husband in eases of too gross brutality?
Yes — in certain cases the law permits it. Hnt then, either she is placed
at the disposal of the prince and her second condition is worse than
her first — or else she lias to refund to her husband twice the price he
paid for her; in both cases the father is allowed by the law to keep
the children. What a heavy score there is to he settled l>\ some one
for the framing of such laws!
It must not for a single moment be thought that the Balinese mother,
who loves her children very dearly — whatever her faults ma\ be, want
of love for her offspring cannot be laid at her door will resign herself
to leave them, even if she is able to pay the penalty prescribed, .No
poor creatures, they prefer submitting in silence to any humiliation.
She even goes so far as to share her home with as many "sisters" as
her husband shall choose to bring there; she works from morning to
night, so that when her husband has squandered all his monej in
gambling and opium, she may have her little savings to give him. that
there may be peace and order in the house and that she and her
children may be spared disgrace.
This is the real every-day life of the Balinese wife!
What then is the cause of this stupendous difference between practice
and theory?
In a great measure it is owing undoubtedly to the unfortunate com-
bination of Hindu religion and polynesian paganism.
But then again, the Hindu religion in it-elf is not five from blame.
With all its magnificent ideas, its teaching is too formal, too pedant i<
it is too pessimistic in its contempt for things transient, for all thinj
that exist and that it looks upon as purely imaginary; it is too phi
sophical in its highest "dreams," called indifferentism, in its ulti
goal: liberation of the soul from earthl) regeneration. Sight was
uo THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
of the real needs of men's lives, which do not consist in meditations
and no account was taken of the actualities of fife, which is a continuous
from beginning to end.
,1 in spite of all the tolerance and liberalism contained ill the
teachings Buddha, thej arc not free from partiality; and notwith-
standing all the law- about honouring women, there is a maliciousness
expressed towards them between the lines), which throws a marvellous
lj ir | 3 Dr. Kern says, on what the earthly -amis the padandas—
understood bi "love and good-will." And did the great founder of this
Budha the Sage, the Enlightened the Budha of the legend,
• understood did he always show love and respect to women?
It i- true that he had some -ad experiences with them, hut it is no
small wonder that the Balinese should have overstepped the bounds,
when even among the early leaders there was such a wide discrepancy
between thcon and practice
I • is see how the law further treats the women in Bali.
If a Sudra dies without a son or an adopted son old enough to
ice him in hi- vassal duties, then the brother enters into possession
of all he ha- left behind, including wife and children. In default of a
brother everything becomes the property of the prince. Tin- course is
al-o pursued in cases of punishment for certain crimes; for instance if
a man i- outlawed; and as the prince i- frequently called upon to
deliver sentence; we ma\ feel sure thai he is not over-scrupulous about
passing a judgment from which he derives so much advantage. The
real estate i- generally converted into hard cash, which finds its wax to
the prince's purse; the women of the house-hold who arc too old or too
young are -cut to the poeris to do the various dome-tic duties, thus
working for the prince, whose property they have become; the good-
looking women are -elected for the prince's harem, whilst all the other-.
itimes including young girls nol yel arrived at the age of puberty,
are sent out a- " panjoerans " to all quarters of the land and thus aid
to swell the prince- revenue. These miserable creatures are compelled
• nd a percentage of their earnings to the prince, commensurate
with their beaut) and the density of the population whose territory
they int.
I it not clear wh\ the old Rajah of Lombock, whilst forming pn>-
luliiton law- which did not affect himself, upheld this most serious of
all immoral institution
!lu- i- not yel all.
"Furthermore we wish to add that if a Mohammedan dies here
without male issue, the female relatives, a- well a- his real and personal
taken bj the princes. The girls never turn out well, they
all become prostitul However Bcandalous this ma\ appear, it was
• he Sudras \\ ere concerned ; but ■.
I d leave brothers, thej get nothing either, and later
on from Karangassim arc banished here, thej are given
the :. both quotations are from the letter at the beginning of
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AM) ITS PEOPLE, ill
the book). Now that was not "adat," so that the lot of tin :
was worse even than that of the Sudras.
Now that we have seen what is the position occupied l,\ the Balinese
women, we can the more easirj understand the meaning ami the justice
of the further complaint of the Sassak chiefs, which are mentioned in
the same letter: that the Balinese chiefs take the girls awaj b\ force,
especially those of good families; some the\ keep for themselves, while
the others are cast adrift; they do not content themselves with Pull-grown
girls, but often insist, upon taking tiny children only Beven pears old!
"Then it sometimes happened that the parents went out of their
minds, but what was to be done ? "
And did not the old Rajah himself set the example, when against the
will of the Raden of Kali Djaga, he took his daughter, Ma Radja, we
shall have occasion to speak of this interesting woman later on and
had her poor resisting father put to death?
That then was the legal position of the Sassak people: absolute
uncertainty as to land and property, wife and children, entirely at the
mercy of the ruling race!
In no country in the world, not even in the country whence we
borrow the device: "my house is my castle," is the realization of the
idea contained therein, so strongly rooted as with 'the Balinese. For
him, his "homestead," enclosed within high walls, is really and truh his
castle, his world. His world, holding all that he stands in immediate
need of, be it temporal or spiritual; his world, in which lie dwells with
his family and all the members of his family, where he is safe against
all intrusion.
The law however imposes upon him the duty of protecting hi- own
homestead and at the same time confers upon him the right to -tab
without ceremony any nocturnal visitor, unable to give a speed \ and
satisfactory account of himself. Jealous and passionate b\ nature he
does not allow his wife to speak to or receive an\ man during hi-
absence from the homestead. Should a strange man enter his sleeping
apartment uninvited he has a right to kill him. Outside the walls of
his home, most things leave him cold and indifferent. Surl\ and proud,
he seldom enters into conversation with his neighbour: as a rule, dis-
sension exists between the different inhabitants of the same dessa; and
nowhere does one come across the sociability and familiarity to be met
with in the Javanese kampongs.
Only when self-interest is at stake — for in spite of their manifold
offerings to the deities, the Balinese, that is to <a\ tin- men, are great
egotists — do they join dessa-unions and soebaks (polder-unions for the
benefit of their 'material welfare and club together to erect the dessa-
temples for their spiritual good.
The submissiveness of the Javanese is not one of their characteristics
they are always ready to assert their rights if the) fancy these have
been in any 'way violated. They are not the least bit quarrelsome;
indeed they' recoil from abuse or insult, which is looked upon i
112
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
serious an offence, that the law permits of its being wiped out 1>\ blood.
The Balinese man never forgets an injury. He is not inclined to theft,
• ]ii;m\ of our native tribes are. Is this the result of their better
nature, or as Dr. Jacob alleges, of the stringent laws against stealing?
It appears to u< that a people innately proud is less likely to be
addicted to this vice; however we have already noticed that the use of
opium and gambling have had more or less demoralizing effects and in
Kampong facing the "bazaar" afl Ampenai
their tram have followed poverty and misery, accompanied by theft and
bwaj robber} One invaluable feature of the Balinese character is
inherent capability for higher developmenl and as we are called
: ■ ncli greal responsabilit} towards millions of our native
we feel compelled to enlarge somewhat upon this point.
alreadj alluded to their artistic genius in building the
One of the finest specimens is certainly the temple of Kasiman
irge Quadrangle surrounded l>\ high walls, richly sculptured,
to which is obtained through a magnificent pyramid shaped
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE II:;
gate, guarded ou each side by two huge Etaksasas. Within the sou
the transparent waters of a narrow little stream wind then- w.i\ throi
the picturesque banks, shaded on either side by magnificent Waringin-
trees and ornamented with handsome porcelain vases, holding loveh
water plants. The stream is crossed by little bridges, leading to an
open space, where numberless small temples the before mentioned
"meroes" — immediately attract attention. In the stone walls of these little
buildings as well as in those encircling the enclosure are thousands of
variegated earthenware plates and saucers of all sizes, with l lie concave
side facing one.
Many Hindu images and handsome niches adorn the whole, which i.
supposed to be a copy of the famous Hindu temple of Madjapahit.
Concerning the princely palaces, the poeris, they are \ei\ inferior to
the temples from an architectural point of view. Just a- all the
Balinese homesteads are walled in, so are the princes' residences; tin-
walls of the poeris are generally embellished by carvings, representing
allegorical subjects from the Hindu religion.
As a rule, in front of most of the poeris
there is a large covered-in space where the
cockfights are held in rainy weather a- it
would be impossible to forego this excitement
during any lengthy period. Within the walls,
there is a second space dedicated to the
same pastime, but this is not weatherproof.
On each side of the main entrance there
are large and small "pendoppos," one or
more of which are used as receptacles for the
cages containing the game-cocks. Further
on, facing one, and on both sides are numbers
of high narrow double gates, leading up to
which are a few stone steps. The side
doors give access to the private apartments
Guardian of the lempie. of the prince and his household. The centre
gates lead to a second large open -pace.
containing more "pendoppos," serving as dining-rooms, sitting-rooms and
reception-rooms for visitors. Sundry small and large doors lead off from
this floor to the kitchens, the stables and the dwellings of the panjoerans;
a general air of uncleanliness pervades the whole place.
The artistic taste of the Balinese has decidedly been shown to greater advan-
tage in the magnificent country seats of the Lombock prince- but of that later.
Their skill in reading and writing is another proof of the natural talent of
the Balinese. "It is marvellous," says Van Bloemen Waanders, .that ina
country where public schools are conspicuous by their absence and where
teachers and teaching are never heard of, the knowledge M' reading and
writing should have attained such an extraordinary oevelopment.
And it is not only amongst the men that these accomplishments
so wide-spread; the women, especially tlu.se of the higher classes,
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KEY TO PLANS.
1. Bale loendjoek (place where the old Prince
usually sat, when he wanted to be near the
passers-by).
2. Bent.jingah (place where the notables waited
when they wanted to interview the Prince).
(a). Bale pagamboehan.
(h). „ boender.
3. Rangki (hall for the trusted guardsmen) (a)
armoury.
4. Patjinan (sleeping place of A. A. Made Karang
Asem) a. Place where the firearms were kept.
5. Pagoelohan (apartments of the wives of Made
Karang Asem).
(«). Bale Mambang (where Made Karang Asem
was generally to be found).
C. Batawi (place where the goods and utensils of
Made Karang were kept).
7. Ekalanga. (Abode of Made Karang Asem).
(a). Djapitpe (cool cistern for drinking water).
(h). Bathrooms.
(c). Private.
(d). Pawargan (kitchens).
(e). Lodji Alit (apartment in which Made Asem
sometimes secluded himself with his wives.
(/). Place for religious ceremonies to be con-
ducted by the padandas, especially at festivals.
8. Pasaran (dwelling of Ajoe Karang, sister of
Made Asem and Ketoet).
9. Papoea (apartment of the Pumbuckles).
10. Stables for pikol horses.
11. Pebatan (slaughtering place for pigs).
11a. ( „ for buffaloes).
12. Siani (apartment of Gede Raji).
13. Mesir ( „ of Gede Poetoe).
13«. Apartment of the attendants of Gede Poetoe.
14. Djaba Tengah. (Place where the notables were
received by the Prince; inner court).
15. Petandakan (see — 3).
16. Pamengkang (place where eatables were sold
to the inhabitants of the Poeri).
17. Bale Oekiran (place where the teeth of the
relatives of the Prince were filed).
18. Pasaran Pisan (apartment of Ajoe Oka).
19. Apartment of Djero Boekit (headcook).
20. Magada. (Apartment of Made Djilantik.)
21. Pengaping. (Reception-room of above).
22.4.0ekir Kawi (apartments of the Prince).
(a). Bale Tjina,
(?))• „ Malong.
(c). „ Sekaoeloe.
(d). Bale* Marab i..,..
(/). Kretalaja I. Bathroom, II. Oratory).
22B. Trangganoe (apartment of Dinda, SassaH trite
of the Prince).
(a). Goedang.
(h). Hardakamas 'bathroom of Kin. la
22CGedong Pesoeroelmn (store-house).
23. Poelembang (treasuries).
(a). Silver and gold.
h . Kepengs (copper-money
24. Karang Bong Bong (apartment <> the lady
in charge of the concubines [and female
ants).
25. Inglau (quarters of the female attendants .
-•;. Sakra (place where servants were punished).
27. Sawitra (quarters of the female attendant- .
28. Madjapait (
29. Ivartawidia (apartment of Ajoe Praba, daughter
of the old Prince).
30. Pasenetan. (Reception room for the wives .
31. Tjitra Rasmin (apartment of Dinda Peti
the Prince's second wife .
32. TjitraKoeta 1 apartment of Ajoe Nengah, daughter
of the old Prince).
33. Pamegetan (servants' apartments).
34. Baugsal (storerooms and kitchens).
35. Djaba Tengah Pajadjujan (inner court .
36. Bentjingah (guard-room).
37. Pajadjujan (place of remembrance of the dead'
38. Pasedahan (place where sirih was refined .
(a). Money Treasury.
(6). Repository for musical instrnmi
39. Bentjingah Meradja guard-room .
40. Pemeradjan (Dewa' temple of the l'rince).
41. Sidakaria place where the sacrifices were
prepared.
42 Snetji 'place where the offerings were con
secrated).
43. Karang Soehoeng Pisang-hedge).
■II. Mar- 1 Tenggang passage).
45. Majoera.
,< . ( ;ili Kantjana.
(6). Meroe (Dewa-temple).
(c). Herb Btoreroom.
td>. the Prince's Pasanggrahan.
{e '. Storehouse for l\< :
(/). shot magazine
46. Stamboel (apartments i I
iel K \ -.in ) (burnt).
N.B. The road to Topati gives exactly the northern direction. For wanl pi Bpace
left out in the S.E. corner, and put-in in the N.E. corner.
lie THE LOMBOCE EXPEDITION
quite ;i< proficient as their lords and masters. As boys and girls.
{daying I _ ther, thej teach one another the alphabet and the fathers,
,ut i the mothers, give them further assistance and teach them
how to write ou the lontar leaves.
"How to write on lontar palm) leaves"! ir is a thing one has
frequently heard of and a good deal more will l>e heard of it. so it is
not inappropriate to >a\ a t'cw words on the subject.
The leaf comes from the lontar palm. After leaving it to soak
in water for about a fortnight, it is dried. The leaf is then folded
in two and i-^ written upon on both sides by a sharp pointed knife, that
va\ the characters arc scratched on to the leaf and in order to
make tin- writing more distinct, it is sprinkled over witli the dust
obtained from the "kemiri'' fruit, which is burnt and reduced to powder.
Dr. Jacobs informs us that leaves thus treated are never eaten 1>\
insects and will last hundreds of years. lTiederieh maintains on the
other hand that Indian manuscripts can never lie much more than one
hundred years "' ( 1 : " |( ' that this fact is proved by the greater part of
the ancient literature of Java being lost.
In Bali therefore one cannot expect to find many very <>ld manu-
scripts, hut the priests there have learned how to copy them so aCCU-
jately, that their copies maj lie said to be quite as valuable as the originals.
The Balinese hooks consist of lontar leaves held together by a piece of
twine run through a hole in each leaf and then fastened to two little
pieces of wood on tin- outer sides to keep the whole firmly together.
But we were dealing with the capabilities of the Balinese lor higher
development.
Most of the three higher castes, as well as the well-to-do Sudras, an'
acquainted with the Kawi literature; the "Wajang" performances have
not a little to do with this and at their social gatherings, there are
frequent reading- and songs from the fascinating Kawi legends. Wan
en Waanders even goes so far as to say, that it i- Ins opinion
that the famous '•Thousand and One nights" had their source in Bali.
That they are not of Arabian origin, hut a translation from an Indian
work, has been conclusively proved, 03 the researches made by Professor
\ W von Schlegel; and the "Tantri-Kamendaka", which is written in
pure Kawi. teems with moral fables which remind* one at e\er\ turn
the Stories OUt of the ••Thousand and one nights"; and it is worth
bare tin- account of a prince Praboe Sri dara Patra, who at the height
ind surrounded bj grandeur, Mill failed to find anj gratification excepting in
upon having a fresh young ami beautiful girl brought to
1 = t iii Bande* B'warya, who hail incurred the prince's anger bj
to find liim anj fresh victims, J'ijah Tantri, his lovelj
■ 1 Bhare the prime"- bed herself.
elm her with she was clever enough to free herself
•011 into listening to a Bhorl tale, sin- succeeded in bo
• be could think of nothing eke ami at last In- fill asleep out of Bheer
night, when tin- prince conceded to her the privilege to
a third, ami fourth, etc., till at la-t all her charming tales
manuscript), her beautj ami her cleverness mail.- her bo imlis-
quite cured of anj desire ever to .-<•(• any one else.
OUB KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTU V AM) ITS PEOPLE. 117
noticing that just at that period numbers of Arabian mission;!!!.
making constant voyages to the Indian Archipelago. Whatever be the
truth, there is no doubt that the Balinese literature is richh provided
with works (principally written in Kawij of greal value on matters his-
torical, philosophical, judicial, religious, poetical and humorous; man)
instances of tins have been given ns by Friederich and Van Bloemen
Waanders and it is more than probable that important specimens will
be found amongst the writings left by Dr. van (\w Tuuk. We do not
think that Lombock will be found much behind Bali in this respect.
The more we learn about these remarkable people, the more we are
inclined to regret with Van Bloemcn Waander "that a nation displaying
such natural aptitude for increased civilization and higher culture of
mind, should see itself condemned by mistaken political ideas and l>\
desperate attachment to ancient customs, to remain for ever stationary
at the point reached three or four centuries ago," also that, "the
desire for knowledge is too frequently kept in check by the ridiculous
notion or rather pretext of the padandas, that those not initiated into
mysteries of the priesthood, should not strive after too much erudition,
as it might cause confusion of mind and be productive of other evils."
The Balinese have been hemmed in on the one side by maladminis-
tration and on the other by a narrow-minded religion, and for centuries
these combined forces have arrested all mental progress.
Can anything be altered in their religion?
Intolerance toward other people's way of thinking — says Liefrindk is
unknown amongst the Balinese, as they are usually much too engrossed
in their own business, to think much about other people's. They seldom
try to make converts; for it is in keeping with their character to be
totally indifferent as to what gods their neighbours worship. However,
from political reasons, the rulers have left no stone unturned to induce
the Sassaks to embrace Hinduism.
The neophytes were granted all sorts of privileges: exemption from
vassalage and certain taxes and from having to serve as soldiers out of
their own country; they were thus placed on an equality with the
Balinese. If a Sassak woman married a Balinese, she was obliged to
follow her husband's creed and their children were brought up as
Hindus. For a time, after the great rising of 1S55, the Sassaks were
even forbidden to assemble for prayer in their temples.
With the exception of a short period of time — when the before-
mentioned Ma Radja, wife of the Rajah, exercised such a strong
influence over him — everything was done to prevent pilgrimage-, to Mecca
and the number of hadjis and mosques became fewer and fewer, etc.
All attempts that have been made to convert the Balinese either to
Ghristianism and Islamism have been attended with \er\ small results.
Certainly, there are here and there instances of conversious to Islamism,
but these are only few and far between.
As regards conversion to Christianity, the unfortunate results of the
labours of the Protestant missionaries in Bali are well-known: and
118
in /.' LOMBOC K K XV EDITION.
unceasing efforts made l»\ van der Jagt, van EJck, de Vroom and
\\ pgelendain are undeniable.
i itholicism would naturally appeal more deeply to the Balinese, who
feel the want of outward ceremonial and Bymools. Bui would a life
mtinence, not to Baj of Buffering and serving, after the ideal of the
great Master, suit the proud passionate Balinese? Would he willingly
surrender all the earthly j". v ^ which his position as a member of tne
" Varione t> pea "I Sassaka.
1 1 i *_r 1 1 « - 1- caste entitle him to, or the number of women to whom he is
-i. match devoted, or his titles of Ida, Dewa. (iiisti, of which
naciousr Would he give up all these tangible possessions to
ain a reward later in a heaven -which to him, is so far distant?
barely possible that amongst the Sudras, the very poor
for whom all these earthlj advantages do not exist, a few might
olicism .... perhaps.
nts the proud task of our government is to look alter
the material and intellectual welfare of this Btrong and gifted people
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY .i\l> ITS PEOPLE
119
and the first step to be taken is, to put an end to the tyrannical
government whose rule for centuries has been one of incessanl oppression
and extortion. The only possible way of achieving this objeel is the
introduction of our direct control.
Before dilating at greater length upon the Balinese, we must dwell
for a little while upon the Sassaks. We cannot discuss then- religious
and social institutions in the same manner as we did those of the
lib iTvt—-
■ BEfKi.SC
"House in a Sassak Kampong."
Balinese; to do so would be to overstep the limits of our work. We
will only point out one or two peculiarities in which the\ differ from
the inhabitants of the neighbouring island.
The dress of the Sassak men is not unlike that of the Balinese the}
generally wear a piece of white "kain" (linen) on their heads and their
ears are not pierced. Their krisses are much longer and the hilts are
dissimilar, those of the Sassaks being made to remind the wearer of the
circumcision, as the Balinese always contemptuously remark. The women
are more covered and wear dark blue or black "badjoes" fastening
-
THE LnMWH'K HXI'EIHTIO.X.
the neck, but without sleeves; true the material is rather transparent,
their dessas are built after the Balinese, Borne after the
Java shion. The latter arc built of baml on the ground and.
the former are built ou a sorl of support or foundation of day about
tre high; the walls are usually of day ami arc two metres high;
the roof is always of padd) straw. The house generally consists of a
large inner room and an opm terrace; alongside the bouse or dose to
it are separate buildings for the kitchens, rice stores, etc. K the bome-
: is not enclosed by a wall, it is surrounded by pagars (palissading)
as in -lava. Viewed from the sawahs, the kampongs present exactly the
. linhermen on the beach a A.mpenan/'
same appearance as those of Java; for where they are surrounded by
walls, the dark clai is onlj visible at intervals through the dark green
foliage for the whole kampong is hidden behind masses of cocoa-nut
and bamboos, and penangs and pisangs, all in the full splendour
'ii tropical perfection.
anything, the Sassak is less licentious than the Balinese; the
• rsion for all the Balinese domestic animals, dogs and pigs,
>ne source less of immorality.
tile the Sassak is long-suffering and docile and herein lies his
inblance to the Javanese; as we have learnt by bis history be has
endured all of tortures, extortions and ill-usage before rebelling.
II' i- industrious and energetic when working for himself and this is
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE
12]
fully proved at harvest time, when thousands of pikols of rice are b
carried to the coast by daybreak, lie is anything but quarrelsome by
nature and would ask for nothing better than to he allowed to cultivate
his land in peace. That, while serving undei as in warfare, he displayed
less favorable characteristics, such as love of plunder and lack of zeal,
does not disprove the previous statement. Is il to be wondered :it,
that, after so many years of oppression, lie should end by ui\imr himself
up to unbounded licentiousness? The absolute unsafety of life mid
property had deadened all his energy and strength and' the hardships
and ravages of a pro-
t racted w ar \\ ere enough
in themselves to demor-
alizcjiim entire^ ; but
with patience and tact
and a more beneficent
rule, he will undoubtedly
be once more converted
into a peace-loving and
industrious husbandman!
The Sassak, like the
Balinese, loves fishing,
whereto the waters of
Lombock afford him
ample opportunity, lake
the Javanese he uses
nets — drag nets
hoop nets — seros
fishing-rods; as he is
just as little of ;i hero
at sea as the Balinese,
he confines himself chiefly
to the coast.
Their industries are
very insignificant and are
limited to the weaving
Sassak woman washing clothes at the riverside. ^ SBTOngS ailll other
articles of dress, plaiting palm-leaves and bamboo canes into baskets
and to the making of weapons. Gold- and silversmiths are much less
numerous than in Bali and the cause is not far to seek; and the} are
much behind the Balinese in taste and in the art of decorating, for
in a country where poverty is the order of the day, articles of luxury
are not much in demand.
The language of the Sassaks is totally different from that spoken by
the Balinese; although the Sassaks have borrowed many words from
their neighbours, still they are unable to understand each other
language. Some few Sassaks, and nearly all the chiefs, understand
Balinese and speak it, Malay is spoken amongst strangers. Che .
and
and
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
have man) words used in -Malay and Javanese; but od the whole, the
language is more like thai Bpoken in Bima and Sumbawa. High and
low languages Buch as exist in Balinese arc unknown; there are a few
ex p r ect and submission to be used by an inferior in
speaking to a superior. . . . and these must have hem very largely iiM-d'
Then no distinctive characters for writing and the few chiefs
have acquired this accomplishment make use of those employed b}
or Javanese. Sassak literature is singularly poor and there
are !:>. original works at all; the} have a few works written on lontar
leaves in the Bali-djawa-language, which are chief!} historical or romantic
and air translated from Mala} or Arabic; the Ringanis are the best known.
Their system of administering justice is the same as in Bali, allowing
the difference of religion and the social disparities ensuing there-
'&$'£
■£ Ut
" Ploughing the Sawahs."
from ami stipulations for which have been made in the so-called "pas'-
uara Sassak."
What cannot tail to awaken our greatest interest next to the peculiar
_n>ii of the Balinese, i- the highly developed system of their agri-
culture, which surpasses that of all our other islands in the archipelago
I - was here bo Bays Wallace that I first obtained an adequate
"in- of the most wonderful systems of cultivation in the world,
lling all that i- related of Chinese industry, and as far B8 1 know
surjj in the labour that has been bestowed upon it any tract of
• in the most civilized countries of Europe. I rode through
tin- garden utterly amazed, and hardl) aide to realize the fact, that in
this remote and little known island, from which all Europeans except a
few traders at the port are jealously excluded, many hundreds of square
OUR, KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE. 123
miles of irregularly inundated country have been so skill nil \ terraced
and levelled, and so permeated by artificial channels, that everj portion
of it can be irrigated and dried' at pleasure. According as the slope
of the ground is more or less rapid, each terraced plol consists in some
places of many acres, in others of a few square yards. We saw them
in every state of cultivation; some in stubble, some being ploughed, some
with rice-crops in various stages of growth. Here were luxurianl patches
of tobacco; there, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, yams, beans or Indian
corn varied the scene, etc."
*■
'Working the sawahs."
It was very probably the Hindu colonists, who introduced the wet
rice culture here as well as in Java. But when? Some think it ma\
date back to a more remote period before our Christian era, when com-
mercial relations are said to have existed between the land of the
Ganges and Bali.
The Soebak (polder-districts)* statutes, by their very language, poinl to
very great antiquity and presumably their proficiency in agriculture dates
further back still. The necessary re-writing of the lontar-leaves about
every 50 or 100 years— on which these regulations are found, makes
impossible to specify the exact date, for the Balinese have been in t
* Polders are low-lying grounds, from which the water is kept bj a dyke.
124
THE LOMSOCE EXPEDITION.
had hal.it of onlj writing down the year in which they were transcribed
ami not the date of the original manuscript.
The first reliable information regarding wet rice culture is received
from Cornelius Houtman, who touched the South coast of Hah in 159?
and who stated that the insufficiency of the Bupply in that island had
to be made up bj Lombock. , "
e culture has always been of the greatest importance tor Lombock,
where it is the staple article of commerce, the Bource of all wraith.
Not onh does the island yield enormous quantities, but the qualify of
the rice is far superior to* that op Bali and can be kepi for years and
s without spoiling, as was proved after the eruption of the Tambora,
"when for Beven years the soil was unable to produce fresh crops. Large
cargoes are exported to the neighbouring islands of the arcWpelago and
to more distant ones, such as the islands of Mauritius and Bourbon;
some is even sent to Australia, Europe and china.
Men, and sometimes women, carry on an extensive trade in rice in
the interior: the) go from kampong to kampong to buy and their stock
uried on horse-back— carts are unknown in Lombock and Bali — to
the coast for sale. .
The prince grants trading concessions. At the time of Zollinger's visit,
he was entirety in the hands of a merchant called "King" andaChinese.
The prince himself fixed the prices for buying and selling and he always
took half the profits of the year's trade, winch gave him a yearly incomeof
about 150.000 florins. Besides this tax and the import and export duties
and the presents given 1>\ the merchants to obtain the prince's good
will, the prince derived still further advantages from this produce.
According to Zollinger there was a yearly tax, of 6 to 7 florins on
even tenah, * and this was paid to the Efcajah of Lombock in gold, pot
in kind to which the people gave the preference. This tax is not levied
in proportion to the number of inhabitants in everj dessa, but according
to the number of tenahs in every dessa.
The inhabitants themselves make the computation amongst the owners
of the various lots of the sawahs.
In Lombock it is onl} the Sassaks who pay this tax. but let us see
what it amount- to according to a ver\ moderate calculation. Admitting
that one-eighth part of the -aw ah- belong to the Balinese, that one-fifth
ned b) Sassaks are exempt from taxation (during their term
of vassalage thej pa} no taxes, and that the total yield of the rice
culture amount- to 1.800.000 pikols <\ pikol = 621bs) yearly, this
would mean that L260.0O0 are produced from land which is taxable,
and allowing for further exemptions, let as put the figure at ] .(tiio. OHO
Supposing the average crop of every tenah to he 20 pikols,
then it i- clear that dut) has to he paid on 50.000 tenahs, this tax
alone yielding from three to three mid a half "tons"' of gold every
ton " of gold i- L00.000 florins).
• Liefrinok tin- term "tenah" in I » j » 1 i i- meant to represent a Btretch of
•.ii thnt ii; old yield B0 bundles <>!' paddy of n certain size.
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUXTItY AND ITS PEOPLE
1 25
Let us proceed to see how this rice culture, such a Bource of wealth
to prince and people, is regulated.
An inclined plain, the side; of a hill for instance, is divided bj hanks
and trenches into horizontal strips of land, forming so man\ terra<
the water used to flood these frequently comes down from the mountains
through deep ravines and has to be dammed up and subsequentl} carried
through open or covered aqueducts along the line of cultivation. Aiter
the land has been ploughed by East Indian buffalo-oxen, the rice is
sown in the trenches, which arc left under water until the >m\
" Rice harvest."
germinates, when it is drawn off; later, they are again flooded and
the alternate flooding and drawing-off is continued until the harvest
It is evident that for the laving out of these terraces much practice
and knowledge are indispensable. The construction ol the dams in the
rivers necessitates hard work and abundant material; and the plant
of the stakes to support the aqueducts, the preparing oi all tnes<
winding mounds the whole length of the different terraces, are also verj
arduous labours; the apportioning of the water, which is yerj scarce, over
all the various fields, requires continual care and supervision to preven
either accidental or intentional damage or the draining ofl ot the wa
It is perfectly clear that it would he impossible tor each
individual to do all this for himself.
_
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
Thus it has come about that all those interested, whose fields are irrigated
h\ the same river or branch of a river, have made common cause and
formed societies, which are called Boebak-unions or societies from the fact
that all the lands watered from the same source art- called "soehaks."
The object of these institutions was to ensure to the small land-owner
proportionate advantages to those enjoyed by Large proprietors, without
however in am waj detracting from each man's individual claim. In
addition to this material benefit, the social bond became strengthened
between dwellers in the same districts, which was in itself a good
thing, for as we have
already remarked,
the Balinese show ;i
decided disinclination
to cultivate friendly
intercourse with their
neighbours.
A.S these unions
increased in numbers,
they grew more and
more independent
and in virtue of their
own regulations, the
"kerta sima soebak,"
the\ assumed full
technical and admin-
istrative authority
in their own terri-
tories.
These " soebaks
bear a striking resem-
blance to our polder
districts and the
" soebak-unions " to
our administration of
the polders with this.
difference, that with us, it is a question of draining the water off the
land and with them it is a question of carrying it to the land.
The stud) of this remarkable institution and its rules, is mosl important,
l.ut we should exceed the limit of our work if we were to do more
than just draw attention to one or two interesting Eacts; to he brieJ then:
•i inhabitants of ;( dessa wish to establish ;i "soebak" and have
! themselves that there will be no obstacles placed in their waj
officials in the dessa where the land is situated, then thej make
hi to the "Sedahan agong," thai is to the head of all tho
>ugh him the requesl is placed before the princes, te
whom all rivers and waste lands belong.
r that the n.w course would cause little or no damage
i be beach al A.mpenan.'
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE.
to those already existing, then permission is given and the sociel
once constituted.
The first thing they do is to choose a president, — the " klian-soebak "
of whom it is expected that he shall study the interests of the Bociety
before all else.
As soon as the season is favorable, they begin work, the land is
eleared and parcelled out amongst the members. The klian keeps a
sort of register consisting of a collection of lontar-leaves, on each one
of which is inscribed the name of a share-holder, together with his
address and the area of land that has been allotted to him. The pre-
sident regulates the remaining business of the soebak mostly in con-
junction with the other members, as his position is rather thai of a
senior member than that of a chief.
He opens the meetings and presides over them; he has to see to the
carrying out of all the decisions and rules, he fixes the fines and
penalties; besides this he is held responsible for the fair division of the
water and must take precautionary measures against damages of all kinds,
waterstealing, etc. There is no settled salary attached to the office of
president, but sometimes certain privileges are granted, such as a
double share of water. If the district is too extensive to be properly
superintended by one man, it is either subdivided or assistants are chosen
to help the "klian" in his duties. All the members of the soebak are
bound to assist the klian in turn, and therefore a list of their names
is duly kept.
In cases of dispute arising which fail to be amicably settled by the
klian, appeal is made, to the "sedahan temboekoc;" this functional is
superintendant-general of all the "soebaks" in one same dessa. His
principal duty is to see that the taxes due to the prince on the sawahs
are paid punctually; he has nothing else whatever to do with agriculture,
beyond supervising the division of the water, where several "soebaks
are served from the same source.
If this official is unable to settle matters in dispute to the satisfaction
of those concerned, then they may refer to the fore-named "sedahan-
agong," who is the head of the sawah administration and is a person
of unlimited influence.
There are monthly gatherings of all the "sedahanstemboekoes" under
the presidency of the "sedahan agong."
All agricultural questions are discussed, and all questions, that have
remained unsettled by the "klians" or the "sedahanstemboekoes" during
the course of the month, are now settled by the head "sedahan.' 5
There is of course a final appeal to the prince if the matter he nol
satisfactorily settled by the head "sedahan"; in that case the oath i
administered either to the complainant or the defendant and this
generally takes place in the soebak-temple. These desperate measures are
always avoided as much as possible and the members of the soebak
generally try to arrange their business privately.
Once a month, or more frequently if the interests of the "soebal
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
should require it. the klian summons all the members to a meeting,
which is geuerallj held at some point from which a view of the entire
m be obtained, thus facilitating a Bpeedy arrangement of all
matters under discussion. In the early days of the foundation of a
ik, the gatherings take place in the open, under the shade of some
Later, when things begin to prosper, thej unite to build a
ik-temple, so that the meetings maj oe pleasanter.
- me high Bpot is generall} chosen and the temple is constructed
much on the Bame plan as those we have already described. In the
enclosure— which is not roofed -there are besides the little gods' bouse,
one or more hah'-, containing long benches for the members ofthesoebak.
One of the rules to he observed at these meetings runs as follows:
"Everj "in- who attend- the meeting must he Buitablj attired," viz., he
must wear a "sapoet" round the loins, hut the upper part of the hod\
inu-r he uncovered and maj not be smeared with "horeh." Am
infringement of this rule i- punishable by a tint-.
At the hour fixed for the meeting the klian produces his box of
plaited lontar-leaves, containing all the documents concerning the "soebak "
and first and foremost is tin- list of members. Each name is read
aloud, and should a member not answer at once to the call, he is lined.
All absentees are fined, for attendance at these meetings is one of
the chief rules: unless some valid reason is given for omitting to be
present, a penalty is enforced.
The klian then proceeds to communicate the orders regarding taxation
which he ha- received from the "sedahan temboekoe" and to tell them
what repairs are to he carried out on the roads, which it is the duty
of the "soebak" to keep in good order.
After this, the affairs of the soebak itself are considered, the water
work-, the expediency of renovations, improvements, etc. The klian lax-
re tin- members the statement of the moiie\ received in lines and
entrance the monej spent in wages, materials, offerings is also
accounted for.
Woe t<» the klian who should venture to appropriate even one kepeng
of the society's money. The wrath of the gods would overtake him! At
time- there are considerable sums of monej in hand and then the members
an- allowed to borrow on payment of Erom 1 to 5 per cent a month.
Having fulfilled hi- duty and placed all matter- clearl) before the
members, he declare- that the business part of the meeting is concluded
and the time for pleasure begins.
The "sajahs" or klian's assistants, who prepared the place of reception
m the moruing l»\ sweeping, laving down mats, etc., now bring round
flowers, and offer the various ingredients lor the ••horeh."" (scented
ointment with which to freshen up the hod\ after tin' lung sitting;
cqucntl) refreshments are partaken of, uaturalty the sirih deaf of
iCCUpies the tir-t place, hut oil. mi there i- all kinds of pa-lr\
or i whole luncheon. In some rule- the prescribed courses are
red and even the quantity allowed for each person i- regulated, and
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE. 129
so that there may be no mistake aboul the matter, a pair of seal fre-
quently occupies a prominent place in the assembly-room.
The chief obligation enjoined on all members of n "soebak" is, thai
one and all shall do a share of the work in (lie joint undertaking.
Here we sec the fulfilment of the principle «»t' general service; here
equality reigns supreme, and every man, be he Brahmin or Sudra, if
he becomes a member of a "soebak," is bound l>\ tin- same rules.
Each man's work corresponds to the amount of water he use-., so thai
all those who have the same quantity are obliged to perforin tin- same
amount of work; the consumption of water is regulated l>\ the "klian"
by means of partitions called "tamoekoes."
Should any one either by purchase or inheritance become possi
of more shares of the sawah, he is obliged to nominate ;i substitute to
look after these or else to pay a tine to the "soebak." Certain stipu-
lations are made to prevent one single person from owning to., greal a
portion of the land, as this would be detrimental to the community.
What are the obligations of a soebak?
These are divided into two classes: 1° those carried out exclusively
for the good of the soebak; 2° those performed for the prince or for
the benefit of agriculture in general.
To the former belong :
1° The keeping in repair of the dams and aqueducts and ;dl things
connected with them, sluices, pipes, paddles, partitions, etc. As soon
as the sawahs no longer require flooding, the water-works are left to
their fate; heavy rains and landslips cause no end of destruction. A
few weeks before the irrigating season begins, the klian makes himself
acquainted with the condition of things and makes his report ; he Sim-
mons the members to set to work and carry out the needed repairs,
for which hands and time very frequently fail.
2° Supervision over the aqueducts and the wafer used for flooding.
Under penalty of a tine every member is compelled to make good
immediately any damage that may come under his notice, and should
lie be unable to do so, he is bound to apprise the klian of the fact.
In soebaks where there is a scarcity of water, watchmen are placed ;it
different points to prevent the water being drained off l>\ subterranean
pipes. These men, who are on duty night and day, are replaced ever} 24
hours; to ensure their guarding the whole length of the aqueduct, a certain
object is given to the men to deposit at the furthermost point of their
beat — this" has to be brought back the following d;i\ h\ the next man on
duty; thus the members exercise a sort of control over one another.
3° The maintenance of increased police supervision to support the klian.
4° The keeping in repair of all the roads ami pipes, on the prin-
ciple that all lines of communication laid down for the benefit of the
soebak should be kept up by them, even should the general public dr
advantage theref roi 1 1 .
5° The building and keeping up of the places where the asseml
are held, the rice' barns and the agricultural temples.
THE LOMBOCR EXPEDITION
Regarding the second class of obligation imposed upon the soebak
members, that is the maintenance of the princes' poeris, this is performed
l»\ rendering gratuitous services and generall} consists in carrying materials,
such as atap, bamboo, fire-wood, straw, etc. In the greater number of
soebaks these services can be dispensed with on payment of a fee;
exceptioi A course made in cases of illness, still this plea uiaj not
be put forward more than three times a year and here again we see
ik members exercising control over one another. Should a man,
who has excused himself on the score of sickness, be seen working else-
where, or walking about with his kris, or wearing a flower behind his
ear or in his hair— a sign that a Balinese is feeling unusually well and
liapp) —it is the dutv of whoever sees him, r«» report him to the klian
and a tine i- imposed.
The amount of the fee t<» he paid tor exemption from work tor the
prince, is fixed according to the supplj and demand and varies indifferent
soebaks from a half to three and a half rijks dollars (4/6). The request
mU si be made to the klian at the meeting which takes place when the nee
i^ being cut, for the great harvest or Oesaba — festival takes place
shortly after that; and owing to the great importance of tin- festival
i)eople make preparation- for it and think about it a considerable length
:,,«• beforehand. Still this great festival of all is not the first one
of a similar kind, though on a smaller scale, that has keen celebrated
by the members of the soebak guild.
"The first festivities are laid as soon as the labours connected with
the dams arc completed; the spot chosen for this celebration is the hank
of the river which supplies the irrigation water; a bamboo structure is
ted and on it are placed the offerings for the gods, which always
include a sucking-pig, a white hen and a white duck. When, says
Liefrinck, the L r <>d- have keen allowed sufficient time to regale themselves
with the sight of these dainties and the pamangkoe has mumbled a few
invocations, then the whole construction, white duck, white hen, sucking-pig
and everything else are hurled into the river! but these good things must
not be wasted .... oh no ! this last act of sacrifice is the signal for a regular
scrimmage and all those who can, follow the hen and the duck and the
sucking-pig, each man trying to secure for himself the most he can !
At the time of the new moon a second festival is held, that is when
all the water-pipes have keen chared; and in this case the celebrations
ami offerings are to obtain the favor of the gods against all bad and
cl influences detrimental to the fertility of the Sawahs.
At the time of the first full moon after the second festival a third is
held to beg of the L r <>d- to keep the clops free frolll d'lsCMM' and to
them a plentiful harvi
uty-fivc days before the harvest and for three consecutive days
then Further celebrations in the temple to offer up praise and
prayer to the deities, to obtain from them the favour that the still growing
cropfl ma) If full of sap and nourishment.
before the harvest begins, a few of the finest ears
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE C0UNTB7 AND ITS PEOPLE |;:i
of rice are cut, one leaf being lefl on the stem: these are tied together
in a bunch called "nini," and arc destined for Sri, the goddess of Fertility.
When the harvest is over and the rice has been gathered into the barns
by the women, this little "nini" is placed righl on the verj top of the
padi, in order to drawn down a blessing on it '
According to circumstances the Oesaba lakes place either a leu days
before or a few days after the harvest.
The day previous to the actual feast, all the members of the soebak
dressed in their best clothes, go to the shore carrying with them little
wooden caskets, supposed to contain the gods, and other properties
belonging to the temples, besides flowers and offerings. Thej spend some
little time near the water — this is to propitiate the gods b\ takingthem to
enjoy a refreshing morning bath— and then accompanied In the "gamelang"
they return home and deposit once more all the paraphernalia in the temple.
The next morning early every one goes to the temple, and instead of
their krisses, all the men carry "goloks," i.e. large knives in handsome
sheaths wherewith to cut up the meat for the sacrificial repast, prepa-
rations for which have been made by the wome 1 the same line- as
those made for New Year's clay. In some localities the\ pla\ the
"gamelang" and dance in the temples; and not infrequently each division
of a sawah sends one young girl to represent it. Sometimes fifty or a
hundred of these girls, prettily dressed and adorned with (lower-, per-
form picturesque dances and the jingling of their anklets intermingles
harmoniously with the music of the "gamelangs."
Towards the middle of the day every one goes home, but 011I3 to
return to the temple later on. This time it is to take the offerings,
which the women carry on wooden platters on their heads and the
whole family, husband, wife and children, go together to place these
before the goddess of agriculture inside the temple enclosure. The
pamangkoes, garbed in white, mutter a few prayers, after which the
offerings are said to be acceptable by the goddess.
From the temple they all proceed to the sawah, as there are Eurther
solemnities to be performed here; at sunset there is a grand procession
to the river, accompanied by music and vxcry pomp, so thai In the
time the people reach their homes it is already dusk.
There is however not much interval for rest, for the real feasl i-
only about to begin, and this of course is in the temple. Woe says
Liefrinck, there are little girls, called "sangiangs," who execute a sort
of religious dance.
Numbers of people lie down and fall asleep from sheer fatigue and
are anxious to recuperate their strength for the coming night; mean-
while groups of women quite overcome by the burning incense and the
monotony of the chanting, have reached that stage of spiritual rapture,
which we have described in an earlier part of the work.
In the meantime, distinguishable above the singing i< the sound of
the "gamelang" playing a melody, which is only heard when the so-
called "goerek" is about to take place:
.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
• |;., dea thusdoes Liefrinck describe the performance thepeople
become more and more excited; the} unsheatb their krisses or seize
| lu ] t l spear and then begin those wild fantastic dance-, which
continue all night long and which take place in the enclosure of the
temple, with no other lighl than thai of the moon, the rays of which
canl] C e those bigh surrounding walls and the dense mass of
shrubs and hits, [f the participation in the revelry is large it is no!
>cfore about a hundred of half-naked figures with loose-hanging hair
seen to be rushing about excitedly, pretending either to stab them-
s or others. The dance is led bj the klian and at intervals he is
surrounded bj a crowd of these howling creatures; thev kneel down
and he sprinkles their throats with toja-tirta or arrack, in order togive
them fresh strength and vigour.
• Little l>\ little the women begin to join the dancing community ;
even young girls, dressed in men's clothes, wearing tight-fitting jackets
and carrying krisses in their licit-, execute elegant dance-. It is however
women of a certain age who appeal' to lie most susceptible to this furious
religious intoxication ; the} too ll\ around with krisses and spears and their
behaviour toward- the men present is certainly somewhat forward.
"This Saturnalia i- kept up until the morning, but as dawn appears
the uproar subsides and the scene proves less attractive; it is impossible
fur tin isies to continue in the face of da\ !
I. • ii. ;it feast hope so! But the Balinese is not a man to he easily
satisfied and the whole of the next day is devoted to dancing and
feasting and consuming the delicacies which had been prepared for the
gods -these only having abstracted the immaterial portion,— while, last
inn not least, there are 'la- cock-fights which continue for several days
within the temple enclosure.
It i- compulsory for every member of the soebak t<> take part in all
the dancing, feasting, etc.. these rites are considered necessary t<> obtain
I harvest ! . . . .
- r!\ after having carried out punctiliously all the ordained formulas
and not having failed to utter certain ••mantras'* while planting t he seed.
a plentiful crop ma\ Ix expected. Ihit supposing the desired results lie
obtained; well, then there is no doubt thai one has been guilty of
orl of negligence in the matter of sacrifices and there is no one
to blame Imt one- self!
Prom the little we have said,' it is clear that the significance of the
iak regulations can be in no was underrated; it is most remarkable
• find such an institution amongst a native tribe. The rules of the
; \ are based on the principle of equality, only laying down laws
. !\ for the good of it- members, at the same time allowing to
nber a large measure of autonomy, thus, says Liefrinck, verifying
ord- of Montesquieu: "that the produce of the earth is less
dependent on it. own fertility, than on the freedom of its inhabitants!
of the immense importance of the wet rice culture all other
cultural pur-nit- have fallen into the background.
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE. 1.:::
After the paddy has been gathered in, the sawahs are utilized
various other more or less valuable crops. Firsl of all there is maize
which is grown very extensively —not as a second crop— bul on certain
high-lying lands in the North of Lombock, called tegal-districts, where
it would be impossible to carry the water necessar} for flooding a
sawah. Although enormous quantities are cultivated, it is all required
for home consumption.
This is not the case with the "kadjang," (Pandanus odoratissimus
which is widely planted- in the "tegal" districts and which, though used
as a vegetable by the islanders themselves and as fodder for their
animals, is chiefly looked upon as an article of export. This is more
particularly the case with the "kadjang id jo," which is -nit chiefly to
China where they distil a very excellent kind of arrack from it. The
demand must naturally be very large, when it is known to cosl one
third less than rice in Lombock, whilst it produces one-third more
arrack.
Although cocoa-nut trees are very abundant in Lombock, still the oil
derived from them docs not suffice for the inhabitants and large supplies
are obtained from Bali; the kampongs are all very plentifully provided
with all sorts of fruit-trees.
Cotton is grown very extensively, especially in the mountainous districts
on the N. E. coast, It is said to be of exceptional quality, even
superior to that of Macassar, which is noted all oyer the Archipelago.
There are also sugar and tobacco plantations, but only producing
enough for the island itself; the sugar cane is excellent.
"As I have never seen such tine sugar-canes as in Lombock. says
Zollinger, it is my opinion that this island is as well if not better
adapted for plantations than Java and large sugar factories might be
built on the island. I have heard it said that attempts to carr} out
this plan have been suggested, but the Rajah is adverse to the idea and
refuses the necessary assistance. The princes even object to large coffee
plantations, assigning for their reason that they do not wish to attract
European attention to their island."
That is why they have always strenuously opposed them and made
them almost prohibitory by heavy taxation :
"We also had coffee plantations— say the Sassak chiefs in the letter
at the beginning of the book— but after the harvest the prince sent his
men to seize it, so that we had not even enough coffee for our own
use. Whenever even two or three katis (one kati = g lb. were found
in any one's house, it was immediately confiscated, in addition to which
the owner was fined, etc."
Possibly the princes from their own point of view saw no particular
injustice in this conduct, but it is to be hoped that henceforward these
plantations as well as the rice culture will be encouraged and that in
the freedom of extension [they ma\ develop as widely as possible, for
certainly there are few places' where the combination of soil and china
is so conducive to their growth.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
we liave further to m regarding the administration of the
countn i- borrowed from Liefrinck's "Contribution to the knowledge oi
the bland ol Bali : "
i Buses which actuated the organizing of " soebak-guilds " were
t,u '. which led to the formation of "dessas" and "dessa
:,t ;1 m»ch earlier period, probablj even before the Hindu
^ion had supplanted the old cue.
Baline* deua m Ajnpenui."
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE
to make the daily journey backwards and forwards, so thai the} built
themselves little temporary huts where the} lived during a part of the
year. As time went on and more people wen! to the out-lying districts,
returning so seldom to the old home, their interest in the new dwelling
grew stronger and gradually the} brought various members of their
family with them and finally the whole family settled itself in the new
district and this was the origin of the Balinese dessa. Endless dangers
surrounded these aboriginal settlers: malicious and evil spirits, noxious
animals, jealous neighbours, booty-seeking marauders; no wonder then
that they felt that their only safeguard against their common enemies
lay in a union of forces for mutual protection.
Thus it was that these " dessa-guilds " were formed; and in spite of
the lapse of centuries, in spite of the introduction of wet nee culture
with its own particular societies, and in spite of all the changes wroughl
by the Hindu- Javanese worship, these dessa-guilds have survived to the
present day, still obeying the same rules as when the} were firsl founded.
The simple little houses of worship, properly-speaking the "kemoelan
dessa" which were usually found beneath the shade of some rich forest
tree and where the people assembled to make their offerings ever} five
days, have long since made way for the present gorgeous dessa-temple,
which we have described.
jlMany new gods have been brought into their land; new priests have
taught new doctrines, still the greatest reverence is always shown to the
original deity who watched over the dessa and protected it in its infancy,
when surrounded by so many perils.
Just as the soebak meetings were held in the soebak temples, so were
the dessa meetings held in the dessa temples; for this purpose the"bale-
agong" was built — (it is a long shed) and this by degrees became the
great centre of all social intercourse; it was here that the} all partook
of the festive repast, which is so prominent a feature of those long
nocturnal ceremonies, to which we have referred while speaking of the
"soebaks," and here it was too that new members were enrolled, generall}
on the birthday of the patron god of the dessa.
The number of members was limited and since the foundation of the
guild there has been no variation in this rule. When a member dies
he is replaced by his eldest son and in default of sons by his next-of-
kin. The new-comers are not placed at once on an equality with the
older associates; they have to go through a term of probation first.
During the assemblies and on high feast-days they are not permitted to
sit on'the "bale-bale" in the bale-agong, but have to content themselves
with sitting on the floor and this rule is strictly adhered to. no matter
to what caste they belong or what position they hold outside. The}
must begin by waiting on the older members, so that the} ma} in time
become worthy members and be fitted to take their share in the
management of the dessa.
They all advance in turn until at last they get a place on the bench;
they go on advancing until finally they reach tin- top end. wn
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
upied b) the real ruling powers, the council of the ancients
or the seniors the "raniadessa" reall) meaning "fathers" ofthedessa).
All have to displa\ the greatest possible care in taking their scats, not
nc place too high, and especiall) never to be absent from a
meeting, nor to appear unsuitably attired and while belonging to the
sening brothers n<»t to forget the flowers and mats tor the bale'-agong
and the sirih for the senior members; just as at tin- soebak meetings
are ven stringent rules, the "Kerta sima dessa," and the infringe-
ment of an) of them is very severel) punished.
In this wise the members of the dessa-guilds, who arc the represent-
atives «'t' entire families and who maj be considered as the direct
ndants «>t" the original founders, constitute the legal and executive
authority. The) regulate all local matters concerning the dessas, the)
maintain and expound the "adat," law founded on ancient customs- and
all the other inhabitants of the dessas owe them obedience. The other
inhabitants of the dessas are the various members of each family, who
under certain circumstances are hound to second the head of the family.
and the " sampingans," that is. strangers who have migrated to the dessa
ami settled there; the) are freel) admitted to the temple rites, hut they
are tun ignorant of the dessa traditions to he allowed a voice in the
In man) dessas there is one person who occupies a still higher rank
than the ••fathers" and that is the "pasek." His sphere of activity is
chiefly of a religious nature and it is probable that in olden times he
was "he of the followers of the ancient religion. The pasek is held in
high esteem b) the people and his position corresponds to that of the
pamangkoe of a later period and of whom we shall have occasion to
-peak, when referring to the modern dessas, at least those which date
their origin after the introduction of Hinduism.
Besides the ••pasek" there was another important person admitted to
the dessa-guilds and that was the "penjarikan" or village-clerk.
\- the dessa increased in size the revenues augmented and likewise
the expenditure and it became necessary to have an efficient man to
attend tu the finances. Although ostensibly occupying a position infe-
rior to the "pasek" and the "fathers" he could not fail to have a far-
reaching influence, both a- treasurer to the guild and as a man of
learning; he was chosen for his cleverness onh and had not to go
through the tedious term of probation t«> attain his post.
Excepting the distinction in which they were held the members of
the dessa-guilds did not enjoy many material advantages. In '1"' () 1<1
days when there was land to be distributed the) were allotted a double
hut now the) onl) receive a double share of the temple offerings
and are exempt from vassalage to the prince.
rding this vassalage or feudal system, he it -aid that it was
atcd according to the ownership of the land — as the dessa-guilds
obtained |x>ssession of the sod. it became the duty of their members to
ftt the disposal of the prince and the L r od-. In course of time the
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PE0P1 E. I ;7
possession of the land passed IVom the dessas to individuals and with
the land the duties attached to it.
Not to enlarge too much upon this topic, we will onl) sa) aboul il
dessa obligations, which were also binding on women and childern that:
When the boys have attained the age when the) can be more advan-
tageously occupied than by looking after the buffalo-oxen, the age when
they are allowed to carry a kris in their belts the) are expected to
perform certain duties in the temple, such as playing the gamelang and
executing various dances. To the girls too, are allotted a few light
duties, which are increased after marriage.
Usually one year of exemption from service is allow.. I to a newly-
married couple, to give them time to settle their private affairs, but
after that period their names are inscribed on the register kept |,\ the
"penjarikan" and they must hold themselves in readiness for all duties
required by prince, temple or dessa. It is perhaps needle- to sa) thai
the "Kerta sima dessa" contains very definite clauses and qo cases of
neglect, deception or transgression are allowed to go unnoticed and
unpunished.
On the other hand, account is taken of circumstances which mighl
arise in every household; and as we have said before the old men are
released from their term of service when their eldest sons replace them
or if through failing strength they should be unfitted for work.
As we said before, not all the clessas can boast of such an ancient
origin. In the formation of the later ones, where the privilege to con-
struct the bale-agong was not recognized, the inhabitants united, as it
simplified their duties both spiritual and temporal, while their individual
interests were better guarded. At this period the earl) dangers had
disappeared and that strong feeling for very close union no longer
existed; new-comers were more frequent and insisted upon the same
rights as those who had preceded them.
In these newer dessas, instead of the "pasek," there was the "pamang-
koe" at the head of the temple-service and the executive authority was
vested in one man, the " klian-desssa," — and in a more democratic
spirit, — every inhabitant of the dessa could claim membership of the
guild when he married.
The "klian" is elected from amongst the members, according as t la-
gods appoint, Very little benefit is attached to the post, which reall)
entails a good deal of trouble; as a rule a "klian'* who has proved
himself satisfactory is succeeded by his son. In case of a new choice
having to be made, it would be detrimental to the priest's authority to
designate for the post an unsuitable person, the chances being that the
people would not accept him, for, however simple and believing the
dessa inhabitants may be they expect the gods to select an intelligent klian!
They are not so very stupid after all!
Sometimes there is a special ••penjarikan" as in the older des?
as often as not this office is included in that of the klian.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
Naturally, the dessa rules la\ down ver) minutely what arc the duties
klian towards the members of the guild.
I . sundn coercive measures ma) be resorted to in order to
enforce tin- rules laid down l>\ the "Krama dessa" or the "klian ;
Prom a small fine to the penalty of death. In the latter
ompulsorj at once to inform the deit) in the temple and the
"Pumbuckle*' tin- prince's representative.
tain offences entail expulsion from the dessa-guild; in that case
an oath i- taken never to cross the threshhold of the guilt} man. not
H ilineae dessa at M
m cases of sickness or death, nor to provide him with food or tire.
Ik is no longer admitted t<» the temple; no Balian-dessa (village-doctor)
him physical aid. and no "pamangkoe" or "pasek" may L r ive
him spiritual comfort.
"kalas have full power over him. and if he or any member of his
household die, the villas burying-ground i- closed to them.
bod) i- left to it- fate, no prayer i- offered up, no offering is
made tor the ri oi the soul . . .
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEO I.I
This insight into the dessa administration shows us the power and
independence possessed 1>\ the guilds; it shows us that equality is one
of the primary conditions, therefore we can safeh allege that theA do
not owe their existence to the influence of I liiuliiism, with its narrow
Jaws of caste and its one-sided justice. The same reasons winch preclude
our giving the exact date of the origin of the "soebak-guild," prevents
our giving that of the dessa-guilds ; presumabl} Mhw reach back to the
period when the Hindu-Javanese established themselves al Bali and the
dessa-guilds acknowledged them as arbitrators if they promised nol to
interfere with the adat. The ancient customs and rules must have been
written down and submitted to the sanction of these arbitrators, who
became princes later on, and who no doubl introduced a few conditions
of their own or added a few formalities from the old Hindu laws tin-
would account for the discrepancies in the dessa manuscripts.
The natives, having an inborn veneration for all things old, attach
considerable importance to these manuscripts and the rules of the
guild, — which are written on from ten to twenty lontar leaves, held
together by a wooden cover, are kept wrapped up in cotton-wool inside
a handsome case in the temple, where they are entrusted to the care
of the pamangkoe. (As they were often stolen Prom the temple, says
Licfrinck, it was considered wiser to transfer them to the house of the
klian or the penjarikan, where they were accorded a place of honour.
When the rules have to be consulted, it is necessary in the firsl
instance to obtain the consent of the gods. When this is granted costl}
offerings are prepared, incense is burned and the rules are produced to
the sounds of the sacred gamelang and amidst a solemn gathering.
In consequence of these endless formalities, it is rare to meet an\ one
who is really acquainted with all the rules, which are sometimes not
read to the people for a generation.
From the little we have narrated regarding the dessa family-life, it
will, we hope, be sufficient to prove that just as Hinduism has 011I3
touched the outer surface of their religion, it has failed to penetrate
into their social institutions, which like their gods originate from the
time when Polynesian heathendom was all-powerful.
How is it that all these different dessas, forming as it were so many
small republics, came under the sovereign rule of the Balinese prim
It follows as a matter of course that disputes must have arisen from
time to time amongst these numerous dessas and that they became more
frequent as their territorial borders touched one another: these disputes
were not always amicably settled and the remembrance of these border
warfares has not yet died out amongst the inhabitant-.
Eventually it became evident to all concerned that these continual
hostilities were to the advantage of neither litigant and s«. it was decided
to refer all matters of contention to arbitrators who were to pronounce
judgment on the question at issue. Where these arbitrators gaveeviden
of tact and skill, their influence was bound to make itself felt
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
ever-increasing number of questions was submitted to their judgment,
thus it came thai groups of dessas, who, although having nothing
in common, selected the same judge to settle their differences.
Once invested with a certain amount of power, these men sought
,1 it ; this was the origin of the Balinese princes, who
their descent to the free choice of the people and not to any god-
like source
Although many changes have occurred with the increasing power cd
. still the inhabitant of the dessa has the right to refuse
obedience to the prince b) reason of the basis on which Ins authority
that lie is entitled only to the voluntary respect and homage
of the people."
How tlitl the prince- exercise their control over the dessas?
\. the territories over which they ruled grew vaster, it became neces-
sar r to have the assistance of subordinates, both in order to keep better
informed of what was going on in the more distant districts and also
that these deputies or representatives might transact business of an
unimportant nature.
\ representative — a poenggawa— chosen from amongst the princes
relatives or from amongst the most influential families of the neighbour-
I was appointed to superintend a certain number of dessa-. forming
;i district. In some cases the " poenggawa's " authority was not defined
by boundary limits; for instance if a "poenggawa" were chosen from a
- ,;,:," family, he onl) exercised power over the members of his own
caste, and all the other inhabitants within his district were only amenable
to the prince.
A- it was impossible for these " poenggawas " to represent the prince
adequate!) in far-reaching districts they again appointed a "Klian-
mantja" for ever} dessa.
This personage is often brought into contact with the adminstration
of the dessa, 1»\ having to confer with the "fathers of the dessa or
with the •• Klian dessa." lie has however no share in the management
of the internal affairs of the dessa, and he is only consulted, as we
have Been, in cases of dispute, which the dessa-guilds are unable to
settle, and which are then placed before him or the higher placed
poenggawa for arbitration. If the parties concerned are dissatisfied with
his decision, the) can bring the matter before the prince, who passes
judgment with or without consulting his Brahmin priests.
In virtue of the "metilas" i.e. right to refuse obedience, the dessa
inhabitants could refuse to obe) to a poenggawa who did not suit them
and could request the prince to substitute another in his place: so that
although it i- evident that there were mediators between prince and
pie, these formed no bod) intervening between the two. hut acted
-uiipk a- representatives of both.
In return tor the protection afforded them by the prince and ill
titude for In- acting as arbitrator, the people undertook certain obli-
ards him. The) provided abundantl) tor all his needs: they
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTIt) AND TTS PEOPLE
gave him the best their land produced, they made it then bu
build his poeris and maintain them in repair; the} accompanied him on
his travels and helped him to carry on his wars. The prohibiten laws
of the dessa regulations were not applicable to him.
This then was the legal position of the Balinese princes and all tin
prerogatives had been freelj bestowed by the people.
Not content with these privileges, they have abused the power con-
ferred on them and have left no stone unturned to make it absolute
and to enrich themselves at the expense of their subjects.
In the centre of their domain they have built an extensive settlement,
a veritable fortress, a poeri, inhabited by people dependent solely upon
them and devoted exclusively to their service. As we have seen, 1 1 1* • \
raised taxes on the most important land products, tirst on the cultivation
of rice, on the running water, which was originally claimed by the dessas
and then they levied import and export duties.
They have claimed both the effects and real estate of all who die
without male issue and also the estate and effects of all who are con-
demned by the law to suffer the death penalty.
Cock-fights for their benefit are taking place nearly all the year round
and when all these taxes fail to satisfy their greed, then they lei loose
their " panjoerans " to prey upon the people.
The lialinese have submitted to this usurpation of power with Eastern
resignation and have made no complaint against all the oppression and
extortion. They patiently submit to see their princes leading lives of
pleasure, dividing their time between women, opium and cock-fights;
they are sometimes detained for days at the capital when they wish to
consult the prince on business connected with the dessas or kampongs,
for as often as not he is engaged watching the "gamboehs",* which
continue for days, and cannot be interrupted for business.!
"Such, says Liefrinck, is still at the present day the conditon of the
independent states, only it is too faintly drawn, for the private history
of every poeri cannot possibly be described in these pages; the cringing
servility with which every whim and desire of the prince is gratified,
joined to the knowledge that he has supreme power over life and death
is responsible for this shocking and scandalous condition of things!
It sometimes happened at Bali, that when the conduct of the princes
grew beyond endurance, the people made use of their prerogative to
refuse them obedience and transferred their allegiance to some other
petty sovereign. As time went on however the fear of our intervention
had a salutary effect in checking too glaring abuses. U Lombock
where the various small Balinese states were all ruled Prom Mataram.
things were in a very bad way, for here the Rajah's SW ay was unbounded
and there were no petty sovereigns, whose rivalry was to he feared and
there was no redress for his Balinese subjects. The Sassaks themselves
fared considerably worse though; they had no voice in the administration
anclall the best and most remunerative posts were given to the Ba
* Dancing boys and girls ami the performances in which they take pan
14J
THE I. MBOCK EXPEDITION,
It was onh by compulsion that r In \ obtained such inferior positions as
collector or puniouckle village-chief). Some few still bear the title
aden title of nobility) as evidenced in the letter written by the
ik chiefs Zollinger presumes them to be descendants <»t' those chiefs
who former!) submitted to the Balinese without any opposition but
nd this imaginary independence and very few privileges, the} an'
in»t recognized as holding an) official rank and the} air never permitted
ike am Bhare in the government.
The Balmese princes divided the Sassak territory into districts, which
in cases of dense population, were again divided into sub-districts,
rail) corresponding to the old Sassak kingdoms, the capital of which
itead oi A.mpenan Borne yean before the Expedition .
always been Praja. The governmenl of these districts was entrusted
their chief [das and Gustis, who were appointed " poenggawas " ;
stead of giving them fixed salaries for their services, they received
tensive tracts of land, with the additional right to enrich themselves
'""'I' :iN the) could In ever) imaginable kind of extortion or in an)
i!l- gal fashion the) could devise.
• needless to m thai one means generally resorted to. was that
appropriating for their own benefit ;i fair share of the prince's tax—
itude towards the Sassaks was worse than tyrannical:
H ides working for the princes, we were compelled to work also
,( "' ,llr ubordinate Balinese chiefs and yet, in spite of this we have
UB KNO WLEDGE OF THE COUX TRY A.\l> ITS PE0PL1 .
suffered harsh treatment. People are put to death without trial and
very slight offences. If these chiefs were angrj with any one,
was accused of some crime or other and sentenced; we dared not
rebel. Frequently our property, such as "sawahs", gardens, buffalo-
oxen and cows were taken from us without am compensation
whatever ....
"Every year the taxes have been most unjust I \ raised.
"If the princes or any of the notables wanted anything, either
people or horses or wearing apparel, they simply took them from us,
without seeing any need to give an indennity* . . . .
"Our sons were often made slaves and our girls
We have heard all these complaints in the letter Prom the Sassak
chiefs and Ave think that we are enabled to form an opinion oil the
manner in which the Sassak population was ruled.
So conscious were the poenggawas of their evil dmU and so much
afraid of the conseo,uences, that they dared not establish themselves in
their respective districts, but resided at Mataram, the centre of Balinese
power, or in the neighbourhood of this capital and from here the} sent
forth their orders and their tax collectors and spies who were to keep
them informed of the frame of mind of the people and their plans and
they in turn imparted what they considered necessary to the prince.
This is the way in which the poenggawas ill-treated and oppressed
the people in the name of the Rajah; this is the way in which he
himself reigned as an autocratie despot, sucking out the very life's blood
of his subjects and living in splendour and dissipation bought at the
cost of so much hardship and injustice .... and finally, under the
pernicious influence of Anak Agong Made, becoming more brutal and
barbarous day by day, and year by year!
It is time to return to the geographical description of the island.
From a military point of view, our attention is at once drawn to
Ampenam, the most important commercial town, not only on the West
coast, but of the whole island of Lombock.
As we have seen, it is from this port that the large cargoes of rice
are exported, and the imports landed here are chiefly tobacco, borsi s,
oxen, hides and kapas (movable decks for protection against the waves
made of light wood). Here too Lombock receives her supplies of -alt.
arrack, linen and cocoa-nut oil; in case of blockade the island would
be deprived of these articles. On the strand is raised the flag-staff,
discernible at a great distance and so well-known to all our officials,
flying the Lombock colours: red, white, blue, white and red, with which
flag we had to content ourselves instead of our own Netherlands standard
in order to have our Suzerainty acknowledged by the treaty of 1843!
All there was to protect it, were a couple of old cannons, only tit for
firing salutes; there were no signs of anything else to guard it....
* Controller Heijlitfers tells us that the princes did not consider it wise to alio*
Sassaks to own more land than would produce sufficient for their private needs; ftnyth
over and above was taken from them. No more landed proprietors were permitted i
the Sassaks !
m
THE LOMBOi K EXPEDITION.
Behind the flag-staff, :il >« >ut ."><»ii metres from the shore, stands a
_:iiri(vnt and gigautic waringin tree, forming a prominent Landmark
,»ur -liijK. In former times the Netherlands Indian steamship
company had an agencj here, but now it consists of a few Btone
dwellings and store-houses belonging to the prince and to some mer-
chants settled there, besides which there were four kampongs inhabited
l»\ | Malays, Balinese and Sassaks.
. advantages are attached to this spot as a landing-place. To begin
with it offered at least during the East monsoon, a verj safe place for
ln-treo in the mule -place at A.mpenan.
ride at anchor. The water being verj dec)) quite close to
even vcrj large ships can anchor within 700 metres of it: at a
11 metres from the flag-staff it is 17 metres deep; at 7-")(i
20 metres; and at 1500 it is as much as 31 metres deep.
H there was ■ t < > other point situated so close to Mataram and
Tjal _':ii:i. tin- centres of Balinese power; it was the mosl conve-
nient starting-point, leading along the besl and shortest mads to the
places where the troops would be called upon to rain out their operations.
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE. 1 i:,
Still even during the East monsoon tins landing-place had one insur-
mountable defect; we will quote Wallace's description:
"The bay or roadstead of Ampenam is extensive, and being at this
season sheltered from the prevalent south-easterl} winds, was as smooth
as a lake. The beach of black volcanic sand is vei\ steep, and then
is at all times a heavy surf upon it, which dining spring-tides increa
to such an extent that it is impossible for boats to land, and mam
serious accidents have occurred. Where we lay anchored, about a quarter
of a mile from the shore, not the slightest swell was perceptible, but
on approaching nearer undulations began, which rapidly increased bo as
to form rollers which toppled over on to the beach at regular intervals
with a noise like thunder. Sometimes this surf increases suddenly during
perfect calms, to as great a force and fury as when a gale of wind is
blowing, beating to pieces all boats that may not have been hauled
.sufficiently high upon the beach, and carrying away incautious natives.
This violent surf is probably in some way dependent on the swell of
the great southern ocean, and the violent currents that flow through
the straits of Lombock. These are so uncertain that vessels preparing
to anchor in the bay are sometimes suddenly swept away into the
straits, and are not able to get back again for a fortnight! What
seamen call the "ripples" are also very violent in the straits, the sea
appearing to boil and foam and dance like the rapids below a cataract ;
vessels are swept about helpless, and small ones are occasionally
swamped in the finest weather and under the brightest skies.
Zollinger also says that very little wind is necessary to produce such
a heavy surf that neither loading nor unloading a ship is possible.
The new moon and full moon tides are so high that all communi-
cation between Ampenam and the harbour is temporarily suspended—
the water rises more than 5 feet higher than under ordinary circum-
stances (8 to 10 feet); the waves beat with such extraordinary force
against the beach that the houses in the neighbourhood an; shaken to
their very foundations.
Whatever may be the cause of this sudden tempestuousness, it has to be
taken into serious consideration, when the harbour not onl\ serves as a
landing-place, but as the basis of operation.
If the position leaves something to be desired during the East mon-
soon, during the West monsoon the roadstead is entirely at the men \
of the Avinds and surf, so that even large ships are no longer safe and
have to keep outside the bay; and as long as the wind i- high there
is no question of anchoring or landing.
These difficulties led to "the attempt to build a jetty in time- gone
by, says Zollinger; but the technical difficulties in the way were too
great then, though they have now been overcome and a pier i< in course
of construction.
A particularly sheltered place, protected from all winds is Labuai
Tring, also on the West coast, but further South: it is hardly wortl
mentioning Tandjong Karang and Padang Reak, for they pres
!<>
u , ; THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
Vmpenam, without the corresponding advantages.
Able seamanship is essential to reach this port on account of the
the entrance of the bay, but once inside it ships are perfectly
gards dangers from the high seas, but other perils,
treated with scorn, are apt to overtake the unwary!
King bad a dock built bere for the construction and repairing
ips, the neighbouring forests supplying him with abundant material;
lu-arK all his men b} sickness, so that this baj has a bad
reputation and ships never touch here unless driven 03 dire necessity*
This introduces the all-important question for an expedition: what arc
the health conditions of the countr} ?
\- first sight, Bays Zollinger, one would feel inclined to declare the
1 verj healthy; the land is well cultivated and lies high, the water
is excellent; marshes in the proper sense of the word there are none
the long narrow tracts along the coast from Ampenam to Tandjong
Karang being more trenches than marshes— and both mountain winds
and sea-winds blow all day long and moderate the excessive heat.
(Zollinger gives the temperature from C> ( .) to 91° Fahrenheit; Mr. King,
who resided so much longer at Lombock gives the extremes at 6< and
104 Fahrenheit) "Still, writes Zollinger, m\ sad experience is that with
exception of Pidjoe on the East coast, the climate of Lombock is
dangerous. Just as at Ampenam and Labuan Tring, severe fevers were
raging on the whole length of the North coast." How account tor this
lordinar) fact, in face of the apparently favorable hygienic situation?
Zollinger was unable to solve the problem; he tried to find an
explanation in the exhalations from the volcanic soil, which are much
to l.e feared during the season of the West monsoon. Without pronoun-
cing judgment, might we not suggest that not too much value must he
placed on this idea without a minute examination of the soil and may
we not Burmise that the prince in his dealings with Zollinger somewhat
ited the danger in order to discourage the presence of the hated
foreigner?
Was not the health of the troop- excellent during the first period of
the expedition?
In no case would it he fair to ascribe to the climate of Lombock
all the sickno- that overtook our men: the consequences of the war.
retraining, fatigue, privations, insufficient protection from climatic
changes, all these are in themselves quite enough to have a deteriorating
• noil the most robust. Let us remember Badjo and Atcheen, etc.
\\ . think that the fact that illness onh appeared later on and bj degrees,
plea in defence of the salubrity 01 Lombock under normal conditions.
go hack to our bays and harbours, we mu-l not omit to mention
ba) of I'adjoe, near the little town of that name: according to
Zollinger it i> to the Easl coast what Ampenam and Labuan Tring are
to the West: that i- to say, it c bine- safety and facility of access,
added to an exceptionally health} climate.
It would be invaluable from a military point of view, were it not lor
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PE0P1 ]\;
the long distance which separates it from Mataram — 64 pals (] pal
1506.94 metres),* says Zollinger, or nearrj the whole breadth of the
island; but as a port for the Sassaks themselves to import weapons or
other materials, it offers innumerable advantages.
The more northerly situated bays of Labuan Hadji and Lombock have
the same drawback— that of distance without offering the corre-
sponding advantages as Pidjoe; Labuan Hadji is dangerous even during
the East monsoon.
Telok Blongas on the South and Sogean on the North, both present
difficulties of distance and arc really of minor importance.
Central Lombok is traversed by a long valley running from East i<>
West of the whole island which is only broken by a small lull, the
Gunong Sesan, about 100 feet high and having a surface of lo pals;
further it is bordered both on the North and 'the South l.v two wide
1 2 3 4
Coast of Lombock.
1. Goenoeng Wangsit; 2. G. Poenikan; 3. G. Rindjani; 4. Roadstead of Ampenan.
and almost inaccessible mountain chains which separate it from the coasl
The Southern chain, starting from Lombock's most South-Western point,
Tandjong Bangko-Bangko and continuing to Tandjong Ringit mi the
S. East, is the less important — the summits not rising above inno
feet — but owing to the impenetrable forest growth and the total lack
of roads or paths, it may be said to form an almost impassable barrier
for troops. The Northern chain is connected with it by the low-lying
range, the Gunong Sesang above mentioned; the latter chain however
forms a striking contrast to the Southern range; it is of volcanic origin
and forms a mountain mass of considerable height and breadth. From
the Gunong Wangsit near Tandjong Rombeh, about l'» pals north of
Ampenam, there is one unbroken chain to the G. Ponikan, after which
— accounts differ as to there being bridle paths suitable for troop-
we have one formidable clump of mountains covering the entire surface
* 1G50 yards, i.e. nearly a mile.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
• \ Bast Lombock and only terminating at Tandjong Pandan-Pandan
on the I ist
We think it almost superfluous to say that we are now at the foot
of the famous Gunong Rindjani or Peak of Lombock, whose 1200 feet
summit conceals the hew a Agong of the Lombock Balinese, the deity
with whom the old Rajah had that remarkable interview related by Wallace,
I. • us seek further acquaintance with this giant amongst our Indian
mountains from Zollinger, the only European, who has hitherto made
the ascent. A description of the difficulties encountered by one single
individual will serve to illustrate, although someu hat t'ainth . the herculean
task of moving an army through virgin mountain lands.
It was on the occasion of a second visit to the prince Bato Agong
Ketot Ngorah Karangassim and his In-other Rato Agong Gedeh Ngorah
Karangassim that Zollinger requested leave to make the ascent, which
permission had even been refused to Mr. King.
The prince raised numberless objections — one must remember the
superstitious fear of the Balinese for this mountain — there were too
many perils and he would probably meet with an accident.
"1 informed the prince, through .Mr. King, says Zollinger, that 1 was
accustomed to climbing high mountains, that 1 feared no accidents and
that 1 did not intend to leave the island without visiting the Peak.
.Mr. King further added on his own account: "If you refuse this gentle ■
man '8 request, they will say at Batavia that you mistrusted him and that
would make a bad impression on the Dutch government with whom you
are on such friendly terms! "
"With whom you are on such friendly terms!" How times do
chai _ At that time however they were hoping to be raised from
out of their position as vassals; it was just about this time too — July
or August 1846 — that our first expedition against Bab' had taken place,
which through it- speedy and favorable issue (to us) had so deeply
impressed the Rajah of Lombock and his brother! They were always
wanting Mr. King t<> tell them about it and were never tired of listening
to In- account of the battle of Boeleleng:
"They would not or could not believe that all was over in less than
three days and above all they could not believe that a Balinese rajah
had -ought safety in flight, instead of remaining with his people in his
kraton and fighting to the death as demanded by the adat and the
honour of a Rajah!"
inge freak of destiny '.
Thatvery Bame brother, whom Zollinger saw as "a young man of 28
with certainly the most intelligent countenance that 1 have ever seen on
man of the Mala} race, with a g l-natured smile, but a little
■■il." that Bame In-other after becoming the curse of his people by
lu> infamous savager) and oppression, ended half a century later by
_- himself to that government whom he had so long defied,
instead of "remaining in his poeri with all his men and lighting to the
th, a- demanded l>\ the aaats and the honour of a Rajah!"
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE. i i;>
Zollinger succeeded in obtaining leave to ascend the Rindjani on the
strength of the motives that had been urged by I leer King, bul not
before signing a paper to the effect that, should an) mishap occur to
him, it would be entirely his own fault and no one else would be to blame.
With that suspicion, peculiar to the native, the Rajah fancied thai
Zollinger had been sent to the island for the express purpose of getting
him into trouble, for he felt convinced in his own mind thai an accidenl
was bound to happen during the ascent and then be expected the government
to take advantage of it and this would lead to complications.
Provided with the necessary letters of recommendation from the
Rajah's prime minister to the chiefs, who might be of service to him
on his journey, and a special one to the principal Raden, the Sassak
chief, who lived 18 pals from Mataram, the naturalist stinted on the
3nd of August with a few attendants, two interpreters and a number
of coolies.
"The first day we did not make much progress and spent the nighl
at Pringa Bata, where the rajah has a small hut, which serves as his
dwelling-place when hunting in the neighbourhood.
"As we were not expected at Pringa Bata, which is but a very small
and poor kampong, we experienced some difficulty in procuring a little
rice, oil and a chicken. My letter from the gusti to the pumbuckle was
of little or no use, as the latter was unable to read. On leaving Pringa
Bata the land is less cultivated; there is a long forest to traverse which,
leads to a hilly district covered with alang-alang (imperata arundinacea .
"At Batu Klian, the place where the Raden of whom I have spoken
lived, I required a horse and a few men. Accordingly I went to his
house to present my letter, but found that he was absent from home,
stag-hunting. His brother w r as so disagreeable that I had to depart
without my request being complied with. The Raden at Batu Klian is
the most powerful and independent Sassak chief, which acounts for
his disregard of the Rajah's orders being passed over with impunity.
(This was before the great rising in 1855, after which the Rajah's
autority was enforced with far greater severity.) In the next kampong
to Batu Klian, I again presented my letter and here my requirements
were at once attended to.
"A few pals further the country is level again and the land is as
well cultivated as on the West side of the island.
"Towards 5 p. m. we reached Loijok, situated South of the Teak of
Lombock and only a short distance from the foot of the mountain;
here we spent the night, so as to have a good rest and also i der
to make the necessary preparations. The Raden received us courteously
and did his best to entertain us, a pity he was so very slow about
everything! He assured us that the ascent would occupy a fortnight
at least and regaled us with the most terrible stories connected with
such an enterprise, presumably in the hopes the narration <»t I
horrors would cause our courage to fail and lead to our giving up
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
plans. It was mj intention to Btart on the morning of the 6th, but
neither coolies, nor horses, nor provisions were ready al the appointed
ti m e Raden told me that I should find the guides and some rice
at a kampong on mj waj ; but I found neither. Then I sent word to
the Raden that I should Hot proceed without first having everything 1
wanted. The pumbuckle of the kampong who had not obeyed his orders
arrested and sent to Mataram, where he was still in prison when I
returned then-.
Phe science of procrastination was therefore not unknown even
I. »mbock!
•■1 was unable to continue my journey until the afternoon. Cultivated
land was SOOn left behind and' I penetrated the forests, where 1 had
some difficulty in keeping to a path, which at tunes seemed to Lose
itself. In the evening the guides declared they only knew the way as
far as the mountain, hut with the paths iii the mountain itself they
were totally unacquainted never having been there.
1 of course dismissed them immediately and sent a message to the
Raden saying he was to Bend me others without delay. My attendants
were continually wanting to halt, especially at certain points, where
I, unit wood showed them that others had halted there before. 1
threatened to continue the expedition by myself, not only without guides
hut without coolies, and they could settle things with the Rajah from
whom they knew what they might expect if an accident of any kind
rtook me
Tin- argumenl had the desired effect and we dragged on a little
further, until we reached a spring, where 1 decided to stay the night.
•The follow in-- d;i\ after climbing lirst one height and then another,
we finally arrived at the top, towards three o'clock in the afternoon
and then I discovered that tin- was not the real summit of the Peak
II. hut a much more southern point.
[-withstanding that this mountain top was enveloped by thick
clouds, the sight 1 beheld was of the mosl imposing nature. Tin- crest
of the Peak is a vast lake, several pals long and wide; tlu- different
mountain top- within sight rise perpendicularly to from 2(100 to 4000 feet
above tin- ground which i- covered by a small lake. Lying about 2000 feet
beneath me. The Bast border of the lake is skirted by a level tract.
in the middle of which rises a cone-shaped carboniferous hill (rock)
about .",nii feet high, pouring forth smoke from every crevice and the
ground i- strewn with brim-tone and other volcanic matter. The point
which I had climbed was not the Ixindjani but the (i. Sankarean.
I was out of the question; the descent from the point
was almost vertical and I was separated from the nearest of the neigh-
bouring summits b\ a ravine about L500 ft. deep. A furious Easl wind
E the clouds round the heights and creating such intense cold
oliefl were (pule BpeechlesS and many of them had \'r\w.
I \ implored of me not to spend the night here and as I myself felt
but little inclination to unnecessarily prolong my stay in this inhospitable
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE.
15]
region, I decided to retrace mv steps after taking an outline of the shape
of the mountain."
"At an altitude of SOOO feet we found a small ravine, where sheltered
from the intense cold, we settled down for the night. What tormented
us most was a terrible thirst, for the natives had told me we should
rind water in plenty and 1 had been imprudenl enough nol to earn
any with us, so that we could not even cook our food. M3 thirst became
so intolerable that 1 spent the whole night drinking vinegar with sugar,
which produced such severe inflammation in mv throat That For days I
was unable to swallow anything at all.
/. L« '' j
fim;
"The River Djangkok."
"On the 8th, before leaving the mountain, I climbed the nearest
height to the one I had already ascended. The descent was easil)
accomplished and towards noon we had reached our first bivouac again;
needless to say that we all hurried to the spring and slaked our thirst
with a sense of appreciation such as is seldom felt, Soon after tin- we
met the fresh guides whom we no longer needed. At .") p. m. we wer<
back at Loijok, to the great amazement of the inhabitants, who would
not believe that we had climbed the mountain in three days and after
this marvellous feat they looked upon me quite as a privileged bei
The points which Zollinger was unable to ascend were the Gui
THE LOMBOCh EXPEDITION.
Bandeira, the <i. Rindjani and the Waijan. in the middle of the -roup
there is a fifth cone, the (i. Api, which is the actual crater from which
Bulphurou8 fumes are always being emitted.
of the G. wayan and the Sankarean is the lake of Danu
\iiak which Zollinger had Been from the top and which is
said to contain hot water sprii
ording to Van Eck it is from this lake that most of the rivers
take their source and flow in the direction of the great central valley,
thus irrigating the whole country.
Zollinger was more inclined to think that the rivers rise in the various
Southern Blopes of Lombock's great mountain chain. Jn any case all
travellers who have visited thi- region are agreed as to the abundance
of water, an abundance SO rich, that with ver) tew exceptions the rivers
are never dried up. not even during tin- East monsoon and in most
districts there is a sufficient supplj of water to meet the requirements
.»f tin- wit rice culture.
There are a great many artificial wells, especially in the neighbourhood
of Mataram, where the drinking-water is excellent.
It is only possible f,,r there to he a scarcity on the Bast coast near
Pidjoe; at least this is what we gather from Dr. van lloevell's trans-
lation of a book of travels written by an Englishman. There are no
rivers of importance on this coast, h i^ quite possible that this part
of the island i^ too far from the mountain range of North Lombock,
which attracts the vapours of the East monsoon which return to the
earth in the shape of rain.
I" is only natural that the relatively small area of the island and the
distribution of the mountain land should not permit of any very large
or important rivers. Zollinger Bays that not one of the little Lombock
ams i- navigable, even for small boats. Still the number makes up
'he size, at least on the West and North coasts.
Iii even direction these small shallow livers come streaming down
i the hills and fertilize the valleys below. Mother Nature has wisely
laid their BOUrces deep down in the mountain sides, hut reluctantly
submitting to their yoke, they burst forth whenever an opportunity
offers and in their youthful exuberance, playful and frolicsome, they
rush downwards through a thousand winding paths, sometimes leaping
a hundred feet at a time. Bhooting forth with the suiftness of an arrow,
^•'iiih is always in a hurry to reach its goal— but as years go by
bringing wisdom along with them, the waters begin to flow more steadily
and more measured 1) until at last overtaken l>\ inevitable fate thei too
i nd of their career.
Which are the most important of these small rivers here on the West
hich take their Bource from the Gunong Sesan?
important from a military point of view is the Sungei
k, running North of Mataram to \inpenaii, crOB8ing the main
'ii the two towns at al.uiit 600 metres from the before-
mentioi rtaff and flowing into the sea a little further south, tfo
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PE0P1 E l53
bridge spans the river where it crosses the road al which poinl it is
about 37 metres wide, for under ordinarj circumstances this presents
no great difficulties and it is quite easy to Cord it either on Fool or on
horseback. When however the stream is swollen l>\ heavj rains it
makes communication a more serious matter; tins was experienced h\
Heer van Rijckevorsel when lie started from Ampenam to pa\ Ins
respects to the prince at Mataram:
"We started on horseback at s a. m. but we were booh convinced
that it would be utterly impossible to appear in the presence of the
prince, even in a fairly presentable manner. The river which we had
to ford was very much swollen and owing to the heavy rain it was
the 24th October, the beginning of the West monsoon- the road, which
at other season is very good, was a perfect stream and we were
splashed up to our ears with mud ! "
Later we ourselves suffered from the bitter experience, that no com-
munication at all was possible at a certain period.
There is a second small river running through .Mataram. which then
pursuing its course in a more southerly direction, flows into the sea
across the beach at Ampenan.
Further East between Tjakara Nagara and Kupang (the furthermost
point visited by Wallace) the high road is intersected by sundrj small
rivers, such as the S. Banjak or Narmada, the S. Babak which Zol-
linger speaks of as the largest on the West coast — and the S. Bakong,
which all flow into the sea between Ampenam and Labuan Tring.
In a Northern direction from Ampenam is the S. Meninting, a little
river that was crossed by the naval lieutenant Bollaan, when paying a
visit to Gunong Sahari at his princely residence about o} 2 pals from
Mataram, where it is wide but shallow. The other small rivers on the
North coast a?-e too insignificant for separate mention; but excepting
during the East monsoon, there is plenty of water and the people art-
healthy and the soil is fertile.
On the South coaV>, where the close proximity of the mountain range
to the sea does not permit of any fresh water streams, water i- very
scarce, barely supplying the daily needs of the sparse population inhab-
iting this inhospitable region — so that from a military poinl of view
it is useless to discuss it.
We may thus safely assume that, the great valley of Lombock includ-
ing the "West coast which , is the seat of eventual war operations, is
well provided with water; but on the other hand we must not make
too light of the serious difficulties bound to ensue during the W
monsoon when the rivers are swollen and nearly all means of commu-
nication cut off.
We must still say one word about the roads. Of course we Ci i(
mention them all, nor can we state with absolute accurac} the exact
direction of each one with the names of the place- through which the}
pass. We will content ourselves by speaking onlj of the condition of
the roads in general.
1-.4 THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
The high road which cuts straight across the island Erom Ampenam
OI1 the \\ through Mataram, Tjakra Nagara, Narmada, Pringa
...m Klian to Labuan Hadji and Pidjo on the Easl coast,
might be improved here and there, where it lies in Sassak territory.
Inglishman, of whom van Hoevell speaks and who visited Lom-
in June 1845 East monsoon says this road is very good and be
tire distance in two days on horseback, b^reyss on his
i from Sumbawa l s "»<» took three days.
I i it roller Heyligers also says the road is good, varying Erom 10 to
i breadth and admitting of carts traversing it; then there
is leading to the North-East through Kota-Radja to Lombock
and others running SouthrEast through Kediri and Praja to the baj of
Pidjo and though these are less wide, still the\ arc passable. It maj
rises! to accept what Zollinger says regarding these side roads lying
out of the master's sight.
"The remainder of the roads can be used by people on horseback
although at times they arc very bad, cither on account of the rivers
canals, the beds of which not infrequently serve as paths, or on
unr of the steep gradients or the huge boulders which they arc
laz\ to move away. During the bad weather these roads must be
:ious and in certain parts absolutelj impassable."
We 1 1 1 ; i \ accept it as a matter of course that no improvements can
have taken place lately during the agitation; it is one of the many
duties which will devolve upon our government and we may rest
red that it will not be a thankless one. Referring to this subject
Zollinger w n
I re are undoubtedly \er\ tew countries which present such facili-
for intercourse, if the authorities would only make good roads and
keep them in repair. Especially the road, running from West to East
;e island and which is the main one. might at little cost of Labour
and money be converted into an excellent highway, thus adding very
deraliU to the prosperity of the country.
roads in the Balinese portion of the island arc mentioned very
rablj l>\ all traveller-. \\ the beginning of this chapter we intro-
d a quotation from the "Tijdschr, \. Ned. Indie 1839" in which
it was remarked that "all the entrances to the capital were overhung
ither side bj tall waringin-trees, which presented such a magnificent
sight, a- would scarcel) be expected in Lombock."
er have 1 -ecu such lovely avenues with such fine wild fig-trees,"
/ Dinger, and elsewhere: "the road from Ampeiiaiii to Tjakra
. >d and would even he practicable for carriages, if there
\ a few bridges across the numerous canals which intersect it ."
Bck entirely concurs with this opinion and even gives the reason
why the roads are so superior here.
more numerous the pettj states, the Less attention is paid to
itating communication with the outer world. Were it otherwise
unwelcome neighbours might look upon it as an invitation to pay
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE,
IV.
unwished-for visits. The princes of Lombock have no neighbours
excepting across the sea— and therefore there arc no untimely visit
be dreaded, and this accounts for the facility of access from one n,
bourhood to another only cither on fool or on horseback. The most
-remarkable of all is the road from Aiiipcnain to the capital Matarani:
it is about 3 pals long and from 50 to r>n feet wide and will,
double row of luxuriant fig-trees may truthfully be called a ••thin- of
beauty"! In the former town of Karang A.ssim Tjakra Nagara) the
roads "and streets left nothing to he desired.
I cannot — says a visitor in 1858— think of any town in the Dutch
Indies which would bear a favorable comparison with Matarani and
Karang Assim, as regards the number or the width of the roads. The
Street at Matarani.
main road running from West to East through both towns is never
less than from 100 to 120 feet wide; parallel with it are two or three
narrower ones, whilst a goodly number of side roads cut across these
thoroughfares at right angles, thus dividing the town into so man}
sections or blocks. It seems a pity that more care is not bestowed on
keeping them all in a better state of repair and that bridges an' not
thrown across the innumerable little streams".
This latter evil has been somewhat remedied of late.
"The roads", says Dr. Jacob, writing many years later, -that we
saw during our sojourn in the island were all excellent, they are all
very wide (from 20 to 25 metres) and they are planted with shad}
trees. There are bridges across all the rivers and streams, which .me
never sees in the independent Balinese states; for instance we pa
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
ven fine bridge near the prince's poeri. All along the mads there are
\ little fountains; if you wanl to refresh yourself or take a drink
you need onlj take out the plug and tin- water streams forth in a
thin jet
Fne roads are lighted l»\ lanterns fastened to bamboo canes and
d on either side at intervals of 20 metres. As the roads arc very
.•Hid straight tin- effect is magnificent. A street illumination
;it L"iiil><></k surpasses anything of the kind in our first class
Indian < iti«
truth's sake, let us mention the tact that an illumination on this
scale is only Been at certain periods, as on the occasions of religious
als.
Whatever maj have been the occasions, one tact remains certain and
that is that interest will always centre round the now vanished city the
former residence of the Balinese rajahs, with all its memories of past
and recent grandeur! Tins is an opportune moment to describe what
was known of the place before the expedition. The houses are of clay;
the better ones are built in brick and thatched with paddy straw. The
homesteads air surrounded bj walls from a quarter to half a metre
thick, and two metres high, if not more. Although these walls may
not he proof against field- and mountain-guns, still the great number of
them and the intricacy of houses and walls present \cr\ serious difficulties.
Imp as soon a- you have made a breach in one wall, you find yourself
• Face with another. On the West and Kast side (presumably also
<>n the North ami South) of the place which runs for 1600 metres
along the high road from Ampenam to Tjakra Nagara, the walls of
all the homesteads adjoin one another, conveying the inpression that
Mataram is entirely surrounded by a circular wall.
Where the wall fails or where it is not high enough, there is a
palissading of bamboo.
There are similar partitions placed right across the entrances to the
town, 200 metres West and •"><"> metres East of it. Here and there
the palissading and the town wall are provided with "randjoes cal-
trops ; the palissading i^ doubly Strong at the actual entrance and all
the spaa - air filled in with thorn bushes; the entrances are shul off
l»\ bamboo sliding doors.
About 400 metres from the West bordei of the town the high road
aversed bj a wall or partition running from North to South, viz.,
I . lining Sari to Pagasangan.
Immediate!) north of Mataram the S. Djankok crosses the road and
immediately South the S. \utjar. The ground here is • 1»> metres
-• the water level; the Blopes leading to the rivers are very gradual
and are paved with ti-
lth of the section traversed bj the v . Antjar lies the Sassnk de<s;i
aa.
On the northern side of the cross roads we have the residences of
the prince and his legitimate SOU; that of the prince lies Kast. that of
Ipartments
of the
CrOWn I 'finer
Dwelling house
open
space
II
n
Apa
rtmenta of tlie l*rint ■
open pendoppo.
open
space
ZDa
Highroad Ampenan-Mataram-Tjakra to Negara Narmada
Co
o
o
open
space
Uunse of Goestii
Njoman Kaler.
open
space
HI I Inns,- of?
I I not known to Hi er L '
Sketch of the Dwellings at Mataram of the Prim
Lombock, the Crown Prince, and Goestie Njoman KaJU r,
one of the leading po&nggawa's, Deputy of the Frin
Mataram: also of the "Bogor" or Dwelling wlm
Miuropean Residents always lodge.
U"
Lodgings of European
Residents
Hall <>f Assembly
The Bogor
Q) Fishpond
O) Fishpond
wall of baked >l
stone pillars
stone doorways wit! ■
a. b. Ilr. Ms SS
Captain of
THE LOMBOCh EXPEDITION
his -on West B th dwellings consisting of several separate buildings
surrounded by walls, which skirt the edges of the cross-roads. The
chief buildings are of brick, the enclosure walls parti} of stone and partly
these walls are aboul 4 metres high and . of a metre thick.
At the S W. corner of the prince's palace and at the S. E. corner
the crown prince's, the walls stand back about 15 metres, thus
leaving "pen squares. These are divided from the road by Btone pillars
and wooden palings. Entrance to the palaces is obtained through wooden
doorways in the stone gates. The prince's palace has an additional gate
on the South side of the circular wall. North and East of the palace
are \er\ extensive kainpong
cing the palace of the crown prince and on the South side of the
high road is the residence of the prince's chief poenggawa, Gusti Njoman
r; this is also surrounded by high walls, which stand hack in one
comer, leaving a square like that on the opposite side of the road.
house in the fourth corner is built on the same lines. West of
poenggawa's house and :!<>() metres south of it. is a house belonging
to the crown prince and standing also between high walls; it is called
"Bogor" and contains apartments tor European envoys; an assembly
room and a couple of ponds are found in the grounds."
Dr. Jacobs who saw the prince's palace in 1881 says that "it is an
old. iwsightlj place"'; at leasl judging from the outside. The Envoys
of the llollando-indian government were not invited to enter the palace.
I - privilege had hern granted a couple of years before to two private
individuals, Heer van Rijckevorsel and I leer van der Tunk; from these
gentlemen we have not received many particulars about the princelj
abode. The) were received in the front gallery, which like the apart-
ments for the Envoys at Bogor, was decorated with a few old paintings
and a large number of tin\ looking-glasses; the prince, the crown prince
and the priest were seated on chairs, the royal suite sat on the floor
and an endless multitude of people occupied the fore-court. The prince
stammered and stuttered and appeared exceedingly drowsy the visits
Europeans Beem always to have this curious effect on the prince —
with nothing intelligent about him; the crown prince looked decidedlj
stupid. Exa pting of course the princes, the onlj remarkable thing
noticed by Heer van Riickevoreel were the gorgeous dishes of embossed
silver and gold on which refreshments were offered.
The apartments at Bogor were evidently verj much improved by the
Dr. Jacobs ^aw them: at least he gives a more cheerful account
of them :
i r small buildings, light and spacious, with a front gallerj serving
and looking m08t inviting and clean! The front view
looked on to a large square with four big ponds supplied with running
paces between the ponds were nearh tilled up with shady
mai/. nd there were a couple of huts where our luggage was
stored and our servants were lodged. The kitchens, which were beyond
e in very good order. A.s soon as we had exchanged
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND lis PEOPLE
our travelling-suits for more comfortable clothes, we as guests of hieh
degree, betook ourselves to these attractive-looldng ponds beneath the
wealth of foliage and sealed ourselves on the edge, each with a fishing
rod, and with true Dutch patience we waited For a fish to bite
Beautiful fresh water with nice fish in if right in Front of one's d •
must ever prove an irresistible temptation for a Dutchman'"
Although it might be very pleasant to linger a little longer in tin.
charming LI Dorado, Ave must go further in order to see the condition
of Mataram.
^ About 350 metres East of the cross-roads the road is crossed h\ the
S. Antjar; at this point the river is about 111 metres deep but fordable
during the East monsoon. True, there is a bridge over it about
20 metres wide and supported by a stone pillar in' the centre^ but it
is in a rather delapidated condition.
The East frontier of Mataram is 900 metres further; here begins a
rice field 600 metres long, the field so famous later on, as forming the
place of bivouac for the 7th battalion.
^ Inside Mataram, 250 metres South of the high road and 40 from the
S. Antjar is a stone powder-magazine and a temple; and 401) metres
South of the prince's palace there is a prison.
To sum up then, Mataram although not a really fortified town, was
possessed of very great means of defence. To our operations it was
no doubt a very favorable circumstance that the town could be reached
with the 17 cm. shells fired from the ships lying in the bai of
Ampenani; to do this an accurate knowledge of the position was
indispensable. This was obtained when Dr. Jacob paid this visit to the
prince; at 9 p. m. lieutenant Marinkelle of the navy sent up some
rockets at Bogor, and the officers who had remained on board the
steamer were able to gauge the position of the place. (The prince must
have understood the meaning of this performance and cannot have been
very edified!)
Although Mataram was the seat of government the prince preferred
living in one of his numerous country seats, and principally at Tjakra
Nagara, only separated from Mataram by the rice plantation we have
just spoken of.
Of "the poeri that has only lately been built here", we <>nl\ hear
that it was very extensive and it took half an hour to walk round the
enclosure walls.
Dr. Jacobs could only see the exterior of the palace, and as dusk
had already set in, he could not form a very distinct opinion of it: he
says: "it looks a magnificent building, with a very extensive square in
front of it" with which we became only too well acquainted later on!
"The palace and the roads were well lighted, which made a pleasant
impression and with a little bit of imagination one might almost have
fancied one's self in a European city."
Meanwhile although we knew that Tjakra was an important town and
that it was laid down on the same plan as Mataram and had a large
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
market foT native produce, still, we are obliged to confess that we were
Dot so thoroughly acquainted with the extent and the paramount im-
portance of tin- more modern town, as we were with the condition of
other Lombock towns.
We will onlj -;t\ "i the former Karang Aasim, that in the war with
M ■ nam in 1838, it was like the latter, only on the West side, strength-
: l.\ a r<»\\ of fortifications, but nothing is Left of them now.
I ncerning the other country seats, of Lingsar, the favorite abode
of the notorious Anak Agong Made', we know nothing; all we know of
Pringa Rata, where Zollinger spent the night when proceeding to make
the ascent of the Gunong Ivindjani. is that it possessed a large deer park.
\ iinada. tin- la>t palaee in course of eonstmetion was visited by
rleyligers in 1884, at which period it was not completed; it was built
in shape of an amphitheatre, and there was a temple situated on the
highest of seven terraces, and various small pavilions at different heights
and several fish-ponds
We have been made acquainted with "Gunong Sari" — the mountain
<>f Bowers — by the \ isir of Zollinger and later by that of Dr. Jacob.
"The road from .Mataram writes the latter — was very varied, there
were small dessas and magnificent sawahs. Like all the other roads
through which we had travelled in Lombock this one was wide and
shady. One little bend in the road and we were at our destination.
r -hall I forget the impression that I experienced when this gorgeous
panorama unfolded itself to our view as if by magic; although it would
In- beyond my powers to impart that impression to others by a mere
description, still 1 will try and depict what I saw. We found ourselves
facing a large square, having for background a wood lying on the
slope of a hill. On our left was a low hill covered with shrubs and
grass; on our right were numbers of small buildings standing on mounds
and built in Hindu style. In the middle of this open space which was
metres Bquare there were four small artificial lakes, also of a
quadrangular shape and at the four corners were large Hindu images
in good repair; each lake was furnished with water Mowing from the
mouth of a monster crocodile. In the middle of these lakes, the largest
of which was 80 metres bj Ml and all of which were in perfect order,
there was a beautiful Hindu temple, surrounded by Hindu figures and
fountain-. There were similar little temples and kiosks on the tops or
on the BlopeS of the hills' oil our left.
••The wood which formed the background to this wonderful panorama.
peopled b\ hundreds of deer, which were so tame and unsuspecting
of harm that they peered at us from amongst the trees; they were too
b«- tin-d at v,, U( . decided to unload our guns and enjoy the
nature around ng,
liter we had all somewhat recovered from OUT amazement, we went
'lie little buildings on our right; these were reached by
20 tO 25 high Stone steps,' or rather these steps led to
;i " ' i platform on which these little buildings had been erected.
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE. 16]
They were mostly kiosks with Hindu figures and fine carvings; in one
of them they brought us refreshments. There was one big building
which attracted my attention particularly, bul if was locked, so] presume
it was the prince's sleeping apartment. The entire Frontage of this
kiosk was decorated with frescoes, allegorical pictures from Balinese life."
We have mentioned in an earlier part of the work how the prince
had disapproved of some of them.
From the height on which we stood we commanded a superb view
of the whole domain; if was as if one had been suddenly transferred
to one of the scenes of the "Thousand and one nights!" The Famous
"Little Trianon" of Madame de Maintenon may perhaps have boasted
more art and more comfort, hut certainly it could not boasl more
lovely nature ! "
This "lovely nature" to which Dr. Jacob refers reminds us that we
have a little to say about the flora and fauna of Lombock; so we will
conclude with it.
Zollinger says that the flora docs not differ much from that of Bali
and Java. It is the soil of the South with its steep hills, rocky coasts
and its ever varying formations, which offers the greatest diversity. In
the mountainous districts the flora is much less rich than at Java :
parasitic plants, orchids and ferns are much rarer and are not found
at all on the Rindjani summits. The same thing is noticeable as regards
other plants on corresponding heights. Thus Zollinger found only 20
varieties on the top of the Sangkarean, whereas on the crest of Salak
at Java he found at least 150. On the Ardjuno, 1000 feet higher than
the Sangkarea, he found 30 different kinds of plants. The forests are
also much denser at Java.
"The deeper one penetrates the mountain forests of Lombock", says
Zollinger, "the less serried are the trees and progress from one section
to another is not nearly so difficult as in the Javanese forests where the
underwood is so thick.
"The most characteristic feature of the Jungle in Lombock -says
Wallace — w T as its thorniness. The shrubs were thorny; the creepers
were thorny; the bamboos even were thorny. Everything grew zig-zag
and jagged, and in an inextricable tangle, so that to gel through the
bush with gun or net or even spectacles was generally not to be done,
and insect-catching in such localities was out of the question. It wa-
in such places that the Pittas often lurked, and when shot it becan
matter of some difficulty to secure the bird, and seldom, without a
heavy payment of pricks and scratches and torn clothes, could the prize
be won. The dry volcanic soil and arid climate seem favourable to
the production of such stunted and thorny vegetation, for the native-
assured me that this was nothing to the thorns and prickles of Sumbawa,
whose surface still bears the covering of volcanic ashes thrown out
forty years ago by the terrible eruption of Somboro.
"The great palm, called "Gubbong" by the natives a specii
Corypha, is the most striking feature of the plain, where it grows
11
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
thousands ppears in three different states: in leaf, in flower and
fruit, or dead. It has a loftj cylindrical stem about a hundred feet
high and two or three feet in diameter j the leaves are large and fan-
shaped, and fall off where the tree flowers, which it does only once in
its life in a huge terminal spike, on which are produced masses of a
smooth round fruit of a green colour and about an inch in diameter.
\\ ripen and fall the tree dies, and remains standing a year
or two before it falls. "
Troops of monkeys Macacus cynomolgus) may often be seen occu-
pying a tree, showering down the hint in greal profusion, chattering
when disturbed, and making an enormous rustling as they scamper off
among the dead palm !ea\es : while the pigeons have a loud booming
voice more like the roar of a wild beast than tin note of a bird."
Tin- brings us to Louibock's Fauna "Regarding the Fauna" says
Hoi linger, " it would he more important to mention those which are not
there than those which </n inhabit the woods and the hills of the island.
If it j- an acknowledged law in the division of plants that the smaller
the islands and the more distant from the mainland, the smaller also
is the number of indigenous plants, we may aptly apply the same law
to the di\isj,»n of the animal kingdom in the islands of the Indian
Archipelago. M\ reason of their facility of migration birds and fish
form an exception, hut to a less great degree than might be expected.
"Sumatra possesses several species of monkeys, Java three, Bali two
and Lombock onl\ one — the common grej monkey. Tigers, panthers,
wild cats and wild dogs are unknown and the rhinoceros and the
elephant are conspicuous li\ their absence.
•• Ruminants arc no less numerous than at Java. Stags are ven
plentiful, as al>o kidangs, roebuck bantings (wild oxen) and buffaloes
which have become wild.
"Domestic animals abound in the island: tame cats are not very
common; d"gs just as ugl} and bad-tempered as at Bali: horses "
\\ « niiist saj something about the horses at Lombock; they constituted
one of the chief articles ,,)' commerce and are still the most importan
means of transport. Here, like at Bali, "pedates" (carts) are unknown
and everything is carried on horseback which is not carried by the
people themselves. We have already heard from Zollinger what large
(juan titles of rice are carried daily to Ampeiiaiii packed up on the
es backs and Wallace also mentions seeing "a string of horses
bringing nee" to Ampenam.
prevent the rice from getting wet when the horses lord the rivers,
packed on \er\ high saddles. These pikol-horses laden with :;
1 pikol - I •_'•"» lb-, of rice sometimes eo\ r r as mam as 20 pals
more in one day, even on bad roads and across the lulls.
■ cellent little annuals for military transport] And thej
■- plentiful too' Heyligers reckons there must be about 600.000
them— just as many as there arc inhabitants in the island.
Th< not beautiful to look at: the\ are half like the Balinese
OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE l-;:;
horses and half like the Biraa horses; thej stand less high but are
broader-chested than the former and their coats are short and smooth
instead of rough; poor things! they do not get much looked after and
they are left out in the meadows both d;i\ and night until wanted
When they are required for riding purposes neither saddle nor reins
are used.
In Zollinger's time a large trade was done in horses bj French vessels
which carried them to the Mauritius and the Isle of Bourbon.
The cost price at Lombock varied from 20 lis. to ?:> lis. and ven
large profits must have been made, for no fewer than 30,000 of these
animals were exported annually. It is more than probable thai tins
wholesale fashion of selling would have finalU exhausted the stock!
However, since Lombock's rajah, who naturally wanted to derive as much
benefit as possible from these transactions, pul a tax of -J.') fix. on even
horse exported, the trade has been considerably reduced, for which we
are very grateful to his Ex-majesty!
The cattle of Lombock is of the same breed as that of Bali; the
bullocks are used in the plough, but are not quite so numerous as at
Bali, owing to the fact that beef is not eaten in the latter island, while
large quantities of it are consumed in Lombock by the Mohammedan
population. On the other hand, just for the opposite reason, buffaloes
are plentiful and are used principally for ploughing the wet sawahs. ia
a matter of course there are not so many pigs at Lombock as at Bali;
goats are to be met with, and as in many other countries the} are
generally owned by people less blessed with this world's goods.' But
to possess sheep is a mark of distinction and it, is only the prince who
owns any; they are all of foreign origin, chiefly from Sydney.
As regards the feathered tribes, there are thousands of ducks, \na\
chiefly on account of the eggs which are salted down; and the number
of these is exceeded by chickens, cocks and hens there are in plenty;
the former, more specially prized as being so much in demand for the
national sport ! Besides these domestic birds there are many birds found
on this island which are quite absent from the islands westward and
belonging to the Australian varieties. Small white cockatoos are abun-
dant, and their loud screams, conspicuous white colour and pretty yellow
crests form a very important feature in the landscape; the Megapo-
didae, (or mound-makers) indigenous to Australia and the surrounding
islands are also found here, ■ they are allied to the gallinaceous birds,
but differ from these and from all others in never sitting upon their
eggs, which they bury in sand, earth or rubbish and leave to be hatched
by the heat of the sun or by fermentation; then there arc magnificent
kingfishers, beautiful ground thrushes, pretty grass given doves, little
crimson and black flower-peckers, large black cuckoos, metallic king-
crows, golden orioles, and the fine jungle-cocks, from which all our
domestic breeds of poultry originate who would not love t<> linger
with Wallace, who has given us such a fascinating description?
But it is beyond the scope of our work and we have alread} enl
l64 THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
more than was intended on matters geographical ; the interesl of the
subjects and the richness of material must serve as our excuse for
digression.
I- B | n 3 itively incomprehensible that, when the question of the
bock Expediton was discussed in the Second Chamber on the 20th
and 21st November 1894, it should have been stated that our know-
ledge of the countrj aud its people was so Limited, as to be deserving
ensure.
Prom what we have written, it is evident that we were thoroughly
acquainted with the power, the nature, the manners and customs, the
social and religious institutions, the strength, the weapons and the
trees, not only of the enemy we had to fight, but also of the
,- we were going to have as allies. We were familiar with the
probable ground of operations, which comparatively speaking presented
id insuperable difficulties, rather the contrary. We knew what the
objects were against which our strength was to be directed, the position,
the construction, the condition, the size of Tjakra Nagara, now a place
of the past !
Would delay have furnished us with any more reliable information?
In former tunes it might have been feasible to have had our civil
representatives accompanied by BtafE-oflficers in civil dress when the}
rent to paj their visits to the prince, but latterly our relations with
the prince have been too strained and as we have noticed, our envoys
were no longer received at Lombock; and even had they been, what
information could they obtain, escorted as they were from the moment
they put foot in Ampenam until they reached their apartments at Bogor
Mataram and strictly watched the whole time they were there?
In 1892 captain (i'ranpre Molu-re of the General Staff was sent to
Boleleng Bali) in Lombock waters to tr\ and obtain as much information
,-i^ he conld, lint he was not even allowed to go on shore — how then
was Ik- to set about accomplishing his mission?
There were no Europeans in Lombock upon whom he could rely; the
few who were there had far too nian\ interests in common with the
Rajah, for their information to he of any value. All that he conld
learn was from our own officials at Bouleleng and from one or two
Chin.-,- and Mala\ merchants established then- and who came on hoard
the Java. Of course information received in this manner has to he
taken with reserve and it was far from satisfactory.
So "in Colonial Minister was quite correct when he stated that "we
know exactlj as much of Lombocls a- we could manage to know'.
n :i> much be said of some of our earlier expeditions?
I? i- not our place to replj to this question, so we let it pass
nnanswered We cannol however forbear adding that we shall always
■ ourselves fortunate, if in case of future campaigns we are as
well informed about the country and the people whom we have to fight.
IV.
OUR EARLY CONNECTIONS WITH BALI AND LOMBOCK.
The 2nd April 1595 was the all important day when the firsl Nether-
lands fleet started from the Texel for the East I in I its. where the
foundation was laid of that matchless kingdom, which is the mosl
precious gem in Netherlands, crown.
The origin of our power over Insulinda was very insignificant. Onl)
three ships, the Mauritius, Hollandia and Amsterdam and a yacht, the
Dm/fke, with 250 men in all, formed the first fleet.
No less remarkable than the insignificance of the fleet were the
elements which composed it: "rough and disorderly young men, regular
ne'er-do-wells," as de Jong tells us, "sons of respectable, rich parents,
wanting less in courage, boldness and strength of mind than in love <>l
discipline and duty, and whose absence from home was more desirable
than their presence there."
After two years of hardship and adventure and having lost several of
their respective crews they reached Bali, where they hoped to find water
and victuals. Here they made permanent friends and dining the month
spent in the bay, paid several visits to the island. Aernout Lintgens
of the Hollandia has left an interesting account of his experiences; he
gives many details of the customs, government and produce oi the
island, etc.
"On the 9th February 1597, I received orders to go ashore and
towards evening I landed with John the Portuguese (a slave the}
bought at Bantam); I met Manuel Roedenborrich with the Keyloer, who
asked why Pauweles van Caerden never visited the island now as he had
promised to come again. I informed him that we had understood
the king was anxious to see other men of our nation, which un-
reason of my visit; this explanation satisfied him.
The acquaintance was made when our fnend announced his wis
to have an audience of the king, he was immediatel) questioned
what presents he had brought for Hi- Majesty. Pauweles van ( a
besides what he had already given, had promised the king some "yell.
velvet"; this would account for the disappointment oi the K
when he saw an empty-handed stranger!
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
All difficulties wire removed when van Caerden offered glass beads,
coral and coins for the kin_u r . who would surely be pleased to see
>pean money; and be promised to send the "yellow velvet" next
dav. The king was "a short thick-set man, with 200 wives and looked
ven simple and good-natured
Hi
took great
plea
sure m eoiinim on
the beach to ir ship and he liked to hear the guns fired off." He
used to come in a sort of wooden vehicle, drawn l>\ two white buffaloes;
lie drove himself and always carried a long whip in his hand."
sides riding in this "state-carriage," the king had another fad; he
had collected about "fiftj dwarfs, who from their infancy had their
arms and legs bound fast and these deformities looked like figures on
the hilt of a poniard." However the king was able
io concentrate his attention on less childish things and
displayed great interest in us Dutchmen and asked
many questions about our country. By the express
desire of II. M. we showed him a globe and a map
£ fW of the world, explaining to him the positions of different
countries; to impress the king with the size of our
mntry, we took the liberty af annexing '-Germany,
Austria, Norway and a slice of Muscovy," which had
the desired effect of making him feel that his own
little island was not a very important possession.
After a further interchange of courtesies and
presents (amongsl the latter, "an ugly dwarf from the
kirn: of Bali for king Maurice of Nassau as a token
of friend-hip" i the " I lollandia's '" crew took their
leave of this hospitable coast; two remained behind,
Emanuel Roodenburch and Jacob Claes van Delft.
The road to the East Indies was found, the harrier
was broken and competition was open to the entire nation !
We may perhaps condemn the manner in which our
forefathers planted our country's colours in the East
Indies, but we are hound to admire the gigantic efforts
made in the short period of 17 years to equip L5 Bhips
and send out men to make treaties, to establish factories
and even attack the proud Spaniards and Portuguese
in their rightful possessions.
• In 1601 Prince Maurice despatched rleemskerck to Bali with a letter
and pre-cnts for the king, who was much flattered; not to he behind-
hand in compliments, II. M. also sends presents and a letter to the Prince.
i was ;i personal presenl tor rleemskerck, consisting of a beautiful
"Balinese lady.' \t a loss what to do with her not daring to refuse
the j fear of offending the king he suggested that she should
1 her liberty; the ladj herself refused to take advantage of this act
there was nothing to he done, but receive her graciously
and take her home.
The | i to the prince, dated 7 July L601, gives leave for
OUR EARLY CONNECTIONS WITH BALI AND LOMBOi K, 167
nil Dutchmen to trade in Bali like the natives themselves and the Kin--'
great desire is "to see Bali and Holland one!"
How delightfully simple of thai old Balinese King!
In gratitude, the envoys said that th,-\ would' call Bali "Youne
Holland"!
Like many other things in tin's world this "friendship" was not a
lasting one.
Our ancestors were not long in making acquaintance with the sister
island and the report runs:
Prince ami Notables of Bali
"Lombock is East of Bali and on the maps is called Little Java
there is an abundance of rice, which is very cheap; quantities of it are
sent to Bali, only a day's distance; a good deal of cotton is grown on
the island, which is ruled by the King of Bali." This is the King's
version of the case; as we shall see, others claimed possession of this
country. — "The Javanese do a large trade here in slaves, cotton, clot)
and rice and make large protits.
Tor some unaccountable reason the relations between Holla
77//: LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
Lombockwere ver) unimportant; and matters with Bali were at a standstill.
were made b) Governor-General Hendrik Brouwer in 1633 to
enter into cl nnection with Bali. He wanted the king of Bali to
take pari in hostilities against the Susuhunan of Mataram, who was
causing endless annoyance to the Bast India Company, notwithstanding
baving been defeated in his two attacks on Batavia.
On the 7th February 1633 the Governor-General wrote to the Directors
of the < ten. Easl India Company :
"We have decided to send a special mission to the king of Bali who
i- engaged in continual warfare with the Susuhunan of Mataram; it
would be i" our advantage to keep the latter busy in his own country,
and with tlii^ object in view we propose sending assistance to the King
of Bali in In- struggle against our mutual enemy.
"Amongst the man} presents to II. M., are a fine Persian horse, some
red cloth, a vat of wine, a gilt chair, two gilt candelabras! A flattering
r accompanied these gifts, which were gratefullj accepted b) the King!
\ : \ precise instructions were given to Oosterwijck and the other
envoys, regarding their attitude to the king; the rules of the East India
Company were once nunc thorough!} explained to them — they contained
these principles, which insured the rapid progress of the Company and
have not ye\ lost their value, although the Pact is frequently lost sight of.
The Governor-General for some reason best known to himself recalled
terwijek, who was replaced by a military envoy, Jochem Roeloffsen
van Deutecom, who was given the title of "Commander":
Final!) a third envo) wa- sent to the Kong of Bali, the well-known
missionary Justus Heurnius.
"The "commander" was especially instructed to urge the king in a
friendly way to continue the war against Mataram; the advantages he
would secure in return for this act of friendliness to the Honourable
Companj were ver) great. For one thing they mentioned '"that they
were distressed to hear that the King of Macassar had seized Mima.
belonging to Bali" and that they were read} to a>~-i>t the King of Mali
against his new enemy.
The) did not ask the king for any land for the good services they
rendered, l»nt would be quite satisfied with some of the inhabitants of
the conquered territory, the} wanted slaves from K> to 25 years of
a \ i.i 1 1 \ subsidy of rice and a few boats. . .
Il<>\\ discreet the Honorable Companj was m its claims!
I iifortunatelx all tin- metaphorical bowing and scraping ended in
failure this time: none of the envoys were ever admitted to the king's
presence. As a set-off against their generous offerings, the king sent
thei 8 lacks of rice, two oxen, two pigs, two suits of clothes and
00 pitjis! small coins .
Thc\ tried to discover what the king thought of the proposals
contained in the letter addressed to him but they could learn nothing
beyond the fact that he had understood the eontents! With this crumb
comfort the) were obliged to L r " home.
OUR EARLY CONNECTIONS WITH BALI AND LGM30CK
!■;:•■
Iii those days human nature was prett} much whal it is now and no
end of abuse was heaped upon II. Brouwer; however in L639 the king
of Bali applied to the Governor-General tor help against the Susu-
hunam, who had invaded his territory. At this date we were trying to
negociate with Mataram, so the reply to the request was somewhat cool.
Matters not progressing as rapidly as we desired with Mataram, we
befriended Bali again ; and so things went on. However in 1647 we
were on good terms with Mataram, for in thai year, the Susuhunan
bought weapons at Batavia to fight the King of Bali."* Naturalh enough
this transaction aroused the anger of the Balinese King, who was our
ally, and it is not surprising that our traders were treated less cordialh
and that prices were raised.
" Lombock Nota bles".
It is impossible to follow r the Honorable Company in all their earh
transactions with Bali; it is time to see how we first came into touch
with Lombock or Salamparang, as the island is more generall} called.
During the first half of the seventeenth century the power and
brilliancy of Macassar Avas indisputable; when the Portuguese landed
there in 1512 the natives were very rough, but greatlj attached to the
customs of their ancestors. The invaders introduced gunpowder and
little civilization and after encountering a spirited resistance thefollowen
of the Great Prophet succeeding in establishing their religion then
7
THE K EXPEDITION.
the
of tin- 17th century. From that time forth Macassar
spread her power and her religion over the neighbouring countries and
islands, also her industries, chief amongsl which was the trade in nails.
S'aturally, in addition to the Portuguese, other commercial nations
ttracted and we see the Dutch, the English and the Dane- suc-
trying 1>\ fair means and foul to push their trade and make
themselvi able to the Court of Macassar, which was clever enough
to turn all these intrigues to it- own advantage.
Although reluctantly admitted
li\ the natives, the fact remains
that Lombock was included in the
possessions of Macassar. We find
in the diarj of van ( !hijs, ( Uata\ ia
1640-1641 that on tin'' 30th Oc-
tober, a young man had arrived
from Macassar with the news " that
the king of that place had gone
with many ships to punish his
rebel subjects at Lombock" and
the new- was again corroborated
two days later.
Lombock was nut only a bone
of contention between Macassar
and Bali— but the country was in
a state of revolt against its own
ruler and was further exposed to
the piracy of the Sumbawis.
By the treaty of 12th June 1641
concluded between the Hague and
Portugal it was declared "that
onl) the Netherlander and no
Portuguese should frequent the
islands <»f Bali and Lombock."
But " Bima " on the island of
Sumbawa and Timor were open
to both countries. In spite of
this treat) the "Company" and
Portugal were doing each other
as i :h damage as they could and
we were brought into continual
we were obliged to make peace with
\ei\ much harassed l>\ a rising in the
nil).
■.i-i- I
flicl with Macassar; finally
in 1656, as we were
This w;is the period of Macassar's greatest glory, when it
ill) concluded a treaty with Susuhunan of Mataram! And the
I tence was threatened on all Bides. Our forefathers knew
no i 'all. ring and in the hour of danger they displayed remark-
able cnerg) and daring.
OUR EARLY CONNECTION WITH BALI AND LOMBOCK, \:\
Iii 1660 they took the bull l.\ the horns and equipped o powerful
fleet of* 33 sail, manned by 2800 stoul seamen who were senl to
Amboyna under pretext of driving the Portuguese awaj from Ti r •
they soon changed their course and steered For Macassar, and in the
bay they found six richly-laden Portuguese vessels al anchor.
These were immediately attacked by the Dutch ships 1 "jusl to give
these Portuguese who had always maligned us to the king of Macassar
as miserable cowards, a little taste of . our courage!" Needless to say,
Ave had the best of it; not content with beating our enemies al sen
we succeeded in achieving a triumphant landing and did not lay down
our arms until the Sultan sued for peace.
He was beaten and humiliated but not vanquished! He was deter-
mined to be revenged and henceforward he spared no efforts in
preparing for the decisive fight for supreniac} in the East.
It was then that Macassar equipped seven hundred vessels with n
force of 20.000 men and Crawford speaks of this fighl as the fieri
sea-fight of any period in the History of the Indian Archipelago.
Cornelis Speelman, in the employ* of the E. S. Compaq was chosen
to lead our troops; lie was a man of rare talent, unusual intelligence
and remarkable perspicacity, combining perseverance and strong will
with bravery and prudence. On the 24th Nov. 1666 he left Batavia
with 13 ships and 500 Dutch and 300 native soldiers and was in
Macassar waters on 19th December; lie was supported by mam of our
native allied princes, chief amongst whom was Rajah Palacca. Within
a year the citadel of Macassar was taken and re-named "the fori of
Rotterdam", and the very advantageous treaty of Bonay was concluded
on the 18th Nov. 16G7.
The following year the king made one more attempt to throw ofE the
hated yoke, with the result that he was again defeated and more strin-
gent clauses were added to the treaty he had ignored.
As in course of our work Ave shall refer to the agreement concluded
between the king of Macassar and lleer Cornelis Speelman. ex-governor
of the Coromandel Coast) we will briefly mention the articles it contained :
I. All arms and cannons possessed by the people of Macassar musl
be surrendered;
II. all their fortresses must be dismantled ;
III. all territory conquered by the East India Company and Allies
during the war, shall remain their property;
IV. all the expenses of the war, assessed at 250.000 rijksdollars 1 8
must be refunded.
V. as a penalty for the recent breach of the treaty of Bona} a claim
is made for one thousand slaves, young, healthy, and full-grown.
The downfall of the once powerful kingdom of Macassar would
necessarily affect the neighbouring islands, Lombock included. Sumbawa
had taken advantage of our troubles in Macassar to obtain influence
and authority there, but apparently we were on good terms with
four kingdoms with which Sumbawa was divided: Sumbawa
172
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
Tambora and Dompo. The friendship on their part was however
assumed and we soon heard that the king of Bima had given leave to our
old enemies the Portuguese to build "a fine fortress," which was a breach
of tlu- contract of Bona} — We had worse enemies to tear than these!
The people of Macassar were am thing but satisfied with the subjection
of their ruler ami the\ were the immediate cause of disturbances in
different islands. Thousands left their homes, gave themselves up to
piracj and robbery, carrying terror wherever the\ went, always instiga-
ting the native^ to rise up againsl the hated foreigner.
In a report of 1673 we find that the Macassar pirates were driven
from Bima to Lombock", hut at Sumbawa — the state— the} succeeded
in inciting tlu- Notables to rise againsl their
king, who at this time was also ruler of
Lombock. A force was sent to assist him
under -Ian Fransen Holsteijn hut did not meet
with success. The Notables refused to listen
to any plan of conciliation: all were agreed
that the king had overstepped all limits and was
guilty of very heinous offences, which they
could nol condone.
The Maca>sar pirates who had fled to Lom-
bock did not continue friends with the king's
rebellious subjects for long and wrote to Jan
Fransen Holsteijn for help to attack "Salparang"
one of the most important towns of Lombock;
before this however Lombock had been forced
to accept the articles of a treaty with us!
Peace was not of long duration; and Sin-
grawarangh, one of the chiefs, was the next
cause of anxiety: he informed the Company that
he had no intention of acknowledging the defeated
king as his sovereign and that he had no wish
to receive an\ of their representatives, or in any
u ,i\ have an\ thing to do with them !
Our first expedition to Lombock cannot lie
• •ailed successful and the prince whom we had
t ried to protect was driven away l>\ his rebellious
subjects within twelve months!
■ register of ]f'»7 ( .) we hear for the firsl time of "the Halinese
of Lombock •. \Hri\ from the oppression and fear of the domineering
Mneassar kingdom, the Halinese seem [ ( , have taken advantage of the
iturbances in Sumbawa to spread their power over Lombock and later
on over Sumbawa itself. Their work of extension was bound to bring
into conflict with the Macassar pirates and so they naturally
imc our allies. The first Berious struggle of the Halinese iii Lom-
bock was in 1692.
At this period the four states of Sumbawa were all more or less at
OUR EARLY CONNECTION WITH BALI AND LOMBOCK.
war and the Governor-General considered it expedient to send an
envoy to try and settle matters. Furnished with detailed instructions
Sr. Joannes Junius was despatched to Biina, Dompo, Tambora and Sum-
bawa. Of the 13 questions in dispute amongs! these kings, we will
mention one. The Rajah of Tambora complained that a large number
of his subjects were detained at Salaparang againsl their will: the
Rajah of Sumbawa declared himself to Junius irresponsible for wli.it
occurred beyond the limits of his state."
The other points at issue were all settled, information to this effeel
being sent by the Rajah of Sumbawa to Fransen Holsteijn in a rather
amusing letter in which the native prince sends "his greetings to the
ladies," and winds up laconically with the news that "the Balinese have
destroyed the village of Salamparang in Lombock" but he does nol
know any details.
The Balinese further threatened to attack Sumbawa and even the
rajah of Boni; in consequence of this information Holsteijn considered
it advisable to hold a council with all the signatories of the treat} of
Bonay; "but to take no positive decision before seeing His Highness Aroe
Palakka — rajah of Boni — who was absent at Tenette."
Francois Holsteijn showed common sense in this; having placed him
on the throne of Boni and allowed his power to increase, it was <>nl\
right to watch over him. Besides which he was a very sagacious prince,
as we shall see. A special messenger was hurried after him to tell him
of his perilous situation, the rajah was, busy fishing and simply replied
that he would return in a couple of days."
The President — Holsteijn — went to meet the Prince and explained
more thoroughly the state of affairs, at the same time begging him to
express an opinion as to whether it was wise for "Sabandar Junius to
remain in the district of Bima and Sumbawa in Macassar until the
threatened trouble was over."
The Bugis prince was better acquainted with the tactics of our native
allies than we were and remarked: "the Sumbawis are a people upon
whom you cannot depend and it is their custom to fly to the hills it
they are even slightly defeated in the villages on the const: the crew of the
"Macassar" would in case of danger have no place of refuge and I think
you had better advise Sabandar Junius to come here; lei the Resident
of Bima make the necessary arrangements, but if it comes to a "rush"
he can retreat to the hills with the Bimese and the Sumbawis.
Evidently Aroe Palakka had no notion of the dignity of the Honorable
Company's representative !
"And as regards the destruction of "Salamparang" His Highness was
unaware that this place was included in the alliance!'
It certainly had been omitted to include Salamparang in the Bonaj
treaty which embraced all the other small states that previously belonged
to Macassar.
"If the Balinese go to Lombock as they threaten to do it is the
of the allies to help her; but so far, there are only threats which i
174 THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
not be put into execution and it would entail unnecessary expenditure
upon all to send troops jusl at present.
That Rajah lived two centuries too soon! 11<>\\ be would have
delighted the statesmen of the Mother country of to-day!
He further suggested "thai the natives of Bima, Dompo and Tambora
i sufficiently numerous t<» withstand the attack of the Balinese and
that our Resident at Bima must urge them to assist Sumbawa; as those
j r people are never provided with ammunition, he would send them
some and also with our approval, he would send a representative of his
own to l<»ok after things and encourage the Sumbawis!"
What a generous-minded prince!
We agreed to the proposals he made and Junius was recalled and
six cases "t' powder and shot were despatched to the Resident of Bima.
The Balinese postponed the execution of their threat until tin- internal
disturbances of Sumbawa were more general thus waiting si\ years to
earn out their plan. Piracy, disorder, jealousy, strife, all paved the
wa\ f«»r the Macassar refugee, "Crain Pomelican," who invaded Sum-
bawa with a hand of Balinese followers, ••('rain Jerenika," another of
Macassar's deposed kings, had reached Bima and was devastating the
island from that side, in addition to which the whole of Sumbawa was
being dismantled by the banished Rajah of Tambora.
Things were going from had to worse!
The Rajahs of Goa and Boni were called upon to fulfil their part of
the compact and to see that their .Macassar subjects took no share in
these expeditions.
*rain .lerenika " paid no heed to the remonstrances and ••('rain
Pomelican" is in correspondence with the Rajah of Goa, who keeps
him informed of all OUT plans.
The behaviour of the Rajah of Boni was becoming daily more arrogant.
At this juncture the two chiefs "('rain Pomelican " and "Crain Jerenika"
meet at Bima in order to concoct new embroilments for the Company.
Pomelican had reduced the king of Sumbawa to such extremities, that
in self-defence he threw himself into the arms of .lerenika.
On the 7th August 1700 the king of Bima writes to Governor
Genera] van Outhoom: "that .lerenika having been accorded an entrj
into Sumbawa worthy of a king, subsequently put all the notables to
death and plundered their houses. He then proceeded to Bima, where
notwithstanding hi> friendly reception by the people, he destroyed the
villagi I ;i i n_ r \ l»\ lire; the Bimese dared not oppose him. as the
country was small and the Company were far away. He then visited
Alias, where he joined forces with Pomelican and erected a fortrC8S.
Accompanied bj various princes and the king of Dompo he eventually
returned to Bima; thej arrived on foot and were accorded a reception
l>\ m\ people such as I have never witnessed." During their sta\ here
the\ appropriated all the slaves of the princes and notables, they took
and all the rice and padd\ tlie\ could lay hands on and
the inhabitants are in such a state of distress that they have fled eastwards.
OUR EARLY CONNECTIONS WITH BALI AND LOMBOCK
IT.',
A small expedition was fitted oul at Macassar and sel sail for Bima-
meanwhile Pomelican had been driven from the island and died shortly
after from fever; Jeremca fell into a trap [aid for him by the Balinese
who invited him to attend a tournament during which he and several
of his followers were put to death and fortunateh for the Honorable
Company our ally Kajak Palacca who had been growing more and more
unmanageable died at this period. After the signal service rendered b\
Bali our friendship became closer, for the time beinffl
For the next few years the Honorable Company's time is occupied in
quelling disturbances at Boni and Goa and in warding off the attacks
of the Macassar pirates. This is the period of the' Javanese wars
happily terminated however with the favorable treat} concluded Nov. I lih
1743 with the Susuhunam, by which he conceded to us the land run-
ning from Cheribon on the N. East of Java to the strait of Bali.
In the interval the Balinese have made several attacks on Sumbawa
and Salamparang, meeting with more success on the latter island.
We find their rule permanently established in Salamparang about 17 In
and the authority is vested in that remarkable man Gusti Wayan Taga,
connected by birth both to the royal dynasty of Bali and Lombockj
Dr. Byvanck gives a graphic description of this prince in tin November
number of the "Gids" 1S94:
"Wayan Taga was the precursor of the prince, who after reigning
fifty years has become the enemy of the Netherlands government. He
is characterized by the same firmness and suppleness in his clever, cun-
ning, distrustful policy, taking advantage of and making the mosi of the
circumstances in which he is placed; he uses alike friend and foe. Hindu,
Mohammedan and Christian to maintain his independence, lie had to
deal with Balinese and Sassak, with Dutch and English, exactly as t In-
king of Lombock of to-day; lie manoeuvred amongst them all with so
much cleverness and insight that his name is famous. The prince of
the 18th century and the prince of to-day belong to the same category,
they interpret each other, or rather, without some knowledge of the
former, it would be well-nigh impossible to grasp the peculiarities of
the contemporary History of Lombock."
As with the Rajah of to-day, our first contact with his ancestor was
friendly. The Hon bl ° Company had displayed formidable strength, when
their energetic admiral Smout had captured Goa from the usurper
Kraeng Bontolancas (1739) and the following year Wayang Taga humbly
applied to the Governor of Macassar for permission to trade with the
Company and expressed a wish to be one of their dependents.
His request cannot have been serious, for when Smoul suggested that
the prince should send a suitable envoy with proper credentials, (in-.tr
Wayan Taga replied by asking for "an extravagant amount of mer-
chandise, without offering anything in payment " Consequently negociat
were postponed and only resumed twenty years later.
176 THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
During this interval m serious rival had appeared m our waters, and
the Rajah prophesied that we should be driven awaj but the presence
of the English only served as an impetus to our energy and our trade
Ir was however fear of the English which once again brought us into
immediate contact with the Bahnese; on the West we defeated the
Madurese and the Balinese then allies and we placed the island of
ira under our own government; on the Bast we had to protect the
ibawese from renewed attacks of the Balinese and we had to keep
i over the Sassaks, who already in those days were cruelly treated
l.\ the Balinese.
' The Rajah of Lombock was not altogether satisfied with our treat-
ment; he would gladly have availed himself of our services to make
himself independent of Bali, but he did not want only to change masters.
His conduct towards us at this period varies according to his fear or
need of u- in his Ear-reaching plans, lie enters into friendly negocia-
tions with the English and has dealings with the Ceramese, whom the
Hon!'!- Company describe as ••arrant knaves, bunglers and the scum of
the earth!"
I Governor of Macassar despatched cruisers to the Lombock water-,
with orders to arrest all persons unable to produce their passes: h\
wa\ of retaliating for what Ik- considered an infringement of his rights
the Rajah had Eorts built at the entrance of all the Lombock harbours,
all the natives are summoned and armed with long spears they guard
the coasl and the Company's representations are not even allowed to
land. 'I'he Rajah refuses to hold any further communication with the
G pernor of Macassar and will only treat direct with Batavia.
Matter- cannot possibly continue like this; they must either end in
war or in a renewed alliance.
It would have been a well-chosen '1770i time for an attack in force:
tin' severe rule of Gusti vVayan Tags and the exorbitant taxes he was
enforcing were sources of widespread discontent amongst the native
inhabitant- who were growing daily more impatient of the intolerable
yoke of the Balinese.
"When the\ were unable to pay the taxes their wives and children
wen- sent to (iu-ti Nurah, King of Bali or to some other place, such
a- Bagang; or to a Large mountain where people did nothing else all
da\ long but dig up L r old. which was sent in enormous quantities from
Salamparang to Bah ever} year.
Their greatest grievance of all was: "that if a Balinese fell in love
with the wife or daughter of a Sassak, he just planted his lance in
front of the house Inhabited b\ the woman, whereupon the Sassak was
to go I rom home, while the Kalinese took his pleasure undist urbed."
I not tin- exactly the same complaint we read of ill the letter from
k chiefs in the beginning of thiswork? Mow mam lamentations
been heard since then, what sorrow has been endured, what gTOSS
• has been done, how nian\ generations have spent their lives ill
i r\ ':
OUR EARLY CONNECTIONS WITH BALI AND LOMBOCK 177
It was finally decided to scud an embassy to Lombock, with consid-
erable presents for Gusti Wayan Saga to propitiate him.
That no very good results were anticipated From the expedition maj
be gathered from "the secret instructions for Alexander Lecerff" dated
16 May 1771.
He was to offer an alliance of friendship to the Rajah, the chief objecl
of which was to exclude all other nationalities, especial!) the English,
from trading with the island. Lecerff musi he prepared to meet with
a refusal, as the English had already offered their alliance and therefore
"he was to find out on what spot, and at whal time ;i landing could
be effected, and also how far the Company could depend upon assistance
from the discontented natives."
Finally he was to report upon the produce of Salamparang, the advantages
and cost of an armed expedition, and if after driving awaj theEnglish, it
would be worth while to attack Salamparang and establish strong posts there.
He was well received; as soon as he reached Tandjong Karang mam
people came on board, amongst whom a Sassak chief, who became verj
communicative after he had "a glass of sopy".
The people were of opinion that the Company were afraid of the
Balinese from whom they accepted presents, but the chief assured Lecerff
that all the inhabitants would stand by the Company if the} came to
free them from the tyrant. The harbour was very safe and a good
landing-place should be prepared if they did not come before the end
of July, when the rice fields were dry and the roads would he better
for the artillery; there were kapas and rice enough for two countries
and plenty of sapan wood.
The prince himself was friendly but demurred somewhat when he
heard the conditions of peace and friendship prevented him from
•alliances with other nations he could not consent to that part of
the agreement without consulting his feudal lord, the king of Mali'....
It was to this effect that Gusti Wayan Saga expressed himself at a
large gathering of people and in the presence of the Balinese High
Dignitaries; but subsequently, accompanied by one single Sassak chief
he sought Lecerff prior to his departure and told him privatel) that
"he would much prefer being dependent upon the Company than on
Bali; the Balinese worked nothing but harm there."
Lecerff's mission was not crowned with immediate success; bill his
dignified attitude at the large assembly broughl its own reward. Me
had boldly declared, "that the Company would not permit an) other
Europeans to trade at Lombock and that if the Sassaks assisted an\
•others, the Company would not only attack the foreigners but the
Sassaks themselves as well."
For a time no foreign nations were allowed to land at Lombock
Notwithstanding the high tone still assumed by the Rajah towards
'Governor of Macassar, the Governor General instructed the latter
do all in his power to attach the Rajah of Lombock to us, to I
•exclusion of all other European nations.
l7 g THE LOMBOi K EXPEDITION
\- the i-n.l of 1772 Lecerff is sent on a second mission, provided
with two letters for the Rajah, the one containing compliments and
greetings, the other containing proposals to the prince to sever himself
entirely from Bali and to all) himself with us.' The latter was only
to be delivered if it could be done without the knowledge of the
Balhi
1. cerff was received with all tin*' honours, bul his mission was a
failure, for he was unable to see the Prince alone and hand him the letter.
i der Voort, Governor of Macassar now considered ever) chance of
an alliance at an end.
h i- impossible to saj what reason prompted the action of the Rajah,
uh.. unexpectedly sent two letters to Lecerff in Sept. 1773, begging
him to "come at once to Tandjong Karang. "
Hi- reception both by father and son Gusti .Made Karang Asem —
was most cordial; the) talked a great deal of an alliance between
Sal am parang and the lion'' 1 " Company.
•In that case we should feel quite safe. Who would he able to
beat "in- combined forces, we on land and the Company at -car"
What could be the meaning of Gusti Made°s imitation to Lecerff to
return the following year and accompany him to Karang A.sem in Bali?
cmed incomprehensible, a- we wanted to get rid of the Balinese
and were secretl) trying to drive them away from Lombock.
No small wonder to find that Van der Woort was angry with LecerfFs
useless u-it to tin- Rajah to whom he wrote a very clear and explicit
letter, asking for a definite reply and there was to be n<> more inde-
cision, lie placed before him the rough draft of a treaty (9 Ma\ 1771
whereb) Salamparang and the lion 11 " Company should enter into a
defensive and offensive alliance; Sumbawa should he comprised in the
true; all the ( 'oiiipanx 's ships should he admitted to the island of
Salamparang for trading purposes, hut other nations, even the Ceramese
should he excluded; the people of Lombock were in return to enjo)
certain trading concessions.
Gusti Wavan Saga was far too astute to hind himself by any such
\ and replied 'that he was not sole master of Salamparang and
ild not conclude treaties unknown to the king of Bali....!
During all this time both the Rajah and his son keep continuall)
reminding Lecerff of In- promise to go to Bali and conclude a lasting
contract with the kuiL r .
Another mission i- prepared to go to Karang A.ssim provided with
tin- articles for a treat) and presents for the king.
Before however the embassy has time to start, news reaches Macassar
the unexpected death of the king of Karang A^sim followed shortly
l>\ that of (Ju-ti \\a\an Sagfl (Ma) and .lul\ 177o; (iusti Made
Karang Vssim succeeds hi- father on the throne and decides to let his
younger brother, Gusti Kattok govern part of Lombock and establishes
him at I'ngnsangaii.
Gusti Made* again begs of Lecerff to come over and accompan) him
OUR EARLY CONNECTIOXS WITH BALI AND LOMBOCK. L79
to Bali, to conclude a triple alliance between Salamparang, Bali and
the Company.
When after various delays Lecerff does reach Lombock a new suri
is in store for him; as is so frequentlj the case amongsl the native
tribes, the younger brother, Gusti rCattok, with the assistance of his
uncle Gusti Djilantik, had deposed his elder brother and seized the
throne. It was rather startling to be informed 03 the new rajah "thai
as his father had followed his inclinations during his lifetime, he now
intended to follow his!"
The days preceding the departure for Bali were very anxious ones
for the envoys and they dared not accept Djilanlik's hospitalit} for fear
of meeting with the same fate as "Grain Jerenika."
The Balinese seemed broadly speaking readj to accept the tern;- of
the proposed treaty; that is to say the) were willing to enter into
friendly alliance with the Company, to trade with them and assisl them
in cases of shipwreck, but they refused to have a written agreemenl ;
"the people of Salamparang and Karang Assim consided a written
contract as null and worthless ! "
Although this mission was far from satisfactory, still it did n certain
amount of good. Had the shrewd, intelligent (iusti Made regained his
influence at Bali?
"My brother, he said to Lecerff when he was leaving I have taken
much trouble for your sake to day. It is very easy to make a mi-take.
but very difficult to remedy one. Rest assured all will come right. You
have obtained a few concessions to day and in time the Company shall
have all they ask. Does it never happen in Europe that immediate
consent is not always given when some one asks for a man's daughter
in marriage? And even if consent is given the marriage does n<>t
take place at once. Things require time and patience; listen therefore,
my brother: in the month of February I shall send three ships to
Macassar "
And sure enough the following year— 20 June 17<0 three vessels
came from the three princes of Salamparang and Karang Assim, bringing
with them a letter in which they stated, "that they would never go back
from their word and they wished day and night that the lands ot the
Honorable Company and theirs might be made one and all the people
happily placed under one rule."
Besides this they accepted all the terms of the treaty, but nothing
would induce the Balinese to agree to a written contract.
Governor Van der Woort received the embass) with suspicion owing
to the inexplicable attitude of Gusti Made and the Balinese .Ian,
Sumbawa and last but not least on account of the long list of goods
which the Balinese were desirous of buying in Macassar on credit.
However he sent presents and letters back to the princes, but tor the
rest he referred them to the Governor-General; the embassy refused
listen to this proposal, so that as far as we were concerned no tur
steps were taken, although the Balinese considered the contract bindu
Lg , THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
unfortunately it was more in word than in deed that they were the
Company's allies in these difficult times.
i, behaviour continued more enigmatic then ever.
I bout this period informed van der Voort that Gusti Made
still' intended to separate from the Balinese, but owing to his want of
confidence in his Mad.'"- Mala} secretary he could not cuter into
details in a letter. He was anxious to enter into a separate alliance
with the Company on the same term- as the other princes of the Bona}
treat) and was willing to grant them a slice of territory in Lombock.
28th September 1778 LecerfE writes to Van der Voort saying
that the island of Salamparang is divided into two tactions: Gusti Made
at the head of the Sassaks, and Gusti Kattok at the head of the Bali-
nese. The Sassaks assert that the} are treated worse than slaves and
that if only the Company would come to their rescue they arc willing
to \ield them half the island. Further that if the Compan) really in-
tended to help them, both Gusti Math' and several Sassak chiefs had
said it would only benecessarj For the Compan} to attack the Balinese at
and prevent reinforcements from landing, as there were one hundred
- saks to every Balinese on the island. Gusti Made begged of LecerfE
to come to Tello Dalera to discuss all the needful preparations verbally,
[f onl) Van der Voort had taken decisive measures this time.
In reply to this information he told LecerfE that he must find some
pretext for not going to Tello Damo. It was a matter of indifference
to the Company whether Salamparang were divided or not: for them to
reap an) benefit from occupying a |»art of the island would entail
building a fort, for which the) were not prepared.
These were dark times for the Compan) !
Their influence at Celebes was being undermined by all sorts of
intrigues. In the Bame year that the Balinese embass) bad visited
\| tcassar, a sea-pirate named Sankilang personated the rajah who had
Im.ii exiled to Ceylon and placed himself at the head of a rebellion.
The vindictive grandmother of Aroe Palakka, whose ureal ambition was
jteep her hand- once more in Kuropcan Mood, acknowledged the
adventurer as her grandson. Mis followers increased rapidly; the com-
pany's port- were destroyed; even Goa fell into his hand-.... tin 1
erlands flag flew nowhere bul over the citadel of Macassar!
Van der Voort succeeded however with the assistance of Madurese
auxiliaries in recapturing Goa and in driving Sankilang to the interior.
where he managed to defend himself for twelve years.
ireel) had the atmosphere of \laea--ar grOWD a little less gloomy
»re the long-threatened storm burst forth in another quarter. The war ol
1781 1 783 with England so disastrous in ever) \\a\ betrayed to the natives
princes the internal weakness of the once so might) colonial knigdom.
In those days of trial Karangassim in Mali remained faithful to US
and tin- prince writes to c. Mem-. LecerfE's successor: "Mad I wings,
1 would fly to vour help!" but he was engaged in warfare at home
with Dewa Mangis. He was also deepl) offended with the Salamparang
OUR EARLY CONNECTIONS WITH BALI AND LOMBOCK.
1-1
princes who Lad permitted English ships to approach their sh<
ihe behaviour of these princes was verj trying; thus thei wrot.
the Governor in 1784:
"If your Excellency wishes to end our friendship, we shall be sorry
but there are other white nations in the world, who would be ven
pleased to be our allies "
Later on dr C. Meurs asked Reyke, Van der Voort's successor-
"What is to be done with these capricious princes?" Me had senl
them a letter from the Governor of Macassar, whirl, the} refused to
receive, as "it did not come straight from the Governor."
In October 1783 Siberg, Governor of Eas1 Java wrote in Reyke-
"What is the use of Bali and Salamparang to the Company? 'The
products of these islands are to be found also in other lands belonging
to the Company. The princes are not to be trusted; it is besl to let
them fight out their differences amongst themselves. The) will treat
the English as they have treated us and only remain true t<> the alli-
ance as long as there is any benefit to be derived from it/'
Reyke quite agreed with Siberg and they left the two islands to settle
their own affairs; they kept their eye on Karangassim and used threats
when matters appeared to be reaching a crisis..". .. but otherwise, they
only continued to negociate.
t On the 9th May 1788 we learn that the Balinese of Karangassim were
armed along the coast and would not allow the representatives of the
Company to go on shore.
Negotiations still continued and led, strange to say, to unexpected results.
Was it the prospect of the numerous advantages to be gained from
trading with the extensive possessions of the Company; was it the need
of support in their internal wars that prompted the princes of Salam-
parang and Karangassim to seek for a closer union with the companj
and caused them to overlook all the previous obstacles. Or was it the
brilliant success which we had achieved at Bima in defeating a Bugis,
who had also impersonated the banished Rajah':
A few months after the subjection of the pseudo rajah of Goa, two
vessels were sent to Batavia with envoys from the princes; the} were
the bearers of a friendly letter to the Governor General, who in return
sent many affectionate messages to the Balinese rulers.
Notwithstanding this renewal of friendship and the treaty, the time
was drawing near for the fulfilment of the Rajah of Lombock's proph-
ecy, "that we should soon be driven away!"' The clouds were drawing
around us and the English attacked ns not only here, but the} even
bombarded Batavia, destroying Onrust and interrupting our communication
with the mother-country.
The last years of the century witnessed the decline of the Bast India
Company, the administration of which is taken nwr by tin' Stale to be
overthrown again six years later.
With the advance of time the Balinese princes, instead of displi
any desire for union with the Company, grow utterly indiffei
182 THE LOMBOCR EXPEDITION
se; thej declared they had always known we were not permanently
dished and that there was nothing to guarantee our not failing again.
II \. van (I. Broek, who was sent in I81"t to Bali to renew the
interrupted relations met with \w\ scanty success; one state repeatedly
,1 the date for In- reception; a second, having promised to sign
an agreement withheld consent at the last moment; a third stipulated
for a conditional contract to Last "onl\ as long as we were masters of
Java";— this was a sufficient indication of the existing feeling— and the
mi' Bpllleleng, the most powerful of all. showed a decided disincli-
nation to have any dealings with us whatever. "It appears to me.
write- v. d. Broek •"> January, 1818, that the prince of Boul&eng is
\vr\ friendly with the English, especially with Raffles "'
In spite of the various changes wroughl during the last twenty years
oiii' fear of the English was unallayed; but instead of paralysing our
efforts it urged US to surmount our natural indolence and to enter the
struggle manfullj as we did in the previous century! 'Tims stimulated
l>\ the presence of a powerful rival we adhered to our original plans of
friendly intercourse with the native princes which led to the famous
treatj of Huskus Koopman, so ably commented upon by Dr. Byvanck
in the April number of the Gids 1895.
The Lombock princes held exclusive authority in their own island and
thanks to their fidelity and friendship to our government thei had
obtained possession of ECarangassim. Peeling themselves firmly established,
no -tone was left unturned to prevent the Netherlands government from
interfering in their affairs: circumstances favored them for many years,
a- we were engaged in the Atchin war.... besides, the post at Buiten-
_ wa- Hot occupied by a Merkus!
The Rajah, Ratoe Agong ECetoet Ngoerah ECarang Asem, was now
able to devote hi- exclusive attention to the internal government of the
country, t. e., he was better able to tyrannize over the unfortunate Sassaks.
In [855 three Hadjis were brutally put to death because, so it was
Baid, the\ had incited the people to rebel; and a rumour was current
that a similar fate awaited all the Mohammedan priests. At this an-
nouncement Praja and the other Sa-sak districts rose in a body, but
were wofulh beaten by the more experienced and better disciplined
Balinese. Hundred- of Sassaks lost their lives: all were made to sur-
render their arm-, even the chief.-: Balinese officials were appointed to
enforce the order, and the people were forbidden to visit the mosques,
Justice compels u- to add that this outburst of brutal it} was
succeeded l»\ a period of c parative pence and more humane treatment
towards the Sassaks, who were once again permitted to share similar
privileges to the Hindu-: the building of mosques was encouraged and
the pilgrims to Mecca were no longer mole-ted: for the time being the
Rajah might he described as a model of toleration. The improvement
was due to the presence of Ma Radja at the palace who had obtained
such a beneficial influence over her husband; her assistant and chief
adviser was the Vrab, Said Abdullah. At this time the Rajah was
OUR EARLY CONNECTION WITH BALI AND LOMBOCK ifcg
staunchly supporting the Arabian merchants, nol 011I3 owing to their
influence over his Mohammedan subjects, but because the} were in
sary to him in his foreign trade.
The jealousy and hatred of the Balinese party, especiall} thai of the
poenggawas, increased in proportion as the} said the} were losing their
former hold over the Sassaks and they formed a conspiracy to pul an
end to the new state of affairs. The heir-presumptive to the throne and
the notorious Anak Agong Made' took the same m,w of the case and
as the hitter's influence over the Rajah was gaining ground ever} day,
the period of humane administration drew to ,1 close and was soon
succeeded by the most harsh, oppressive and barbarous measures.
At last m 1891 the independent states of Bali rose and Anak
Agong Made forced the Sassak auxiliaries to cross over to Karangassim
to help the king, then fighting against Mengwi Tins last acl of
oppression having ultimately led to our intervention, we must review
the exact conditions existing in Bali.
We had scarcely taken any advantage of the articles laid down after
the first and third expeditions to Bali; we no longer insisted upon the
princes' taking an oath of allegiance to our Indian government; nor thai
the choice of a successor should be subject to our approval; neither
were we to receive any war indemnity; and we had nol even built
fortresses, as we were entitled to do We had contented ourselves
with having our souvereignty acknowledged, — (tin's was to keep the
English away) with the promise that the export and import slave trade
should be discontinued and the right of jetsoni done awa} with. "To
ensure a permanent state of affairs" we had thought it advisable to
strengthen the powers of our allies and with this object in view we had
conceded Karangassim to Lombock, while Boeleleng was handed over to
the prince of Bangli and Djembrana was restored t<> independence. The
results of our arrangements were far from satisfactor} and to put an
end to the continual disorders we were forced to place both Djembrana
and Bouleleng under our immediate control, since which time the} have
improved in every way, forming striking contrasts to all the other
independent state,
The colonial report gives a very correct account of the progress made
since then, which briefly put is as follows :
In those states under our direct rule slavery is abolished; small-pox
epidemics are less frequent; order and peace prevail: prosperity
increased in proportion as crime decreased; and there is a larger trade
done both in import and export articles.
In the independent states generally, the princes are unacquainted with
the art of governing and give themselves up unreservedh to women,
gambling and opium; the people suffer from povert} and slaven and
are harassed by sickness, intrigues, fighting, war and anarchy; when the}
can, they seek refuge in our territories.
In 1885 Giangar united itself to Klonkong, bu1 soon regretted r
union; part of the state was then incorporated with Bangei, winch
Ig4 THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
meut roused the jealousj of Karangassim and the Rajah of Lombock,
who desired a portion of the land.
In 1891 Menguri tried to possess himself bj force of one portion of
Grangar and called Karangassim to his assistance in this attempt Gusti
Ged6 Djilantik and Gusti (rede* Poetoe were read) to comply with his
demand at once and ask for further auxiliary troops from Lombock,
whence 500 Sassaks were despatched without delay.
The Dewa of KJonkong refused thou a passage through his territory
and they were heavily repulsed in their endeavours to force a way through ;
in addition to severe losses in this first struggle the Sassaks were decimated
bj lack of proper care and insufficient food.
\. w reinforcements were demanded from Lombock, but the people
were more than tired of Made°s oppressions and a spirit of rebellion was
rife amongst them; all knew what was in store for the Mohammedans
and Hadjis after the termination of the war in Bali and the\ accord-
ing refused to obey the summons to fight their master's battles, and
Praia gave the first signal for an armed insurrection.
[j might have been possible to put down the rebellion at the outset,
but Made> inhuman conduct caused it to spread from one end of the
island to the other. The Balinese element was again supreme in the
palace of Mataram and Said Abdullah felt the ground sinking beneath
his feet: he entered hit < > secret correspondence with the Sassaks urging
them to maintain their attitude — but his letters were intercepted and both
he and his two sons were krissed !
The Sassaks succeeded in forcing their way as far as Kediri, where-
upon the Rajah summoned his vassals of Karangassim to his assistance.
Gusti Djilantik crossed over from Bali on Nov. 29th 1891 with an army
• ; 1500 men and was shortly afterwards followed by others. .Made now
laid the whole count r\ to waste with fire and sword; three hundred Sassaks
were transported to an uninhabited island — Trawangang — that they might
tarved to death.
r government was left in the dark concerning this rebellion; but
two years later, after a good deal of hesitation the wretched Sassaks
were to lie delivered from their oppressors; an end was to lie put to
plunder and murder and to the reign of tierce Macassars, booty-seeking
Sumbawis and proud and cruel Balinese: the da\ was about to dawn
when this down-trodden people should enjoj their possessions in peace
and reap unmolested the harvest of their beautiful country!
All our efforts to restore p.ace in Bali were ineffectual: (iusti (iede
absolutely refused to surrender a portion ot Giangar to Klonkong,
people having of then- own free will placed themselves under
Karangassim.
important event- about t<» take place ill I ibock forced us to
leave Bali to her own devices for a time; but we hope the time is not
far distant when the much needed reforms will be carried out in the island !
V.
THE LANDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS AT LOMBOCK
UP TO 25th 26th AUGUST.
It is night! The restless Ocean waves beat against the shores of
Lombock as they have clone for centuries past and will continue to do
for centuries to come; what tales do they not unfold to us and what
will they not repeat to those who follow us? Dark black shadow- stretch
out in long lines above the silvery gray waters; and stars innumerable
adorn the giant masts with their gorgeous midnight rays.
As an eagle with outspread wings so have the Company's ship- come
from the West and swooped down upon Salamparang, the seat of proud
resistance, of cruel oppression, injustice and tyranny! A greal and
powerful fleet rides at anchor in the bay of Ampenam.
What reflections can this imposing sight have engendered in the soul
of that unworthy offspring of princes, that scourge of his country. Anak
Agong Made?
On that night of 5th — 6th July he must have known that the da} of
reckoning was at hand and that Ms reign was about to close!
As dawn pierces through the shades of night, the threatening image
of the black ships vanishes as a shadow in the grey mist; high up in
the heavens appears a rich reel glow spreading itself little by little.
while the waters reflect the lovely tints and the vessels are soon enveloped
in soft and delicate hues. Suddenly the sun rises above Lombock's
mountains and the whole scene is lighted up with golden rays: the sea
is a field of silver glistening with golden streaks and wavelets of gold
dash against the shore.
What a buzz of voices and what unusual sounds mingle with the
monotonous roar of the surf! There is the rattle of the gear, the
whistle of the long-boats and the splashing of oars in the water; and
then there are the jolly-boats closely packed with men all making for
the shore the Netherlands troops are landing at Ampenam!
Early in the morning of 5th July the transport fleet entered the
roadstead of Ampenam (the Maetsuijcker, G. G. 's Jacob, Graa£ v. /•'
Prim Alexander, Amboina, Both, near/, Coen, Japara, Genert
and Medan).
1-.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
Here it joined the naval force appointed for the campaign and
inbled liere since 30th June under command of Captain Quispal
\ : n was composed of the frigates " Koningin Emma der
" and "• Tromp*\ the ironclad " Prins Hendrik der Nederlanden
all of the auxiliary squadron; the "Sumatra" and the "Borneo of the
[ndian Military Marine and the two despatch boats, numbers 95 and
101, besides the opium cruisers "Argus" and " Cycloop" for courier
and escorl service.
The ultimatum had been despatched to the Lombock princes; the
time for acceptance expiring at sunrise on the 6th.
Pelegraphic messages from U. M. the Queen and II. M. the Queen-
R _. nt were read aloud to the troops on board and were greeted with
" landing ;<t Ampenam ".
loud cheers, followed li\ gay music from the regimental bands; all were
l\ looking forward to the morrow and were anxious to begin the
real life of soldiers in action.
Verj early, at 4 a. m., next day an embassy from the princes, con-
sisting of three Balinese c hief s, catne on board the "Maetsuijker".
"The prescribed time of 24 hours for the acceptance of the ultimatum
■ short; in three days, time the prince would come to Mataram
to discuss w ith the Elesidenl "
I. thing was read) and an immediate landing was decided upon.
The men-of-war were ranged in line about 400 metres from the shore
the heavy cannon were directed towards various points of the coast; the
THE LANDING AND OTHEU INCIDENTS AT LOMBO
quick-firing guns were prepared to overwhelm the enenrj with project
if occasion arose. About fifteen armed marine boats were in position
between the men-of-war and the shore to protect the disembarcation of
the troops. They showed a wide front; between even two sloops of the
marine there was one sloop belonging to the Steam Navigation Company,
each one of these having 4 boats of the transport licet m tow. The
first contingent to land under General van Ham consists of the 9tli
battalion, 2 companies of the 7th, two sections of mountain artillery, the
engineers and two ambulances.
The men fell in line on deck, the boats were lowered, and parties of
thirty men descended into each boat, provided with arms and Btores,
At 0,30 a. m. the signal "forward" was given and they pushed forward
towards the shore. This of course was the most critical moment, the
men were closely crowded together in the boats and defenceless againsl
an enemy who might have sought to prevent their landing; but Fortuna-
tely not a single shot was tired at them and twenty minutes after quitting
the men-of-war the infantry and the engineers landed.
The Lomboek flag of which mention has been made, was still flying
defiantly; but without one moment's hesitation General Van Ham hurried
in advance of his soldiers to the foot of the flag-staff and amidst a
deafening hurrah, the General's aide-de-camp, captain Wiersma, lowers
the colours which are never to be hoisted again! The red, white and
blue flag of the Netherlands replaced them for ever.
Without encountering any difficulties the disembarcation was contin-
ued; assistance was even given in drawing the boats higher up on the
beach by the Sassaks, Bugis and Malays assembled there. I!\ 7,30a.m.
two other companies of the 7th and 6th battalions were landed, and the
disembarcation of the cavalry was commenced. By the afternoon all the
troops and coolies were on shore and steady progress was made in landing
supplies and war material. Position was immediately taken up on the
North, South and East of Ampenam and at about 3 p. m. scouting
parties were sent out in three different directions. One company
marched nearly as far as Rembega ; a second followed the road from
Ampenam to Mataram, coming within 800 metres of it, whilst a third
covered about 1500 metres along the road to Tandjong Karang.
The reports of the roads and surrounding districts were good; the
enemy was invisible; the people in the kampongs seemed quiet enough
and there were no signs of anything unusual about tin- place; wherever
the troops showed themselves the natives squatted down on the ground
and the Chinese -contained to walk about unconcerned beneath the shade
of their paper " pajongs " (umbrellas).
Is it to this external attitude of peace and order that we are to
ascribe the choice of Ampenam as a bivouac? is tin- the reason wh\
no fortifications were built? does herein lie the cause for no clearings
being made where the view was obstructed or the line of fire
impeded?
Surely, the situation cannot have altered so material!) since the
188 THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
few hours, when uncertainty existed as to what difficulties might have
t<» be faced on landing, as to make it conceivable that no attack was
to be feared. The inhabitants of Ampenam and the surrounding kam-
pongs might possibly be well-disposed although we haw many
instances in the history of Indian wars, where an apparent!} well-
intentioned people have been suddenly transformed into our bitteresl
\\ as it not possible thai the cunning Balinese might permit us to
land unmolested and then attack us unexpectedly? Our enemies were
not ye\ conquered and it was natural to foresee that Anak A.gong Made"
would make some desperate attempt to escape the fate in store for him.
The Commander-in-chief proved that he was prepared for such like
emergencies bv the precautions Ik- took when he marched towards
Mataram on 1 1th July.
In our opinion it would have been wiser to have fortiful the strand
bivouac, to ensure perfeel safet] toe the troops stationed there and to
form a secure basis tor the advancing columns. Had this been done the
men would have enjoyed more undisturbed rest during the first few nights;
the subsequent panic would have been prevented; and there would have
been more available help at hand to relieve the attacked divisions.*
The number of vacant houses and homesteads at Anipenani provided
ample accomodation, and the men speedily set to work cleaning them
and preparing them; but nothing was done to clear away the high
walls, which made it so difficult to lead the troops and see an\ distance
ahead. Meanwhile a rumour was current that Anak Agong Made
intended to attack the bivouac during the night with ")ll(l of his
adherents, a- he preferred to die fighting rather than surrender.
Suddenly at three in the morning the "alarm" was sounded! Fire
had broken out in the Chinese camp and the bamboo houses crackled
as if hundreds of guns were being let off and the sky was ablaze with
the sparks. It is horrible to think what might have been the results
of this out-break amidst the densely packed crowd of men. horses,
ammunition and stores, with the enemy probably lurking in the distance,
to take advantage of the confusion to strike the first blow!
An hour of intense anxiety was spent in trying to extinguish the
flames and bj day-break all was quiel again; two Balinese who were
suspected of this act of treacherj were arrested.
\ Balinese embassy had spent the night in the bivouac, having
arrived during the afternoon with a message from the prince to the
commander-in-chief, informing him that the arrival of the troops on
shore was creating much consternation amongst the people and therefore
who feel inclined to argue that it is easj t" put forth these reasons utter the
• urn-il nr \slm iiniv conclude that qo one foresaw the danger at the time, we
ht thai our contention is do! thai we ahould nave acted more prudently if
•imilarh situated, l>ut that criticism of a mistake maj prevent its recurrence in future;
tbt second remark ire know positively, thai some of the officers weir thoroughly
aware ol the dangerous position of the bivouac before the attack took place, as they
oned the fact in their private correspondence, although of course unwilling to comment
D it publicly.
THE LANDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS AT LOMBOCK.
lie begged of them to return on board, where further negotiation
be carried on.
The time for negotiating had elapsed and the envoys were forced to
depart on the morning of the 7th with the following reply:
"In future only the Prince himself would be received l>\ the Com-
mander-in-chief, letters from him would have to be delivered to the
outposts; and in the evening or at night time nol even the prince
himself would be allowed in the bivouac."
The remainder of the day was occupied in landing the horses, artillery
ammunition and commissariat stores; it required almosl superhuman
efforts to keep the heavily-laden boats stead} and bring them safety to
the beach through the heavy surf and hundreds were kept busj in
conveying the chests and hales from the strand to the store-houses
h$ a$&& •} -
'* Unloading supplies.
In the uncertainty as to future emergencies the Commander-in-chief
decided not to advance without having a sufficienl supply of stores
Ampenam; they were to take with them provisions enough to las! for
a few days consecutive operations and as this involved the coolies
following the columns, only a few could be left behind at Ampenai
and every thing must be done before they started. This was
excellent arrangement and proves conclusively thai the Commander-in
chief was prepared for resistance.
In the course of the day information was brought in that Mad.
planning an attack for that' night, so at dusk all the troops were ord
19U THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
back into the bivouac.... was not this a mistake? Had an attack
reallj occurredj a terrible catastrophe might have ensued.
At 6a.m. "ii the s th July a large reconnoitring force set out under
Major van Bijlevelt, with controller Liefrinck, the 6th Battalion, the
cavalrj and one section of mountain artillerj and the ambulance; they
followed tla- route from Ampenam -Tandjong Karang-Sekarbela to
__.ikan. At bis own request General van Ham accompanied this
column.
This \\a-> the occasion on which the remarkable meeting took place
between Gusti Gede Djilantik prince of Karangassim in Bali) and the
Commander-in-chief and which decided the fate of the campaign; the
former declaring that it was accidental on his part. He informed
General Van Nam that he was on his way to apologize to the Resident
for the neglect of the government of Karangassim in not having
acknowledged our notification concerning the Expedition. We can hardly
credit the accurac} of the prince's statement; it is more than probable
that he gauged the results of the expediton and he wanted to separate
himself from the Balinese party while there was vet time: he wanted
to enter into private arrangements for his own ultimate good!
And whu can fee] sure of the chances of war: In former years
Salamparang had been subject to the kings of Bali until the Company
had inverted the order of things and who could tell what the Companj
might n«»t do so again? The presenl occupier of the throne of Salam-
parang was a worn nut old man and his successor half an idiot — or at
he made them out such! Would he not he a more suitable ruler,
himself? would he not he a safer guarantee for the maintenance of
order and discipline?
't he could only succeed in this well, "then the Company were
welcome to Karangassim as a present; it was really a poor country, rich
only in -tones " These are I )jilanlik's own words).
"'He saw the time w.-is not far distant when his country and the
other independent states in Bali, would he united under the C pany,
just as Boeleleng and Djembrana, where so much progress had been made."
We cannot fail to recognize in this sly and clever Balinese a true
descendant of ( Justi Wavan Saea '
l lie mi etui-- was most cordial, for we too appreciated the advantages
'" be derived from a private interview and hoped through the inter-
vention ot Djilantik to achieve our object peaceably and to surmount the
opposition of the Salamparang princes. The Commander-in-chief 's charm
t manner and frankness quite captivated (iusti Dijlantik. who promised
ome and pa\ him his respects \er\ soon; true to his word the
prince arrived the following morning >'•> July) at half past ten. lie
«ured the General of his fidelity to the Government and declared his
to separate himself from the Salamparang princes and to return
sown country, unless the Commander-in-chief might wish to dispose
,,f l""' and hi- 1200 men. It was decided that he himself should stay,
a government steamer should convey his troops hack to Bali;
THE LANDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS AT LOMBOCK.
this latter part of the programme was however altered and it was settled
that the men should stay too until the island was definite)} reduced
to order.
After his visit to the Commander-in-chief Gusti Djilantik went straHil
to the old Rajah and to Mad.' al Tjakra Nagara, relating all thai had
passed and laying- great stress on ■ power. "Resistance is impossible
and you may as well comply at once with the demands set forth! 1
The following morning, 10th July, the General received a letter from
the old Rajah, in which he accepted all the terms of the ultimatum,
but raised obstacles regarding the surrender of Made, which would cause
all his followers to rise against him (the Rajah), and suggesting thai
when quiet had been restored to the country enquiries should lie made
into his conduct. The Commander-in-chief replied that if Made* were
not surrendered the troops would advance the next day,— if the Rajah
were really afraid of Made's men, let him place himself under the pro-
tection of the Commander-in-chief who would defend him againsl them.
Early on the morning of the 11th .Inly the whole army advanced,
while a naval brigade occupied Ampenan. Two battalions with eight
guns w r ere in the first line, one battalion with the cavalry in reserve.
This curious disposition of the cavalry was made, owing to the road
and surrounding country being quite open and Mataram, the objeel of
the advance, being visible to the whole column; besides an attack in
the open field was not probable.
Two 12 c. M. A. siege-guns also accompanied the column which
could come into action on the high road if occasion arose; the wide
easy road offered no difficulty for the heavy pieces drawn In 40 coolies.
The forward march had hardly begun when a letter was handed to
the Commander-in-chief stating that the princes accepted the final
proposal, but that they would themselves exile Made to Tjoelik or
Tjanjar in Bali, but that if he showed himself unwilling to go, the onl\
alternative would be "to kris himself." The bearers of the letter further
informed the Commander-in-chief in the name of the princes, that since
the letter had been written, Made had krissed himself and they implored
of him not to advance any further, but to despatch a commission to
identify the dead body. The order to "halt" was immediately given,
and controller Liefrink, with two Bouleleng punggawas attached to our
cause and who had known Made personally, were senl forward to verify
this astounding statement. On their arrival at the poeri at Tjakra
Nagara, they were not admitted at once, bul after a quarter of an hour
had elapsed Liefrinck sent for Djilantik with the request that the commission
might be admitted to identify the corpse. Djilantik vanished and
remained absent some little time and at last Liefrinck was obliged to
send another message saying they could wait no longer, but would
return and make their report to the Commander-in-chief. Djilantik
placed his hand on his kris and begged of them to wait one moment
longer
He left them again, but returned in a couple of minutes, in order
192
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
accompany the commission r<» view the corpse .... and when they
entered, thej were still in time to see Made breathing his last gasp!...
II Road from Ampenan t" Matarara on llili July.
'■r know the truth aboul this prince's death? Had betaken
lii^ own life? or had be been put do death by the prince's orders to
THE LANDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS AT LOMBOCK.
expiate an offence lie had committed with his own sister's dau^hl
Strange that such a charge should he brought l»\ him againsl th£ mail
whom he was seeking to protect, yet we know it was a usual way of
getting rid of people. Nobody but Djilantik knows the real fact of the case.
When the controller returned to the column his report was: "when the
news of Made's death was brought to us, it was not tin.', but it j s true now ! "
All then changed as if by magic; the order to advance was no longer
a war cry and the troops marched forward in a friendK country. Thej
proceeded to Tjakra Nagara accompanied by gay music and there thei
were welcomed by Gusti Djilantik; who can say what thoughts filled
his mind, as leaning heavily against a tree, lie watched the troops
march past to the sounds of a full baud: why did he inspect them
with such piercing eyes?
And did not the heart of many a thoughtful soldier beat Easter as
he marched between those high walls? Did it not occur to each one
how great would have been the number of victims, had it not been for
this fortunate solution of the problem?
Just then a sort of big fair was being held at Mataram and was
visited by thousands of women; no one showed any signs of fear and
Ave are justified in assuming that at that time there certainly was no
thought of hostilities.
Halt was made at the cross roads in front of the poeri. ... the corpse
of Made and that of one of his concubines were at that moment being
brought into the court yard of the poeri; later in the afternoon the former
was carried to Ampenam by a few of his followers and cast into the sea.
Greater outrage could not have been committed on the body of a Bali-
nese, for this last indignity placed him on the level of a criminal and
robbed him of all chance of ever reaching heaven; yet it was perpe-
trated by the express command of the old Rajah, who informed the
Commander-in-chief that a man who had wrought so much harm to his
country was unworthy of honorable burial.
We look upon this prince as somewhat of a hypocrite — the atrocities
were committed with his knowdedge and sanction and he himself was
responsible for all the calamities existing in the island, but now that he
saw his throne threatened by the Company's soldiers, one of his first
acts was to disown his best beloved friend!
Sic transit gloria !
Standing in front of the poeri, the Commander-in-chief decided upon
the following disposition of the troops:
The 6th battalion with the ammunition train, the ambulance and the
two sections of mountain artillery were to remain at Tjakra Nagara: the
7th battalion with its ammunition train, the ambulance and the two
sections of field artillery to bivouac in the Sawah between Mataram and
Tjakra Nagara. The 9th battalion to return to Ampenam with the
cavalry; and the naval brigade to re-embark.
Captain Wiersma, aide-de-camp to the Second-in-command, wa
194
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
entrusted 1>\ General Vetter with the selection of a suitable spot for
the <irh battalion to bivouac and Lieutenant Kotting, adjutant to the
Commander-in-chief was to assist Major van Blommenstein in establishing
the sawah-bivouac for the 7th battalion.
The question arises whj these duties were nol performed by the
officers of the general stall to whose sphere thej belonged?
I ptain Wiersma followed the high road for aboul L200 metres, to a
point where it takes a southerly bend for 200 metres, then continues
straight east — this is the turning where afterwards van Lawick's column
fell into an ambush. Unacquainted with the actual extent of Tjakra
ra Captain Wiersma thought he would never reach the end of that
Plan "t bivouac ■•! 1 1»»- Ttli battali
Scale 1 :270a
i
i
ompuny.
lillery.
Artillei
D ictor.
20. imbalance.
21. Topographica] office.
22. I'n ifion.
•.£!. Kitchen.
iinuiiitii.ii.'.'l. Polh ■■
Forgp. < SonTicU' quarters,
ipplj I. 26. LAtrinea.
"_'T. Mataram Oute.
28. Tjakra Nagara Gate.
29. Balinese burial-ground.
30. Kampong 15ali.
:;i. I...u wall.
32. Moat.
Earthwork with Pushes.
aar.
Cannon.
• Rice Beta
THE LANDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS IV LOMBi
interminable road running between high walls, so he returned and n
his report to the Commander-in-chief, who thereupon selected for
bivouac a piece of land lying back South of the poeri.
This tract consisted— sec sketch — of an open space lying mostly in
Westerly direction which was skirted by ground raised 1 metre higher
and which was surrounded by a wall breast-high; adjoining this were
two open spaces, the actual Dewa temple, encircled l>\ \ci\ high
(4 metres) walls, but these spaces were nol included in the bivouac;
all these open places were 40 metres square on an average. The 1st,
2nd and 4th Companies were lodged within the low walls, the others,
as also the horses and mules in the open space on the north. The
convicts, kitchens and other conveniences were on the opposite side in
sheds against the high Avail of the poeri garden.
Although the commandant was not quite satisfied with the disposition
of the bivouac of the 7th battalion, there was no more suitable spot.
As is shown in the sketch it forms a triangle, one side is parallel
with the main road from Mataram to Tjakra Nagara, on tin; north side
is a sparsely planted cocoa-nut-tree plantation and the east > i < I < ■ faces
a large stretch of rice Melds.
The 9th battalion was stationed at the bivouac on the strand at Ampenam.
Gusti Djilantik placed his own poeri at the disposal of the Commander-
in-chief and his staff; it was situated in the North West angle of the
cross roads at Tjakra Nagara and separated from the old Rajah's l>\
the road to Lingsar. The residence consisted of four divisions, adjoining
one another and behind it was a large garden containing a pond.
Djilantik retired to a small house in the neighbourhood, "that he might
be at hand if required;" he gave every assistance lie could in preparing
the site for the bivouac and thanks to his intervention large supplies
of bamboo, padi, straw, etc., were brought in by the inhabitants who
only accepted very trifling payment.
This leads to the very important and intricate question of the <■/,<>;,;■
of these bivouacs, a choice which exercised such a fatal influence on
subsequent events and which has been so severely censured on the one
hand and so stoutly defended on the other.
In forming an opinion we must bear in mind that the acceptance o\
the ultimatum, the death of Made and the occupation of Mataram and
Tjakra without a single blow led one to understand that the trouble
was over and circumstances had altered since the bivouac at Ampenam
had been planned and there was now no anticipation of an assault. We
consider that the main object of the Commander-in-chief in locating his
troops in and near Tjakra Nagara instead of in safer quarters
Ampenam has been entirely overlooked; true, the distance from one
place to the other was not great, but it might not haw proved a
to re-enter the gates a second time, as was found out by later experience
and not much time would be needed to place Tjakra in a thoroug
state of defence had the Balinese been so minded at the tune.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
\ ■- merely from a military bul from a political point of view, it
was essentia] at this Btage of affairs for the Commander-in-chief to
remain as near the centre of Lombock as possible until the actual
object of the expedition was achieved. Mataram and Tjakra Nagara were
the- points where it was possible to keep in touch with prince and
people; these strongholds once in our power, it was clearly our duty
ip\ them. Unfortunately the disposition of the troops was
such, that they are completely at the mercy of the people they have
come to subjugate. "A good tactical commanding site was lacking at
Mataram and at Tjakra Nagara;" while admitting that this statement
may be correct, we are at a lovs to understand why at least "a safe
Bite" was not selected, instead of one exposed to an attack from the
people on whom we were going to impose conditions.
A "safe" position can generally lie secured by encamping on the
border of a kampong which affords a good open space in front while
the troop< are screened and the sides of the kampong can easily be
strengthened bj earthworks, etc.
In this instance the bivouacs might have been established in some of
the homesteads surrounded by high walls and after a little clearance,
the Bite would have been safe from the enemy's lire and attacks.
We entirely disagree with those who contend that this latter course
would have embittered the people against us and would consequently
have been opposed to the "Instructions" of the Commander-in-chief,
or that we had no "right, 1 to follow such a line of action! What
about European methods in Europe? hid Germany hesitate to adopt
a similar course in Prance? No voice has ever been raised in opposition
ich tactics, without which occupation would be impossible. And
we do not think that such a proceeding would cither have astonished
or embittered the natives who were accustomed to see the princes and
notables appropriate what they required; besides, with our superior
notions of justice, it would have been verj simple to compensate the
people for turning them out of their houses, and many would have
been grateful to receive a few shining rijksdollars in exchange for their
little bamboo houses.
Still from a political standpoint the selection of a site on the borders
would have been less advantageous, though owing to the extent of
Tjakra there could lie 80 little question of influence and contact that
the troops with the Commander-in-chief might just as well have remained
at Ampeiiaiii.
There was still one course left open : to take up a position inside the
poeri or in /runt of it. Some ma\ think it would have lieen an unwise
choice in view of the labyrinth of dwellings, passages, walls, etc.. which
would have rendered supervision of the men almost impossible to
tin- we replj that there were 1 1 1 : 1 1 1 \ open spaces and sites in the eastern
portion and an abundant suppl) of water.
This -election might have "embittered the prince!" Possibly. Hut
n such a contingency would not have weighed with the Commander-
THE LANDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS AT LOMBOCK
in-chief, had ho considered the locality suitable for his pui
are convinced that such a proceeding al thai time would have had no
baneful results whatever; the prince was far too much in awe of us
and only wanted to be left in peace; besides, bad be nol through
Djilantik placed all his palaces and their contents at our disposal, as well
as this eastern portion of the poeri.
We have however seen how the site of the bivouac was decided
upon; in the beginning the locality was unknown and later on it could
not well be changed. The Commander-in-chief chose the ground in front
of the poeri; the choice was commendable, had the protected portion
been utilized — but instead of that, the most unsheltered pari of the site
surrounded only by a low wall, was fixed upon lor the bivouac. Senti-
mental considerations prevented the sites surrounded by the high wall-
being turned to account, as they had been the prince's places of prayer
and sacrifice. In any case all such feelings should have been laid aside
when information of the attack reached ns.
Finally the 7th battalion, which would have been better off in everj
way by bivouacking in the poeri was placed in the saw ah between
Tjakra and Mataram, whereas, being intended to keep up communica-
tions between the strand bivouac and Tjakra, it would have been more
advantageously situated either to the East of .Mataram or West of
Tjakra, instead of between these two points; this would have made all
the difference as to safety and very little as to distance. There were
too few troops considering the long line of communication and the pecu-
liar position of the points to be held. Had one or other of the plaees
which we suggest been selected and had the troops been amply provided
with ammunition, food and drinking water, which was wanting at Tjakra
they would have been protected from a sudden onslaught and would
have been enabled to await events; they could have held out until help
reached them or at least until they decided to force their wa\ through
the enemy and they would not have been so hampered with such a
long train of wounded.
On the evening of the 11th July the two Generals and the Residenl
paid the old prince a visit at his poeri at Tjakra; it was a mere for-
mality, as the Rajah appeared much too stupid and deaf to bear tin-
strain of conversation. His deafness was real, but we are inclined to
think that the illness and stupidity were assumed; lor at the meeting-
convened during Lindgreen's imprisonment he showed great intelligence.
as we shall see and at the time of his own incarceration he had quite
recovered his health and his mental faculties were in no wax weakened.
Was Djilantik behind the scenes? As it was evidenl that the Rajah
was unfit to transact business, a messenger was sent the following da}
12th July— to inform the successor to the throne. Anak Ag.mg 1\ I
residing at Kota-Radja, that we were in occupation at Tjakra V
(This can hardly have been news!) and requested his presence as
as possible, in order to discuss future plans. Four days later thi
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
prince arrived and accompanied b\ Djilantik he came al once to paj
Jii< respects to the Commander-in-chief.
To do honour to the crown prince the 4 companies were drawn up
"en hair", and went through numerous manual exercises; Djilantik was
or pretended to be delighted with the performance and repeatedly
expressed admiration at the men's skill, (were they trying to hypnotize
K I
The same evening the officers of the 7th battalion were commanded
ccompany the Commander-in-chief to Mataram to return tin- prince's
Msit. "An escort had been sent to Tjakra to accompany the Comman-
der-in-chief fnun headquarters to the prince's palace and they started
in the following order. The procession was headed by a Balinese
notable with a couple of lancers, followed by the bodyguard walking
four abreast at a considerable distance apart from one another; these
all wore caps with silver bands and carried Winchester repeating rifles
their shoulders, their legs were bare to above the knees and their
s betrayed consciousness <>t' their great dignity. This body of forty
men in green jackets was followed by fifty lancers in green jackets
marching in the same order and then came the prince's gamelang; our
band close upon this one was delighting its hearers with the strains of
"Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ah." Walking behind this gaj music is a vejry stately
notable, carrying a magnificienl costly kris, and immediately after him
are General Vetter and General van Ham, on the right the Resident,
on the left (iu-ti Djilantik. The officers bring up the rear and are
surrounded by crowds of Balinese and Sassaks.
On their arrival at the palace at .Mataram Anak Agong k'Toel came
out to receive hi- quests; he took Generaal Vetter's arm and led him
through the narrow little entrance door and then through a second one,
both so narrow that it was necessary to pass through in single tile, the
passage was between high walls and still in the open air, until at last
we reached a thatched shed mid found a table and eight chairs. About
tift\ different kind- of refreshments were handed round iii richly em-
bossed gold and silver dishes, and this would really point to the con-
clusion that the crown prince was desirous of doing his best
the Istli July a council was held ;it headquarters, at which Gusti
Djilantik was present and from the colonial report on events in Lombock,
we find "that the successor to the throne had been kept c pletel\ in
the dark by bis brother Anak Agong Made, concerning current events
iii the island; that the acceptance of the ultimatum by the old Rajah
was brought about by Gusti Djilantik, while Anak Agong k'Toel was
ill at Kota Radja. It became therefore neccssar} to acquaint the
crown prince with the contents of the ultimatum, whereupon hesolemnlj
declared that lie too accepted the articles contained in it and would
Comply with our demands" \ 1 1 : i k AgOllg k'Toet impressed one as
having no distinctly developed individuality of his own."
have further evidence of this hitter statement. For instance he
trembled with fear and nervousness, when, on leaving the headquarters
THE LANDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS .!'/' LOMBi
on the arm of the General, he discovered the infantry going through
their manual exercises on the high road and duriug the council
drops of perspiration dropped from his forehead. And ye\ . . the
prince was certainly no coward, which be proved, when instead of taking
flight like his relatives, he soughl an honorable death From our bullets
"such as is required by the Adat and the honour of a Rajah!"
It is impossible to follow the daily course of events; the troops are
able to rest during these days of political discussion, concerning the
best method of redressing grievances and introducing peace between
Sassak and Balinese.
A depot of provisions was established at Anipenani and a similar one
with a four days' food supply at Mataram, intended for the troops of
the 7th battalion stationed there and for the bivouac at Tjakra Nagara,
which sent out a foraging detachment daily. This was first done under
cover of an escort, but latterly the escort was abandoned and one non-
commissioned officer accompanied the carts. There seemed no further
cause for fear; the natives moved about amongst the soldiers as it'
nothing were the matter; the markets were visited regularly and the
vendors even brought their wares inside the bivouac, as the soldiers
were not allowed to leave them. Both in their walks and in .their
rides, which they pushed further day by day, the officers met with
universal courtesy; the Balinese women soon lost their shyness and al
night time the notorious panjoerans no longer hesitated to wander about
in the neighbourhood of the bivouacs.
Every day the Rajah sent presents of fruit, kwee-kwee (cakes etc.,
to the Commander-in-chief.
The attitude of the inhabitants, from the highest to the lowest, denoted
a desire for peace and friendship and it is easy to understand that under
such gratifying circumstances no one should have harboured thoughts of
a rough and cruel termination to this happy state of affairs.
In fact the Government considered it safe to re-ship the heavy gun-
to Surabaya and to re-call the observation-corps from Bouleleng to Java.
Having achieved such a brilliant success by the fear and dread of
our arm's, if not by the use of them, let us return to our political
negociations. The Commander-in-chief was in a dilemma'
"If the policy of the Indian Government," says the Colonial Adviser,
to which we have so often referred, "had from the beginning been
directed to keeping the treatment, the Civil Governmenl in its hands, it
must of necessity have depended on the result of the Expedition, what
course of conduct was to be pursued in regard to the regulation of
internal affairs towards the princely house of Bali. The unexpected and
immediate submission of the Government deprived them of any occasion
for departing from the policy determined on in dealing with thai
Government. "
There is no fault to find with this way of reasoning, but the qu<
as to whether it was sound policy or not still remains open.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
Those who haw followed us thus far, know: —
How great the difference betweeE the two races was in origin, dispo-
sition, nature, language, religion, morals, and customs;
How during the last half century the original inhabitants have been
trodden down l>\ the Balinese; how repeatedly the Sassaks have attempted
sfull) to thrown off the oppressor's yoke;
How this oppression had of late years reached the climax by (we will
quote the exact words of the colonial report "the extortionate and
arbitran taxation; the beavj feudal duties; the application of the so
called tjampoet and mandjing; disposal of wife and daughters and
property of men dying without male issue, the enforced surrender to
the prince of all twin children of the same sex; the prohibition of
marriages between Sassak men and Balinese women, although the reverse
was allowed; the contributions for the numerous banquets the prince
was accustomed to give; the restriction on the chiefs not to leave their
districts under penally of death; the arbitrary power over life and death
in the absence of a verdict by the judges; the grinding taxes "
How these miserable people rose once again, and, full of hatred
against the name <>f Balinese. swore never to submit any more to tin 1
princely rule of Bah;
How they implored of us. l>oth by [letters and embassies, to go to
their assistance ;
1 1<.\\ we hesitated and delayed;
How in despair the Sassaks fought themselves free, in so far at least,
that no Balinese dared raise hi-- voice in Sassak territory; and finally
how the Sassaks had in consequence been subject to no authority
whatever for two years.
The instructions of the Commander-in-chief were to bring together
these two opposing elements.
So much has been said and written regarding these instructions that
give them here in full:
Art. I. The object of the Expedition is to force the Lombock Government
mply with tin- demands made by the Netherlands Indian Government
through the Commander-in-chief. (Pages 24 and 4)j.)
An. II. After tin- arrival of the Expeditionary force in Lomlock waters',
tli*- Commander-in-chief shall, before disembarking his troops, notify tin'
prince's government in writing of the conditions contained in article 1. and
a! the same time inform him that, as the prince's government has failed
the demands pat forth by the Resident of Bali ami Lombock in
the name of H. E. the Gov.-Gen. of the Dutch Indies, His Excellency has
decided to put his threat into execution ami to terminate by foi ce of arms the
deplorable conditior of the country; that, before actually having recourse to
armed force, His Excellency desires to give the princes a last opportunity to
submit to the Government of their own tree will, that if the} choose to take
tage f this opportunity, the] must accede to the demands in full within
a %<t\ short Bpace of time — to be defined bj the Commander-in-chief;
that it at the expiration of the allotted time a satisfactory reply has not
a received, hostilities are to begin at once;
THE LANDING AND OTHER IM'/DHNTS AT LOMBOCK.
and lastly, if all the articles and conditions are agreed to, no I
will take place, but the troops will land and remain on shore until all cli
are satisfied, or where this is impossible, until such guarantees shall be given
as will ensure their fulfilment.
Art. III. Every precaution must be taken while landing the troops and
during further operations that no damage be done to the harbour of Ampenam;
Art. IV. In case of Europeans being found at Arapenam, everj effor! must
be made to induce them to go on board our steamers before operations begin;*
Art. V. The object of the eventual operations is to seize Mataram and to
occupy both the town and neighbouring forts;
Art. VI. The Commander-in-chief must take the necessary measures to
protect that part of the population who are taking no share in the hostilities.
Moreover he must check all attempts at incendiarism and devastation.
Art. VII. It is left to the discretion of the Commander-in-chief to make
use of the Sassak population where needful; but it is desirable thai they
should not be called upon to do any actual fighting; this would give rise to
certain claims on the part of the Sassak chiefs and would cause additional
complications later on.
It would be advisable to obtain the services of the Sassaks as carriers in
return for payment.
Art. VIII. As soon as the surrender is achieved, either by acceptance of
the ultimatum or by force of arms, the prince must be notified thai our
claims are to be satisfied at once. The object set forth in Art. I will not In-
considered as attained until all the demands are satisfied, or where this is not
feasible, until such guarantees are given as will completely insure their fulfilment.
The Commander-in-chief must not rest content with a promise of future
payment of the war expenses, if he has reason to believe that the prii
are in a position to defray them at once, either entirely or in part. Under
these circumstances the Commander-in-chief shall insist upon an immediate
instalment being paid; and a further sum as soon as he shall have made the
estimate of the expenses.
Art. IX. Until the object of the Expedition, in the sense of the foregoing article,
has been obtained the Expeditionary force is to occupy the island of Lombock.
Art. X. In all political matters the Commander-in-chief is to act after
conferring with the Resident of Bali and Lombock attached to his stall'
Art. XL The Commander-in-chief is not authorized to enact any new
regulations in the island, but after the actual campaign is to make Buch
representations and suggestions to the Governor-General as ma\ be called forth
by the situation.
Art. XII. The Commander-in-chief must acquaint the Second-in-command
with all his plans and intentions, (In the event of the latter's having
assume chief-command, he would have to carry out all the instructions
received by the Commander-in-chief.)
Art. XIII. The Governor-General is to be immediately informed of every
important occurrence connected with the Expedition.
* An Englishman, a Mr. Cropley and an Austrian residing at impenam r
advantage of the invitation conveyed to them to take refuge on one of our Bfa
suspected that they were in league with the Balinese tlir\ were placed in confinemen
prevent their travelling to the interior. During the absence of thi imander-in-ch
East coast Cropley succeeded in obtaining leave from the second-in-command to
interior temporarily to settle his business matters. At't.-r the attack thej were in
taken on board the Prins Hendrilc and kept prisoners, until the] were taken to 8
where they were released owing to insufficient evidence against them.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
Let us give honour where honour is due and frankly acknowledge
that the bo frequently made mistake of dividing the responsibility of
leading the expedition and the result thereof between the Commander-in-
chief and the highest civil authority was avoided. In article X it is
most distinctelj stated that the ( ommander-in-chief acts in political
matters after conferring with the Resident attached to him. 'This is
.-tU clear, the Commander-in-chief is the sole person responsible,
in political matters; tins is the correct course, where our wishes
have to be enforced 1>\ fighting.
The political view of the Government is as we have seen to assist
this ill-treated people, but at the same time Art 1 and II they pro-
to maintain in authority the prince, the oppressor of the people....
Thus, in spite of the best «»t' intentions, the} realty placed General
\ i tter between two in i
[f the main object of the Expedition was reconciliation— and this we
have proved to be out of the question — then we should have kept to a
course of uegociations and have sent presents as in olden days, instead
sending soldiers and cannons.
"Bui Bays the writer in "Hel Vaderland", 15 November) if we pro-
! to repress wrong doing and considered it our duty to put a stop
tl] atrocities within our dominions of the East Indian Archipelagic
emphasizing out- determination by a military expedition, well and good!
Having regard to the existing conditions of Lombock General Vctter
should have been empowered to declare the reigning rajah dethroned
and to have made him a prisoner, exiled him and confiscated his prop-
erty; it would have been time to consider the future administration of
the island after every inhabitant of Lombock had submitted to the
v • lierlands ( Jovernment."
This decision should have been clearrj specified in Articles 1
and II.
The prince would of course have refused these terms and we should
have come to blows at once! Exactly; we should have begun hostilities
at once, or at least on the 11th July, and it is probable that our losses
might have exceeded those we suffered when the attack took place;
Imt onr position would have been clear from the outset and our men
would have fallen in honorable strife and no reproach would have
attached to our brave and honest soldiers.
The General might have refused to he the hearer of such a mandate;
but this we refuse n, admit.
Mad the ( 'oiiimander-in-chief been thoroughly familiar with the true
political situation, he would have known that the object of the Expedi-
tion was not attained with the submission of the princes and that at
point, the difficulties wen- onl\ about to begin in earnest, and that
scqucntly positive Bafety was the first requisite.
We can blame no one for the present state of affairs, it is more the
fault of the ;i<jv than of the individual; we have more than once ob-
ed how prejudicial it is that polities should occupy no place in the
THE LANDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS AT LOMBO
training of our officers for the Indian Army. What a differenl
is followed in British India.
It is seriously hoped that past occurrences mm induce our Govern-
ment to yield to the oft-repeated suggestion, thai officers of the General
Staff should be attached to the Governors and Residents in our
colonies.
The political mistake, committed by the desire of the Government to
maintain the reigning house of Lombock, led to the militar) mistake
of her highest military servant
In this instance we have a redeeming point, well worth} «>t' notice in
striking contrast to the general ride of history, where the' consequences
of a political mistake are visited upon the military commander who has
conscientiously obeyed higher orders; we here see the Governor General
taking the entire blame upon himself and screening the Commander-in-
chief, whom he maintains in his post, thus affording him ample oppor-
tunity to retrieve his error and re-establish his fame for courage and
skill! «.r^i
In order to arrive at an understanding it was necessary to see the
Sassak chiefs and obtain their co-operation; accordingly controller Lief-
rinck and captain Willenstijn started on the 13th .Inly for the East
coast of Lombock, where they arrived two days later. They had several
conferences with the principal chiefs, who though apparently willing to
follow the instructions of our government showed decided disinclination
to accompany Liefrinck to Tjakra Nagara to discuss matters with the
Commander-in-chief. They alleged various motives, some were afraid
of going by sea, others by land, etc.
The Controller and the Captain were obliged to depart, taking with
them only three chiefs and not very influential ones either; all the
others had promised to meet at Praja, the border of their territories,
on the 23rd and march through Balinese country together till the)
reached the Residence of the Commander-in-chief.
An unexpected incident was brought to light during this trip.
A native adventurer, Daeng Ginoro, had appeared on the island ami
had obtained a large following of Sassaks on the East coast and chief!)
at Sakra; he came to free them from the Balinese and being no friend
of ours, pointed out to the people that our presence in the island
merely meant a change of masters whilst he would give them freedom —
His attitude towards our envoys at Sakra was most arrogant and
overbearing; it is probably only due to their calm behaviour and a
severe warning to the chief of Sakra that nothing serious occurred.
At the meeting between the Commander-in-chief and the three Sassak
chiefs, they were ordered to deliver up this adventurer living or dead
into our hands; while attempts wen' being made to seize Ginoro, he
was shot dead by our friend, Raden Ginawan, the chief of Batu khan.
The head w^as severed from the body and sent to the Commander-in-chief
Fortunately for us this crisis was promptly ended, and the
THE LOMBOCE EXPEDITION.
that had been given to van Lawick's column to advance from Ampenam
Batu Klian and seize Ginora were superfluous.
\t,t thru- retuni to Tjakra Nagara, Controller Liefrinck and Captain
VVillemstijn went, as arranged, to Praja to meet all the chiefs who had
promised to assemble there on the 23rd.
their arrival they onl) found two of the most influential chiefs
and these two happeued to live there; they declared that none of the
others had dared leave their districts for fear of the Balinese taking
session of their property, and notwithstanding the written assurances
of the Commander-in-chief that no harm should befall them, that the}
should if desired have a military escort hack to their dessas, nothing
would induce them to leave their homes; and even those two at Praja
absolute!} refused to accompany the controller to Tjakra Nagara!
It seemed impossible to reason with these people.
When finally the controller removed one by one all the difficulties
and insisted upon their going to Tjakra with him. they showed him a
letter written l>\ Gusti Djilantik t ie of the Sassak chiefs, and as
they had decided never to place themselves again under the Balinese
the\ could not possibly go and discuss matters with the Commander-
in-chief. In this letter Djilantik informed Mami Anon that it was
decided t<> raise Anak Agong k'Toet to the throne; the hated .Made
being dead, the\ had nothing more to fear and there were no reasons
existing now to prevent the Sa<saks submitting to the old order of things.
Besides if the) persisted in their decision not to recognize Balinese rule,
the General and his soldiers would compel them to do so by force.
Mr advised them to come to Tjakra Nagara as soon as possible and
he promised them his protection.
Who can fathom the depth of Djilantik's motives? Did he foresee
that an ultimate division of the land was inevitable, and was he seeking
ibtain influence over the Sassaks at this period, so as to facilitate
his being created their acknowledged head later our
The Commander-in-chief showed his displeasure with Djilantik verj
plainly: "In future no steps were to he taken 1>\ him nor yel in his
name to urge the Sassaks to submission." Djilantik took the reprimand
much to heart and in private he told General van Ham that he
•"would put up with ail) rebuff from him, that he might even heat him
or kick him if he liked, bul he would never take such a scolding from
the ( 'oiuiiiander-in-c|iief again ! "
The deputation to Praja had failed in its mission; and what was the
( 'ommander-in-chief to do?
He could not compel the Sassaks t<> submit to the Rajah against their
will; he had come with the object of helping them out of their troubles;
besides who could foretell the consequences of such a proceeding !
There were two ways out of the difficult} ; one was to proclaim the
'iid. pendent under their own chiefs and the other was to place
'hem under our own control. The former plan nil. icd no advantage;
the various chiefs were all jealous of one another, and not one amongsl
THE LANDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS AT LOMBOCK.
them possessed sufficient authority or knowledge to be placed over the
others; such a course would have paved the \\a\ for endless intrig
like those we had had to settle al Bali and Furthermore it would have
been opposed to our promises to the princes and to the instructions
of the Commander-in-chief. The second alternative was not Feasible under
the existing circumstances for the same reasons, thai is to saj because
it was opposed to the instructions. It is an elementary principle <>l
statesmanship to hold the native princes and chiefs in honour, to support
their authority and not to extend our direct control .u their expense.
In the abstract nothing can be simpler or more just than to govern the
people through their princes and where it has been practicable, so as
on the East coast of Sumatra, or Borneo or Celebes, we have adhered
to the principle with very satisfactory results.
Circumstances have forced us sometimes to introduce direct adminis-
tration, in cases where there are no chiefs of sufficient influence or nun
whom we could rely upon and in every instance the inhabitants have
gained advantages never enjoyed under their own princes.
There are people who contend that this course entails too great ;i
strain upon our finances and upon our administrative forces: statistics
entirely disprove this statement.
Take Java; although there are fewer European officials employed
there, comparatively speaking, still the revenues are no larger in pro-
portion than those of the Government residencies.
Do we not reap more advantages from Palembang, under our direct
administration, than we do from the West coast and Borneo? and what
could be more satisfactory than the financial results of BoeleTeng and
Djembrana? *
The proportion of officials employed in Palembang is the same as on
the West coast of Borneo ; in the former — exclusive of Djambi we have
24 officials to a population of 588.000 souls and in the latter 16 officials
to 383.000 inhabitants. In the Residency on the East coasl of Sumatra
with 230.000 inhabitants, or two-fifths of Palembang, there are is officials,
where as according to the proportion of the population Id ought t<>
suffice.
We may conclude, therefore by saying that had we not been hound
by our contract to the princes there was no valid reason why we should
•have abstained from placing the Sassak territory under our direct
administration.
• Those terrible occurrences of 25 — 26 August relieved us of this last
obligation and put an end to what would have proved an untenable
position in the long run.
Furnished with the authorization of the Governor General the Com-
* In an article bij Heor Kilstra in „ Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad" of 3 Nov. 189-1 we fin<
following: the sum 'total of the taxes in Boeleleng and Djembrana amounted t.. Rs. 291.00
and the expenditure to Ms. 112.000;
The revenue of the Western division of Borneo was fla. 433. I and Hi-
fis. 890.000;
In Palembang the revenue was Us. 1.503.000 and the expenditure fls. 1.314.0
THE LOMBOi E EXPEDITION.
mander-in-chief determined to mcel the chiefs of the East coast in their
own territory, being fully persuaded thai no definite settlement could
be arrived at without \er\ tangible guarantees. On the 4tli August the
Commander-in-chief, accompanied l>\ the Resident, the chief of his
controller Liefrinck and his aide-de-camp Lieutenant Kolting,
reached the seaboard town Labuan Hadji, where all the principal Sassak'
chiefs had assembled. The same day a conference was begun, which
d tor three days; on the one hand there was a detailed recapitu-
lati >f all the grievances with which we are acquainted, on the other
the decision-; of the ( io\ eminent were stated regarding the future admi-
nistration of Lombock.
The Commander-in-chief promised to propose to the Governor-General
that a European representative should he established at Mataram and
on the East coast of Lombock to check any usurpation of power on
the part of the Balinese princes. The Balinese and the Sassaks alike
were to remain under Balinese ride, which was to lie administered by
their respective chiefs, who were to lie approved of by the Government
and not to he dismissed at the will of the princes.
finally all the mutual duties of prince and people were to he
tninutel} regulated, "'the mandjing and tjampoef were to be abolished
and provision should he made to insure respect for the religious laws
and institutions of the people. The chiefs were perfectly satisfied with
all the proposals, hut objected, that they were hound by their oath
r to siii,], lit to Balinese ride: accordinglv at the second meeting
"tie tiadji and one panghoeloe were present, with the result that the
chief- were released from their oaths, which were no longer binding
under the altered circumstances. At the last meeting this resolution
..... ^
was ratified m a written document and three of the chiefs were
appointed to accompany the Commander-in-chief to Tjakra Nagara to
assist at the final councils.
He returned to Ainpenaiii on the 8th August, having successfully
accomplished his mission. The Sassaks were quite satisfied with what
was to he the new order of things their days of oppression were
over and no Balinese would interfere with them in future. Events will
-how whether the Balinese were equally satisfied, but meanwhile we
will return to OUT troops.
It i- difficult to describe life in an Indian bivouac, where the mono-
tonous daih life is a repetition of the da\ before. The place of the
bivouac, which we have shown in the sketch, reminds one of an old-
fashioned town where all the principal buildings form the centre and
< .i-t important houses and people are kept at a respectable distance.
we have the square with the quarters of the ( 'oinniander-in-chief,
;i- in the old town there was the market-place with its town-hall; then
there air the narrow passages and streets with the police patrols,
corresponding to the old night watchmen and at the entries and
exits there are the Bentriea on dutj carefullj scrutinizing all who
come and L r o.
THE LANDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS AT LOMBOCK.
But how vastly different is the life of the camp to that of th<
provincial town !
While the darkness of night still overspreads the camp dark I
figures move stealthily along between the sheds and wend their
towards the kitchens: they are the convicts, whose duty it is to pr<
breakfast for the troops; at this point the comparison between <
and town ceases, for nowhere have we seen il related thai the bi
master provided meals for his fellow-citizens!
In the bivouac space is very limited; we sec the officers of a com
lodged in small sheds, no larger than a horse-box, and literalh shi
• Id
dack
w ;i\
spare
•;iiuj)
irgo-
|i;in\
iniiL r
Bivouao of tho Field- Artillery.
bed and board; even the quarters of the Commander-in-chief are barely
the size of his bath-room in Batavia, and they are shared by his aide-
de-camp.
Sometimes during the night there is a little extra room, when some
of the troops are sent off on unexpected marches, orders being kept
secret until the last moment; they dress in the dark, grope aboul for
their guns and are ready to start in half an hour's time: the\ arc read)
to go when and where they are told without any questions, prepared to
obey and to follow their leaders blindly and confidently even to death.
As yet however, they are allowed to rest; when they do get up
THE LOMBOi B EXPEDITION.
all go and bathe in the cool refreshing stream dose by ... if they are
so fortunately situated.
\-ter the early swim all arc ready for their breakfast of soup orrice;
the sun rises slowh and the scorching heat soon compels all who are
not on duty to retreat into the shadiest nook thej can find and there
is little or no movement in the camp during the middle of the day.
Towards sunset the cool evening breeze restores life in the bivouac, the
soldiers sing merrily and the natives play sad melancholy music; the
twilight is full of mysteries, sounds of men and animals mingle with
the sweet fragrance of the trees and plants and the Europeans abandon
themselves to the enjoyment of the delicious tropical evening allowing
their thoughts to wander away from the scene, whilst the natives are
liappy playing cards round a little oil-lamp!
Preparations are already being made for the morrow in some quarters;
the chief is making out his daily report and some are busy writing
home. Soon the 'last post' is sounded and all turn in to rest, excepting
those on whom the watch devolve-.
In order to prevent the great evil of " boredom " penetrating amongst
the troops not engaged in actual combat, also to add to our topographical
acquaintance with the country and to keep the soldiers well exercised,
marches were made daily along the numerous roads or to one of the
many countrj seats belonging to the prince's family. We will follow
van Alting von Geusau on one or two of these excursions; in his diary
he describes the expedition to "Narmada", the palace which was not
completed at the time of controller Heijliger's visit in l^ s l:
"The natives are seated on either side of the road staring with all
their might and main at the wonderful appearance of properly drilled
troop-, they are filled with awe at the sounds of the lusty Western
music, contrasting so strikingly with the apathy that breathes from their
island "gamelangs" and there is no doubt but that we shall survive in
the imagination of these good people as titans and giants who came
with great fire-ships to punish Anak Agong Made for all his misdeeds.
One cannot help noticing that, though in the aggregate the Balinese
n Btrangeh afraid to fight us, taken singly they do not evince verj
much fear of the soldiers, who have come to conquer! Yesterday a
man passed so close to me in the open road that he actually trod on
my foot; I did not hesitate to send him rolling with a kick, nevertheless
he had been guilty of an act of marked disrespect!"
There is no doubt about it. at this stage of the business, the Balinese
had '_ f ot over their first fears !
"Well then, it was settled thai we were to start earlj yesterday
morning for 'Narmada ", the country residence of the old Rajah of
Lombock. The boh of Agong k'Toet, recently recognized l>\ the Com-
mander-in-chief as successor to the throne, was supposed to be residing
here, but he was absent.
ride Tjakra Nagara the scener} is very similar to most Indian
landscapes; sawahs, cocoa-nut-trees, bamboo plantations, small woods
THE LANDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS AT LOMBOCK
just like at Java; the only noticeable difference is thai the kamp
are more extensive, small dessas arc unknown and no one would venl
to establish himself beyond the kampong boundan line.
"We reached Narmada ai 8.30 a.m. after a two and a half hour's
march, and, as we remained there four hours, I had ample time to look
round the neighbourhood, beginning, naturally, with the palace. It is
situated on the South side of the road; as is customary, the entrance is
through a very narrow doorway, only admitting of one person passing
at a time and leading to a large open square, dotted over with numerous
dirty little sheds or huts. On the right hand side of the square is a
pond plentifully supplied with "goramek" and "bandeng" someofwhichwe
caught by means of hook and line and a couple of "ketans" little rice
sweetmeats). On the opposite side of the square, near the door we had
to go through, was a small house, where ten soldiers of the prin
body-guard were stationed; their spears, the only weapons the} then
had, were all placed neatly in a row on a rack. 1 was surprised to see
some cannons and some muskets bearing the same mark as their coins
(Alg. Oost-Ind. Comp.) and evidently made at Enkhuizen and I am ai
a loss to understand their presence there.
"To the left of the second square are a few sheds said to contain the
prince's kepengs and to the right is the harem. In addition to the
servant's quarters, standing out in squalid contrast, there were <ml\ three
buildings of any importance, two of which were provided with galleries
a couple of metres from the ground and profusely hung with European
and Chinese prints! The doors were all symetrically designed and
wonderfully carved, besides being prettily decorated with variegated
flowers. The third building contained a couple of sleeping apartments
leading off from a large centre gallery, which is reached by ascending
about ten to twelve steps; the view obtainable from the gallerj is such
as to make one marvel at the native architecture and industry and will
ever recur to my memory should I feel inclined to labour under the
delusion that the people possess no real energy or determination. Tin
attention is immediately arrested by a projecting right angle of -even
large terraces, on the highest of which stands a dewa-temple dedicated
to the Hindu gods; the terraces are used for the services and ceremonies
in honour of Madjapahit, Advantage has been taken of a spring close
by to lay out most magnificent waterworks, principally for baths, thus
the prince's private bath is supplied by fifteen jets of everflowing crystal-
like water and a lower terrace has a bath supplied by eight jets from
the same source. At the foot of the terraces is a pond 100 metres
long, but unlike the generality of them it is not square; where there
are no terraces grass mounds have been raised to the height of
20 metres, all having arbours on the tops; on the North was a tine
rockery and on the South a lovely richly-planted table-land."
"The sides of the pond are of stonework and the water runs ii
from two different points; there is a waterfall two metres high on
East providing a perpetual supply of water so clear and transpan
! ;
210 THE LOMBi CR EXPEDITION.
the little fish swimming about are easily discernible. After spending
sometime in admiring this really fine pond, we proceeded in a southerly
direction and here wo found subject for admiration, but this time it
was n<>t man's handiwork; it was a most fascinating little brook gliding
smooth 1) along amidst the high slopes with their luxurious plantations,
raceful and pretty in its windings, that one could not fail being
struck at its loveliness; i\\ trails along the waterside and magnificent
i ferns adorn the banks, whilst bamboos bend elegantly above the
ferns, i\\ and water. The pond is pretty, but that little stream out-
strips it in its simple grandeur!
•■.... Outside the Narmada kampong the road is ven steep.... we
are t«>hl that this is the point where the last encounter took place
between the Sassaks and the Balinese, when the fighting was of such a
desperate nature, that both sides were completel} exhausted and forced
to retreat. Although it is months since the event took place, the
countr) bear- witness to the struggle: everything looks sad and desolate,
the kampongs are deserted and burnt to the ground and all the trees
are cut down! Sad picture of a battle-field in all its naked horrer!
•• 1 >hould have enjoyed going with some of the artillery who went
on an expedition to I'raja. the seat of the Sassak rebellion; it is situ-
ated in the centre of the Southern division of Salamparang. There is
athree hour's ride through the most complete scene of desolation, a few
shrubs here and there and at intervals a skeleton."
Lieutenant Alting von Geusau did not accompany the column sent
to I'raja. but another, of which we shall hear presently. The next expe-
dition he made was to the recently built country-seal of .Made: the
enormous difficulties attendant on laying the foundations for the deep
ponds constituted one of the immediate causes of the insurrection, as
thousands of the natives were forced to work without payment, such
work being looked upon as part of their duties as vassals.
"Lingsar" \\a- the residence of the notorious Anak Agong Made: the
continual presence of the master's eye was visible at first sight, for it
was in all respects kept up better than the other princely residences,
but then' was something about the place which repelled me. The road
leading to it was inferior to the one running to Narmada, still there
were rows of cocoa-nut trees and sweet-smelling nanukas, but on the
whole I was disappointed. In spite of the superficial appearance of
•are bestowed on the place, there were man\ weeds in the garden and
the- banks of the pond were in disrepair; the pond is 300 metres long
b\ oil metres wide and is ornamented with some \er\ uglj statues, the
water is supplied bj the Songei Antjar, which apparently rises at Lingsar.
•When leave was given the men of the battalion to bathe, it was a
curious Bight to Bee a couple of hundred white and brown mortals jump
into the water and s,, thoroughly enjoj Bwimming about together.
I oiik thing of real interest mi this estate was the Hudhist temple;
Mad.' s private apartments were closed, but according to hearsay they
are no better than common barns. We had some difficulty in persuading
\T£-
Biulhist Temple at Lingsar.
212 THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
the guardian to let us pass into the temple enclosure, but finally he
opened the irate and our sacrilegious feet trod upon the clay soil where
the temple stood."
We Null not describe the general disposition of the temple; the} arc
all more or less on the same plan.
• A great walled-in square with a magnificent blue dome .... the
-k\ The first object to attract our notice was the sourer of the
Songei Antjar, held to be sacred and encircled by a thick wall: to visit
the source we had to creep through a narrow low doorway, constructed,
1 should say, to teach the people how to bend. The water was of a
pronounced blue and here and there were kepengs on the ground, offerings
1 suppose, from people who had come to derive benefit from the healing
properties of the source. On each side of this curious little well were
stone steps, at the top of which a door guarded by female Budhist
statues and leading to the actual place- of sacrifice, of which there were
seven ....
"This i- all 1 can say of the much-talked-of Lingsar! 1 have no
hesitation in stating that hoth Narmada and Gunong Sari surpass it in
even way.
•■ But what is the good of long marches and wading through about
twenty river-, some knee-deep, to go and visit a place like that, when
within a quarter of an hour of our camp there is the tine residence of
Tjakra Nagara? "
\- we are acquainted with the plan of Tjakra Nagara we will only
quote the description of the lake.
"There i- a magnificent lake on the right which I reckon to he
600 metres long and 200 wide; it is planted round with tine tall trees
and in the centre is an island about 20 metres long and ]U wide, access
to which i< obtained 03 B hank of earth from the side and shut off
by a prettily carved wooden door. A small house with marble floors
1- on the island; these were the first 1 have seen in all the princely
dwellings. It was \<r\ comfortably arranged, a nice open gallery and a
couple of bed-rooms. This appeal- to have hcen the favorite home of
the old Rajah. In the neighbourhood was a Chinese carriage to be
drawn by men: it was the only thing of the kind that 1 have seen in
Lombock.
To conclude, we will give a description of one more military march:
It wafi South this time and then along the coast, hut we paid no
herd to wet feet. Here wc traversed elilirely deserted kaillpoilLTs. one
continuous Bcene of ruin and devastation, broken down walls and burnt
down houses. A native who attached himself to OUT column told 11-
that ten month- previously Made had ordered the destruction of the
kampongs and all the women and children were murdered: he himself
had been wounded and hi- wife and five children killed.
What a miserable wretch that Made" must have hcen!
la-t wc reached the sea; on the left. Southwards, the mountains
iiirht from the sea, forming a splendid back-ground for one of
214 THE LOMBOCE EXPEDITION.
our white government steamers; facing us was the immeasurable
and Bali was not within sight. The water was calm and here and there
a native was rowing his own peculiar little boat; to the North was a
projecting cape, against which the ship- in the roadstead of Ampenam
Bhowed up well. Besides the men of war there were only two steamers
belonging to the Steam Navigation Company and they all presented a
\cr\ interesting scene. In the far distance in a \. \Y. direction the
peak "[' Bali pierce- the clouds like a giant pyramid: and further still;
bevond Hali and East Java. I could distinguish the Sumbing. and
beneath it i- Magalang and our little house. . .
Ala-' tin- young officer never saw his home again.
The negociations with Anak Agong k'Toet, destined by the terms of
tlu- ultimatum to l>e his father's successor on the throne, were begun
immediately after the return of the Commander-in-chief from his trip
to the East Coast. Conferences were held daily and the crown prince.
always accompanied by Djilantik, took hut a silent part and wore the
ct of a condemned man.
I i all questions put to him he invariably replied "patoet", meaning
"verj well"' or "what you say is right." The business was proceeding
both rapidlj and satisfactorily; k'Toet raised no objections to anything;
without a word of protest he agreed to the war indemnity Art. VII
of the ultimatum fixed at one million florins, which in accordance with
Articles \ III and IX in the instructions of the Commander-in-chief
wa< to he paid before the departure of the expeditionary force from
Lombock. He undertook, without comment, to contribute tls. 25.000
annually towards the expenses of our administration in Lombock. (In
compliance with the promise made to the Sassak chiefs, the Commander-
in-chief had suggested the advisabilty of Dutch inspectors at Mataram
and East Lombock to the Governor-General, who by the 16th August
had obtained telegraphic on-cut to the proposal from the home government .
Matter- are progressing so speedily that the departure of the troops
i- within measurable distance; the Commander-in-chief decides that it
is 'imc for the Karang Assim troops to return to their own shores;
hitherto they have been doing outpost duty, which is no longer needed:
the fortresses built by the Sassaks are to be dismantled; the high roads
which had been destroyed and rendered impassable at various points
were to he repaired and the inhabitants who had been driven or had
fled from their dessas were to return withoul fear and begin work
again, by cultivating the neglected sawahs.
Djilantik agreed to the plan that his troop- should be conveyed to
Bali on hoard the "Maetsuijcker", dailj expected from Surabaya and
two columns were ordered to advance into the interior to give notice
of the new arrangements.
(, "«' '-011111111 under lieutenant-colonel van Bijlevell was to bivouac
either at Sukarara or I'raja for a leu days and started from Tjakra
ra ••>* < a.m. on the 17th of August: it consisted of the 1st and
THE LANDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS AT LOMBOi £ 215
3rd companies of the 6th battalion stationed there, one sectioi
mountain artillery, one section of engineers, the necessan train an
ambulance, a military surveyor and four cavalr.j soldiers. Ti,.\ reached
Sukarara at 3.80 p.m. and lock up their quarters in the bivouac
prepared for them by the people, situated in an open sawah about
500 metres from the kampong.
In accordance with their nisi ructions dail} marches were made in
various directions to ensure the orders being carried out to dismantle
the forts, repair the roads and encourage the people to return to their
homes and resume their daily avocations.
" Van Lawiek's column marching to Batu Klian."
The second column under lieutenant-colonel van Lawick van Pabst
was similarly composed and was ordered to Batu Klian. its special
mission being to capture Daeng Ginoro; they set out on the morning
of the 17th August, two Companies of the' ninth battalion the 2nd
native and the 4th European) starting- from Ampenam an I spending
one day at Tjakara Nagara where the remainder of the column was
made up, only leaving two companies of the 6th battalion at L'jakra
Nagara. The' next morning after tidings had been received of the
unexpected death of Daeng Ginoro the column set out accompanied
the band of the 6th battalion to within a quarter of an lioui
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
Narmada which was reached about 9 a.m. At 1<> a.m. they crossed the
S. Babak, a river 4<> metres wide and 1 metre deep, the bed of which
was composed of huge stones, rendering the passage exceedingly difficult
the artillery and the train. Very shortly utter Leaving Narmada the
neglected condition of the road was striking, it soon lost itself in a
narrow footpath barely wide enough for two men to walk a-breast and
frequently requiring the services of the engineers to make it passable
for the artillery. Not a single dwelling was visible between the river
and Batu klian, the whole countr) resembled a deserl and all that
remained of Pringarata, a former shooting box of the prince, were a
few delapidated walls, showing traces of what once had been a kampong.
After a short halt here the troops continued their march through
further scenes of ruin and destruction now filling the places of scenery
once so much admired by travellers like Zollinger and Treyss but
converted into a vast wilderness by the cruel way in which .Mad*'
carried on war. At 2.30 p.m. men and horses were able to refresh
themselves at a wayside spring and in a couple of hours resinned their
march until 7.30 p.m. when tlie\ bivouacked for the night at a distance
of •_'.'. hours march from Balu Klian: the following morning the} started
early and reached this once SO noted dessa at half past nine. Their
reception by the people was all that could he desired and provisions of
bamboo and other necessaries for erection of the sheds for tin' troops
were brought in profusion to the chosen spot, dose to which was a
clear running stream, which had indeed proved one of the chief attrac-
tion of the bivouac.
Qn 'he 20th August the commandant of the column with a detachment
of To bayonets to each company and half a section of engineers pushed
on to Swangi, a couple of pals* 1 pal = 1506 metres south of Sakra,
on the Bast coast, to hold a parle\ with the principal chiefs there: the
remainder of the troops were left to complete the establishment of the
bivouac. This column reached Swangi at 2.30 p.m.: all preparations in
tin- wa\ of f«.od had been extensively made, the natives having been
informed of their intending \isit by an inhabitant of Koupang through
which kampong the) had passed earlier. After the conference with the
chiefs, the return march was made the same day, hut l>\ a shorter
road; the troops arrived in camp at Batu Klian at 8 p.m. having done
miles that «la\
rhe next few days were spent in visiting the different neighbourhoods
and the engineers superintended the repairing of the roads, where
iible. After the morning's march the afternoon was frequently spent
i" consulation with the chiefs who squatted round the major listening
to big orders and suggestions.
Instead of following the columns on their daily excursions we will
return to the main bodj and the chiefs events of 'the last days preced-
Ltack. First however we will sa\ a word or two about the
wisdom of despatching the columns into the interior, which action has
rda, i. ■•. miiiU n niilr.
THE LANDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS AT LOMBOCK. 217
given rise to conflicting (.pinions. On the one hand n is alleged that
by sending them to such long distances the main bod} was consider-
ably weakened and thai the forces were much too scattered, thus
as it were playing into the enemy's bands; in objection to
it is said that, each column being strong enough in itself to fulfil
its appointed task, there can be no question of scattering the fori
that in former campaigns, the entire expedition was often no Btronger
than one of these separate detachments, which were sufficient^ formida-
ble to impress the native enemy. The expeditions to the interior of
Lombock partook more of the character of excursions and although
such small forces would never have undertaken similar marches in Bali,
Boni or Atcheen, they would certainly have made similar ones in the
Batak territory, in the thinly populated districts of Sumatra and in
Borneo. In forming an opinion on this question one must bear in mind
the strength and organization of the enemy to be deal 1 with and although
300 men may have been considered a sufficient force to wAurr Lom-
bock to submission in the previous century, the case iv materiallj
altered at the present day and not to our advantage.
We cannot deny that after the division of the forces, Ampenara and
Tjakra Nagara were left very weak, especially the latter and as soon as
the Commander-in-chief received information of the impending attack
his first act was to send reinforcements there.
The point to be decided before forming an opinion, is whether al
the time the columns were moving about, there was any thought of
hostilities or not; it appears to us that there can have been no fears
on that score: the Sassaks were perfectly satisfied and the Balinese
appeared to be.
We consider that the situation of the troops whilst marching was tar
less dangerous than being all gathered together at Tjakra and Mataram,
when total annihilation from a treacherous enemy was far more likely
than when there w r as less concentration; besides there was not a single
advantage to be gained by remaining in the insufficiently fortified
bivouacs, whereas the knowledge of the country obtained during the
marches proved very valuable. We think there is everything to be said
in defence of the course of the Commander-in-chief, who when he
decided upon it, was thoroughly convinced of the sincerity of the Balin<
still we had laid down very stringent conditions, difficult <>t' acceptance
and sure to cause many heartburnings; these facts should have been
borne in mind and our attitude regulated accordingly.
The discussions concerning the treaty were at an end and nothing
was wanting but the final approval of the princes and notables. When
the negociations which had been carried on in Mala} were over, the
Commander-in-chief said to Djilantik: "Have the} clearl} grasped the
meaning of the conditions?" "I have perfectly," was the reply; "That
is not what I mean; I Avish to know whether K'Toel who has to carr}
out the treaty, has understood?' 5 -Not one single word! 1
218 THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
I nt roller Liefrinck was instructed to translate the treaty into Balinese ;
■ handed them sheet by sheet, princes and poenggawas studied
each point carefullj and minutely and they were no! slow to discover
that this contract, securing autonomy For the Sassaks, b\ the presence
of our representatives, was the death blow to their power and influence
over these people whom hitherto they had trodden to the ground and
that henceforth there was an end to all the privileges and benefits which the}
had bo largely enjoyed either secretly or publicly, rightly or wrongly.
I imbination was all they could oppose to this curtailment of their
privileges and circumstances favored them; during the last few years
the Lombock princes had purchased large supplies of the best and most
modern weapons and had accumulated an abundance of ammunition. .. .
certainh not from am special sense of Friendship towards ns.
In view of our unexpected arrival we had so often threatened
and our incredible display of strength, they had carefully con-
cealed these treasures and adapted themselves to circumstances they
now considered the circumstances altered and they were still possessed
of their meams of attack or defence, as the case might be. By this
time their awe of our strength, our troops and the unknown had worn
off; they had grown accustomed to our presence, they knew our habits
and the) had tried to watch our drill and more especially they had
made even endeavour to discover how we handled our guns.
Was it likely that their large numbers, provided with the necessar}
means of warfare, should tamely submit to a comparatively small force':
They thought not: the opportunity now offered by the Netherlands troops
being dispersed and having a broken line of communication was Favor-
able to the scheme proposed by the poenggawas to the prince who
n-adily fell in with it.
In fear and trembling lie had acceded to all our demands on our
arrival: he saw however that no harm towards his person was imminent,
that the throne was secured to his dynasty, therefore he too began to
In- less afraid.
W e had however touched his weak spot in Forcing him to part with
hi- moiie\ ■ he had spent his life in accumulating and hording it up
and now he saw his treasure diminish little by little: on the 20th A-UgUStlj
fls. 200,000, on the 22nd August by fls. 250,000 and there was' more
to I).- paid -till !
The temptation to resist our demands was too "Teat both for the
prince and the notables.
Ought we nnt to have been informed of tins new current of Feeling
b\ our -pe
Had we not. from the time that Djilantik had thrown in his lot with
Been most things through his eyes? His offlciousness and his
itance, which hail rendered him almost indispensable, were quite
sincere a- long a- then- was a reasonable prospect of his deriving Bome
advantage from our friendship, but when he found himself completelj
THE LANDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS AT LOMBOCK. 219
ignored in the new contract and was told unceremoniousl) that be and
his troops could go home, without any sorl of acknowledgemenl of his
services, we think thai a strong temptation to revenge himself musl
have presented itself to him. He must have hesitated long before decidi
for he really loved General van Ham and it pained him to think thai he
too would have to be punished with the others; he struggled desperateh
within himself during the days previous to the attack and endeavoured to
obtain forgetful] icss l>\ means of opium, which he cons ed immoderately.
The day was fast approaching when the expedition would have accom-
plished its mission; they are only waiting for the last instalmenl of the
war expenses and for the signature's to the treaty. A few of the troops
would stay on the island to ensure the carrying Out of certain conditions
and improvements, but the main body would return to Java shorth
and were looking forward to a joyful meeting with friends after such
a magnificent success, attained without the loss of one drop of blood.
"But coming events cast their shadows before," and in this instance
the shadows began to assume tangible proportions.
The women and children no longer visited the bazaars (markets as
they had been accustomed to do; the chiefs were lev-. Mil.nn-.vive and
the order to bring 70 picols to Ampenam to transport supplies to the
column at Sukarara was neglected. A sort of passive opposition was
shown in not removing the Karangassim troops at once from their
outposts on the Sassak frontiers; and even when the\ finally assembled
at Tjakra Nagara on the 28rd August fresh motives were put forward
to delay their embarcation for Bali.
On two occasions the indemnity money was overdue when I nought
and on another delay was asked for on the plea that there was no
more money available; finally the day before the attack a small in-
stalment of fls. 25.000 was offered, but of course could nut lie
accepted.
Oddly enough too, when some few details had to be settled about the
taxes and the vassal duties, both Anak Agong k'Toet and Gusti Djilantik
were too ill to be present.
All that the doctor, sent by the Commander-in-chief to visit Djilantik.
could discover, was that he was in a state of stupor produced l.\
opium; the prescribed remedies were however not applied and next da\
another medical man was deputed to enquire into the matter. His \i»it
was less successful, he waited for two hours but was refused admittance
to the patient's room. -^
What was the meaning of this sudden change in Gusti Djilantik?
Although the Commander-in-chief apprehended no serious trouble,
he thought it necessary to accquaint the Governor-General with tin
altered attitude of poenggawas and people. On that same evening, the
24th August, General Vetter gave special injunctions to Captain Kamer-
man, the Commandant of the two companies 2nd comp. Amboyi
and 4th comp. Europeans) left in the bivouac to keep a good wal
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
Fortunately the uight passed l>\ without disturbance; we sa\ Fortu-
nately, for the Balinese had certainl} intended it to be otherwise.
Sext day, the 25th, a further sum of fls. 250.000 was brought and
whils bnboynese soldiers, under supervision of Captain Inlanders
of tlif artillery, were counting the coins and testing them, a Balinese,
hidden behind a wall, threw a bottle at them; be was seized and carried
Impenam in chains. The incident was ended Imt it was another
discordant note in the harmony that had been existing.
Between 5 and ('» p.m. Captain Schmidhamer came riding from
Ampenam to ask for an interview with the C mander-in-chief ; lie was
the bearer of an ominous report, the truth of which be could not vouch
for, l>nt he had been informed by the Klian. Amah Amat of Sukaradja,
a Sassak kampong in the vicinitj of Ampenam, that the Balinese
contemplated attacking the bivouack at Tjakra Nagara that night. The
assault had been planned for the night before, lmt deterred owing to
the wife of one of the chief leaders, having died, which was looked
upon a^ a had omen.
For once we ma) feel grateful to Balinese superstition, which saved
n< from worse calamities than even those we have had to deplore.
On receipt of this news the C( miniaiider-in-ch ief lost no time in
sending the Resident and General van Ham to Djilantik to ask point
blank what he knew of the plan. Captain Kamerman received immediate
orders to prepare to leave Tjakra with bis men and baggage and with-
draw to Mataram : the transport waggons were however with the
detached column-. The Resident and the General returned from their
visit to Djilantik, who had sworn be knew nothing of an attack and
that then- was no plot against US; thereupon thc\ were despatched to
the crown prince, with strict instructions not to allow themselves to be
put off with an\ plea of sickness, but they were doomed to disappoint-
ment, for his Highness was ill and remained ill and they were unable
to obtain an interview
A conference was now held by the Commander-in-chief, the Second-
in-command and the Resident; the two latter discredited the rumour
and pointed out what a ridiculours figure we should cut in the eyes of
the Balinese if we were to take any retrograde step on the strength of
[I was deemed advisable to wait until the following da\ before
finalk deciding upon an action savouring of retreat, — instead of this,
the bivouac was strengthened by a company, the :\vd of the 7th battalion
and a section of the field-artillery, summoned from Mataram l>\ the
Commander-in-chief. The two field pieces were so located in the pro-
jecting portion of the open -pace as to command the road both in an
il\ and in a Westerly direction and were loaded with shrapnel;
situation of the guns was early explained to the troops coming from
Mataram to prevent an\ danger to them in case of an "alarm."'
I 'i' prudence 'sake the last portion of the war indemnity received
that morning wa8 transferred to the bivouac at Mataram. while orders
were -r.«n tor the headquarters to !><• henceforward in the bivouacwith
THE LANDING AND OTHER INCIDENTS AT LOMBOi K. 22]
the troops at Tjakra, which arrangemenl was opposed l.\ general Van
Ham who retained implicit belief in Djilantik's assurance of good Faith.
The Commander-in-chief, taking a less optimistic view of the ci
agreed that if any thing happened to his soldiers, it was his duti to
be with them and not separated from them. The offices of the General
Staff and the field telegraph were vacated; the orderlies, clerks and
servants packed up their tilings ....
Written orders were despatched to the columns al Batu Klian and
Sukarara to return at once, taking . additional precaution. Final!) a
letter was written to K'Toet, informing him of the currenl rumour and
requesting an explanation of it if true; but if unfounded he was
exhorted to use his authority to discover those who had circulated n
and punish them. It took a couple of hours to write this letter, the
original having to be translated first into Malay, then into Balinese; it
was 8.30 p.m. when it was handed to K'Toet's son at the poeri.
At 8 p.m. the Commander-in-chief took supper with his staff in the
small poeri and about nine he strolled leisurely to his new quarters in
the bivouac; everything was quiet here and though stricter precautions
had been taken no serious danger was anticipated.
The officers walked up and down chatting, General Van Ham remark-
ing to captain Kamerman: "You will see, nothing will happen!" later
they played cards, the second-in-command taking a hand. At II p.m.
General Vetter retired to rest! Calm and repose are no doubt admirable
qualities, but we think that, in face of all the circumstances we have
detailed, especially the altered behaviour of Djilantik, a little more
activity would not have been out of place.
Was any real plan of defence prepared in case of an attack? could
it honestly and conscientiously be said: "we have done our duty; we
are ready; let the enemy come if he dare!" We liardl \ think so, or
surely they would never have persisted in occupying such an unfavourable
position.
It was of course too late to have retreated to Mataram as first sug-
gested by General Vetter and General Van Ham was quite correct in
pointing out what a sorry figure we should cut by retreating if the
rumour proved unfounded. This argument ought not to have hindered
our taking up a more advantageous position at Tjakra; reasons of court-
esy should no longer have stood in the way of our occupying the two
squares of the Dewa temple; the troops coming from Mataram should
have brought further food supplies and drinking water should have been
provided;" and finally we should have insisted upon our all} dust
Djilantik sharing our bivouac for reasons of his personal safety '.
Had such a proposal been made to him, he would have been hound
to choose one way or other and a more correct conclusion might have
been drawn from his actions than from his utterances
The question remains, did the Commander-in-chief believe in
rumour or did he not ? . . . .
That he did not entirely casl it aside like General Van Han
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
apparent from the measures he took: consequently we are at a loss to
understand why he returned to the small poeri with his staff for supper
after dusk. By tins time the Balinese must have noticed that we were
warned and might they under the circumstances not have struck the
first blow rather before the appointed time, to prevent our taking any
more precautions and thereby entirely frustrate tneir plans?
The return to the poeri proves great personal courage and coolness,
but the risk was too great and it is only owing to the most inexplicable
neglect on the part of the Balinese that a decisive blow was not struck.
VI.
THE ATTACK.
The stillness of the night was undisturbed; there was no warning note to
advise us of the black betrayal that was being planned and plotted behind
the walls that encircled the bivouac; no kindly moon lighted up the fir-
mament; it was one of those dark black nights peculiar to the tropics!
only here and there a solitary field lantern, throwing a faint glimmer in
the immediate neighbourhood.
Suddenly a shot was heard at a quarter past eleven coming from behind
the walls of the artillery stables; it was followed by others in quick suc-
cession proceeding from Westerly and South Westerly directions; these
first discharges were not without fatal result, for one of the subordinat<
officers was mortally wounded.
The officers were on their feet at once, the alarm signal given and
every man stood armed at his post; the East flank (of the projecting
division of the open bivouac) was occupied by the 4th company of Euro-
peans under captain Kanierman; the North West and South sides bj
the 2th company Amboynese, captain Fuhrhop of the 6th battalion and
the 3rd company Madurese, captain Matthes of" the 7th battalion. Two
sections of the latter companies were held in reserve. *
We returned the enemy's fire with all our might and main. I mi! it
Avas growing rapidly more and more furious; in the midst of the tur-
moil sounds of martial music reached us from the kampongand thepoeri;
the enemy beat their drums vigorously and the intervals were filled up
up by the most hideous war cries; the noise drew nearer and
approached the bivouac from the West. The advancing natives were
greeted with a couple of vollies from the infantry and a discharge Prom
the guns nearest them; this unexpected reception called forth shrieks
and yells of disappointment and the enemy receded. An hour later
a new attempt was made to assault the bivouac on the East side, but
here too the welcome accorded them forced them to retire Thissecond
defeat caused the Balinese to alter their tactics, they no longer attacked
us in the open but continued their fire on our unprotected troops from
behind the walls, which alas! proved more effective; the number oi
* Owing to the men being absent with the columns in the interior, the Bectiona wer
about 30 men strong. The force at Tjakra consisted of about 400 nun.
224 THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
dead and wounded was rapidly increasing; after shooting down the
horses in their stables, the} concentrated their attention on the men.
Single marksmen kept up an incessant fire from the west angle of
the large poeri and man} of our artiller} were bit, especially in the
■ i Balinese were largely provided with repeaters, thus being
enabled to fire several shots consecutively without loss of time.
The surgeon, Janssen, soon had his hands more than full.
W . will quote an account of these events from an eye witness:
•1 helped in so far as I could." says Rogge, "to dress and wash their
wounds with the little drinking water we had left. The large tent
where we had but recently dined was soon filled with wounded; unfor-
tunately our lanterns served as targets for the enemy's bullets and more
than one whizzed close to m\ head whilst I was reaching water out of
the pails. I looked into the dome pavilion at intervals, where I found
a few of the General Staff silentl} awaiting the course of events; unex-
pectedly a voile} of shot> was tired from a sentry-box situated exactly
opposite to ns and unfortunately the} were aimed very Straight, 'mt
the} were replied to h\ a voile} from a section of soldiers stationed in
kneeling posture in front of the tent. The noise was deafening, it was
;h if all the furies of hell had been let loose . . . ."
The Commander-in-chief began to feel alarm lest we should consume
too much ammunition and sent repeated messages by his aide-de-camp,
lieutenant Kotting and lieutenant de (ireve enjoining ns to lie as sparing
a- possible. The Balinese made several attempts to tire more into the
centre of the bivouac by placing high ladders against the inner walls
of the poeri enclosure and shooting over them; our heavy guns proved
too milch for them and no longer venturing to show their heads above
the walls, r 1 1 * ■ \ tired at random and too quickly to work much damage,
eventually ceasing altogether.
\ new danger soon threatened us; we could hear distinct hammering
and knocking against the walls, the meaning of which was ver\ appar-
ent; the enemy was boring loop-holes through which to direct their
fire, the} themselves being completer} protected. Jn vain the artillery
tried to blow up the walls; the} were too solid, besides the darkness
prevented the result from being visible. The only thing we could see
were -park- of fire flying here, there and everywhere; the roar of the
guns was deafening and bullet- were falling around us fast and quick;
to the right, to the left, in front, behind and everywhere, causing
man} a poor fellow to stagger; added to all this was the ear-splitting
sound of the tom-tom as an accompaniment to the hammering and
boring of the wall-.
The convicts whose quarters were located against the high poeri wall
suddenl} seized with a panic, and under the impression that the enem]
pushing through the wall, the} made a sudden rush for the opposite
side ot the bivouac; the troops thinking it was the enemy opened tire
"ii them at once and man} were seriously wounded. The situation was
going from bad to WOTBe:
THE ATTACK.
"Whilst I was discussing it with General van Ham says I;
a bullet killed a sergeant passing near us and a soldier who
wounded in the chest handed me his gun, winch I was bound to drop
as the barrel was so hot. No portion of the lower division of the
bivouac was safe and the position was growing quite untenable, the
number of wounded being so great thai all the hits were lull; li\ this
time there were 12 killed and 87 wounded. We kepi casting anxious
looks towards the sky and calculating how long it would be before the
moon rose and we should be able to verif) the exacl stale of our
affairs; we hoped the Balinese would cease lighting soon, as General
van Ham, optimistic to the end, expected the\ would, or perhaps the
troops from Mataram would come to our assistance before long. I was
wondering what had become of the three Sassak chiefs with their
followers and whether they had known of the intended attack, bu1 I
never discovered what happened to them/' Thc\ fled at the firsl
shot; Mami Moesti Hadji wandered about all night wjd linalU joined
van Lawick's column; the other two returned to their villaaes.] •.Mean-
while the troops continued in excellent spirits; I never heard a complaint,
every man stuck to his post and did his duty. The claims upOL Dr.
Janssen's help were incessant; he was indefatigable in his work, nev« r
sparing himself, but cheerfully assisting all who needed his services
I was not the only person who watch cd him that night with admiration."
The moon rose at half past two, but those who anticipated an\
improvement from the fact were doomed to bitter disappointment; the
firing, the shouts in the poeri, the beating of the drum, the hammering,
everything went on as before and on our side more wounded wer<
carried in to the huts. At 4 a.m. Captain Tuhrhop was wounded and
had to be replaced at the most exposed point on the westerly Hank l>\
Captain Kamerman; two sections had occupied this post bul had dwindled
down to one and when the sun rose two hours later we discovered
that out of this remaining force eleven more were incapacitated.
About this time the efforts of the enemy had been crowned with
success, they had bored a hole through the wall and were able to fire
with comparative impunity, this triumph was a short lived one. for n
shell from our artillery had filled the breach.
At last daylight appeared and who can describe the picture of human
misery and suffering within that limited space?
"It was heart-breaking, " says Rogge, "to see the wounded men
lying about on the field and I tried to speak words of comforl and
encouragement to them.
"No pen can write what I witnessed. There were men in the prune
of life lying motionless, shot through the head, the breast, the arms
the legs; others were struggling with death and praying God for deliver-
ance; some begged of us to say good-bye for them to their friends and
relations.
"Whilst I was talking to one of the 'wounded, a soldier was strui
in the head by a bullet and fell dead at my feet.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
I and others were then cautioned not to remain exposed to the
murderous fire an) longer; the General staff and many others had
withdrawn to the square within the high walls."
The enemj baffled at one point had bored Beveral other Loop-holes
and now in full daylight their aim would be more deadly; they were
tiring from behind good cover straight into our exposed ranks and we
were powerless: further resistance was out of the question.
The Commander-in-chief discussed with General van Ham the advisa-
bility of blowing up the poeri gate and then storming the poeri itself....
but nothing was known of the enemy's strength within those walls and
it would have been too bold a step to venture upon with such a very
limited force. Miine of whom would necessarily be left behind to guard
the wounded and the bivouac.
After further deliberation it was decided to transfer the entire
bivouac to the enelo ■■.;;, ol the actual I )ewa-t emple and by 7 a.m.
this was accomplished. There was comparative safety between the
high walls •..> long as the assailants placed no high ladders against them
and fired into our midst; to forestall this some breaches were made
and \\ r placed ladders on our side of the \\alls: the enemy made no
attempt to leave the position they occupied; only a couple of cham-
pions passed along the road executing a native dance and were imme-
diateh shot down by Kamerman's company.
The hours went b\ drearily enough and there was a genera] sort of
respite, the men stood or la} speechless beside one another; tired and
exhausted man} sought repose beneath the sheds: Genera] van Ham
la\ down on a heap of i\v\ leaves to rest. alas, for the last time! This
state of things could not be endured for long; there was nothing to
eat or drink and all attempts to dig a well in the temple had proved
abortive: there was onl} enough water, carried from the open bivouac.
to make tea for the men once. The ammunition of the combatants
was exhausted and the soldiers had used up a large supply of cartridges.
The Commanders now discussed the next move and whether they were
to decide upon waiting for the arrival of the columns from the interior
one of which wa^ expected that at'ternooii. the other the following day.
This i-* what had been intended when the} withdrew to the I )ew a
inclosure, but they had hoped for assistance from Mataram, where the}
had heard some firing in the earl} morning winch had since ceased.
All the messages senl to Mataram remained unanswered as the
chance of help from that quarter grew fainter the} began to realize
more vividl} the terrible pass the} were m. especiall} when the} felt
their inability to help the detached columns as defenceless as themselves;
the Commander-in-chief resolved that if no help had reached them by
he would retreat to Mataram.
were now made to inform the columns of the departure from
Tjal . t r : i and to send instructions to van Lawick to retreat to the
E and to van Bjjlevelt to had his men direct to Ainpenan,
avoiding Tjakra and Mataram. Although remittance of their sentence
THE ATTACK.
was promised to convicts who would carry the orders, nol one
found to undertake the task. At 1 p.m. the Commander-in-chief sum-
moned the officers and told them of his decision to starl for Mataram
at 3 p.m.
To avoid the main road whose walls were perforated with loop-holes,
they were to try and reach a sired al the S.W. angle of their Former
bivouac and running parallel with the high road.
In the interval a deep grave had been dug in the square of the Dewa
temple and 16 men were laid to rest; it was a touching ceremom to
see the dead bodies borne past one by one, each receiving a las!
military salute from officers and men; when the last one was laid
beside bis comrades, many approached the still open grave to bid
good-bye to the brave fellows they were leaving behind, little thinking
how soon their own turn would come. Their troubles were onl)
beginning and the worst were yet before them.
The most seriously wounded — those who could not walk — about 40
in number, were placed in "tandoes" (stretchers) made of quilts and
their rifles were fastened to the poles. The officers carried the rifles of
the dead men and the locks were taken off those they had to leave
behind; each one was entrusted with some of the monej in tin'
military chest.
The retreat was led by the 2nd lieutenant, Valkenburg, commanding
(the captain and the 1st lieutenant were wounded) the second com-
pany of the 6th battalion Amboynese and this advance column included
Wunnisk, carrying the colours, the Commander-in-chief, the Resident,
captain Manders and lieutenant Kotting and de Greve; then came the
two fieldpieces, drawn by a single team and followed b) the third com-
pany of the 7th battalion Madurese with the stretchers, while captain
Kamermanwith the 4th company of the 6th battalion Europeans covered
the retreat and General van Ham and the Chief of the Staff were with
this portion of the force.
They had hardly left the bivouac when the foremost division was
greeted with an almost overwhelming fire, which caused the Amboynese,
though firing, to advance at such a rapid pace that those in the rear
could not keep up with them. The Commander-in-chief despatched
captain Manders and lieutenant, de Greve forward to give ordei
"halt" the deafening sounds making it however impossible for 'I
mand to be heard. Just at the corner of the street the) were brought
to a standstill and the remainder of the troops caught them up;
a fatal spot for many; bullets were being tired from loop-holes m even
direction It was here that the Commander-in-chid lost his brave aide-
de-camp, lieutenant Kotting; after being shot .., the leg he was pi
in a tancloe, but a second bullet in the head killed him and the) v
obliged to leave his body behind.
Finally the artillery came up and the) could resume the advance;
Commander-in-chief issued an order to burn the straw on the wal
thev marched past and thus drive away the foe fighting under then
] Vetter'fl r<
THE ATTACK.
connection was again lost, the number of casualties was increasing, the
horses were driven frantic with the firing, the stretchers with the woun-
ded were out of sight and the rear guard was nowhere to be seen !
Once more the Commander-in-chief succeeded in staying the progn
of the advanced guard; a section of infantry was ordered to go back
and re-form the line of communication, but it was a fruitless attempt.
To tarry at this juncture was certain death; Jhr. AJting von Geusau,
in command of the 3rd section of Madurese fell not verj tar From
where Kotting lay and lieutenant Boerma of the artillery was shot in the
leg and was placed in a stretcher, but the carriers were both fired al and he
himself had a narrow escape the second time; several other carriers were
killed and many soldiers wounded but the Commander-in-chief appeared
invulnerable. The situation was now clear to all: they were effectual!} cut
off from the rear, their only chance of salvation lay in front of them
and without waiting for the word of command they dashed forward for
dear life; the dead were left on the guns. They marched onward under
the unceasing fire of the enemy; here and there they succeeded in knocking
down pieces of wall and driving away those sheltered behind it; in
crossing a slokan (small river) they were nearly forced to leave the
cannons behind, the horses could not pull them along; lieutenant de Greve
came to the rescue with a few of his men, and got them safeh over.
Having surmounted this difficulty they were face to face with another:
beneath the annihilating fire of the Balinese they had to demolish an
earthwork thrown across their path to prevent their reaching the high
road from Tjakra Nagara to Mataram. Just on their arrival on the
main road, the troops were met with such heavy fire, that the horses
bolted straight for the old bivouac at Mataram, dragging with them gun
carriages and guns; the wounded were only saved by slipping off, for
within very few minutes the horses were in the enemy's hands in the
sawah bivouac, which to our consternation we discovered to be no longer
occupied by our troops.
Meanwhile signals from the Dewa-temple advised us of the retreat
of the 7th Battalion; pursued by the enemy's fire the Commander-in-
chief with his few followers found a refuge there at aboul 5 p.m.
What had happened in the interval to those cut off from the main
body ?
The task of Captain Kamerman commanding the rear guard was no
easy one; it was slow work carrying the wounded through the narrow
doorway separating the higher from the lower bivouac and the foe
concentrated their fire on this passage with fatal results to many, a ngsl
whom was General van Ham. The Chief of the Staff seeing the utter
impossibility of sending any more stretchers forward gave the order
to return within the temple precincts; but instructed Lieutenant llardie
to go with his section and carry back to the temple the wounded who
were on the road. The first person he saw was lieutenant von Geusa
and proceeded to bind his artery; whilst thus occupied von Geu
received another bullet in the breast and his sufferings were over.
THE LOMBOCE EXPEDITION
In a quarter of an hour's time Captain Kamerman renewed his attempt
to advan h a heavj Bhower of fire was poured upon them, that in
his desire to join the firsl division, Major Eiamerster ordered
him gain to return.
It ir tlic\ were cut of! from the Commander-in-chief and the}
now found themselves onl} three sections strong and 40 wounded, sur-
rounded by hundreds of enemies and with no provisions to speak of.
The 4th section under lieutenant Hardie had caughl up with the
advance and with the wounded General van Ham had joined the Com-
mander-in-chief at the Matarain Dewa-temple. As the second in com-
mand was about to pass through the narrow doorway, he remarked":
••a t'.-u greetings arc bound to be exchanged!" and five minutes later
was fatalh wounded in the chest and in the leg; the heavily built
man was laid in a stretcher and after enquiring where he was hurt he
never -poke again; two fusiliers with praiseworthy disregard for their
own safet) succeeded in carrying him to the dewa-temple where he
expired shortly after his arrival, but sustained b\ the rites and last
sacraments of his Church, for the General was a Catholic. Thus fell a
brave soldier and a righteous man. whose mind was too noble to suspect
evil of his neighbour, even when that neighbour was a native. In him
we lost a courageous leader and a general genuinely beloved and
respected by his men and l>\ all who came into contact with him.
Let ii- see what had occurred to cause the evacuation of the bivouac
in the rice field and the occupation of the Dewa-temple by the 7th battalion.
On the night of 25 — 26 A.UgUSt the} at once turned out when they
heard the firing at Tjakra Nagara; the 1st company on the high road.
the 2nd on the East and the 4th on the West side. The night having
passed b\ without further disturbance .Major von Blommestein com-
mandant of the bivouac, ordered Captain Jonker with his company — the
4th to make a rcconnoisance in the direction of Tjakra at daybreak.
The company marched out of the bivouac and were about to form
into a square when they were unexpectedly tired upon from the Eastern
front of Mataram and in a minute's time three men were killed and
four dangerously wounded; while replying to the enemy's fire the}
withdrew into the bivouac which now became the object of the assailants,
who a couple of hour- later were supported by their forces firing from
the Wesl front of Tjakra.
\- will be remembered it was about this time that there was a lull
Hie troop- at Tjakra. so it i- evident the Balinese were now directing
all their strength against the bivouac of the 7th battalion.
In a ver\ snort time there were 7 killed and \1 wounded and fears
e entertained lest the sheds roofed with bamboo and paddy straw
should -ooii be set on fire.
A. council of war i- held ;it 2.30 p.m. wherein it was decided to retreat
-temple. 600 metres South Bast of the present position and
the plan was carried out an hour Inter under cover of the 4th compan}
itli of the high road and of 20 volunteer-, who, headed by
THE ATTACK ,- A
lieutenant Fransen of this company, effected a diversion. Through a breach
made in the walls of Mataram by the artillery this small force furii
attacked the enemy, forced them to retreat to some distance and kep!
their attention fully occupied until all the wounded had been transferred
to the temple but four of these brave soldiers paid for their courage
with their lives. All the provisions, material, and even the military chesl
had been left behind in this precipitate retreat and 011I3 one of the
two fieldpieces was saved, and this had been accomplished b) the gum
themselves; the other, to which the horses were attached with difficulty,
was lost, the horses terrified by the firing, having bolted with it towards
Tjakra Nagara.
One of the last to reach the temple was the Reverend Father \
the Catholic priest, who under the heaviest fire had laithlulK assisted
both dying and wounded, of whatever faith or country.
Once inside the Dewa-temple the first thing was to bore loop-holes
in the walls and prepare for defence as well as possible under the
circumstances and it was at this juncture in their affairs that General
Vetter and his detachment found shelter there.
It is now time to see how the columns sent to the interior
fared during these hostilities. As was usual, van Bijlevell had been
out on a clay's march from Sukarara and the evening (the25th August
was a Saturday) was spent more cheerily than usual, an extra bottle
of wine and cards being thoroughly enjoyed, as all were looking for-
ward to their first day of rest on the Sunday. At half past eleven all
retired to their simple couches of bamboo, covered with imitation
leather and a blanket. They were roused at 1.15 a.m. I>\ the arrival
of the spy bringing the orders of the Commander-in-chief to retreat
at once to Mataram; these were the instructions sent on receiving in-
formation of the attack from captain Schmidhamer.
Further sleep was out of the questions and all were lost in conjec-
tures concerning the reasons for this order; at an early hour the bivouac
was broken up and an inventory taken of a six day's food supply brought
in the previous day and now entrusted to the care of a Sassak chief
Gura Bangkol — for storage in his kampong at Praja, distant an hour
and a half.
The retreat started at 9 a. m. ; but it was 1 p. 111. when Kediri was
reached; the men were tired out from the marches of the previous days
and advancing equipped for defence was a farther source of fatigue and
loss of time. On leaving the kampong sounds of firing at Tjakra
were distinctly audible and in reply to our questions all sort- of con-
fused answers were given by the Sassaks on the road ; we were in-
formed that fighting had been going on both at .Mataram and Tjakra
Nagara since the previous night, that our side had sustained man\ Losses
in killed and wounded but had occupied the poeri at Tjakra, etc.
On hearing this the Commander of the column <U'cul^\ to make
straight for this point to relieve his comrades.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
\- 2 p.m. the column was within a couple of hundred metres of the
bak river theywere marching along a narrow kampong track,- through
thf dessa of Glogor — hemmed in on the one side l>\ an impenetrable
thickset hedge, <»n the other bj :i deep ravine: in front, on the left, stood
:i "missigit' a mosque). Suddenly the enenrj opened fire in the front,
in the rial-, on either side of this serried mass of men and Major van
Bijlevelt, the commander, was the first to be wounded and the command
taken over l»\ Captain ('rent/, Lechleitner, who immediately ordered
the storming of the missigil whence the fire was the heaviest.
\- soon as the wall dividing it from the road had been demolished
l»\ the engineers, lieutenants van Kappen and Musquetier entered with the
Europeans and took up position with their revolvers under two windows
of the 1 1 1 i - — i lt i t ; just as Musquetier was pursuing the enemj into closer
quarters he was suddenly killed by a bullet piercing his heart. Mean-
while the artilleri had taken up their position and driven hack the
enemy on the right of the kampong, so that after ten minutes the
advance resumed. It was a difficult matter to cross a river sixty metres
wide and even man up to his waist in water; the gun carriages were
dragged under the water and the guns placed on the mules' backs, lmt
immediately replaced on the carriages on the opposite hank. Theenemy
<till continued t<> take advantage of their protected positions to render
the retreat a- difficult a- possible; the march continued through narrow
roads bordered on either side by thickset hedges, behind which the clay
and stone houses served as so many points of attack: before entering
each kampong it was subjected to artillery-fire. The entire march was
made amid alternate offensive and defensive operations: sometimes the
houses and homesteads where the firing seemed most determined were
stormed and the enemj fell hack, hut no sooner, had the besieging
detachment joined the main division than the hostile attacks were
renewed After crossing sundrj other small rivers the kampong of Laboe
Api and with it the open rice plantations S. of Tjakra Nagara were
reached and here again the column was informed 1>\ Sa><ak^ that our
ps occupied the poeri there. From this point to Tjakra proper
there was a cessation of the firing; only here and there a few Balinese
mighl he -ecu taking flight to their kampongs. At ."> p. m. the\ were
at the South entrance to Tjakra and entertained no doubts about finding the
remaining companies of the 6th batailion, hut to make quite certain the
trumpeters signalled "6th battalion." There was no answer; everything
was still, ^tdl as death and no living being was visible; they caught
sight of a woman running away behind one of the first houses on the
left. ( )n a table in the middle of the road were some cans of water
which no one touched tor fear of poi80n.
In spite of this somewhat lugubrious reception the\ entered the town
•iphaiith to the BOUnd of drum and bugle; as soon as the whole
column' had passed tin' L r al«< the Btorm burst all round them: a dollhle
row of loop-holes, some breasl high, others at the height of the knee,
were made ail along the walls and the bullets poured on to the men
THE ATTACK.
from over the walls and through them, behind them, in front of th
Orders were given to "halt", the guns were formed in batter} against
the walls— within a few steps of one another; the walls here were no!
so substantial and easily gave wa\ • the enem) was driven from wall to
wall and the pieces were pushed forward and placed in n.-u positions
Slow but steady progress was made; the dead had to be I. ft behind
but all the wounded were carried in tandoes and where these failed
were either supported along by the soldiers, or if necessary, carried on
their backs; the artillery fortunately sustained no los es here, though
the lion's share of the work devolved upon them and the Balinese
directed their fire continuously on them when the) realized the) were
doing them so much damage. Alter taking two hours to accomplish a
distance usually occupying from twelve to fifteen minutes, the) arrived
within 400 metres South of the poeri and as it was evident there were
no troops here, they proceeded straight to Mat a ram.
In spite of the fast increasing darkness the Balinese kept us bus)
replying to their attacks, but the troops marched in perfecl order and
discipline, displaying magnificent training, both morally and physically.
The infantry now had to continue the defence, it bring too dark for
the artillery; at about 8 p.m. they arrived at the old sawah bivouac,
but instead of friends, they were once again met by foes. After a few
anxious moments they heard the signal of the 6th battalion coming from
the neighbouring Dewa-temple ! Here they were received with 303 and
amazement at their plucky retreat; they had had 16 men killed, amongsl
whom Musquetier whose body they had carried with them and there
were 35 wounded; they had also saved all their guns, weapons, ammu-
nition, etc. which was indeed a feat to be proud of, considering all
the obstacles met with from beginning to end.
We will now quote from Rogge for further information regarding
the troops assembled in the temple.
"Now we found ourselves cooped up in the Dewa-temple, surrounded
and threatened on all sides by bloodthirsty enemies. Our men had bored
holes in the outer walls, their guns were placed in them read) to be
fired at the word of command.
"A sentinel was placed in a tall tree in the first enclosure and was
constantly replaced to ensure accurate and continuous knowledge of the
enemy's movements.
"The killed and wounded were laid in the second enclosure, while
the General Staff and many officers, tired and exhausted, were standing
or lying close together on the ground in the first. No wonder that
many felt disheartened at this depressing sight and >ne expected to
leave this refuge alive.
"It caused me no small astonishment to behold General Vetter
reclining in an easy chair in the first enclosure and settling himseli
down for a nap after his cigar, which he had smoked as calml) 1
deliberately as if he were at home. The Resident was lying on the
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
ground not Ear from him, with his head partially resting againsl mj
and I mvself was wedged in between two men, one of whom hail
fallen fast asleep where he stood.
"We were all suffering agonies from thirst, the only water obtainable
in the temple being almost too mudd} to drink, besides which it was
impossible to move through the closely packed troop-.
"To remain in this situation could not be thoughl of; there was no
Pood at all .-mil we were running short of ammunition, having left ever}
thing behind in our flight, as the 7th batt. had been compelled to do
when deserting the bivouac at Mataram, where even the last consign-
ment of the war indemnity, taken there for safety on the previous
night, fell into the enemy's hands. Great praise is therefore duo to
the officers of the 6th battalion who though in danger of their lives
divided the contents of the militan chest, each our carrying in his
pockets all he could. The fieldpieces, with the exception of one. which
was however left behind next day. were in the hands of the enemy, as
well as the ammunition and all our property. My pocket handkerchief
was all I owned and Mill did good service in binding up the wounds
of one of the soldiers.
\ council was held at which it was decided to push across the
sawahs t<> Ampenan next morning, the retreat to be led by Major Rost
van Tonningen
• A -lmrt interval of respite was given us and only astray bullet was
tired from time to time.
"As it grew darker we could distinguish sounds of firing come from
Tjakra: at first the\ were very faint, hut as the\ came nearer and grew
louder we concluded that van Bijlevelt's column was advancing towards
Mataram and we were right in our surmises, they joined us shortly after
lp.m " We have already described their march....
•|t was a difficult task to find sheltered places for the newly-arrived
"tandoes" with the wounded, for no lights were allowed and as little
noise a- possible. Mad the Balinese attacked us from over the walls
(.n that dark night not one man could have escaped; we were saved
from this crushing disaster b\ their love of plunder and greed. It was
far more in keeping with their natural propensities to sack tin- bivouac
than to expose themselves to the perils of a night attack; they must
have been ampl} rewarded for their night's work, becoming possessed
a^ they did of many valuable and curious objects.
I was told later b\ an artillery man who had got into the deserted
bivouac b\ mistake and hidden himself beneath some straw, that he
Balinese break open chests and carrj off the contents.
'Preparations were made for an early retreat next morning, but
iu!_ r there remained a sad and painful dut\ to be performed;
during tin- still of night a grave had been dug in the third enclosure
lere we buried the gallant general Van Nam. lieutenant Musquetier
and all those who had succumbed t<> their wounds after reaching the
temple.' 1 Those brave men rest beneath the shadow of a giant waringin
THE ATTACK.
tree and we are thankful to say the Balinese have respected this sacred
'Dewa-temple at Mataram; General Van Bam'e graTe ie here."
spot. Close to the tree there now stands a memorial table! and on
surface are written words of hope and words which tell of wiped
Tin: LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
shame, of tame and victory, and of a new era in the history of our
Indian arm\ !
"The order was issued for a company of infantry to head the march,
followed by the stretchers with the wounded under military escort. The
nitirr train was to be covered by a second compan) of infantry.
The appearance of the first soldier leaving tin- temple was the signal
For a new attack, making it clear that an orderh retreat would lie
impossible. Consequently the mountain artillen under lieutenant Becking
came into action against the Balinese and effectively silenced them for
some time and the column fell into line: they soon reached the open
sawahs and making a long round to avoid the walls of .Matarain, went
l>\ wa\ of Pasingahan and Sekar Bela and the river Antjar to Impenan.
The enem\ continued to hamper the retreat h\ firing at us from
Mataram, Poenia and Pagasangan and now and again a halt was necessary
to repulse some who were hold enough t" assail us in the open. Thr
country we had to traverse was far from being a well-kepi even road:
here we were ankle-deep in mud, there we were up to our wai>ts iii
water: hut in spite of all the difficulties OUT casualties during this six
hours' inarch only amounted to 20 killed and wounded and this excellent
result ; s in a great measure owing to the skilful leadership of Major
Host van Tonningen. We were also much indebted to tin- services of
two Sassaks, whom we met and who guided us along the safest and
shortest route to Sekar Bela; undoubtedly these poor people have
deserved well of us; it was they who obstinately declined to negotiate
with the Balinese rajahs and hound themselves h\ oath never to submit
to their rule again. From their own past experiences they warned the
General-Staff not to put faith in the promises and finally they warned
us of the impending danger, thus saving the expeditionary land forces
from complete extinction.
'The condition of our wounded was most distressing, main having
'" he carried on quilts fastened to bamboos or guns, the number of
tando.s proving insufficient; the discomfort of their cramped positions
was added to h\ the rays of a broiling hot sun and our convicts were
not always over gentle or careful in their movements, rendered especially
unstead} l>\ the inequalities of the ground. A twenty minutes* halt
was thorough!} appreciated, every man sitting or lying in the most
comfortable position lie could find, hut we were all suffering from
intense thirst, which led many to drink the muddy sawah water, after-
wards productive of so manj cases of colic. In spite of all the hard-
ships the soldiers kept in first-rate spirits and I cannot saj too much in
praise of the excellent good fellowship displayed an gst them towards
another and particularly towards the wounded; after I had sprained
11) foot I leaned on one of the convicts, hut no sooner was this noticed
couple of our stui'dj fellows came forward to support me. I
tl :i single word of murmur or complaint and every order was
■ u!i the utmost precision and punctuality.
I nalh we heard \oice. from the front shouting: ..We are nearly
THE ATTACK
there! In the distance we sec a white flag and our own beloved
tricolor ! "
"Never surely in all our lives had we looked upon our country's flag
with such sincere feelings of affection and gratitude; it was flying sail)
from above the walls of Sekar Bela, promising us freedom and safety;
the Sassaks wished to convey to us that we should soon be treading on
friendly territory.
"We pushed forward with renewed vigor and hope though still pur-
sued by the enemy's fire from Poenia and to our deep sorrow we
suffered losses to the last, amongst the victims being Lieutenant
Bruggen Hugenholtz, shot in the leg.
"Once inside the kampong the order to "rest'' was given and mosf
gladly did every man seek repose and shelter beneath the shad) ton
where the Sassaks brought us rice and cocoa-nut milk; the refresl ml
was sorely needed and certainly appreciated, this being one of t :
occasions when "hunger is the best sauce!"
"In a little while we resumed our march along a shad) road hading
to the beach; here and there we caught sight of a Sassak man or
woman watching us with pity and curiosity and in an hour's time we
reached Tandjong Karang."
Here we must take leave of Rogge, who was conveyed with the Residenl
by boat to Ampenan, thence with a number of wounded to Surabaya
on the Maetsuijckcr.
The Commander-in-chief went in a man-of-war pinnace to II. ML St.
Emma, on which he proceeded to Ampenan. No sooner had the Com-
mander of the Naval forces seen the soldiers approaching the beach,
than he despatched medical assistance and the more serious!) w ded
were placed on the boats and taken to the hospital or to the sick
transport ship.
The remainder of the column still had a tedious march before them
across the dry sand and the river Antjar before reaching the bivouac at
Ampenan. They were met by the column which had been in occupation
and who can doubt of the joyfulness of that meeting. After a march
of seven and a half hours they reached the bivouac without having
allowed a single one of their wounded to fall into the enemy's hands.
We look upon this retreat as another of those wonderful event- well
worth rescuing from oblivion !
It had been a period of extreme anxiety in the bivouac at Ampenan
when they were warned by the tiring of 25th— 26th Augusl that hostilities
had broken out in the "interior. After the departure of the 2nd and
4th Companies under Van Lawick, all that remained in this open unfor-
tified bivouac excepting a detachment of cavalry, were the two companies
of the 9th battalion, but without a single piece of ordnance and of the
naval force, there were only the "Koningin Emma" and the /'
Hendrik", for, in consequence of the succesful turn of affairs, the *
had been gradually dismissed. The Cycloop, the Sumatra, the TV
- -
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
and the B had all in turn left for Surabaya, the three last for
repairs and thither too had both despatch boats returned in the middle
\ i!_ r u<t. their services no longer being needed.
The night 25th 26th August had passed l>\ uneventful]} al Ampenan;
however, next morning the Commander of the .Marine, captain II. Quispel
of r . judging from the attack at Mataram and Tjakra Nagara
that Ampenan's turn would come next, took upon himself to disembark
rhc parties from the Koningin Emma and the Prins Hendrik\ the\ com-
posed a force of 200 men and four guns and were placed under the
command of C. A. Dominicus, Naval Lieutenant of the 1st class, although
the commandant of the bivouac at Ampenan was his senior in the
service.
Thc\ set to
work in con-
junction with
the two infan-
try companies
to throw up
breastworks all
the way round
the bivouac
running into
sea both North
and South and
the two war-
ships were sta-
tioned at tin-.'
two point- fur-
ther to protect
the bivouac
with the ships'
• """' lr ' k '" gunsifoccasion
demanded it. The na\al brigade was first stationed on the high road
to Mataram, bul later on in the bastions of the new earthworks; the
cavalr} were -cut out to reconnoitre and soon fell in with the enemj
in occupation of the main road to Mataram; the} withdrew as soon as
one of their horses was wounded. . . . We refrain from remarks for the
moment.
In anticipation of an almost immediate attack, it was considered more
prudent to abstain from an\ attempl to open up communications with
ram: however nothing happened until the morning of the 27th
when tin eived information brought by convict- from the Com-
mander-in-chief of hi- retreat to the Dewa temple and instructions to
lit provided with tandoes and ammunition to meet the retreating
column pushing forward to Ampenan; as we have seen the order was
titcd and the troop- met South of the river Djangkok.
Thi \ little rest iii the l>ivoii;ic on the niirlit of 27th --28th
THE ATTACK.
August; after the suspense and honors of the lasl two days it i
to be wondered at if nerves were unstrung and a general feelins
apprehension current among the hoops; frequently the} imagined the
enemy was rising up From out of the darkness and the sentries kepi up
an almost incessant alarm. In the early hours of the night the approach
of the 9th battalion was signalled and a portion of van Lawick's column
reached the bivouac with many wounded; a little later another portion
arrived, but many were still missing for several days
On the 26th August van Lawick's column ignorant of the stirring
events at Tjakra, went on a long march; the Commandant went that
day with the 2nd company— captain Lindgreen's natives to Swangi not
far south of Sakra, to hold a final conference with all the chiefs of the
neighbouring kampongs. The following da\ Sundaj was to be a da\
of rest and the return to Ampenan was fixed for the Monday. The
chief of the staff of this column, Captain Willemstijn, and Lieutenant van
der Plank rode out in the morning to Praga to become better acquainted
with the line of communication to Batu Klian; the European company
the 4th, under Captain Christan — had remained behind in the bivouac
with the surgeon dr. Ujlaki.
The doctor's services were really not much in demand amongst the
troops during the time we were in Lombock, but he was kept extremel}
busy by the inhabitants. His ambulance was daily besieged b) Sassaks
coining to ask for remedies for all sorts of diseases, old ulcers on the
leg, running sores, neglected skin eruptions and every variety of ailment;
the demand for medicines and bandages soon exhausted the available
supply, which had to be replenished; the 4 nurses would have been
unable to get through their work, had they not been supplemented b)
volunteers from amongst the ranks.
The presence of the troops had helped to alleviate the sufferings of
the Sassaks in other ways too, for, daily, hundreds of half starved natives,
who had not seen or tasted rice for months, came to the bivouac with
their emaciated and half-famished children, grateful had tiny only been
permitted to eat the crumbs that fell from the soldiers' table. The
Commander had rice cooked for them in large kettles and would have
had meat cooked also, but they preferred eating it raw. rather than
wait! (a fine cow could be bought here for a couple of sovereigns or
thereabouts).
The soldiers often shared their meals with these poor people and
supplied them with what clothes they could spare.
On his return from the march somewhat later than usual :!.:!<» p.m. .
van Lawick found the letter of instructions from the Commander-in-
chief; it had been given a conspicuous place l.\ Captain Willemstijn,
who had received it from the Chief of Batu Klian. Raden Ginawan.
Finding he had a little time to spare after his ride to Praja, he
returned by way of Surabaya, where he paid a long promised visit
the Chief, who, after a short conversation, handed it to the captain,
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION,
saying it had been delivered to him b) ;i Sassak. He furthermore told
willemstijn that war had broken out between the Balinese and tlu*
company but this news the captain refused to believe and as soon as
he reached the bivouac he lay down to rest.
V - mer had Major van Lawick mastered the contents of the letter
than he roused Captain Willemstijn and after a short consultation it
was decided that the column must be in marching order for Ampenan
• p. ni.
The order was cheerfull) received by the men who, notwithstanding
tho day '8 fatigue set to work to have everything read} at the appointed
hour. Meanwhile the commanding officer assembled his captains and
read them the Commander-in-chief's letter; he sent a note to Lieutenant
Van der Zwaan of the topographical service, who was absent surveying
in the neighbourhood and not expected at Batu Klian until next day,
informing him of the altered circumstances, and instructing him to avoid
Tjakra hut to make for the East coast, where a government steamer should
sent to fetch him. This forethought on the part of the Chief saved
the life "f this clever young officer and it was acts of this nature which
endeared van I, aw ick to his men.
The} left the bivouac at 5 p. m.; as there were only two invalids to
be carried in tandoes, they marched briskly and without interruptions until
dusk, when halt was math' in the kampong of Surabaya. Before day-
break the Commander was warned of the arrival of Mami Moesti Hadji,
one of the three Sass ;1 | x Chiefs whom he had left with the Coniniander-
in-chief; Mami narrated how he had fled at the first shot. bu1 could not
explain the cause of the outburst, beyond the fact that there were many
had people at .Xarmada who wanted to kill the company. The troops
were -i m hi on their feel again and after a short breakfast of bread and
coffee they started and at 1 1 a. m. the} reached the river Babak; hardly had
the first man trot through the brush wood when the enemy opened
tire, besides which, preparatory to the arrival of the troops, they
had thrown up earthworks and put up a palisade of bamboo and
pnckl\ shrubs at the landing place; however breastworks and palisade
soon gave waj before a couple of salvos from the infantry and the
energy of the engineer, who soon cleared the passage, enabling the
entire column to land without loss; from this point onward their progress
was much slower, for both infantry and artillery had to drive away
the enemy whilst advancing and at Xarmada the firing increased in
intensity and it was here that the column suffered their first loss, a native
artillery soldier and a mule being fatally wounded. The artillery brought
their battery into position on a height near the river and opened fire on Nar-
mada to cover the passage of the troops and in spite of all the enemy's guns
the) reached the high road to Tjakra at about 3 ]). in. ; the lire of the
Balinese diminished gradually ami ceased entirely as they approached the
capital, so the) had enjoyed comparative immunity for an hour or two;
they were at the entrance gate- of the town at half past three, there
wore no signs of disturbance, the enemy apparently was driven back.
THE ATTACK. ji.
The Commander of the column was so convinced thai he was within
easy reach of headquarters that he discussed with Dr. I jlaki, the
advisability of* requesting the Commander-in-chief to allow the wounded
to proceed to Ampenan that evening, as the} could be better cared Foi
even should the remainder of the column be ordered to sta\ at Tiakra.
The wide gate (3,5 metres) had been narrowed l>\ filling up the
opening with bamboo, but as this had been done parth when the} had
passed through before not much was thoughl about it; the captain of
the Staff however drew the Commander's attention to the Fad thai the
entrance had been further narrowed l>\ newly added bamboo and was
now reduced to little over 1 metre; yel the entr\ was made in good
spirits, in the anticipation of soon meeting friends and comrades and
enjoying a well-deserved rest after the prolonged march. Nol a single
Balinese was visible in the street but tin's was not considered as an}
thing unusual at this hour of day; bul it certainly was curious thai ail
the doors leading to the homesteads should be closed, the) generallj being
thrown wide open and no one was at the market, at other times so bus)
The greater part of the column had advanced through the gates and
the foremost division had reached the bend in the road, when a shot
was fired which was the enemy's signal for a general discharge I'n iverj
one of their pieces; here too they had loopholes all along the line and
through these and from over the walls and from the trees burst forth
the murderous fire!
"Forward! Forward! as quick as possible! " ordered the ( 'ommander who
was at the head of the column, hoping to find a refuge for his men in
the old bivouac ; he turned round to tell captain Willemstijn to transmit the
order and in another minute he lay mortally wounded and the 1st lieutenant
Van der Staay met the same fate not many yards off. Captain Willemstijn
carried the instructions to the Commander of the guard, but here in the
second bend of the road the firing was so severe on all sides that Captain
Christan stationed his men in a small deserted Dewa temple on the north
side of the road. While this small space afforded a temporary refuge
to the vanguard and the two mountain guns with Lieutenant Vis, Cap-
tains Willemstijn and Christan under cover of a section of infantry, pro-
ceeded to reconnoitre in the direction of the cross-roads at Tjakra, but
within 5 to 600 metres of this point they perceived that the bivouacof
the 6th battalion was deserted.... True, kamerman's company was still m
the temple and they had heard Van Lawick's advancing column: later
on we shall see the reason of their silence.
What was originally the bivouac was now a mass of rums strewn with
dead bodies and dead horses..., what a gruesome sight! what a crushing
disappointment! There was not much time for reflection, death was
threatening them too from every side; quickly they hastened back to
their men in the dewa temple, 'hoping to be able to restore communi-
cation with the main division and the rear-guard.
The horses and mules maddened with the roar of the guns wen
ing about wildly, dragging everything along with them in their frantu
if.
THE ATTACK.
efforts to get away from the fire; they gol up, stumbled over dead
bodies, knocked down the soldiers and added to the universal distraction ;
it is a terrible, a desperate right for life! And, drowning the moans
and sighs of dying and wounded were heard the war cries of the Balinese,
their shouts of exultant joy and the rattling of the guns.
It was impossible to make way through such a scene 3 so thej
waited, in hopes that the rear guard would soon join them and shorth a
section of infantry under lieutenant Broekman, despatched by Captain
Lindgreen, came up and informed them thai van Lawick was dead.
The command now passed to Captain Christan ; with the help of the
two pieces of mountain artillery they kept the enemj al baj for a
little but the Balinese succeeded in piercing walls that command those of
the Dewa temple and screened by these they fired straight into the midst
of the division ; the ammunition was getting used up; many were wounded
and many were killed; the situation was fast growing unbearable and to
wait for Lindgreen and his men any longer would have meant certain
death to all assembled there.
Neither a forward nor a backward move was possible; so they decided
to move sidewards (to the North) and fight their way through the
enemy at the point of the bayonet if needs be and reach the open
sawah, where at least they would not have to fight an enemy protected
by walls.
The wounded, 2S in number, were carried to the northern exit, and
the open sawah was soon reached, notwithstanding the incessant fire; a
halt was made and the signal constantly repeated for the "2nd company
to assemble" (Lindgreen's), but it was in vain, they received uo reply!
They dared not wait here any longer and even Lieutenant Broekman was
by this time convinced that he could not return to his column andmust
throw in his lot with Captain Christan.
The retreat now proceeded in good order in a northeast direction
across sawahs, ravines and kalis (small rivers); they had only a few
cartridges left, still the confidence of the men in their officers continued
unabated and where the latter lead the former unhesitating!} followed
Finally they reached the road to Lingsar — and fell in with a crowd of Balinese,
who allowed them to proceed on their way unmolested and only one shot
was fired. How is this extraordinary behaviour to be accounted for? Were the}
afraid to meet our troops in the open field? The march was continued
Northwards across an extensive sawah and after careful reconnoitring
through a bomboo plantation and then again across another sawah;
presently considerable astonishment and anxiety are felt at the appear-
ance of several natives waving white flags the meaning of which one is
at a loss to understand. All doubts were soon dissipated on discovering
that they were held by some friendly Sassaks from a neighbouring kampong,
where they provided the men plentifully with water and cocoa nuts;
needless to say that this timely hospitality was vastl} appreciated bj
all and the refreshing water was particularly welcome to the pom-
sufferers in the tandoes. Night had overtaken them and still there was
244 THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
a long march before them and who could saj to whal further hostilities
the\ might not be exposed? The) gladly accepted the offer of thehadji,
the chief of the kampong, to accompany them some little distance,
after which he appointed two Sassaks to serve as guides along the dark
unknot n road. At 8 |>. m. the) could distinguish the electric search light of
the opium cruiser lying in the roadstead of Ampenan; this sight filled
tin' men with fresh energy, although it was two hours longer before the)
bed the strand, owing to the darkness and the inequalities of the
ground. Ignorant of the situation at Ampenan Captain Christan signals
"9th battalion, 4th company, the doctor," hoping at the same time to
attract the notice of the steamers, in which he is successful, for shortl)
afterwards a boal from the "Koningin Emma" nears the shores but
owing to the roar of the surf the) cannot hear what the officer shouts
to them. The signal of the 9th battalion was repeated on hoard the
steamers.... had the comrades of the 9th whom they had left at
Ampenan embarked? They hardly knew what to expect: after the
horrors the) had witnessed at Tjakra nothing seemed too had to antici-
pate. But no' their signals were also answered from the bivouac, where
the exhausted column arrived at about 1" p. m.
Great were the rejoicings at the safe arrival of a portion of van
La wick's column, bul a general gloom spread over the bivouac on
hearing of the death of the Chief of the column and of their youthful
and promising comrades kalff and van der Staay and SO man) others.
Tin- grief of all was intensified b) the painful anxiet) concerning the
fate of Lindgreen's column .... Captain Christan volunteered to start
with fresh troops to relieve him. hut the Commander-in-chief considered
ir would In- ton reckless ....
Let us see what happened to Lindgreen; the same obstacles which
prevented Captain Christan's going hack to the column prevented Lind-
green's advancing; he waited where he was for a little, hut the lliell
around him were rapidl) being decimated and the ambulance was
crowded; doctor (Jjlaki performed Ins duties unflinchingly amidst showers
of bullets and was abl) assisted b) nurse Loverinck; the little hand
under Lieutenant de Graaf covering the ambulance was growing lessand
less. It was evident that to linger here was certain death for all and
Lindgreen gave the order for all to retreat into a small dewa-temple.
the doors of which were open; quick as lightning the ambulance and
the native soldiers obeyed the order and once again a heathen
temple provided asylum to our troops' The) were only just in time.
for b) now tin- Balinese intoxicated with success were about to hurl
thci bodil) against this handful of men and \er\ nearl\ managed
to push forward into the temple with the hist of our soldiers.... their
ption was not of a nature to encourage the attempt' Thwarted in
the) tried to climb the walls hut tins too the) had to give up.for
r) man whose head appeared was instantly shot down. This temporary
urit) afforded time to review their position; inside the temple are
I
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITIO
five officers: the Commandant, Lieutenants de Graaf, de Jong en van
der Phmk and the medical officer, Doctor I'jlaki: there are 80 soldiers
in fighting condition, besides 40 wounded and about 1<> convicts. They
to work to put the temple in a state of defence, sentries were posted
and the wounded were cared for as well as possible without instruments
and bandages, all of which have been lost, while there was not a single
drop of water'
The misery of the patient--, main of whom were delirious, baffles
i iption.
Unaware of the full extenl of our disasters, this little band of men
continued to hope for relief and convinced thai the Commander-in-
chief would send a compan) to their assistance if he knew their where-
abouts, Lindgreeu decided to send a small detachment under Lieutenant
de Jong to Ampenan to inform him of their position.
Although wounded, de Jong -tailed at daybreak with two non-
commissioned officers and twenty-two smart native soldiers. Silently
and crawling along the} left the temple, hut the enemy ever on
the look out greeted them in the usual fashion .... De Jong with
hi- -mall force, unhampered by baggage or wounded boldly proceeded
at a swifter pace, only halting at interval- to direct a few bullets towards
the foe. keeping them more or less at hay until he reached the northern
frontier of Tjakra N agar a. Here they crossed the river which had given
Captain < 'hri-tan's column SO much trouble, and advanced 4(10 metres
across the Saw ah without having sustained any actual losses, but now
de Jong perceived that his men were thoroughly done up and not a few
were wounded: rest was imperative, and he decided to halt behind some
ditches until dark. It was 5.30 p. m. and the men threw themselves on
the ground while their captain watched over them; Leaning his elbows
on the ground, resting his head on his hand- he glanced across the plain
in front of him. thinking the enemy would never dare attack him
acio-- it. hut nevertheless they did send projectiles towards him and
In- himself received a bullet through his right arm. He did not on
this account relinquish hi- post, but let a couple of his men replv at
interval-, desisting a- evening approached, it being essential to he sparing
of the ammunition. When it was quite dark he awakened the sleeping
men and thev continued their march in the -till of night.
Thev had not left their resting place long when they saw a crowd of
Balinese approach it ... . thev were intenseh disappointed to find no
plunder, nothing remained to -how where thev had halted hut a lew
drop- of blood.
Wild shouts of rage and vexation tilled the air and brandishing their
torches thev started off in pursuit of the detachment, their flaming Lights
ingas admirable targets for our soldiers. The Balinese soon discovered
were getting the worst of it and returned dejectedly to Tjakra Magara
th086 ill the temple, Illicit likewise c-cape theill!
I »■■ Jong knew there were -till nianv dangers to be faced before
liing Ampenan : fortunately however the inhabitants of the kampongs
THE ATTACK.
247
were so occupied in their rejoicings over their recent victories that the
troops remained unnoticed; of course thej avoided all the beaten tracks
which made their progress doubly slow and difficult.
Finally, when their courage was at its lowest ebb and fatigue and loss
of blood rendered it almost impossible to advance any further, the} heard
the rolling of the sea; what glorious music' The shore was close now
and with one supreme effort they reached it ....
They can already distinguish the lights of Ajnpenan and the bivouac
is not far and presently — it is 5 a.m. — they hear the well-known bugle call.
To make quite sure Lieutenant de Jong advanced with a young sergeant
and called to the sentry. . . . but whether he did not recognize him or
did not believe him — we must bear in mind the wrought up feelings
prevalent in the entire bivouac — he answered the call l>\ tiring and alas!
with fatal result, for the poor young sergeant fell lifeless into the arms
_«. of his lieutenant at the \ci\ moment
when he had reached a place of safety '
what cruel irony of fate!
The Commander-in-chief received the
] heroic little band with delight but a
i disappointment awaited de .lung; ( reneral
Yetter refused to send troops into the
centre of the enemy's count r\ to rescue
i the comrades left behind in the Dewa-
H| temple, it would have been too hazard-
ous an undertaking to diminish the
strength of the garrison at Ampenan
and the young lieutenant had to submit
Hg ; to circumstances. His condition was
Hp such as to necessitate hi^ admission t<>
^ the field hospital and s after he
was sent back to Surabaya to regain
his health. Appreciation and gratitude for his (duck were fully testified
to by the hearty handshakes of his comrades who saw him off ; but
nothing touched him so much as the sincere demonstrations of affection
and gratitude of the men who had followed him, and looked upon him
as having saved their lives.
Before returning to Captain Lindgreen, we will go back to the troop.
left in the old Dewa-temple, near the former bivouac at Tjakra. Captain
Kamerman was here with all his company excepting the section under
Hardie, who had followed General van Ham. In addition to the offii
of the company, there were the Chief of the Staff. Major Hainerster
and Dr. Janssen. There were 40 wounded, 11 dangerously, some
servants, a few soldiers' wives, a couple of Balinese belonging to
Resident's suite and 14 convicts. In crossing one of the squares to
that his orders were executed Captain Kamerman was hadb shot in tin
thigh, but was able to resume command when bandaged. The} waited
patiently a couple of hours and then heard the heaw fire approach
"De Jong -within sight oi' Ampi
THE LOMBOCE EXPEDITION
bivouac and concluded it was Bijleveldt's column; preparations were
nastily begun to effect a junction and the} signalled to attract attention. ..
Did the advancing column not hear-...
The sounds grew fainter and fainter Mas! it was soon manifest
from the firing that the column was going westwards!
Their hopes were disappointed! The night was spent verj miserably
and though there were no complaints, still the men were very depressed
and downcast; and no wonder, after the alarming events of the last
24 hours.
If tlu-\ were protected from the enemy's bullets, there was another
enemi that made itself felt in a mosl painful manner: thirst ' True,
that in risking one's life and going to a deserted kampong close by, a
little salt water and a few cocoa-nuts could l»e obtained, but this was
onlj a ven temporar) relief.
They still hoped for deliverance, either from Mataram, or from the
column retreating from Batu Klian.
Thus in anxious waiting did the morning and the afternoon of the
'27th August eo by.
In the afternoon the\ reall\ heard heaw firing in an Easterly direction.
That niii^r he Van Lawick's eolumn. Joyful expectation filled the
hearts of all !
They could discern by the movements of the horses that misfortune
had overtaken the column: bj signalling it would have been e;is\ to
notifj their presence in the Dewa temple for as we have seen Captains
Cbristan and Willemstijn were not far off but .Major Hamerster
taking into consideration the fact that to reach him would have neces-
sitated the column's passing the poeri and exposing itself to a murderous
tire, decided it was besl to let the column continue in the direction
it was making for. Therefore once more the hopes of nil were crushed.
It was now evident that no help was to lie expected from Mataram
and the situation in the temple was hourly growing from had to worse;
the thirst was unendurable and the air was tilled with the stench of the
dead bodies in the old bivouac. Everything must he risked to escape
from this place of pestilence.
One of the Boelelengers belonging i" the Resident's suite was of
the Opinion that with the exception of a few Balinese, who were left to
observe the troops, the greatert part of the enein\ would probably
he bus) fighting over the plunder of Van Lawick's column, so that if
the) tried t.. leave the temple at dusk l>\ the hack entrance on the
S E side see plan there might he a chance of reaching the sawah
unnotia d.
This plan was considered and approved of. The wounded were re-
bandaged, the ammunition was evenly distributed, -ever} available man
ora 60 to 70 cartridges and the troops were divided into
'I"'' Major Hamerster was with the first section; the mam
•ne section strong, was commanded bj Captain ECamerman and
included also the servants, the women and the greater number of
THE ATTACK.
the invalids, the remainder came with the last section under ute-
nant Musch.
They made their exit through the specified door as uoiselessl) as pos-
sible; a Javanese servant, who was well acquainted with the road
Tjakra served as guide.
They arrived outside unobserved. The first section gol through
the narrow dark path, which was so dangerous on accounl of mam
holes in the ground and odd stumps of lives and reached a better
side road; but some of the tandoe carriers stumbled and this
caused much confusion amongst the main body, which owing to the
darkness, turned off into a different path, so that the} Lost touch of
each other ; the hindermost section missed the main bod) and returned to
the temple.
After seeking in vain to effect a junction with the two remaining
sections, the front section continued the night march across Tjakra Nagara.
Many obstacles had been placed on the road by the Balinese, bul these
were succesfully removed and in an hour's time they Pound themselves
in the sawah to the South of Mataram.
After a short rest, they directed their course Southwards and on the
morning of the 28th were fortunate enough to reach the shore and make
their presence known to one of the vessels lying in the harbour at
Anipenan; boats were despatched to fetch them and all were conveyed to
the bivouac there.
The rear-guard arrived not long after — about 7.30 a. in. — ; the) had
returned to the temple and seeing that the Balinese were -till unaware
of their movements, they made another exit and had managed to make
a somewhat similar march to that of the first section.
The most difficult task fell to the share of the main body with its
large following.
While there were only 27 able-bodied men. Captain ECamerman had to
take care of 7 severely wounded men, carried in tandoes, 1 1 slightly
wounded, who 'could walk with assistance, the women, the servants and
the convicts. As a result of that moment's confusion, the) had taken
a wrong path as Ave saw and now the officer in command became
aware, but too late, that the rear guard was not following him and that
he had no vanguard to protect his troops.
It was hopeless to think of re-establishing communication and run
the risk of falling in with the enemy and there was no alternative but
to try and reach the sawah alone.
Following a southwesterly route and avoiding all Balinese kampongs
most studiously, Kamerman succeeded in reaching the beach the follow-
ing morning about half past eleven, bringing with him all those who
had been entrusted to his care. The wounded were carried in ship's
boats to Anipenan; the others continued their march t" Anipenan in
company with a detachment which had been sent to look out for them.
Needless to say that Kamerman and his men received a heart) wel-
come from the Commander-in-chief.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
Now that he was safe, reaction set in: the tremendous exertions and
fatigues added to wounds which he had received, compelled Kamerman
eek the shelter of the hospital, which however be was able to quit
wr\ shortly.
The night spent b} Lindgreen and his column was sad and full
of anxiety.
How endless seemed the long dark hours to the wounded, who were
almost dying of thirst and whose sufferings prevented their sleeping!*
11..U desperately slow the minutes crept bj for those in health, wait-
ing for help and deliverance! And the} too were suffering from hunger
and thirst.
Every moment made it surer and surer that the} were left to their
own resoun
Lindgreen suggested that those who were aide should make an
attempt to slip through the enenrj and leave the wounded behind!
Ujlaki opposed the plan: if Lindgreen chose to go be could.... but
be, the doctor, would stay with his patients and to this Lindgreen objected.
Another supreme effort must be made to sustain life in the temple
a< long as possible. On the highroad they had seen pack horses
lying dead these must be laden with provisions of rice and other food.
\v of the men steal out gently .... minutes seemed hours .... but
everything was quiet.
The} came hack: bringing with them two eases of hard biscuit
and a small case of cartridges.
The} tried again.
This time the} returned with sonic tins of minced meat and some tins
of butter.... but they also brought the startling news that Lieutenant-
colonel Van Lawick was lying dead on the road.
This made a deep impression! The faci in itself was grievous enough,
but it goes tit prove that the confusion must have] been shocking,
otherwise the bod} of their beloved Commander would never have been
left behind.
\ patrol was immediately despatched to bring the dead body into
the temple.
The attempt succeeded, although the enem} was aware of the daring
as testified b} the number of bullets tired at our men.
During the course of the night five or six trips were taken, and
water, not of the very best, yet drinkable, was found in one of the
bouses, and some wounded men and a few dead bodies were brought in.
[Wards morning three graves were dug and the dead, eleven in
number, were laid to r<st : in cue was the Commander, in the second
the soldiers and in the third the convicts.
Differing in position, rank, civilization and race, but all fallen in
fulfilment of their duties and now covered with the same earth and
protected b\ the Bame temple, these brave men. had all lost their
in the service of the I lollando-Indian army.
Di i thai ttirc<' of the wonnded died th.it ni-lit For wnnt of \\;tt.T.
THE ATTACK. j-,1
During the funeral ceremony the Balinese renewed their firing and
Lieutenant Van der Plank, who had been shol in the arm on the pre
day, was wounded in the shoulder.
After the solemnity, a distribution was made of the prize secured
the previous night,; a tin of minced meal was given out to even ten
men, (about two pounds) and also some biscuit and a little water
While they were all busy enjoying their simple meal, a convicl
approached the temple with a white kerchief. Lindgreen allowed him
to climb over the wall. "He came with a letter from the Crown Prince
to the Officer in command." Nobody however could decipher what was
written on the "lontar" leaves. From this convict, taken prisoner b\
the Balinese, terrible accounts were received: our troops were entirely
annihilated; all the officers killed; the soldiers, who had escaped from
the slaughter, had all taken refuge on one of the warships and had
sailed for Java; the Crown Prince — commanding the troops facing the
temple — was wearing the uniform of the Commander-in-chief; other
Chiefs the uniforms belonging to the deceased officers, etc. He had
himself seen Van La wick fall.
These tidings were confirmed by three other convicts, who had also
been taken prisoners. "Soldiers had also been made prisoners; their
treatment was very good; the Crown Prince very much regretted the
occurrences which must have arisen through some misunderstanding; he
and the old Prince were friends of the Government; they could not
comprehend why the general had begun firing; had tlie\ not complied
with all our demands?"
It was impossible that in their present situation all these things should
not have made a very strong impression; for had there still been Dutch
troops on the island surely they would have endeavoured [to rescue
their comrades.
Had the convicts not told the truth concerning Van Lawick? So, b)
degrees they began to believe the other facts reported by them.
Fortunately however the men in whose charge the troops were left
were no longer young and impressionable.
The convicts were sent back to the Crown Prince with the request
that the letter should be re-written in Malay language and in Dutch
characters.
After a short delay another convict appeared with a note from the
'Crown Prince written in lead pencil on a sheet of white paper.il was
in Malay and the characters were Dutch; it was signed l.\ k'Tut. It
contained the offer to allow the officers, soldiers and wounded men to
retreat unmolested, if they would give up their arms. The proposal
was rejected unhesitatingly. They had enough supplies for a few days
more. And if the troops had not really left Lombock, help might come
any moment; they would hold out as long as they could.
No sooner had the convicts departed with the refusal, than the firm
began once more with redoubled energy and fury, besides lug-
were flung over the walls and many of the men were l»adl\ hurt.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION,
Pour days, from 28th to 3ls1 August, passed l>\ in the midst of
these difficulties. The Bufferings and hardships of the wounded were inten-
sified l»\ the lack of surgical instruments and bandages and do water
could be spared from the verj limited supply to wash oul the old
band that old, dirty, blood-stained linen had to be used. No
small alarm was caused when it was discovered thai in one instance
hospital gangrene had set in and there la-in^ no antiseptics, it was
feared that the disease would spread rapidly.
The doctor in hunting round for what he could find opened the door
me of the little "family-temples" and there -aw a Balinese corpse,
embalmed and decked out in gala clothes. According to custom, there
were also dishes of rice, pastry, etc. And fine linen covered the body....
and at the head was a piece of calico. There was no time for delibera-
tion; he possessed himself of all that could !><• used ;i^ bandages, hut
in no wa) disturbed the corpse; he retired, locking the door behind him.
On the morning of the 29th hope revived. They heard the sound
of a big gun, judging from the reporl they knew it came from the
-hips; ;it any rate, they had not yel left.
\ few hours later, another shot and fresh hopes ; hut that was all.
Lindgreen made one more desperate attempt t<> open up communication
with Ampenan. In ;i shorl note he described the situation and sent
two convicts to carry it either to the bivouac at Ampenan or to the naval
commander in the roadstead; he also sent two others to try and obtain
food, especially rice, which wa- sorel) missed l>\ the native soldiers,
thing wa- ever heard .-main of an\ of the four men.
There was onh one more day's provision, so some scheme of escape
must be planned. Lindgreen reverted to bis previous idea ofleavingthe
wounded to take their chances and letting the others do their utmost
to reach the open sawah. Dr. I'jlaki obtained another 24 hour-' grace
iii- patients, for he said, that nexl day, 31 Aug. was the birthday,
■ II. M the Queen and if there were -till troop- or ships at Ampenan
the) would hear guns salute.
Lindgreen having conceded this much, was however determined to
prepare for departure and therefore sent scouts to find out the best
and safest road to follow. The native sergeant Sadiman was the first
_<>. Km soon returned having accomplished nothing. "He could not
.i hand before him in the dark: he would prefer going in the day-
time; in the middle of the d;i\ no Balinese were ever to be seen."
5o in the afternoon of the 31s1 Sadiman, attired in the native dress
red the kampong. He stayed awn\ about an hour. "He had been
unable to find anj road leading to the sawah; he had seen two Balinese
•d in a house that he had had to pass....' 1 he fancied "the sawah
COUld not lie vei\ f;ir distant."
In the evening the European sergeant lath was sent on the same
ml. but with tli<' same result.
I. thing was prepared lor departure, hut onl\ the Europeans were
informed of the project. I did not dare \ i -- i t m\ sick," write- Doctor
Lieutenant de Graai' and Sei tacked bj Ba
THE LOMBOCR EXPEDITION.
(jlaki. "in ever) eye 1 should have read reproach." Yes, it was terrible,
to think that those | r men with whom one had gone through so much
and who were so full of trust, were to be left to their fate.... and
perhaps a terrible one! At 11 30 a. m. Lindgreen sallied forth himself
to look for a road, lie stayed awa) ;i long while and they began to
feel seriously anxious about him. No one knew even in which direction
he had gone. Finally, as the hour fixed for the start was aboul t<>
strike hi- returned Hut lu- too had failed in his attempt.
i he was determined to have Tjakra with all the able-bodied men.
Theywere divided into three divisions; the first, including Dr. I jlaki,
was commanded l>\ Lindgreen, the middle one l>\ de Graaf, thelastone
1>\ a European sergeant major; all left the temple as silently as pos-
sible and without an\ noise proceeded for an hour along the road which Lmd-
:i had reconnoitred, and w Inch ran through ditches and hedges over w alls.
The road ended in a square space surrounded l>\ walls and thetroops
assembled here.
Hoping soon t.» find a road leading to the sawah, Lindgreen started
• •nee more on :! scouting expedition by himself.
He came hack without having succeeded; de Graaf offered to go and
what he could do. hut Lindgreen insisted upon his taking two
soldiers with him. but de Graaf thought this quite unnecessary; how-
ever it was decided that the native sergeant Sadiman should accompan)
him. Barely had thr\ hern gone ten minutes when the most awful
shriek- pierced the air. followed by a shot. Lindgreen rushed to see
what had occurred and met the sergeant, who told him they had been
attacked h\ -1 Balinese. Lindgreen goes to the spot where de Graaf
had fallen and found the bodj pierced with lour spears and a revolver
-hot in the forehead.
Ilurriedk they carried hack the body to the walled-in space. All further
idea of advancing was given up; as it was evident t he Balinese w ere pat rolling
all the road-. Lindgreen decided to remain here and as soon as feasible
to return for the wounded and transfer them to their new quarters.
In the dead of night, Lindgreen, the doctor, ten soldiers and the
convict-, went to their former place of refuge to fetch their comrades; it
was impossible to carrj them all. so three were left behind, to be brought
next time. It was a difficult task to perform, not onl\ on account of
the pitch darkness and the uneven roads, hut because the enemj might
discover them.
They reached the little square just iii time, for tin- Balinese now sur-
rounded the walls in hundred-, shouting and screaming. To risk fetching
the remaining three wounded could not he thought of and all were now
intent on putting this little square in a state of defence and find a sale
for the wounded. When all the needful measures had been
taken, we had to think of burying young de Graaf.
It 'd ceremonj and men who had remained unmoved under
th<- eiieins g |j, v :iUl \ u | |( , | 1; ,,| Buffered privation and hardships with COol-
and indifference, could not refrain from shedding a tear of pity and
THE ATTACK.
sorrow when this brave soldier was consigned to the earth He was
not only universally esteemed as a bold and courageous officer, bul be
had endeared himself to the hearts of bis men l>\ tne manner in which
he had shared their sufferings and had tried to comfort them in word
and deed. Each man felt that he had Lost a friend. Not much
time was allowed for melancholy reflections, for the Balinese soon
started operations again; and it was only al daybreak thai it became
apparent that the security here was not so great as it had been in the
temple; from many houses in the neighbourhood the Balinese were
able to fire straight into the square and also there was no protection
whatever against stone-throwing.
Only a few tins of biscuit remained and the water the) had found
was putrid. And now the Balinese started hurling firebrands amongst
the men. All w r ere by this time exhausted; it was hopeless to expect relief
and it was utterly impossible to fight a way through the enemy.
There was nothing to be done but surrender.
Linclgreen first took counsel with the officers, then with the European
non-commissioned officers, no one could suggest am other plan.
At 1 p.m. on the 1st September Lindgreen wrote a Mala) note in
lead pencil to the Crown Prince, in which he declared himself read) to
capitulate and to lay down his arms, on condition that all — sound and
sick alike— shall be granted a safe conduct to Ainpenan.
Sergeant Sadiman, under cover of an improvised white flag, handed
the letter to one of the chiefs on the other side of the wall. The repl)
came that the Crown Prince wished to treat personally with Lindgreen.
Lindgreen went out to the Balinese and after a short discussion with
one of the princes was assured that his conditions were accepted by
the Prince.
Meanwhile hundreds of Balinese had penetrated into the square
space and now the weapons had to be delivered up.
It was a hard moment for those who had carried them so honourabl)
and who owed their lives to them.
The wounded were carried by the soldiers and 'so the) hit then-
last stronghold.
Numbers of Balinese assembled in the streets to watch the pro-
cession— they were all armed, yet all maintained a respectful attitude,
and not an off ensive word was heard and not a threatening hand was raised.
On the road they saw many corpses of friends and comrades and
the mournful sight intensified their own misery.
In half an hour they reached the poeri, and here worse things were
presented to their view: the remains of the bivouac of the 6th Batallion.
All was in ruins, everything heaped up together, nothing but a mas
devastation; dead bodies of men and horses, all serving as carrion for
the dogs which were wandering about amongst them ....
The bazaar itself was occupied by mounted Balinese and it was here that
the soldiers had to wait until the Prince could receive the prisoner
Meanwhile refreshments were served to all: bigdjeroeks (half orange i
-
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
half lemon to the officers and beautiful white rice and splendid clear
water to the Boldiers. And lu>w they did enjoy it '
The attitude of the Balinese remained verj respectful and they even
appeared sorrj for the wounded ....
I: ' I b "i Lombock.
the names and ranks bad been written down, Lindgreen and
f |)r - Ujlaki were Bummoned to appear before the prince in the poer.
The Bouare into which tli<\ were shown was filled with armed, richlj
1,1 Balinese with red jacket., forming the prince", body-guard, and
THE ATTACK.
all were provided with entirely new Winchester repeating rifles, in
the middle of the square there were two marquees and the pi
were conducted into one of them; various chiefs and princes in yellov
silk jackets and with gold and Lvorj krisses in their belts kept coming
in and going out. After waiting for a quarter of an hour, the prince
appeared, followed by a suite of courtiers; on the right and on the
left he was supported by chiefs; a woman with a fan preceded him;
and another with a cushion walked behind him. The procession
approached with great dignity and all present bowed deeply. There was
complete silence. With the assistance of two chiefs the prince seated
himself in the second marquee; behind him sat the woman with the
cushion, against which he leaned and all the chief's or princes Bquatted
on the ground around him.
The council began.
Different chiefs came forward in turn, bowed low and in yen loud
tones made their reports. The prince listened attentively.
Was this then the doting old man with whom it had been impossible
to enter into negociation? The prince who was at the head of tin-
gathering, was, it is true, fifty years older, but in other respects in no
way altered since Zollinger described him, with his intelligent, character-
istic and speaking features, the descendant of Gusti Wajan Taga.
Messengers were frequently sent by the prince to the prisoners, with
assurances that he was still a friend of the Government and that he
deeply regretted what had occurred; but that the troops had started
hostilities. He further begged of Lindgreen to inform the General at
Ampenan of this fact and to beg of him to leave the island.
So there still was a General at Ampenan. What a comforting piece
of news. Lindgreen promised to transmit the message. Hut would the
request to leave Lombock have much effect on the General? He
himself only occupied a subordinate position, and even the General was
not a free agent.
Although correct, was this observation exactly needed at such a moment?
Did it not induce the prince, who saw the justness of it. in bring
further pressure to bear in support of his demand?
It now appeared that the prince only intended to allow the others t<>
leave, in spite of the promises he had made; the soldiers would be
kept as prisoners until an answer should be received to the letter, which
the prince would give to the officers for the General. Lindgreen stoutly
refused to accede to this arrangement. All should go, or none. And
in this latter case, how could the government attach am weight to the
word of a prince, who had violated his promises to the prisoners.
Without making any progress whatever, the conference lasted from
2.30 p.m. until 6 p.m.; and the promising tone of the beginning had
conspicuously altered towards the end.
Lindgreen and Ujlaki were now conducted back to the other prisoner!
outside the poeri and all were taken to a filthy dirty place, which
probably served as a stable and all requests for food and drink ren
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
unheeded. Thus the night was spent out in the open air, without
i ring or protection of an} kind and the sufferings of the wounded
under such trying circumstances were indescribable.
I .wards daybreak of 2nd Sept. Lindgreen and I'jlaki were again
summoned to appear before the prince and this time the) were conducted
iiner dalem. ks on the previous day there were a great number
rmed men and all the weapons bore traces of being in perfect order:
On this occasion the prince did not appear himself, but sent a repre-
sentative, who, judging from his attire, must have occupied a very
exalted position: he was clad entirely in yellow silk and carried a gold
kri^ resplendent with precious stones.
Lindgreen began reproaching him severel) for the treatment they had
received :
"Thai was do \\a\ of treating the Idas of the Netherlands Govern-
ment, tor that is who they were. Instead of giving them their freedom
in accordance with tin- prince's promise, the) had been locked ii|> like
with nothing t<> eat or drink !'
The chief departed. It was not the first time that the hold language
Dutch ••Ida"' had been known to make an impression upon a prince
Salamparang.
Shortl) afterwards the chief returned with ample apologies for the
liad accommodation. 'The prince had had no other place at his immediate
disposal, l»nt had given orders to prepare our of his residences for the
prisoners.
And once more the prince assured Lindgreen that he was a "sobat
kras" fast friend of the Government and as soon as the letter was
read) the) should he permitted to start for Ampenan.
Lindgreen and Ujlaki were now conducted l>\ a guard of honour,
composed of several chief- to the Easl quarter of the poeri, when- the
pond is. The little house on ii- holder was put in order and appointed
to he their dwelling; Lieutenant Van dry Plank and the European
soldiers were allowed to share the house, hut the native soldiers and
the convicts had to return to their former quarters.
Officers and soldiers were then given food: rice, native cake-.
porkpies, and shaddocks. What a welcome repasl after so many
privation-.
\ml no less enjoyable were the opportunities of refreshment and
bathing, such luxuries having been dispensed with so long.
O I n
I'nialK a Balinese notable, called [da Made Sabali, was assigned to
do the honours; and his nephew Gusti Ngenga llundu. a neighbour,
he would be onl) too happ) to render them an) service in
power.
wards midda) an emissary came from the Crown Prince to inform
Lindgreen thai before leaving the prisoners were to go and see him
at Mataram.
In the hope that their hour of deliverance had struck. Lindgreen
tnbled all his men: the wounded were placed in ver) primitive
THE ATTACK.
tandoes and with Batoe Bagus (the emissary) and the officers leading
the way, the soldiers and the wounded with a large following of Ba
in the rear, they started for Mataram.
Tims they marched through Tjakra Nagara in \n\ diffcrenl guise
from what they could have imagined a couple of days before. The
roads leading- out of the town were all strongly barricaded and guarded.
At the point where the bivouac had been situated on the main road
from Tjakra to Mataram it was absolute!} impossible to proceed, as
the foulness of the air was suffocating.
After a two hours' march they readied the cross-road al Mataram.
The officers were received, not in the poeri of the Crown Prince, but
in the former honse of Gusti Xjoman Kaler and the soldiers had to
wait in front of it.
The Crown Prince remained invisible, but his son came and had Borne
discussion with Ratu Bagus, whereupon the hitler opened negotiations
in the name of K'Tut. Again the proposal was made thai only the
officers should he released and the soldiers kepi as hostages bul Lind-
green obstinately refused to listen to any such arrangement, saying, that:
"certainly no letter would ever be looked at at headquarters if all the
men did not go together to transmit it to the General."
Just at the moment when Lindgreen's repl} appeared to be bearing
fruit, the Malay kampong chief of Ampenan, who pretended to befriends
with us, appeared on the scene and when he saw the drift of affairs,
he began by pointing out to Ratu Bagus, how great the advantages
were to be derived by keeping the soldiers prisoniers this chief, as
we shall see later, was one of the most brutal specimens of his class.
Whilst the parleying was in full swing a shell tired from the roadstead
fell on a dung heap, close to where the soldiers were seated but it did
not burst.
Ten minutes later another shot was heard and all the Balinese present
seemed terrified to death; this time the shell fell into a ditch, near
which the wounded had been placed; the water splashed and that was
all. None of our men showed any signs of fear.
This coolness surpassed the comprehension of the Balinese
"How is it that none of you are afraid?" asked Ratu Bagus, when
he had collected himself. It was on this occasion thai Lindgreen gave
that beautiful and simple reply, which is far more worth} of record
than many other imaginary sayings:
"The bullets of the Company can never hurt the Company's children!'
And not one of those Balinese doubted the truth of this assertion.
Was Lindgreen's brave attitude about to bring its own reward. < >!
course it is impossible to say what might have happened: but what did
happen was, that the old prince sent a messenger to saj thai the letter
for the General was not vet ready and the prisoner- were to return to
Tjakra.
Once again to go over the same road: bul how much harder was
this time° Scorching sun rays were pouring down on that disappoi
THE LOMBOCR EXPEDITION.
little band of men and exhausted both mentally and physically they
found themselves back in the old quarters at Tjakra.
Even one was naturally feeling mosl depressed and oul of sorts; on
the whole the treatment of the Balinese was verj considerate. The
native soldiers were now permitted to share the accommodation in the
I i prince even sent one of the chiefs towards the middle of
tlu- da\ to inform the officers thai presentlj some disturbance might be
expected in the street in trout of the poeri, but that there was no
occasion for alarm It was onlj a muster againsl the Sassaks who
were threatening Narmada. This notice was shortl} followed by the
most astounding uproar. To the sound of war drums hundreds of
Balinese passed l»\ the poeri; all were armed with spears and were
howling and shouting at the top of their voices
Amidst all this performance the prisoners were in no way neglected,
but were provided with all necessaries. This then was the way in which
1st September went by.
The wounded were provided with fresh bandages, a present from the
prince. On the 3rd <>i Sept. permission was given to go to the Dewa
temple to fetch the three wounded whom they had been Compelled t"
leave behind. True they were only convicts, lint the hardships that
had been undergone together in the same cause had brought all closer
mc another.
All sorts (if suggestions were made by the Prince during this period:
one was that Lindgreen should write to the General- -in Malay, so that
it might l»i' read beforehand informing him that he and his men
were prisoners, l>ut well c;[\\'i\ for by the prince. Hut Lindgreen
refused to fall in with the plan "he would only correspond with his
chief ill Dutch."
Then again it was proposed that the prince himself should write a
letter to have it taken l>\ one of the officers, for the General had
given orders to shoot an\ Balinese who came within sight and the
Prince dared not expose his poenggawas.
Meanwhile the squadron had bombarded Mataram; the greater part
of the shells had burst and caused greal damage to the houses as
Gusti N T jengo candidh confessed. On the 5th September a youthful
u coming from Vlataram, told Lindgreen that his house had been
destroyed l>\ a bomb-shell and he was going to beg of the prince to
release the prisoners, as that would certainty put an end to the war. The
prince was a good Friend to the Government, etc.... the old. old story.
< )n the morning of the 6th September, an order came to the effect
that Lindgreen and hi-* men were to prepare tor their departure; the
prince had written a letter to the General and Lindgreen was to be
the Larrr of it.
Balinese provided our men with food and gave them bamboo to
make new stretchers with and at 2 p.m all was readj for a start.
Suddenly a most appalling noise was heard in Front of the poeri,
similar to thai of a couple of days before.
THE ATTACK.
Considerable anxiety was fell by all — so man) disappointments natural!)
caused distrust- but this time all Pears were unfounded. The clamour
was simply to summon together the men told ofE to act as escorl to
Lindgreen.
The procession soon formed: first a couple of Chiefs one carrying
the despatch — and the officers, then the soldiers, some carrying the
wounded and behind them armed Balinese.
A different route was followed to the one the) had taken on their
previous march ; the prince had instructed them to go southwards through
Passinggahan — was this so that our men should remain ignoranl of the
measures of defence, which had been taken? Arrived at this kampong
the escort went into the poeri, where one of the sons of the prince
resided and our men stayed outside, but the people broughl them
cocoa-nuts.
The march was continued in the same order as far as Sekar B61a
and here the escort took their leave, with instructions to follow the
road in a westerly direction. However instead of keeping to the route
taken by the Commander-in-chief at the time of his retreal on the
27th August they took a shorter one. A native, whom the) met just
after leaving the Balinese, promised to guide them more quickl) to
Kale, where the Netherlands troops were located.
On they went through narrow, solitary streets, over ditches and galan-
gans. Quite unexpectedly about 4 p. m. they saw the beloved tricolor
flying above Kale, where Colonel Scheuer was in command.
Lindgreen and his men were really and trul) saved!
And great indeed was the delight of the troops at kale at the sighl
of the comrades, whom they had given up as lost. The reception
accorded them was more than cordial and naturall) ever) effort was
made to relieve the wounded and the sick; after all had been thoroughly
attended to and refreshed, they were sent under a strong escort to
Ampenan, where once more they were the recipients of heart) congratu-
lations on the narrow escape they had had; of course some, who were
too ill, were left at Kale.
On his arrival at Ampenam Lindgreen handed over to the Commander-
in-chief the letter from the Rajah; in it he said that the attack of
25th — 26th August had originated on our side and furthermore that he
released the prisoners purely as a sign of friendship and goodwill and
to show that he wished to put an end to hostilities.
Lindgreen was somewhat disappointed to find that the Commander-
in-chief did not think tit to send any acknowledgment of the prince's letter.
Now that the fate of the different columns and divisions was actually
known, the extent of our calamities could be accuratel) estimated. I
casualties were as follow: 97 killed, among whom 9 officers, 50 European
and 38 Amboynese and native soldiers of inferior rank; 272 wounded,
of whom 17 "officers, 103 European and 15] Amboynese and na
soldiers, 9 of whom have since died. Amongst the missing
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
European and 1<"> A.mboynese and natives, but these figures were reduced
later on i" •"> and
Hitherto we have followed the sequence of events as they occurred,
in order nol to lose connection with them and now we will briefly
our opinion concerning them.
\- a preliminary we will make one or two remarks: Repeated refer-
- have been made both in private and official documents and we
selves plead guilt} to the same mistake -to a treacherous attack, to
a base and shameful betrayal on the part of the Balinese, to an
onslaught against which no precautionary measures were taken. In
our opinion this statement is incorrect.
A- an ally, our native subjects might prove treacherous — but in this
instance there could be no question of betrayal, as far as the Balinese
were concerned.
I p to the 25th August the} were the people against whom our
fighting powers were directed and whom we were bus} trying to bring
into submission l>\ force of arms. The Balinese were therefore our
enemies. A- such the\ might resort to artifice and cunning — butunder
the circumstances the) could not betray ns.
Forethought must be taken for similar acts of cunning on the part
of the opposing side. Difficulties may stand in the way; it may even
be impossible to take decisive measures, still this does not preclude the
need for straining ever} nerve to tr\ and do so and to make ever}
practicable arrangement for safety.
N'ow, it cannot be denied, that we lefl these precautionary measures
incomplete, and that, by neglecting this duty, we facilitated the plans
of the enemy, although we did not actually invite him to take advantage
of hi-* opportunity.
Another circumstance was responsible too for the extent of our
disasters, the peculiar situation, the enormous size and construction
of Tjakra.
Surel} the danger proceeding from these facts was no secret. One
contingency, that no one unfortunate!} seems to have taken into account.
was the ease with which breaches could be made in the massive walls
and winch would place our men entirel} at the enemy's mercy. An
enemj shooting from over the wall might be disposed of, Imt against
an enem\ shooting from behind a wall, one was powerless
V -. one ought to have known tins, this ought not to have been
looked."
I ndoiilitedk one ought to have known and an ideal ( 'oinniander-in-
i!h an efficient stair" would not have overlooked this eventuality,
but let whd will, throw stones at General Vetter and his staff, -we do
lie of the number.
link ii- most of ail in reading the accounts of the war.
and wi most special notice is the marvellous discipline, the
rless courage of the Indian arms, not onh amongst the officers but
THE ATTACK.
amongst the soldiers; in face of the most intense distress, even
did his duty, the faith and trust in the leaders remained unshaken.
From a military standpoint, this is looked upon as the bright sidi
the surprise.
Never before were the virtues of the Indian army brought in such
happy prominence. Hut no matter how high sounding our praise m;i\
be, we feel compelled to notice one delect. Truly, every light casts a
shadow.
With that tenacity of purpose, which our people displayed in their
continuous struggle with the elements and l>\ means of which tlu-\
acquired greatness in their battle for liberty in the L6th and 17th cen-
turies, and which is still to day the principal characteristic of our
brothers on the far side of the river Yaal, with thai tenacity, I say,
we maintained our hold in Lombock.
Side by side with that tenacity of purpose, is another, a negative
characteristic amongst our present day folks, a virtue winch is com-
pressed within narrow limits and has no longer a voice in the hearl
of European States. It is, a want of initiative, a shrinking from making
a bold attack, from taking the offensive, a want of that quality which
stamped our forefathers; which sent them in search for dangers and
enabled them to vanquish them.
This was our fault at Atchin, at Flores, and this again was our fault
here. The moment the enemy fired the first shot was the time to have
taken refuge within the protecting walls of the Dew a temple; instead
of so doing, preference was given to the open bivouac. Bu1 ever} shot
that hits, increases the difficulties of taking the offensive, everj wounded
soldier is an encumbrance for the retreat.
Finally the number of dead and wounded was such as to force a com-
pulsory retreat into the temple and all idea of offensive action was laid
aside and a retreat was entered upon; we have seen how the marches
were hindered by the transport of the disabled.
Precisely the same thing was repeated in the sawah-bivouac of the 7th
Batt. During the whole night the sounds of rifle and cannon at Tjakra
were heard and surely the Commander might have known what fat.- would
be his, situated as he was in such an open, unprotected position. Even
had he not wished to take the offensive, the very least he could do
was to prepare for a strong defence: lie might have taken up a position
on the borders of Mataram and Tjakra with his three companies and
conveyed thither victuals ammunition, etc.; instead of taking an\ such
step the Commander waited patiently until the ne\t morning and main
tained his dangerous position until forced t<> ret rent on account of his
heavy losses.
Was the idea which the Commander-in-chief conceived at Tjakra o\
attacking the enemy in the poeri itself a wrong one':
Of course we do not mean an attack against the Western portion inter-
sected by endless walls and passages, of the ins and outs of wind, all we
alike ignorant, but against the Eastern side, at Majura. near where
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
pond was. "The walls were too solid," — quite so, but the gateways
ami doors were nol !
The question remains whether our limited forces had am chance of
success against so many thousand foes?
Poo much time was wasted until one quarter of our men were in-
capacitated and required the rare and watchfulness of ever so manj
others to guard them. If, instead of allowing matters to reach such a
climax, an immediate replj had been given to the first shot, when all
were in good condition, it is more than probable that our forces, 400
men strong and well organized, would have been able to give a good
account of themselves.
Besides we do not believe that there were thousands of enemies at
the outset, for it is incredible that preparations on such an extensive
scale could have remained unsuspected by us. We surmise that this
rising was very similar in its working to all others of a like nature:
the initial success achieved by an inconsiderable number of men
attracted to its ranks, not only all the hesitating ones, but those who
had been left iii total ignorance of the movement.
Had tin- enemy's forces been so large, and had the plan been so
generally known, there was no reason why a simultaneous attack on
the 7th Batt. should not have been attempted.
It i'- well known that it was only on the morning of the 2fith August
that the Prince notified to the population of Mataram that thej were
to take their part in tin- attack; and that, when the attack began against
Major van Blominestein. the firing slackened at Tjakra.
This docs not point to such an overwhelming superiority. (Jnhesita-
tingl) we admit that to have taken the initiative would have been a
risky, even a very risky, but by no means desperate, step; still it is
always more praiseworthy to take a risk than to allow one's self to he
killed without defence.
"There arc time-! says von Clausewitz •■when the greater risk is
the greater prudence ! "
W hal aboul the officer in command of the 7th Battalion, might he
not have gone to the assistance of the threatened at Tjakra? How
il\ the\ looked for his arrival, lie was only 20 minutes distant
from them. The whole nighl long he heard continuous firing; hut only
at dawn did he send a company to reconnoitre.
Now differently did the Germans act in the l ; ranco-( Jerinan war.
Thej marched towards the sound of the cannon on their own
"nti. It is no use retorting: "the} were in larger numbers," or
in 'hat case the opposing ;i tin \ was not so overwhelming as hen-.'"
nol onl\ the generals, who marched at the heads of their
divisions, hut also captains with their companies and lieutenants with
eir detachments who advanced against unknown and frequently
countless numbers.
u ild it have been desirable that the Commander-in-chief, once
:hcd the Dewa temple, should wait there for the columns
I Hi: A'lTAt'K.
HiTi
he had sent to the interior: We have seen that such was General van
Tetter's primary intention, but on reflecting that it would be impo sible
to maintain the position long, now thai no help was forthcoming from
Mataram and seeing that he was unable to send an) assistance to the
columns, he gave up the idea.
We think that if the Commander-in-chief had succeeded— which lie
tried in vain to do — in warning the columns of his retreat and in ordering
them to take a different route and avoid Tjakra, this would undoubtedh
have been the best decision to have . come to. But having failed iii
this, the conclusion was the columns would certainl) march straighl
to Tjakra, to their Commander, in the hope of either supporting him
or receiving support from him, but at all events with the suret) of
finding him there.
"Provisions were running short and there was scarce!} anj water to
drink." This is certainly to be lamented; but there was no reason to
think that days would elapse before the arrival of the columns; van
Bijlevelt's might arrive within a few hours and van Lawick's within a day.
But what aid could the exhausted troops of Tjakra lend to the
columns. Material aid little — perhaps; but, taken ail together, the) formed
a force by no means to he despised. It remains of course an open
question whether, now that the enemy had assembled, it would still
have been feasible to attack them on their own territory ; or whether
our losses would not have even exceeded the actual total; but one
point, on which there can be no doubt is that morally speaking the
effect on the troops would have been beneficial.
We have witnessed the shocking disappointment experienced l>\ the
vanguard of Christan and Willemstyn when they discovered the bivouac
of the Commander-in-chief deserted.
Regarding the retreat of the various columns, we have alread)
expressed our admiration at van Bijleveldt's (Creutz-Sechleitner bat
and we have but one more remark to offer. Why did the column start
so comparatively late from the bivouac at Sukarara? The order of the
Commander-in-chief reached there during the night at about half past
two and the troops .did not march until ( .) a.m. -The victuals and
other things had to be conveyed to the kampong chief at Praja." In
view of the instructions to return without delay, all things else tell
into insignificance.
In this respect we consider that van Lawick's conduct was more
laudable. At half past three he returned to his bivouac after a long
fatiguing march— still, at 5 p.m., an hour and a half later, his troops were
on the road again.
We wish to refrain from comparisons between the action of tin'
two columns; their circumstances were too widely different to admit oi
any. The movements of van Lawick's column were sadl) hampered b)
the large following in its train and it is quite sure that this column
was received with a much heavier lire on its entry to Tjakra tin
was the other.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
W a> it however essential that cither column should have passed
through Tjakra? Might not this have been avoided?
rt;iini\ van Lawick might have done so; he might have skirted it,
but, considering what he knew of the occurrences, to have (lone so would
have been an unpardonable mistake.
With what reproaches —well-founded ones too would he not have
been assailed had he marched straight to Ampenan without heeding
hi< Commander-in-chief? For, unaware of all that had taken place, he
could have no possible cause for imagining that the General had moved
Ins quarters.
Was there then no loop-hole by which van Lawick could have
extricated himself from his dilemma? In our opinion there is an answer
to this, although we allow that it is neither decisive nor altogether
satisfactory :
That something extraordinary was going on at Tjakra was ver\ Boon
:eptible. The enenrj was met and repulsed; this fact by itself was
not so strange after the receipl ol the Commander-in-chief's letter. Hut
that on the approach of the troops to Tjakra, none of the ( 'oininander-
in-chief's men were visible, that assuredly was a noteworthy fact.
Then again there was the newly-made partition at the entrance and the
total absence of people at the bazaars — to both of which the chief
of the Staff drew attention. Did not these incidents justify the
sending of a scouting part} before entering Tjakra with the entire
column:
•lint the eiieinv would not have permitted these scouts to go their
wa\ undisturbed or return." Probabl} one out of the lot. even though
wounded, might have been able to make a report. In any case the
rest would then have been warned of the danger threatening Tjakra
and precautionary measures could have Keen taken. What measures':
Naturally, to help the others -at least if the patrol had not succeeded
m reaching the deserted bivouac— but, without the train. That would
have had to stay behind. It would not have been possible to leave
man) men behind either, without diminishing the force too much to be
of an\ tangible use.
Perhaps, verj probably even, the train would have fallen into the
hands of the Balinese Still. Van Lawick and his whole troop would
have foughl their was through, as did Van Bijlevelt, and the vanguard
under Christan and Willemstijn, and Lindgreen and his men would have
been spared their captn it\ .
This brings as to a subject Lindgreen's captivit} which has raised
■ >d dial of discussion.
Having regard for all the circumstances which led up to the captivity
and which we have carefull) detailed, surelj no one can condemn him.
He did all that was possible to hold out as long as he could and to
the lives of his men. Although at the beginning he might have
i"-d with the sacrifice of his wounded, later this became impossible.
"in-, which favored Kamerman under similar circumstances, was
THE ATTACK
against Lindgreen — bul thai oughl nol to take awa\ from bis mi
Most ungrudgingl} do we bestow our admiration on botli liim and
brave men who stood such severe tests; mid a special word of on
do we speak for the heroic conduct of the Faithful Doctor I jlaki, who
through all emergencies ever remained true to In- dut\ and, foreigner
though lie was,— showed such love for the Indian army.
After paying our tribute of respect to Lindgreen and Ins column, n
is only common justice not to pass by unnoticed the behaviour of the
enemy — the treatment of the prisoners at their hands is without parallel
in the history of Indian warfare.
The friendly attitude of the Prince is easily to be understood. On
discovering that the annihilation of our troops was not as complete ,-i>
he had anticipated or as had been represented to him, and finding thai
the naval foree was about to attack Mataram and thai we nol onty
occupied Ampenan but were on the point of assuming the often
he became alarmed and consequently regretted the results of his own
act; he was anxious for reconciliation as appears from his declarations
to Lindgreen and his letter to the Commander-in-chief and hoped that
his considerate treatment of the prisoners and their eventual release
would avail him in the attainment of this object.
The delicacy and discretion of the population, who displayed neither
enmity nor discourtesy to their erstwhile foe; the politeness mid attentions
of the poenggawa/s, whose power and influence we had been endeavouring
to undermine — all these things excite our admiration and point to a
high civilization, proving that we did not over-rate it in the e;nl\ pari
of this work.
In judgment on the course of action taken by the Balinese in the
attack made on us, their behaviour to our prisoner- will occupy an
important part on their credit side of history's page. From ;i political
standpoint was the "release" a judicious act of the Prince? or would
it not have been wiser on his part to have followed the advice given
him by the chief of the commander of the Malay kampong?
It appears to us that the prince. — fortunately, — did not realize the
amount of pressure he might bring to bear so long as he held land-
green in his power and further more that he had formed mi exaggerated
idea as to what the results of the release of the prisoners might be.
Concerning our attitude towards the prince there is nothing tosaj at nil.
The Commander-in-chief did not even answer the letter. We
this for Lindgreen's sake. We think that, although we had a good
many scores to settle with the enemy, still it might have been perm isi
to acquaint the Prince with the fact that Lindgreen had fulfilled the
trust placed in him.
Might not more help have been looked for from the troop- thai h:i<
been left at Ampenan than the ineffectual attempt al scouting that
been so speedilv abandoned by the cavalry?
Perchance— and we are willing to admit the contingency
not possible for the cavalry to advance to their front.
_ - THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
try t<» do so mi the flanks? We are ignorant on this point, but we are
well aware that their movements must necessarily have remained limited
to tin- roads and we ma\ assume that — unsupported the} would have
had sooner or later to retreat from before Mataram.
In the bivouac at Ampenan there remained 2 full companies, besides
a naval brigade of "J* hi men.
Leaving the Latter behind to protect the bivouac, might not the two
companies with the newly disembarked guns have advanced as tar as
Mataram, which la\ within easj reach? Who can say what an effect
such an immediate additional force would have had upon the Balinese.
There need have been no fear of being isolated, for, animated l>\ tin;
determination to act on the offensive such ;is tills our neighbours the
English, in their struggles against native races, a rapid march would
soon have enabled them to join Blommestein and through him to have
rendered timely aid to the ('oiiiniander-in-chief.
Once again, instead of taking the initiative we sec all attention
turned to preparations for defence and for salVu
Would not the naval brigade supported by the two men-of-war in
the harbour, have sufficed for this: If this he denied, it is all the more
certain that a mistake was made in establishing the bivouac in such
an unprotected spot, and leaving the base of operations unfortified, and
held by onl) •! companies.
Jt seems to us that the most practical means of protecting the bivouac
would have been in assuming a strong attitude of offence and in shooting
down all that came in our way.
That this course would have been feasible was demonstrated a couple
of days later l>\ ( 'apt. Willemstijn.
Such tactics would have revived the spirits of our men and would
have inspired the enemy with wholesome fear!
In conclusion a word concerning the fact that a naval officer of
inferior rank the officer in command of the bivouac should have
purpose^ been placed at the head of the naval brigade.
""It would not have been expedient to have entrusted the direction
the defence of Ampenan to a land officer of inferior rank to that
enjoyed l>\ the naval officer."
I Ins was the opinion of the naval commander, an opinion which is
usual 1} accepted in a general sense when it refers to the command of
combined operation- of land and sea forces.
"It would never have d • for the command. >r of the naval force to
placed over him an officer junior to himself," was the answer
n l>\ the minister of marine in reply to an interpellation on this
point made by llcer van \ lijun n in the second Chamber on the 17th
we to take this as the last word on the subject?
1 arise when the greater -hare of the warlike operations musl
il\ devolve upon the navy: in blockading, in naval demonstrations;
THE ATTACK.
in bombarding towns lying near the coast, etc. The chief command
ought under such circumstances to be placed in the bands of a naval
officer, even should the men under him have land Eorces attached to
them to assist in effecting a landing or other similar contingencies.
Where on the other hand the main business is to be executed l>\
the army; where it is the dul\ of the arm\ to march to the interior
to carry on the operations needful for the attainment of the object in
view, the officer appointed to command is naturalh selected Prom the
army, although the navy may perform valuable services in assisting t|, r
disembarking, in bombarding, etc.
In our opinion this is so logical that every novice in matters of war
must agree with us.
By adhering to this elementary principle all difficulties will In- lore-
stalled and the public interests will he hut served.
Matters of secondary importance have sometimes caused a deviation
from this rule, and the natural consequences have ensued therefrom.
The chief cause of this deviation is due to the fact that promotion
in the navy proceeds more rapidly than in the army. As the rank of
major is non-existent in the navy, it is of frequent occurrence, that a
comparatively young naval lieutenant of the first class (equivalenl to
captain) on his promotion to lieutenant-commander (equivalenl to lieu-
tenant-colonel) immediately becomes the senior of nil the majors in the arm\ .
On preferment to a higher rank still, that of naval captain (colonel
and after holding that rank for several years, as is the general rule,
then at the time of a mixed expedition he is nearly always the senior
in ''standing" to much older colonels in the army.
If we apply the above-mentioned principle of the minister of marine
then we come face to face with these difficulties: either in case of an
expedition there is a very limited choice of commanders only to hi'
increased by selecting less suitable men; or the command over arm\
and navy ought to be separated which is equally bad.
The history of our Indian wars furnishes us with example- as disas-
trous in the one case as in the other.
This is not the place to expatiate thereupon; hut we will give one
illustration of each mode of proceeding.
At the time of the third Balinese expedition, the commander of the
expeditionary sea force, vice-admiral (lieutenant-general Machielsen
occupied a higher rank than major-general Michiels the commander of
the expeditionary land force.
The Governor-general had purposely entrusted the command ol
navy to a young officer, with the idea of placing linn under General
Michiels, who from the character of the expedition was appointed
commander of all the forces. Vice-admiral Machielsen objected to
arrangement, desiring to command his own sea (over. The commai*
was therefore divided between the two.
On the 31 March 1849 General Michiels requested the support
naval brigade of 250 sailors and marines to assisl him in carryn
THE LOMBOCB EXPEDITION.
certain operations Vice-admiral Machielsen though well able to comply
with tin- request, contented himself with supplying s<» men, much to the
disappointment of the < Jeneral !
During the Atcheen expedition of 1873 in case of absence of the
Commander-in-chief, General Kohler, a suitable second in command was
appointed in the person of Colonel Egter van Wisserkerke.
The command of the sea forces was however entrusted to the naval
Captain colonel) ECoopman, his senior in standing. In ruse of accident
to the Commander-in-chief , the command would therefore have devolved upon
that naval captain. No, that would not do, so a hurried search was
made for a substitute! This u;in found at the last moment in an older
colonel of the land forces who had just arrived from Europe and was
entirely ignorant of the preparations for, and conditions of the campaign.
The disadvantages attendant upon this course are known only too well.
And what was done here at Lombock?
Original!} Colonel Segov was appointed second in command.
The commander of the sea forces in Indian waters opposed the nomi-
nation on the ground that the above named colonel was not of the same
standing in hi- rank as the naval Captain Quispel, the appointed
commander of the sea forces.
The objection met with no resistance. The comparatively small
expeditionarj corps of three battalions not onlj secured the honour of
having for Commander-in-chief the oldest Major-general of the army —
but had in addition, as second in command a second Major-general, the
only one still available.
Such then are i he anomalies resulting from a divergence from the
above mentioned principle, the only really just one
Surelj the intends of the coiintn ought to weigh more heavil\ in
ale- than any private sentimentalities or susceptibilities.
It ought to be clearly understood that the person who is selected l>\
the government for the important post of Governor, commander of the
arm) or commander of an expedition, or as substitute for any of these,
iscalled upon to carrj out these functions not in his capacity as general
or colonel or whatever else il may he. hut even when dealing with officers
ot higher rank, i- and remains the commander of the army, the
commander of the expedition or substitute of these; with all the
authorit) and responsibilities attached to the office.
VII.
REINFORCEMENT OF THE EXPEDITION.
It was terrible news that reached the Governor-General during those
last days of August.
First came the telegram from the commander of the fleer in Lombock
waters, sent off during the night of 26th — 27th August, saying that lie
presumed an attack had taken place the previous night on the bead-
quarters at Tjakra Nagara and at Mataram, as sounds of musketn
and cannon proceeding from that direction had been beard nil night ;
that the cavalry at Ampenan had ineffectual!) attempted to open up
communication with Mataram; that towards evening some beavy firing
had been heard in the direction of Mataram, but that mm midnight
all was quiet; that finally 200 men of the naval brigade and 4 gun-
had been disembarked to reinforce Ampenan.
And the following morning brought a mote detailed telegram ; this
time from the Commander-in-chief; it had been despatched the previous
day on board the Koningin Emma.
And in the Mother country, after the Nieuws ran den Ban bad
published the first notice of the attack on the morning of 27th August,
fresh items of bad news came pouring in daily. On the 28th the same
paper published a telegram from Batavia, wherein it was notified that
14 officers, General Van Ham and 150 soldiers had been killed. In the
afternoon of that day the JV. Botterdammer Courant announced that the
number of killed and missing amounted to 185, amongsl whom 30 officers.
More alarming still were the telegrams in the Staatscourant of the
28th and 29th.
"General Vetter announces, so telegraphed the Governor General:
"Tjakra attacked on the night of 25th. firing continued all day.
Losses in course of 26th are 14 killed and 85 wounded. \«> water.
foraging impossible, losses increasing: at :> p. m. retreated to Mataram.
Baggage left behind so as to carry wounded in waggon-. I Law li
on the road. Situation Mataram worse. Camp deserted.
"Eight in the evening Bijlcvelfs column from the interior arrived,
also heavy losses."
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
•• Provisions failed, could not reach bivouac, communication with
Ampenan interrupted, hemmed in between Tjakra and Mataram: impos-
sible to take offensive. Situation untenable on account of numbers
wounded, on morning 27th retreated Ampenan in Southerly direction,
- there comparative!} small. Killed: 4 officers. 63 soldiers;
wounded: 12 officers, 153 soldiers; missing 6 officers, 143 soldiers.
Four field guns lefl behind at Mataram."
Nothing known of Van Lawick's column in the interior...."
Meeting immediately of council of India with commanders of army
and navj to consult about m\ idea of sending forthwith battalion and
artillery; if necessary more available. Will telegraph you decision." We
will not quote an\ more of those harrowing telegrams so pregnant with
disaster, creating such a heart-rending impression everywhere.
There was one man however who knew no tear and maintained a bold
front and that man was the Governor.
Immediate^ on receipt of General Vetter's telegram, the Governor-
General summoned an " extraordinarj meeting" of the council of India.
Mere there was no talk of recalling the expedition the disastrous conse-
quences of such a proceeding were shown to us in the first Atcheen
campaign the losses suffered should without delay be made good, a
new battalion sent to the seat of war and if this were not sufficient
then the Commander of the Army guarantees that the Governor-General
ma\ promise more if the Commander-in-Chief requires more.
This was the language of a man.
Mere we listen once again to the language of our ancestors which
shall be written in letters of gold in the annals of our country.
That \er\ da\ the Commander-in-chief is telegraphically informed that
at the latest within four days the 2nd battalion of infantry stationed at
langshall sail for Lombock; that within the shortest possible space
of time a strong train of artillery shall follow, with all that is required
f«>r repairing the losses sustained and reconstructing the held force.
Meanwhile M. Segov, promoted from Colonel to Major-General, i^
instructed l»\ telegram to take the place of General Van Ham as second
m command, and the experienced Chief of the General-Staff -I. •). k.
de Moulin, promoted to q colonelcy, is appointed Chief of the Staff of
the expedition and goes to Lombock to replace Major I lanierster who
was then missing.
The observation corps which had previous^ gone to Kali, hut had
been sent hack to Java, was at once ordered to return to Boeleleng.
yssured of speedj reinforcements, the Commander-in-chief was in a
position to telegraph to the Governor-General two days later. 30th August,
the plans he proposed for the resumption of hostilities.
'•» order to restore the moral of the soldiers, as well as to warn
the eiieinx o| what he might prepare for. it was considered wise to send
two companies under Captain Wilfemstijn, of the General Staff, on a march
111 the direction of Mataram. on the 30th and :;Ni August. It was then
apparenl that the enemj was bus^ fortifying the West front of that
REINFORCEMENT OF THE EXPEDITION.
place, that they were throwing up breastworks in the neighbourhood oi
the temple on the East of the dessa Arung-Arung and thai al various
points they were breaking up the road between Ampenan and
Mataram.
The Balinese who were employed in the construction of the bn
works were driven away by a couple of salvos. On the 30th and on the
31st the artillery opened fire on Mataram with the two remaining moun-
tain guns and we have described the consternation it caused there.
The same day, the Commander-in-chief read to the troops the telegram
of sympathy that had been sent l»\ the Queen-Regent and afterwards
made known to them the order of the day as drafted bj the Governor
General :
Officers and soldiers!
"It is with the greatest grief that I have heard oi' the death and
wounding of so many brave "men, fallen not in honorable warfare, but
as the victims of darkly-planned treachery. Reinforcements are on
the way for a new and effective advance, and I feel convinced that
the army, sustained by our gallant navy, will not only maintain its
high reputation but will increase it.
"The many, now mourning the loss of husband, son or brother will
find comfort in the victory you will win !
"Both your Queens and your country have their eye fixed on von,
and trust in you.
"I felt the need of saying this to you to-day, the birthday of vow
Queen and I ask you to join with me in crying:
"Long live the Queen."
The period of anxious waiting was now over. The air was cleared. With
energy and courage a fresh advance was to be made, to be prudentl] and
•circumspectly carried on till the goal was attained; our disasters were to
be avenged, further laurels added to our country's crown!
For the navy too a new epoch was ushered in. The coast would
have to be guarded against the introduction of contraband of war and
against the crossing of Balinese troops. On the 29th Augusl the " Koningin
Emma" steamed up to the Balinese kampong Tanah Embat, to tin-
North of Ampenan and discharged about 50 shells from her 12 cm.
breach-loading howitzers. Later on in the course of the da} more bomb-
shells were fired on Mataram from the 17 cm. guns.
The "Prim Hendrik" threw some shells with the 12 cm. howitzers
in the direction of Mataram, with probably verj little damage to the
place as it was out of range.
During the following days a few shells were tired on Mataram by the
17 cm. guns of the "Koningin Emma".
Of course this bombarding could not be productive of anything much.
How different would have been the result, if inimediateh ai
ill 5 LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
surprise Mataram ami Tjakra had received instantaneous retribution from
ships lying close by! Thej were onlj respective!} 5500 and ('>•')<><> metres
from the coast line.
I determine whether, it' this were impossible at the time, it came
within the range of possibility nt a lain' date, we must take a survej
or available maritime resources in India, while preparations were
put forward for the reconstruction of the expedition.
It is onl) fair to admit that what we have to sa\ on this point is
not exactly of an encouraging nature
At the present time our Indian military marine consists of one iron-
clad, one protected corvette, fourteen gunboats, three paddle steamers, one
surveying ship, one torpedo boat, two guard ships and three smaller
surveying craft.
Belonging to tin- Netherlands Marine there are in India one; iron-clad,
die protected cruiser besides two frigates, together forming the auxiliary
squadron.
The iron-clad, belonging to the Indian military marine, the Konina
\ erlanden, a ramturretship built in 1871 — TS74 dates from the
earl) days of iron-clads. Of very moderate speed, •with a wry weak
side armour, a ram of doubtful strength, with no deck armour, without
an) torpedo apparatus, it is unlit to satisfy even the most modest
requirements of the present day: while the armament consisting of
1 1 •_' cm. B.L. howitzers a gun of limited range and still more limited
accuracy) — and the old 28 cm. muzzle loading turret guns originally
fitted.
Improvements which were made in other ships of this date which were
equal!} defective Were omitted ill the ea<e of this ship.
The Koning der Nederlanden was withdrawn from the naval force
(1st \pnl in the Ateheen waters and even on the way to the wharf at
Surabaya, had to put into dock at Singapore for repairs to tin- steam-
boilers, and to he scraped, as no wa\ could be got on her, owing to
the foulness of her bottom.
If the Indian military marine had hitherto not derived much benefit
from this costlj prevent, things might have assumed a different aspect
with the iron-clad Sumatra, a modern vessel, the only ship of this
class, well-armed: 1 gun of 21 cm., ] of 1") cm., 2 cannons of
12 «in. :;:» calibres in length), all of new patterns and which had
respectively ranges of 12.000, 10.000 and 9000 metres with verj Hat
trajecton .
we saw, the Sumatra was originally attached t.. the expedition,
and would, at the time of the reconstruction have proved invaluable, as
Mataram and Tjakra were well within the range of her guns, had it
not been for the fact that on the loth Align.! she had heen compelled
nto dock at Surabaya to undergo some urgent repairs, which
rding to the colonial report ought to have been executed by the
I of AugUSl of that \ear: hut which had not been completed.
Regarding the loin-teen gunboats the} were launched in the following
REINFORCEMENT OF THE EXPEDITION.
order: one in 1878, one in 1874, one in 1876, one j M 1877, two in
1878, one in 1879, one in 18S0, one in 1885, two in L887, two in
1891, one in 1892 and according to the Colonial Reporl of 1895 the}
are classified thus :
in very good state :
the Bali, Borneo, Lombock, Sumbawa;
in good state :
the Ceram, Ftores, Madura, Pontianak, and Batavia-,
still available :
the Padang, Sambas and Benkoelen;
under repair:
the Java (since 24 June 1893) and the Makassar since j Sept. 1898 .
The oldest gunboats, excepting the Pontianak (1873) which was
provided with a 16 cm. breachloader all carried a hears breach-
loader of 18 cm. calibre. This was the case with the Sambas 1^71
Batavia (1876) and the Makassar (1877). In addition to tins all are
equipped with two 12 cm. breachloader howitzers, with which it i^
possible to fire at a range of 3600 metres.
The Padang and the Bali (1878), as well as the Benkoelen (ls7!>
the Madura 1880 and the Java (1885) all mounted a 15 c.M. 32 gun
having a range of 5000 Metres and 3 small breachloaders <>l 12 cm.
This appears to have been the most flourishing period; the following
ships have no heavy breechloaders, they arc only fitted with three 12
cm. B. L. howitzers, and to this series belong the Flores, and the
Ceram, both built in 1887, the Lombock and ike Sumbawa, built in 1891.
Fortunately the Borneo, launched in 1892, was better armed, even
though somewhat heavily for this class of boat, having 6 R. L guns
of 10.5 cm. 12 calibres in length, which, with a range of 9000 Metres,
could have very easily bombarded Tjakra Nagara. Unfortunately tin-
ship — the only one qualified for the purpose — could <>nl\ dispose of ;i
very limited amount of ammunition, viz. 110 rounds to her guns.
The reserve ammunition was on the way from Holland, kn-
owing to the fact that similar guns were not in use either l»\ the
land forces or sea forces in India, a supply could he obtained in no
speedier way.
Needless to say that the utmost moderation had to be exercised in
firing these six guns.
Regarding the remaining vessels of the Indian military marine, we
have but little to say from the standpoint of our work.
The three paddle steamers date from 1S74, 1877 and l s <v They
bear witness chiefly to the fact that in India, ships as well as people
can with care, live to a good old age.
The 1st class paddle steamers Merapi, is even tit lor service, at hast
when not in dock, which happens even now and then, according to
the Colonial Report: "This vessel was in dock at Singapore in March
and April 1894 and again in November." 01' the two other '2\u\ i
paddle steamers the Sindoro was disqualified for service in Maj
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDIT10
Surabaya, and the other the Soembing was withdrawn from Borneo
temporarih in November 1894. Fortunately however the repairs were
completed bj December 1894
Our Burveying ship, the Banda L872 was in the docks at Surabaya
from the middle of Maj for repairs.
Our onU torpedo boat, the "Cerberus" w;is for the greater pari
of the time in the stocks at Surabaya; and finallj concerning our guardships,
tin- Gedeh, the guardship at Tandjong Priok, was withoul steamboilers
and a prey to white ants Colonial report 1895] and onl\ theBromo l s 7li
at Surabaja was in a state of efficiency.
Excepting the torpedo boat and the surveying ship, which can only
earn small guns, all these vessels are provided with 12 cm. howitzers
at the outside, lint the Merapi carries also two breachloaders of ](; em.
Respecting the auxiliary Squadron, tin- ramship Prins Hendrik der
Nederlanden, built in 1865 1866, although of earlier date than the
Koning der Nederlanden was in no wa\ inferior to the latter.
The frigates the Koningin Emma der Nederlanden and the Tromp were
unarmoured and unprotected 1st class screwsteamers of moderate speed
and lighting capacity. Both mounted, besides 12 cm. B. L howitzers
guns, --i\ ^\' 17 cm., with which, as the range of these hitters was
5000 metres, it would have been possible to bombard Mataram, hut
not Tjakra.
These then were the ships at the disposal of the Indian .Marine.
What then could be done on receipt of the request: "'Send ships
immediately to Lombock?"
Ateheen still required the lion's share. Thirteen men-of-war were
still stationed in the waters of North Sumatra: Koning der Nederlanden,
the gunboats Pontianak, Sambas, Hat aria. Padang, Beukoelen, Madura,
Iflores, Ceram, Lombok, Sumbawa, as well as the paddle steamers Merapi
and Sindoro. One ship was still stationed in the Southern and Eastern
division of Borneo the paddle steamer Soembing.
I'.-, comparing this statement with the foregoing one. it is clear that
the Bali was the <>nl\ available ship at Surabaya, while, besides the
two withdrawn, the Java and Makassar, four ships were undergoing
repairs, viz: the Sumatra, Borneo and Tromp, and the surveying ship
Banda.
9 i that although it was decided that the n;i\al portion of the expedi-
tion was to In- as speedily as possible placed on a similar footing to
what it was originally, there was a wide distance between the decision
and its execution.
True, the opium cruiser Gycloop was once again placed at the
disposal of the naval commander on the 29th August, to do despatch-
boat dut\ along with the ArgUS but what about the rest':
Tin- working power was inadequate to undertake the necessarj repairs
to all th< hips simultaneously. So it was settled to get the Tromp
which required least repair, read} for service at once
The idea (.f Bending the Sumatra to Ampenan was entertained ;it
REINFORCEMENT OF THE EXPEDITION
first, as this boat might bave rendered excellent service in helping the
Borneo to bombard Tjakra. However it was not carried out and
instead of the Sumatra, the Bali was added to the expeditionary
force and along- with the Borneo was gol read} as quickh
possible.
Meanwhile the Tromp reappeared 'in the harbour at Ampenan on the
2nd September in exactly the same coudition as when she was senl to
Surabaya.
The writer of the article: "The fleel for Lombock" in Het Vaderland
(16 January 1894) says:
"Although the Tromp had not the full use of her steam power, yet
it was an enormous gain to have another ship, provided with a tank
numerous crew and a battery, of sufficient calibre to keep up the fire
on Mataram.
"The presence of two large ships in the proximity of the bivouac being
sufficient for the present, one of the other two vessels, the Emma, or
the Prins Hendrik might convenient^ have been despatched to guard
the strait, especially the bay of Kombal to prevent Gusti G'de Djilantik
crossing over to Karang Asem in one of his own >hips.
"What did happen in reality?
"After the frigate Tromp had joined the naval force at Ampenan <>n
2nd September, the then commander of the naval force and at the
same time commander of the frigate Emma, withdrew this latter tempo-
rarily from the naval forces, by setting sail the following morning for
Macassar in order to fetch a fresh supply of coal.
"We consider that the daily supply of coal for whatever use ought
to have been furnished from the stock of the boats belonging to the
Steam Navigation Company which should have been contracted for at
Batavia; and that under the circumstances this vessel should have
remained in the near neighbourhood of the headquarters, jusl a- the
Prins Hendrik would have been a more suitable vessel for cruising
purposes; the useless attempt of the Commander-in-chief to Keep the
ship at Ampenan must be ^looked upon as a most unfortunate
incident.
.... It is then a fact, however incredible it may appear, that on the
afternoon of 3rd September the Emma was uearh oul of sight of the
ships in the harbour at Ampenan, setting sail for Macassar."
In further explanation of this strange proceeding we musl -talc that
on the morning of the 3rd September a conference was held at which
were present the Commander-in-chief, the second in command, the chief
of the staff, the commander of the Prins Hendrik, the naval captain
Backer Overbeek and the director of Internal Affair-. Scherer; the
importance of Djilantik's arrest was held to he vital immediate!} after
the first attack, he had with his followers, made for Kombal l>a\ on the
West coast — consequently instructions were scut to the commander oi
Emma, who was preparing for departure, t<. remain where he was
the commander of the Prins Hendrik was ordered to -tart imm
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
for Kninlial and seize Djilantik if possible, l>ut at am rate to prevent
his crossing over to ECarang Asem.
The letter containing the instructions for the captain of the Emma
was sent from headquarters at half past nine in the morning and was
taken l»\ an orderly, who handed the document to some one from the
squadron, whom he met accidental^ on the Bhore; tins man took the
letter carefully to transmit it to the right person ; 1 »ut in the midst
of Ins work all thoughts <>t' tin- precious letter went out of Ins mind!
When he remembered it. it was taken on board at about half past
twelve ami it was the commander of the Prins Hendrik who received
it. The Koningin Emma was bi this time out of sight. It was
fated to be so; but \\h\ was it that the Koningin Emma was in such
a hurry to depart, just at the very moment when her presence was BO
much needed at Ampenan and there was in reality no need for her to
go to Macassar fur coal': There would not have been the slightest difficulty
or objection to her borrowing a -uppl\ from the Tromp, just arrived
from Surabaya; and wh\ did she stay longer at Macassar than was
necessar} for tin- accomplishment of this task':
At the same time the Koningin Emma was carrying 450.000 florins
to Macassar, part of the war indemnity which had been saved, lint
was it imperative that this should he done at this important time, when
the bivouac was far from safe and might any day require the help of
the naval brigade? Would it not have been feasible for the Maetsuijc&er,
which was frequently going backwards and forwards to Surabaya, to have
conveyed this monc} ?
No; none of these are strong enough reasons. Had the commander
perhaps some special cause tor desiring to leave Ampenan at this time?
In that case, other arrangements might have been made and at least the
precious -hip could have remained in the harbour.
Finally, wh\ did not the Commander-in-chief recall the Emma by
telegram, which via Boeleleng would have reached Macassar as soon
as tin- ship it-elf; Nad this order been sent the Emma would have been
back in time — a couple of days previous to Djilantik's flight.
it came to pass that oiil\ two vessels were in the harbour at
Ampenan. and the Tromp dail\ discharged about ten -hots or, Mataram.
\- tin- presence of both ships was positively indispensable for the safety
of the bivouac, there could be no further question of patrolling the coast
It was onl) on the return of the Koningin Emma from Macassar on
the 12th Sept. and -if the Bali and Borneo on the Following da) that
the idea Of Cruising could be put into execution.
I!\ tin- date the bird had flown' ( )n the 7th September Gusti
Djilantik with his followers had crossed over to ECarang Assim in fif-
teen praos.
It was all verj fine to saj afterward-, a- did formerly Siberg, the
rnor of Java to Reijke, Governor of Macassar when the} were
compelled to desist in then- attempts against Bali and Salamparang,
that practicall) speaking there was not ven much to be regretted; that
REINFORCEMENT OF THE EXPEDITION.
after all it was perhaps for the besl that Djilantik and his men had
left Lombock, as all fear of encountering hostilities from him wereno^
at an end; we think that in this instance the proverb of the sour
grapes" is very applicable.
What would it have mattered it' our alreadj bo numerous enemies
had been increased by a hundred or so Balinese, the greater pari
whom were only armed with kris and spear, in comparison to the greal
advantages attainable by the capture of Djilantikr Tins feat would
have ensured the simplest and most .. desirable resull regarding affairs in
Karang Aseiu ! Whereas now, notwithstanding all the declarations of
innocenee and friendship on the pari of Djilantik, we are as far off as
ever from any settlement.
For we cordially agree in our opinion of him with thai expressed 03
Siberg of this prince's ancestors: "that they only remain our allies, as
long as they have any benefit to derive from our friendship!' The
Prins Hendrik was now commissioned to cruise aboul in Komal baj
on the West coast, and the Bali was sent to guard the Easl and North
coast. The Koningin Emma stayed in the harbour of Ampenan to the
North and the Tromp was stationed at the South of the bivouac
Under the existing state of affairs a bombardment would prove far
more effectual and was planned for the 13th September.
From the statements we have made it is perfectly clear that owing
to the unfavorable conditions of our navy in Indian waters, added to a
combination of unfortunate circumstances, the share to be taken by tin-
navy in the resumption of operations was not as importanl as might
otherwise have been both possible and expedient.
The question then arises as to what should constitute the strength of
our navy in India? To discuss the subject in detail would had us too
far astray from our main point, so we will content ourselves with one
or two condensed remarks. The duties of the auxiliar} squadron are
multifarious, as we know from various authorities, the late mini
Jansen, the commission of 1889, etc., they include: the protectioi
small men-of-war, mail and packet boats; the maintaining of communi-
cation with foreign possessions; the protection of coasl towns from
unexpected attacks; the keeping at l>a\ of a hostile fleet and attack-
ing them on an attempt to land.
Is it possible to accomplish all these things with the force we
have named?
The retired vice-admiral Jhr. J. A. Roell expressed a very different
opinion in his recent pamphlet: "De Zeemacht in Oost-Indie
Naval force in East India.) in which he required 6 warships, 2 cruis
2 despatch-boats, 5 large and 4 small torpedo boats.
Serious thought will have to be bestowed on our coast defences
the present moment the only available ship for thai purpose
Cerberus of the Indian Military Marine!
And the Marine itself? The number of ships is ample; bul
.same thing is far from true regarding their actual intrinsic value;
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
have already Doted the fact that mam have reached a respectable age;
but OWlDg to that \er\ reason thej arc continualU being laid l>\ tor
repairs and for all practical purposes thej might as well not exist.
We admit that the same requirements need not he insisted upon for
this marine as tor the auxiliary squadron j and the arming with guns
of the whole Indian military marine, so as to satistj the exigencies of
the time-, would he too costly.
The histon of this campaign has certainly demonstrated the need for
at least Btrongl} arming a great Dumber of our ships.
To equip the new ships with modern guns is quite reasonable
and judicious.
\\h\ then is it that having done away with the old 12 cm. breach-
loader, dating 1867 for the Borneo in 1892, this gun was supplied to
the .\ as, seeing that there are alread} so many similar ones in the
Indian military marine?
Doubtless the Baving of half a ton. (50.000 florins) which would have
been the additional cost of three 10.5 cm. similar to those of the
Borneo, as the\ >rill had the 12 cm. B. L.) was the motive of this
decision; but i> it not just possible that this may be called mistaken
economy P
It in oiil\ bj powerful armament that these costly modem ships are
rendered effective.
It i- with intense satisfaction that we have learnt from the re-
cent colonial report that the gunboat to he constructed this year of
the same class as the Nias is to he furnished with three 10.5 cm.
I!. I., umic
We onl\ express the fervent wish, that in other respects too. a new
era i- dawning for the Indian military marine.
After the Dews of the disaster which had befallen the Hoops at
Lombock reached Magelang on the morning of the 28th August, orders
were issued at 6 p. in to the 2nd Battalion stationed there, to make
immediate preparations to start for the seat of war on the following
morning.
There was decided^ not much time to prepare in; hut a few
weeks before the battalion had been declared a marching battalion and
oughl consequent!} to have been read} for marching.
Quite correct, but to compl} with this demand, it is necessary that
the depot battalion- Bhould be in a position to replace at once all
who an- absent or unlit tor active service; and this is not at all
time- easily managed.
The officer in command of the 2nd Batt. was in the hospital, one
captain, several lieutenants and a considerable Dumber of soldiers were
missiogor unlit for active service. These deficiencies had to be supplied
in greal haste and a- far as the men were concerned, they consisted
chiefly of young soldiers of the 2nd depot battalion who were in garrison
at Magelimg
REINFORCEMENT OF THE EX PEDITION.
The officers therefore had their hands full and it was late at ni
before they could turn their attention to their own affairs. Thefollov
morning there were many matters to be looked after; slight repairs to
rifles, exchanges to be effected, the deliver} of cases and clothes, etc.,
so that it was 1.30 p.m., the hottest hour of the day, before the march
to Willem I. could be begun.
The knapsacks and baggage were carried by coolies, hired l»\ the
civil administration, still a quick advance was impossible, parth owing
to the intense heat and previous fatigue and partly m consequence of
the large following of coolies. No matter what the width of the road
these men will walk one behind the other, and all the idlers on the road
and the carts, etc., get mixed up amongst them, which causes them to
get cut off, whereby great loss of time is occasioned.
If the troops had proceeded along the railway track from Semarang-
Willem I to Magelang, (a distance of 36 k.m.) the advantage of which
from a military standpoint lias already been referred to. the} would
have been enabled to embark the same afternoon, instead of which tin \
did not take ship until two days later.
And yet of what incalculable value these two lost days might have been.
Night quarters were taken up at Medono, (15 k.m. from Magelang
Avhich was reached about 6.30 p. m. and the following day thej arrived
at Willem I. at half past twelve and were conveyed l>\ train, on
31st August, straight to Semarang, where the battalion was to embark.
They reached this port at 11 a.m. and after the usual presentations to
the commander and colonel, the embarkation of the troops took place
much in the same enthusiastic manner as before described in speaking
of the other troops. Five large "praos" carried the troops and a small
steamer carried the officers to the Coen and by a quarter past twelve all
were safe on board.
In addition to the Coen, the Carpentier was also lying in the harbour;
both had left Batavia on the 30th August, bringing troops to completi
the 13th Battalion at Surabaya, and also field and mountain artillerv
for Lombock.
They continued the voyage, the Carpentier reaching Ampenan the same
night, and the Coen at 6.30 a.m. on the 2nd September. I!\ half past
nine all the troops were on shore.
On the same day that the troops of Central Java embarked at Sema-
rang, the reinforcements from East Java embarked at Surabaya. Infant i\
of the 13th Battalion, a section of siege artiller) and a detachment of
engineers (from Malang) left in the morning at ten li\ the \faetsuijcker
and the observation corps destined for Boeleleng and consisting of a
company of the 8th Battalion (from Ambarawa) left two hours later
on the Japara.
The distance being short, the Maetsuijcker and the .la/mm reached
the roadstead of Ampenan on 1st. September, and there the\ landed
13 officers and 361 infantry soldiers. (155 European and 206 oat
besides two 12 cm. B. guns and two 20 cm. Mortars.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
, the 4th Sept. a section of mountain artillery left Surabaya on
the Medan, and on the 9th the Speelman brought over the 15th company
of artillery. We will now u r i\r m detail the whole additional force:
lDQU asters : Major General Segoi ; the chief of the Staff, Colonel J. J.
K. de Moulin, to whom Captain K. van Erpecum was attached;
two clerks.
Inianikv- As commanders of the <ith and 9th Battalions Lieutenant-Colonels
E. M. A. A. E. Frackera and A. II. \\ . Scheuer, I captains,
L 5 lieutenants, 200 European, 100 Amhoynese, 1 no .Madurese,
and 100 native soldiers, besides the accessary transport and
complete equipment.
Aktii.li.ky : In command of the division of field and mountain artillery
Major <i. Feuilletau de Bruyn, to whom Lieutenant E. van
Tli it- 1 Was attached as aide-de-camp.
a. Fn i.I'-ai: iii.i.i:i;v : I captain, 3 lieutenants. 7l' Fmropean and 29 native
soldiers, with uecessan tnm>port: :■! officers and 47 troop-
horses and 1 mule.
b. Mountain- abtilleby : I captain, 2 Lieutenants, 35 European and 38
native soldiers, with necessary transport, besides 1 officer
and L3 troop-horses and :;:! mules.
c. Gabbison-abtelleby : One company composed of 1 captain, 2 lieutenants,
99 European and 32 aative soldiers and necessary cadre.
A.TTACHED To nit: Coehorx-MORTAks : 1* Europeans, l! mules and
I draft horses.
Total of the artillery: 11 officers, L98 European and
99 native soldiers, 65 horses and 36 mules.
6 cavalry troopers) soldiers and 6 troop-horses.
Bngineebs: A Bection of engineers, 1 Lieutenant, 1 European and 26 natives
b! rong.
Military admtnistbation : 1 lieutenant quarter-masters.
Medical depabtment: 2 surgeons belonging to the 1st .lass, and three
belonging to the 2nd class, l hospital attendants, L2 nurses
and 1 _' bearers.
bbal Tbanspobt: L3 European infantry non-commissioned officers.
The topographical service was furnished with entirely new measuring and
drawing instruments; tin- engineers received a completely
new pontoon train, in addition to a reserve supply and
implements; the administration was provided with various
necessaries to replace clothes and camping equipment; the
medical department received eases of medicine and bandages,
litters, field beds and 70 tandoes. The consignment of
artillery was of considerable importance.
The artillerj park was ae follows: six rifled Bteel 7 cm B. I>. guns,
for the field artillery, with nearly Bufficienl material for
the 2nd, 3rd and Ith Line,
four 6 cm. B. L guns for the mountain artillery, with 48
portable munition chest-, etc.
two Bronse l_' cm B. I. guns for the garrison-artillery and
two smooth-bore bronze 20 cm. mortal--, which were subse-
quently increased by four L2 cm. B. L. guns, four 12 cm.
howitzers and tour l'u cm. mortar-.
HEIXWHti'KMh'XT 01' Till-: EXPEDITION.
The additional ammunition, besides what the batteries and
carried themselves consisted of one reserve Bupplj foi
battery and two for the sections, besidi
300 shells, 300 cartridges and 60 rounds of shrapnel to
even L2 cm. gun and every 12 cm. howitzer, and LOO shells,
100 cartridges, 5o carcasses and 50 Light-balls to • ■■■
20 cm. mortar and Lastly 576,760 rifle and 23616 revolver
cartridges.
The reinforcement of the expeditionarj troops consisted in
the 2nd battalion of tnfantry, small staff, _' European and
2 Amboynese companies, the total strength of which was
18 officers, 333 European and 256 native soldiers, bet
194 convicts.
Tims within five (lavs of the attack being known at Batavia, nol onlj
were all losses most amply replaced, hut the expedition itself had
Ampenan from the beach.
(behind the flagstaff i* Beadq
assumed such increased proportions as to fully justif) the Indian adu
nistration in being proud of the result.
Who can describe the activity that nov, reigned in thai barboui
quiet and peaceful a few days before ! Stately ships arrived in quick
succession, pinnaces, boats, praos going backwards ; and fon
from the shins to the shore and from the shore to the ship
from the ships to
_-; THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
barking the personnel, all the baggage, and conveying the wounded
and seriously ill <>n board the Maetsuijcker, carrying the victuals
From the Koningin Emma and the Print Hendrik to the land division,
who on the arrival of the reinforcement returned on board their respective
ships, to land once again during the operations against Arung-Arung on
the 6th, 7th and 8th September.
The disembarking continues uninterruptedly and the sailors rendered
invaluable assistance. The greatest difficult) was experienced with the beav)
artillery and its equipment, but fortunately the sea was calm. The 12 cm.
\ and the 12 cm. howitzers were slid down a couple of planks
made fast to a connecting beam on the raft below, at a distance of 1
to 1.5 metre from cadi other. The mortars were lowered in the
same way, only with the planks so laid that the trunnions rested on
them. On shore thej were dragged in the same manner on beams
over planks and rollers to the place where the) were mounted.
The wheels were taken off the gun-carriages ; and they were also
slipped dow n from the vessels Oil beams and as soon as the) reached the
shore the wheels were put on again.
Special care had to be bestowed on the ammunition; now-a-days it can
la- placed on the lighters in the cases in which it is packed and the
- afterwards carried ashore by two or lour men: sometimes the
cases were let down from the ship's side on rollers being held on each
Bide b) gunners.
lint it was not only in the harbour that unusual animation prevailed,
the bivouac too presented an extraordinary scene of restless activity in
these earl) days of September. No sooner had the fresh troops landed
than the) were iininediatcU set to work, first to improve the safety
of the bivouac, and secondly to prevent their having time on hand to
Bee much of their harassed comrades or to talk with them as such
conversation would be sure to have a ver) depressing influence on the
new-comers.
The high road to Mataram was barricaded with sand hags and tree
trunks, and behind them were two 7.5 cm. guns belonging to the navy,
which commanded the entire road and also the Balinese kampong.
On the East side was raised a high stone wall and a parapet was built
on the North and South side-. Bastions were constructed on the North
Easl and on the South East salients and each was provided with a
7 5 cm. gun.
The whole was enclosed b) abattis and a wire fencing. The 9th and
2nd battalion were posted in bamboo huts to the south and the 6th and
7th to the north of the main road. The headquarters were in the old
place and the hospital was in a room) Btone building in a nice open
as i- shown in the accompanying sketch.
The inclosure is somewhat limited for all the troop- now collected
here; but as soon as movement begins there will be ample accommo-
dation For ever) one.
\nd now that the basis of operations was full) protected and a fine
Bamboo
1. Commander-in-cliief.
2. Second in command.
3. Division office.
4. Officers.
5. Infantry.
6. Naval brigade.
7. Barissan (Madurese
levies).
8. Cavalry.
9. Artillery.
10. Engineers.
11. Convicts.
12. Transport stores.
13. Ammunition mag-
azine.
14. Supply stores.
15. Stores of clothing
F"lan of the camp at Ampen.m.
24. Posl office.
bles.
<.ry.
27. Guard 1 1
28. Offi
10. Engineer store.
17. Commissary.
18. RedCross'ouarters.
19. ' Self Help.'
20. Kitchens.
21. Telegraph.
22. Subordinate Staff.
23. HospitiN.
29. Band tent
30. Naval con i
31. Wire fen
high,
high.
36. 7.
J I '
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
force, provided with everything needful, was available, an advance presented
mi obstacle.
To ensure success two or three more precautionary measures were taken.
First of ;ill an : t j >( »«. -m 1 was made to the Sassaks for their co-operation.
Political reasons had stepped in to prevent this earlier, but now that
the Lombock government was our avowed enemy, there was even
■ II uli\ the Sassak population should share in our action against
our common enemy.
\ number of trusted Sassak chiefs were furnished with guns and
ammunition from the magazine at Ampenan while the Resident went
to the Bast coast on the nIi Sept. on the draus, in order to discuss
with the chiefs a plan of attack against the Balinese.
His reception here, as well as on the North coast where be proceeded
later, was \en favorable and great numbers of men came up from
Praja and other Sassak districts. Jhit although there was not actually
am cause for complaint in their conduct, it certainly is a fact that they
left us to do the most dangerous and disagreeable part of the work.
from which the\ were to deri\e SO much benefit.
It the} diil not render much practical service in the way of fighting
the} wire so undisciplined that their own chiefs had hut little influence
over them — still the\ were useful in other ways, while the efforts of
the Balinese by mone} bribes and promises were ineffectual in inducing
them to desert US; their innate hatred for their former rulers A\as too
deep-rooted.
\- ;i further attempt to bring about different views amongst the
Sassaks, we cannot help referring to the fact concerning the Moham-
medan son of Anak Agoeng K"Toet. called Datoe Pangeran, who in the
beginning <>\ September took refuge with fifteen of his followers in the
arms of the well-known chief of Praia, Goeroe Bangkol, alleging as his
■II that he had tied from Balinese territory to he with his own
co-religionists.
All our endeavour to get possession of the prince's son failed. Our
written instructions to send Datoe Pangeran to Ampenan under a strong
escort remained a- unheeded by Goeroe Bangkol, as did our summons
to him to come himself. Controller ESngelberg met with no farther
BUCCesS when he was despat died to IVaja: (ioeroe Bangkol informed
him that he could not possibl} Leave Praja during the present state of
affairs and further more that Datoe Pangeran feared his life would be
in danger if he went; at last he said point-blank that he did not
intend to deliver up the prince nor did he mean to go to Ampenan
himself eithi
The onrj result of Engelberg's mission was that Mami Sapian, nephew
"Hid.- Bangkol, returned with him to Ampenan.
''•ron we -hall see the pari played behind the scenes l>\ ourfriend
Gusti Djilantik and how lus influence was broughl to bear <>n the Praja
chief, The second measure consisted in mobilising the Madurese corps
Bangkallan. nut of tin- corps, composed of I companies, L 8 officers
REINFORCEMENT OF TH E EX I ' E hi Tin. \ 287
and 684 soldiers strong, three companies were formed; in addition to
14 officers and 437 soldiers, the instructors, Captain Otken of the infantry
and two sergeants, and also 3 lieutenants and 27 men belonging to the
infantry, besides the necessary staff of the medical service and
transport were attached to it. This corps sel oul for Lonibock on the
15th September under Raden Majang ECoro, whose acquaintance we
have already made.
VII
OPERATIONS FOR THE SIEGE OF MATARAM.
The operations were now in full swing.
On the 4rh September a scouting party went out in a N. E. direction,
and like those who went out on the 30th August, the} were able to
thai the enemj was throwing
up breastworks, beginning near the
dessa Aroeng-Aroeng in a Southerly
direction.
ore however attempting to
destroy these defences, il was
necessary for us to occup} the
- isak kampong of kaleh. on the
left bank 01 the river Ant jar. and
from there we could enfilade the
enemi s line. *
This kampong was taken without
- on the 5th September. It
was found thai the breastworks of
the Balinese had no rear-face.
There could be n<> question of
enfilading, still it was perfectly
easj to do some Bharp shooting
againsl the enemy's line.
So tin- point was occupied l>\ 2
infantr) companies of the 9th
battalion Major Scheuer) with ;
Hon of field artillery
That -nine day, two 12 cm. B. L
guns escorted bj a company of infantry were placed in batten against
the enemy's position, in a smal] Dewa-temple, directl} East of Capitan
and West of the road, since destroyed.
[t was decided tli;it the iittack should t;ike place on the morning of the
*ff*
"Soldier ol the Topographical department."
• The whole plan <>t attack daring the farther coarse <>f tin Btraggle was settled beforehand
with maps. 'I I w.i- due t» Lieutenant ran der Zwaan of the survey corps.
OPERATIONS FOR THE SIEGE OF MATARAM
6th under the command of Colonel Swarl with Ins battalion the 2nd
supported by the 7th (Major Van Blommestein) and the two remaining
companies of the 9th, as also l»\ the field artillerj and the engim
The 6th battalion remained behind with the naval brigade to prol
the bivouac.
We will quote the orders thai were issued to the 2nd battalion the
day before the attack; they will show whal precautions were to bo taken
in advancing:
"To-morrow morning at half pasl five the companies musl bepropared
for action against Aroeng-Aroeng.
"The soldiers will wear their marching kit without knapsacks, bul the)
will carry their quilts and sling their great coats over their shoulders.
"Dry provisions of food for one <hi\ shall be carried in the baversacks '
"Coffee or tea in the field flasks."
"Bach company will take its own pioneer equipment, as well as reserve
ammunition cases, containing 400 cartridges; every man was carrying I
"To each company are allotted 4 e tandoes." :
"With the staff of the battalion will move 30 tandoes; and for eacli
company 8 cases of spare ammunition are available.
" Breakfast is to consist of half a loaf, butler and cheese or mince oi
sardines) and coffee, besides rice and smoked meat.
"A dram will be given to each man before starting."
After a heavy preliminary discharge of the artillery's guns, the regular
attack w r as opened at half past ten. The advance was made cautious!}
and as much undercover as possible. Not a shot was fired b\ theencmy.
At the sound of the first shots they had lost heart, and retreated from
the position they had used such strenuous efforts to fortify, leaving behind
them a large supply of arms amongst which were several repeating guns.
The only sign of life that was given was the discharge of about four
cannon shots from the Western entrance to Matarani; and it is probable
that they used one of the field guns we had been obliged to leave
behind. The projectiles went however straight into the sea.
Thus it came about that we were enabled, without an\ lo-s. tooccupj
the stronghold of our enemy. And now we were able to appreciate
how r strong the position Avas. The road was cut between Ampenan
and Aroeng-Aroeng. Behind the chief line of defence, half wa\ to
Aroeng-Aroeng, there was a second parapet about si\ feet high right
across the road. There were others in and around the kampong itself,
behind the strong Dewa-temple.
A great deal of pains and labour had been bestowed upon the main
position. This extended from the S. W. angle of Aroeng-Aroeng in a
line running from North to South, to nearly as far as the river Ant jar.
It consisted of a clay parapet 2 metres high, one metre thick at
top and 2 metres thick at the base and it was perforated with hundreds
of holes in which were placed hollow bamboo stems, through which to fire.
These loopholes were made in two rows, the upper one at the heij
of a man's chest and slanting downwards; the lower one at the
-
nit: LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
of the lii|> and constructed horizontally. The loopholes on the wings
weir Blanting to the right and to the left towards the centre.
Had the enemj counted on a repetition of the drama of Tjakra?
The Dewa-temple was occupied 63 two companies and one section of
field artillery under the command of Colonel Swart.
In the interest of future action, the chief goal of which was of
course Mataram. the next few days were spent in constructing a fortified
and in preparations for placing the battering-guns. The two 12
cm. I'> I.. l:iiiis. which were no Longer required at Kapitan were brought
over, and on the 8th September were broughl two 20 cm. mortars
and on the 12th two L2 cm. guns. So that on that day there were in
position four 1 - cm. guns, two mortars and two field pieces; besides
the captain in command, there were two officers, five subordinate officers,
5 corporals and 30 soldiers of the garrrison artillery.
j
so oaces
Plan 'it Aroeng-Aroeng.
l si,..,, battery. 2. Officer*' quarters. ::. Men's quarters. I. Provisions. 5. Ammunition a nnal] stone
building), h. < ompany officee. 7. Barbette. 8. Guard. 9. Latrines, m Kitchens
twork ..t the B. W. Iineol fortification in which was the Biege battery, was principally composed
• .i klapper and pinang trunk- laid Hat Fhe Dewa-temple formed the line of delence to the N. E.
Before however attempting to attack Mataram in front, they followed
the same road as before in order to try and seize the important kam-
ponga on the Bouth, viz., Pasinggahan and Pagasangan. If we obtained
possession of these points, then we Bhould command all the roads on
the East Bide, to Mataram and Tjakra, and the south; and we should
obtain a fresh and excellent basis of operations against the chief object
|iow er.
But the capture of these extensive kampongs, L500 metres Long b)
1000 metres broad and intersected by a multiplicity of complicated walls,
was not to be such an easi matter.
OPERATIONS FOR THE SIEGE OF MAIM; 1.1/
Was it not to be feared that the enemj would take advantage of our
action m the South East to make an attack againsl our bivouac in the
North East? On the 11th September a scouting part} was sen! oul to
gather information on that head.
An advance was made in the direction of Rembega with six companies
and a section of mountain artillery; the Balinese 'had fled from all the
dessas and no hostilities were experienced; al the ver) firal shol the
Sassaks, who had remained behind at Rembega, hoisted the white flag.
Ampenan was reached without let or hindrance 03 waj of Iroeng-Aroeng!
On the following day a heavy artillerj lire was opened againsl Pasing-
gahan and Pagasangan from our positions at Kaleh and Vroeng-Aroeng.
At Kaleh the engineers threw a bridge across the river \ntjar and
tliis post was the same day further fortified with two field guns
and tiring was directed against Poenia, which is a Southern division
of Mataram.
During the night of 12th— 13th September a few salvos were discharged
against Pagoetan, a Cam-
pong lying S01 iih East, to
prevent any help being
broughl in from that di-
rection.
The 13th September is
the day li\ed for the attack
againsl Pagasangan and
Pasinggahan.
The Koningin Emma,
as well as the Tromp and
the Borneo having come
into the harbour the pre-
vious daj . received orders
from the Commander-in-
chief to open file on Mataram and its environs so as to prevent help
coming from the North. The two first named threw each lim shells of
17 cm. and the Borneo sixty 10.5 cm. shells.
The naval Brigade of the Koningin Emma and the Tromp, 325 men
under command of 1st class Lieutenant Van Wesson were disembarked
in order to occupy the bivouac and from the following day th<\
constituted the permanent garrison of Ampenan. lor still greater
security there were left three companies of the 6th Battalion and
the cavalry. The latter supported by a section of infantry made a
reconnoissance of the districts to X. E.
At six o'clock in the morning a column was ready to advance under
colonel Swart and it was composed of the 2nd and 9th infantry battalion,
one section of mountain artillery and one of held artillery, besides two
sections of engineers with the necessary Transport and ambulance. The
route to be followed was across Kaleh to the saw ah plain, lying to the
South East of the kampong.
Scale 1 : S00O
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
A second column composed of two companies of the 7th battalion, a
section of mountain artillery and a detachment of engineers, under
fyfajor van Blommestein was to protect the right wing of the attacking
column against being Burrounded 1>\ the hostile forces. With this object
in view this column marched to the sawah, south of Batoe Ringgit and
then followed a more easterly line, until it took up its position opposite
the cemetery in the Western division of Pasinggahan.
Major Hamerster was appointed staff officer of the first column and
Lieutenant de Greve of the >eeoud. The chief of the staff remained w it h
the Commander-in-chief, who directed the whole movement.
During the advance march the guns at Aroeng-Aroeng and Kaleh
were to be directed againsl the kampongs. When this became dan-
gerous for the advancing column, then South Mataram and Poenia were
to be brought under fire instead.
Shots were tired from the west border of the kampong of I > ;ilt.i-
Sefau Bel
r. •'.
Plan. Entrenched position ol Pagasangau. Scale 1:45000.
sangan as the troops advanced; these were replied to by a few vollies
and the column then took the kampong 1)\ storm.
The enein\ was unprepared for attack in this quarter and retreated
eastwards. <)nl\ here and there a few Balinese armed with spears
remained behind in the houses, hut the\ were soon driven away.
Leaving in the rear ;i reserve of two companies, the section of field
artillen and part of the train, the column advanced across the kampongs
in an Easterly direction. There was such a labyrinth of walls however,
thai in order to avoid ;i repetition of Tjakra it was deemed advisable,
before advancing further, to make quite secure the positions alreadj
taken and to -hake by artillerj fire the strong posts -till held li\
the enemy.
A favorable -pot for a strong position was found in the Dewa-temple,
-ituated at the northern exit of Pagasangan, close to the more westerly
of the two roads which run from this dessa to Mataram. The temple
OPERATIONS FOB THE SIEGE OF MATABAM.
was put in a state of defence and occupied by three companies of the 9th
battalion and two mountain guns.
The remaining troops of the main column were posted outside the
Dewa-temple for the protection of the workers; the convicts attached
to the column were told off to dear the ground as much aa possible.
The fortification—called Pagasangan-Wesl was victualled for two days
from Kaleh, while the troops returned to Ampenan al half past five in
the evening via Kaleh, excepting of course those m occupation, leaving
there two guns.
What had happened during this interval to Wan Blommestein's column ?
_ While the section of mountain arlillen kept up fire against the North
side of Pagoetan (S.E. of Pasinggahan) in order to prevent support
coming from the Balinese on that side, the column in order to maintain con-
nection with the first column, pushed through to Pasinggahan on the
west side and suddenly met with heavy opposition on the south of the
high road leading to Tjakra, through the kampong of Tandjong-
Karang. It was quite evident that the Dewa-temple at t hi- point was
strongly fortified by the Balinese.
A remarkable thing occurred here; while that part of the kampong
situated on the south side of the road was powerfully held l>\ the
Balinese, on the north side we met a host of the Sassak population,
strengthened by a couple of thousand armed men from Praja, so that
these two opposing elements were really only separated from each other
by the road and the Avails running alongside. These latter were however
maintaining an attitude of non-interference!
An unsuccesful effort was made by Scherer, the director of native admin-
istration to prevail upon these Sassaks to knock down the walls in the
rear and flank of the column as it advanced — which would have been
most advantageous.
The Sassaks refused to accede to his demand so long as the} had the
Balinese in the kampong fronting them — the Balinese being everso much
better equipped for fighting, the decision of the Sassaks ma\ perhaps
be excused.
Major Van Blommestein sent out a reconnoitring party under Lieute-
nant de Greve to discover how matters lay at the Dewa-temple: hut
no result was obtained. True, they came within 75 metres of it. still
the maze of walls made anything like a satisfactory sur\e\ impossible.
Although our men were sent under cover of a couple of sections oi
infantry, they were forced by the heavy firing from the temple to retreat
to the 'cemetery in the Western division of Pasinggahan.
All attempts to get the Dewa-temple under well-directed artiller) tire failed.
Appreciating at once the importance of this point, the Commander-in-
chief sent a company of the 9th Battalion to the assistance of Major
van Blommestein, but still the temple remained impregnable.
In face of such stubborn resistance, the Commander-in-chiel well
knowing, that to take the temple by main force would entail
losses, decided upon a different course of action.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
It wms however too late to carry it out that day; so al five o'clock
the general order to march home was given.
The company of the 9th battalion, despatched to assist Major van
Blommestein, remained stationed at Kaleh.
Our losses "ii that da\ were 2 killed and 7 European wounded. The
14th September ivas chiefl) -pent in Fortifying our situation at Paga-
sangan West and in clearing the ground, which was achieved with ven
slight loss on our side, by about a hundred convicts and under cover
of two companies of the 6tn and two of the 7th battalion under command
I tptain Christan.
Owing to the limited space the garrison was reduced to two com-
panies of the 9th battalion, and the two other companies of this bat-
talion relieved the garrison at Raich.
The Sassaks worked at a road from Kaleli to Sekar Bela, constructed
a couple of bridges across the aqueducts and levelled the ground,
80 as to facilitate the transport of the
heavy loads on the following day.
It having become apparent on the 1 3th
September that the difficulties in connec-
tion with taking the strong kampongs by
storm were too great, it was decided
further to shake the enemy by more
powerful artillery lire and in order to
accomplish this, it was necessary to find
a suitable place for the batteries at
Sekar Bela.
At six o'clock in the morning of the
L5th September a column advanced under
command of Colonel Swart, to whom
Lieutenant de Greve was attached as staff-
officer and it was composed of the 2nd
battalion and one company of the 7th, one section of mountain artillery
and two section- of engineers, besides a few orderlies.
Thr column was to march to Sekar Bela through kaleh, where one
company of infantry and a section of engineers were to he left. This
company had to transport a 20 cm. mortar (which was to l»e conveyed
h\ a Becond column to Kaleh) to the new post which was to be estab-
lished. Tin' section of engineers were to assist the second column in
crossing over certain aqueducts (by means of a portable bridge now at
Kaleh) between Kapitan and Kaleh.
The column itself had to take with it for the new fortification a
howitzer, which had been transported to Kaleh the previ-
agasanqon
V. - <■ 1 : sum
'Mil.
on- day.
Arriving at Sekar Bela al 8 a.m. Colonel Swart's column took up it-
i position on the West front of Pasinggahan and a small cemetry on the
' of Batoe Ringit and South of the main road to Tandjong Karang,
waa chosen for the position of the entrenched artillery. Very little
OPERATloss FOB THE SIEGE OF M ITABAM.
disturbance was experienced and after a lew vollies the protecting tro
were left unmolested and the work continued without interruption and
when the company that had been left behind at Kaleh .•hum-, I with the
20 cm. mortar at half past nine, firing was able to be begun an hour
later with the two guns in an Easterly direction.
The 2nd column, consisting of the 7th battalion and a section of
Cohorn-mortars under Major Van Blommestein had meanwhile started
from Ampenan and gone through Kaleh to our fortified position in
West Pagasangan, and there he had found some sharp firing going on,
nor did the Balinese desist until they became aware of fire being opened
from the new post at Sekar Bela. .Major Van Blommestein remained
that clay at Pagasangan to help in strengthening the fortification of the
Dewa-temple.
In consequence of information that the Balinese were contemplating
an attack against our coast bivouac, one of the two companies of the
9th battalion at Kaleh was despatched to assist Ampenan, where besides
the naval dii Ision 200
men strong, there
were three other com-
panies.
Meanwhile the firing
from the new posl
was kept up and the
section of mountain
artillen also took part
in it as so<m as it
was perceived thai a
large concourse of
Balinese had arrived
at Pagoetan.
The Commander-
in-chief with his Chief of the Staff had in the interval gone to Sekar
Bela, from which place the enemy was being beaten backwards slowly
but surely — though he still held out obstinately in the eastern division
amongst the complicated and intricate walls. The Sassaks, who
had gained' more courage since the morning, made an unsuccessful
attempt to push through, but were driven hack, with some h>s S in killed
and wounded.
As the artillery fire had not yet had the desired effect on the defenders
and as the day was rather advanced, the Commander-in-chief decided to
return to Ampenan, as fair progress had been made with the additional
reinforcements.
Here, as at Kaleh, one company and a half was left in occupation.
Leaving the two Cohorn-mortars at Pagasangan West, Major Van
Blommestein also returned to Ampenan.
Meanwhile a welcome reinforcement of ('>•">(> convict- had been bi
there on the ship Gowerneur-Generaed Jacob.
Sekar Bela. Scale : 168.000.
THE LOMBOCR EXPEDITION
And the next day witnessed the arrival of the Generaal Pel with
mpanies of Madurese under the command of their experienced old
commander, Raden Majang Koro.
On the L6th September a great deal of time was devoted to clearing
the ground round the scene of conflict. West Pagasangan and outskirts
being thicklj wooded, this work was of great importance, for the trees
afforded cover to the enemy, who were thus able to afflict many los
upon us.
A strong division of convicts was told off for this purpose, under
r of a column <*> companies strong under Major van Blomraestein
with Captain Willemstijn as chief of the staff— but twice during the day
the enemy's fire so was severe, that the work had to be temporarily
suspended.
victuals and ammunition were brought in and all the final prepara-
tions for the great attack of the morrow were completed.
Earl} next morning two columns advanced towards that part of the
kampongs still in possession of the Balinese.
Tnefirat was under command of Colonel Swart and had for starting-
point Sekar Bela from which place it marched in an Easterly direction
and the second was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Scheuer, marching
in a Southerly direction from Pagasangan; the columns were to meet and
continue the onward march in an Easterly direction together. A reserve
of 200 convicts under captain Schmidhamer was ready at Sekar Bela to
clear the ground behind the troops, as soon as they had forced their
wa\ through the kampongs.
The columns were supplied with an exceptional number of stretchers,
severe resistance was anticipated.
Captain Creutz Lechleitner's two companies for the present formed
a reserve to cover the right wing from an attack from Pagoetan.
The Commander-in-chief, with whom was the chief of the staff,
directed all the operations.
Since daybreak the fire of the artillery had been preparing the attack:
from Sekar Bela against the kampongs; from Arong-Arong against south
Mataram on the road From Tjakra to Pagasangan; from Kaleh against,
Poenia, to prevent as far as possible, help being sent to the enemy
from those pl;e
At 8 a. m. the actual attack was begun. A furious beating of the
tom-tom summoned to battle everj Balinese man capable of carrying
arras; and strong re-inforcements came hurrying in from Tjakra. Both
columns were SOOn engaged iii a hot fusillade; the hostile projectiles fly
Far away above their head-, it is Fortunate that the Balinese were shooting
high.— the -harp hissing sounds of the bullets from their repeaters
being drowned l>\ the lire of our skirmishers, the thunder of our volleys,
the roar of our lug guns.
Ilailtly and rapidly our line- advanced through hedges and shruhs,
Over walls and thicket-, through the <_:;ip< and breaches made l>\
our gun- from Sekar Bela. Bit f>y l>it. but always with the same elan.
OPERATIONS FOB THE SIEGE OF MATABAM.
the Balinese posts were taken one after another. Within an hour and a
half of the first charge being made, our troops became mas
of the two kampongs; the strong Dewa-temple, with walls so thick thai
it cost the engineers many hours of labour to destroj them with
dynamite, was deserted by the enemy, who retreated carrying as mam
of their dead and wounded as they could to Tjakra Nagara.
A great number of the killed had to be left behind in the
dessas; and many Balinese concealed themselves in the bouses. Our
troops however did not trouble to hunt them out, everything was
given to the flames. Sheets of tire blazed forth from thousands
of dwellings, sheds and barns, destroying everything in their Furious
course: household goods, domestic animals, bodies alike of dead and
living; and in the midst of these devouring flames, which scorch and
singe our troops, * appear from all sides crowds of bungrj Sassaks,
who, quite in their element, dived about in and around the burning
embers to secure what booty they could.
Great and enthusiastic was the joy of our men at such a great succ<
with so few casualties, only four men were wounded; and proportionatelj
great was the distress of the Balinese at their defeat, they had had to
fly from one of their strongest posts and their losses in killed were
by no means trifling- from information brought in by spies the number
was 250 — amongst whom Gusti Loeki, a son of the deceased Made',
Anak Agoeng G'de Poetoeh, besides 50 missing.
Confidence in our strength was restored, the belief of our allies in our
power was revived, and the hopes of the enem\ received a severe
check. A great multitude of Balinese retreated to the North and sought
shelter in the mountains. As soon as the kampongs of Pagoetan and
Soekadana, S. East of Pasinggahan, were deserted by the enemy, the
Sassaks set fire to them.
Ought the Commander-in-chief to have taken advantage of the terror
we had inspired and pushed forward on Mataram at once?
The rules of tactics lay down the necessity of improving
victory, and taking all the circumstances into consideration, it is not
improbable that our troops might have entered Mataram at the sal
time as the retreating foe and have at once become master ol this
important point.
The Commander-in-chief however preferred to be on the safe side ; after
all that had already happened he was anxious to avoid even the chance
of defeat.
And his decision is quite comprehensible— many roads lead to Home
and the Commander-in-chief is proved to have chosen wisely.
The first thing to be done was to make ourselves secure m our neM
possessions and raise new entrenchments from which Mataram and Ijal
Nagara can be cannonaded.
* The beat of the fire was at times so intense that Scheuer's column »
a by-path thus losing connection with Swarfs column. For that reason the
chief prohibited the place being set on fire on the occasion of the attack again.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
\- soon as our men were masters of the East front of Pagasangan,
the Commander-in-chief ordered a new post to be constructed on the main
road to Mataram, on the North of the little ravine.
The second column was instructed to execute this plan and was covered
1>\ the first, who were stationed in the South East of Pagasangan, to
prevent an assault from that side.
All the available convict-, as well as the Sassaks from Sekar Bcla,
North-Pasinggahan and Praja were meanwhile employed in levelling the
ground and clearing away the debris. This was no small task with such
a labyrinth of walls and Controller Engelenberg had the greatest diffi-
culty in keeping the Sa-^-ak^ to their work and even their chief, Mami
Sapian, seemed to have little or no authority over them.
As soon as the new fort was far enough advanced for occupation, the
Commander-in-chief returned to Ampenan, followed by Swart's column.
Captain Scheuer was left at the new station with 2 companies of the 9th
battalion, with one section of field artillery and one section of mountain
artillery (both without
horses i, the field artillery
from Kale besides one
section of engineers. ( toving
to the dangerously advanced
situation and on account
of the still rather elemen-
tary arrangements Captain
Willemstijn stayed that
night with Major Scheuer.
At the Dewa-temple,
West-Pagasangan, under
Captain Christan, were the
two remaining companies
of the 9th Battalion with one
(unhorsed) section of mountain artillery and one section of Cohorn-mortars,
'without mule- . AtKaleh, under Major van Blommestein 2 companies of
the 7th battalion and one unhorsed) section of field artillery; at Sekar
Bela Captain Tuinenberg with 11 company of last named battalion. This
poet could not be left before the clearance at Pasinggahan and Pagasangan
bad made more progress and until the new fort was quite ready. Finally
at Arong-Arong there was Major Trackers with 2 companies of the6th
battalion and 1 unhorsed section of field guns.
In the next few days we shall not follow the movements of the
troop- in consecutive order. We will only mention that under strong
cover the work of demolishing the kampongs was daily pursued by
hundreds of convicts, and also b\ Sassaks under Controller Engelenberg;
the transport of victuals, ammunition and material to the various
Btations was continued, and meat assistance in this was received from the
naval Brigade and the Madurese troops and finallj the fortified post at Easl
umganwas completed. On the 19th September 150 convicts trans-
\
V"\ \
i'S\\\Aj
(^m^ 15 ^^*^ \ \
w
-
■-^maj)M> yft
■ * u 9 \\
A!(d
= :■ 1
ground |
^m>,
.
Pay
S»*«~-_ if
E •• Si ale : l ■
OPERATIONS FOR THE SIEGE OF MATABAM
ported there three 12 cm. howitzers; on the 21th one 20 cm. mortar and
on the 25th one 12 c.M. U. L. gun was conveyed there, as well as an
artillery force of 2 officers, 3 sergeants, 6 corporals and 19 soldiers.
In order to prevent an approach to Pagasangan or Pasinggahan on
the South, Captain Willemstijn selected a point to the South of the
latter kampong where three small forts were constructed, each to be
occupied by a section of infantry. During the night of L9th 20th September
an attempt was made to regain possession of higoefan, tins design was
however thwarted by the Sassaks, who next morning presented the
Commander-in-chief with the head ot the late chief of the \ill:iL r <\ [da
Njoman Karang.
The wind was beginning to point to the approach of the west mon-
soon, so instructions were sent out to all the posts to take even
measure for improving the quarters for the troops and p;i\ great
attention to the ammunition stores.
The condition of all the roads required attending to also and the
Sassaks were put to work to do all the necessary repairs.
On the 22nd September the small forts for the three section- of
infantry were ready for occupation.
At about half past four that morning soon after a round had beer
fired from the 12 cm. howitzer at East Pagasangan against Tjakra Nagara,
two enormous columns of fire lighted up the air, followed by such a
tremendous shock that it was felt at Ampenan.
A powder magazine near the poeri had been blown up. causing :i
terrible conflagration at Tjakra, and of course our troops took advanl
of the terrible confusion to keep up incessant tiring in the same direc-
tion, so as to prevent the enemy's being able to extinguish the flames.
From information brought in by the spies the cannonading was
afterwards directed from Arong-Arong and Pagasangan East chiefly
against the East of Mataram and the N.W. of Tjakra. where the
enemy had fled from the devouring flames.
The same day saw the completion of the work at Pagasangan and
Pasino-o-ahan, which places were levelled to the ground and the -mall
forts were also ready to receive their respective section- from West
Pagasangan.
Amidst all the laborious toil of these last few days, the physical
condition of the men kept up marvellously; the sick list was as lo* as
four to five per cent of the men and the most general complaint
was dysentery.
At the time fixed for operations against Mataram. the distribution ol
troops and guns outside Ampenan was as follows:
At East Pagasangan: 2 companies of infantry. 2 field gun- with
their detachments, but without horses, one detachment of garrison-artillerj
to serve three 12 cm. howitzers, one 12 cm. 1!. L gun and ou(
M. mortar; at West Pagasangan: one platoon of infantry with on
nhorsed mountain gun in each of the three blockhouses, one
c.
unho
infantry.
THE L0M1 PEDITIOX
\- Kaleh: mpanj of infantry with 2 horsed field guns; at
impanies of infantry, 2 unhorsed field guns, one
fortress-artillerj to serve four 12 cm. guns and two
■a. raorl
We must firs! see what was going on outside the actual area of the
Besides sheer fighting the art of war resorts to other means of har-
•',<■ eneuij and precipitating his defeat and amongsl these is the
rutting off of Ins supplies, and preventing the importation of all contra-
band of war,
\U decree of 18th September more stringent clauses were added to the
June proclamation regarding the imports to and exports from and con-
nee through Lomoock of such contraband. All import or export
le was prohibited on the West and North coast from Labuan Tring
\\er Putih for all private individuals, excepting in special cases
where licenses were laid l>\ Sassaks or Macassars.
Article I. All import and export to or from the North or We^r
si of the island of Lombock is prohibited, excepting it be for the
requirements of the countrj or h\ special leave of the military or civil
authority, who ^ invested with the tidiest civil power in this island.
Article II. Infraction of this hiw. embodied in Article I, will he
punished with a tine of from one thousand to fifteen hundred guilders
florins ami confiscation of the goods, with which it has been sought to
infringe the law."
The vessels and material (the latter in so far as they are not of a
nature to he confiscated on other grounds . by means of which violation
or attempted violation of the law has been committed. ma\ he seized
to paj the fine and to defnn the expenses of the legal process.
Attempt to infringe the law curried with it the same penalty SS
infringement itself; (art. Ill in case of infringement the masters of the
ships, or in default of these, all the passengers and crew were held
guilty, etc . art. I\ ).
. the ."nil October ^-till further and more severe clauses were added,
it having become evident during the progress of operations that com-
munication between the Balinese kampongs on the \. W. coast with the
centres of Balinese power ;it Mataram and Tjakra (across the Punikan
was \er\ much easier than had been imagined.
While the squadron was cruising round the West and North coast,
the Sassaks of Praja and Sekar Bela were appointed to block the road
th of Pasinggahan in the direction of kediri, and the Sassaks on
»ast were to prevent .ill t ia i i- j )or t of nee and contraband of
ar iii that district. In order to keep a close watch over these people
ind what wafi going on amongst them. Controller Kngcleiiherg
Bast coast, when- he established himself at Teros. On
I the civil staff was increased and strengthened l»\ a
-loner, having in \ lew the same objects ;i- Kngelciiherg.
5 saks were incited to possess themselves of all the rice
OPERATIONS FOR THE SIEGE OF M ITABAM.
301
they could lay hands on and cam it ofE to their own kampona
behest which it was unnecessar} to repeat, thej being on!) too willing
to fall in with the proposal, not only thereby to coerce the Balim
but as a preventive against the prolonged famine which was bound to
follow from the non-cultivation of the rice fields.
There was only a very limited district on the Easl of Tjakra, towards
Lingsar, from which the Balinese were now able to receive supplies of
rice; unfortunately, for the present, our endeavours to induce tne Sas-
saks of Batu Klian to assume the offensive remained without effect.
Armecl Balinese.
But on the other hand they were active in the North and on the
14th September burned to the ground the princely palace of Gunung S
The kampong of Tandjong, where the Balinese had accumulated large
quantities of rice, was bombarded on the 16th and L 7th September and
on the second day the place was a prey to the flames; satisfied wit
the result the "Bali" ceased firing, after which the friendl) part ol
THE LOMBOi K EXPEDITION.
- sak population broke into the kampong and finished the work of
annihilation, after carrying off no end of arms, amongst which 6 native
cannon, with ammunition.
As we have already mentioned, the civil authorities were kepi busy
with our allies and besides this there was another cause for continuous
supervision over the native element.
There is n«> doubt that an elaborate system of espionage was kepi up
!>\ the Baliuese, which proves that the prince must have possessed a
well-filled treasury.
It required endless and incessant superintendence to keep watch over
the swarms of Arabs and Chinese who came loitering round the camps
with their wares for sale, and over those Sassaks, who had lived among
the Baliuese, and who parti} from fear and partly from love of gain or
•:i relationship, were in favor of the ruling race.
S veral of these were arrested, hut eventually released from lack of
evidence against them; our solitary one against whom the proofs were
whelming, was hanged.
\- it was essential that we should not he duped by these native
spies, and at the same time imperative that we should l>e informed by
them of the enemy's plans, it was necessary that this special branch of
the service should l>e confided to some person eminently fitted for the
purpose and the recorder of Batavia, I leer \ alette was appointed to
the post.
We have already seen that precautions against the West monsoon
\\<re taken as regards the bivouacs and the inland lines of communi-
cation ; the insecurity of the harbour at Ampenan during that season
already been referred to, so it was necessary to provide against
being cut off from communication with the warships and the Indian
rnment and the outside world generally. Of course a pier would
been the simplest and best plan, but we have already seen that
insurmountable obstacles had prevented the construction of one. long
before our arrival.
Would it not have hem Feasible to open up communication between
Ampenan and the sheltered little hay of Labuan Tring, by mean- of a
I >' r;m\ tile train ?
Captain Willemstijn was commissioned to go and examine the baj ;
■ lit on the steamship Cycloop and made a survey in a Northern
direction !!<• was accompanied b\ the well-known kampong chief of
Ampenan whose treachery was ^till unknown at headquarters— and was
• assiduously assisted bj him Did he expect by tin- -how of
friendship to turn aside all suspicions from himself? If so. he was
til} mistaken, for shorth after Captain W'illemstijn's return, reports
d at Ampenan from Lindgreen, proving beyond doubt the
chiefs guilt, and in consequence he u> immediately arrested and con-
; i abaya.
ot drawn by Lieutenant Van der Zwaan a- a result of Captain
Willcmstijn's survej only went to demonstrate the impracticability of the
OPERATION FOR THE SIEGE oh' MATARAM
intended place. It was soon apparent thai from one cause or another
the obstacles were insuperable.
So there was no alternative left but to come back to the idea of construct-
ing a pier at Ampenan. An examination made l>\ Major Marcella of the
engineers, who had come over purposely to study the question, showed
the feasibility of the plan, so it was now resolved to earn n out.
In anticipation of the interruption of communication between the
posts, certain to be caused by the West monsoon, an order was
given to lay down lines of Decauville railway between the various points.
We must not omit to mention the offers of support offered to us b\
the Princes of South Celebes: the Princes of Goa, of Sidenreng, of
Wadjoe and the Princess of Tanette, who all volunteered to send us
auxiliary troops.
How were the Macassar princes concerned with Lombock? We have
seen that in Chapter IV, in reviewing our early relations with them.
Tradition — that powerful factor amongst the natives— according t<» the
treaty of Bonay 1667, had decreed how they were to act in eases when
we were threatened by any of those petty states, which might he included
in this Bonay alliance.
The princes assembled their troops and led them to Macassar, the
capital. Here were mustered 2000 Goa and 8000 Bugis soldiers, dressed
in red jackets and short white trousers and armed with Remington rifles
and all withdrew to a camp outside the town. The Bugis princes and
princesses were received in audience by the Governor of Celebes and
Dependencies, Van Braam Morris, and a company of infantry and ;i
detachment of cavalry formed a guard of honour outside Government I louse.
Here they expressed their wish to stand by the Government and to
avenge the treachery, which had raised indignation all through Celebes.
The Government, much touched by this proof of friendship, left ii
to the judgment of the Commander-in-chief of the expeditionar} arm)
to reply to this disinterested proposal.
It is beyond doubt that the Macassar and Bugis auxiliaries might
have rendered us invaluable services and the history of our Indian wars
relates many instances where we have drawn no inconsiderable benefit
from the troops of our allies. As they are, however, especially fitted
for guerilla warfare their services were hardly needed in Lombock, as
we had the Sassaks at our disposal for that.
Besides from a political standpoint it was undesirable to introduce a
new element into the island and allow the Macassars to get mixed up
with Lombock affairs and perhaps eventually gain too much influence.
The Government therefore in the name of the Commander-in-chief
thanked them very politely for their kind offer; much disapp ted,
the auxiliaries were disbanded by the princes of Bugis and Macassar
and taken back to their respective districts.
It is scarcely conceivable that the inhabitants of the capital were
much disappointed or felt particularly grieved at the departure oi
these thousand warriors from Macassar !
IX.
CAPTURE OF MATARAM.
\ .u comes Mataram's turn! The da\ fixed tor the attack, the 29th
mber, was kept ;t profound secret.
In order to mislead the enem} as t<> the real point of attack, demon-
strations had been going on during the last two days towards the
North Bast.
A column composed of a battalion and a half of infantry and a section
of mountain artillery advanced on the 27th September towards Rembega,
under command of General Segov.
At first they took tip their position at Pagarakan and directed their
fire against the kampong of Kemasan see map) North of Mataram.
Then they advanced to a point between Rembega and Karang Baru and
took up :i position facing east and again opened fire against Kemasan,
a- well as against Mondjok, the North Eastern division of Mataram.
Although the firing created great confusion, which was expressed 1>\
rapid movements and an incessant beating of the tom-tom. neither at
Mataram nor at Tjakra did the Balinese leave the lines, so our column
irned to the bivouac towards afternoon.
The same movements were repeated on the following day by the
same column under General Segov, the right wing was flanked In the
deep ravine at Karang Bam and the left wing was stationed at Rembega,
and from these points the\ again opened tire against Kemasan.
The inhabitants of Rembega having informed the General that the
Balinese had made a sallj soon after our departure on the previous day.
the column remained in position tor a \er\ long lime in the hope that
the enein\ would make a fresh sally.
Once again then- was considerable coi otion at Mataram and the war
drums were furiously beaten at Tjakra ; still nothing further seemed to come
tin- intended sally. Our troops had started on their h eward march
and the rear-guard was covered l>\ the cavalry, when the latter sudden!}
eda division of Balinese, aboul 200 strong, rushing wildly amidst
loud \e||s and Bhricks to attack the troops.
n reported this to General Segov, who immediately despatched
>taff-ofl vVillemstijn with instructions to the retiring troops at once
to return and take up the position the\ had jusl left.
CAPTURE OF MATARAM,
As soon as this order was carried out, not too hurriedly, bul quickly,
as if on parade, and the mountain artillery had come into action
was calmly opened once again on the Balinese.
Nothing daunted, the adversary advanced first in a compact bodi and
then in less serried lines to within 90 yards of our troops; this attempl
at resuming the offensive was doomed however to he both their firsl
and last.
General Segov having given stringent orders thai serious fighting un-
to be avoided, the enemy was not pursued and the troops returned to
Am pen an.
What was it that led to this extraordinary advance on the pari of
the Balinese and actually headed by the Crown-Prince too?
The cause was a very mundane one, but one which oftener plays a
more leading part in warfare than people are generally apt to admit,
the stomach !
It appears that large kitchens had been established just outside Kemasan
for victualling the garrison not belonging to Mataram; no small con-
sternation was felt therefore when our bombardment was directed against
this very vulnerable point on which the Balinese are so sensitive.
Late in the evening of the 28th, when the troops were confined to
camp and no further outside communications was possible, the} were
made acquainted with the plan of attack against Mataram, which was
timed to take place before sunrise on the following morning. All the
necessary measures had been taken.
In the course of the day the Prins Hendrik, the Borneo and the Bait,
which had been cruising along the coast, returned to the harbour of
Ampenan. During the night their naval brigade come ashore. These.
200 strong, together with 3 companies of barisans and half a section
of cavalry were to cover the basis of operation during the attack against
Mataram. The naval brigade of the Koningin Emma and the Tromp,
240 strong, were to relieve the garrison of the principal posts: 90 men
were told off for Arong-Arong, 100 for Kaleh and 50 for East Paga-
sangan.
Thus, for the struggle for Mataram, as many available troops as
possible were mustered, viz., three and a half battalions of infantry, a
section and a half of cavalry, two sections of field-artillery (the third was
still at Kaleh), two and a half sections of mountain artillen one was
still at Pagasangan East), as well as three sections of engineers, tram
and ambulance. They were to advance in three columns: the main or
attacking column, under Lt, Col. Trackers, consisting of the 6th and
half the 7th battalion (Major van Blommestein) with artillery, tram and
ambulance and a section of engineers, were to march against the W
part of Mataram.
The right wing was to be covered by a column of I companies <>}
the 9th battalion, 1 section of field-artillery train, ambulance and
engineers, under Lt. Col. Scheuer, who is to take up position at P
to hinder the Balinese from sending assistance from Tjakra
20
THE OMB > 'K EXPEDITION
await additional orders from the Commander-in-chief before pushing
further forward. Colonel Swarl with the 2nd battalion, artillery and
leers was to march on the lefl flank from Arong-Arong and follow
movements along the main road and effect an entry into Mataram
from that side.
Finally, a reserve of 2 companies the 2nd half of 7th battalion)
remained temporarilj with the artillery at Kaleh. With these were the
Commander-in-chief and his staff.
Attached to the artillen of the various columns were gunners furnished
with grenades.
The Second-in-Command as Commandanl of the bivouac stayed behind
. apenan.
Firing and cannonading both from the ships and the forts had been
kept 1 1 1 > uninterruptedly until two o'clock in the moming, from which
time all was silence; the enemy might take his rest in peace.
Before \ a.m., while it was yet quite dark the troops assembled on the
high mad from Ampenan and at a quarter past the} marched to Arong-
Vrong and kalcli. From this point the main column, with Captain
Slangen's company as advance-guard, followed the little footpath on the
right bank of the Antjar for nearly half an hour.
At about a couple of hundred yards distance from Mataram this
path had to he abandoned and they proceeded along thi' lied of the
river itself at this part not quite •"> metres wide, and about 1 \
metre deep. This offered no very great difficulties, there being only
a foot of water and in the deepest part- 20 inches. The river runs to
the S VV. angle of Mataram and thence along the Southern front.
formed bj a wall, which was connected with the earthworks we have
before referred to from Arong-Arong to close to the S. Antjar .
\- soon as the first company reached this wall, the\ were to try and
force an entrance and take up their position, while the other companies
were to spread out eastwards to the high road, which runs from South
to North through .Mataram.
Ks -"Mil ; h tin- South front as far as the main road was taken, an
advance was to he made in a northerly direction to the poeris at the
5- roads and these Were to lie occupied.
The marshalling of such a vast force and the march in the dark
occupied more time than was expected and although such an earh start
had been made, it was broad daylight when the main column, cautiously
moving along the bed of the S. Antjar reached the dangerous S. VV.
comer of Mataram.
The view \\a- greatlj obstructed l>\ the dense growth of bamboos
vthing \\a- a- yet quiet. The hope was entertained of surprising the
3 iddenl) an Vmboynese soldier of the advance guard fired a
he had seen Or fancied he had Been a Halinese through the shruhv
Ml chan ir prise was now at an end! In a moment the alarm had
Mataram and a minute later the enem} occupied the wall,
and fired point blank ;it our unprotected troops in the river.
CAPTURE OF J/17. 1/,'. I \/
While' the vanguard responded to the lire, the next compam under
Captain Schreijner hurried past. A breakwater to prevent the overflowing
of the Antjar was soon cleared away by the engineers, a leu vollies
were fired and then forward' Up against the wall went Mi.' section of
Sub-lieutenant II. Valkenberg- himself ;it the head!
'Hie struggle was short hut sharp. True, our men, preceded bv the
young hero, succeeded in climbing the wall with sealing ladders* and in
taking the enemy's position — hut it was done at a heavy loss. Valkenberg
was one of the first to pay for Ins courage with his life, Sub-lieutenanl
Granpre Moliere was wounded, several soldiers and convicts fell top.
Now the town was entered and the real difficulties began. The
complication of walls and passages of which Mataram was composed
enforced very slow progress. Every wall had to he knocked down.
breached or climbed to penetrate to the next homestead, hut from
behind every wall, from within every homestead, the enemy, who offered
stubborn resistance, had to be driven away.
Still it was apparent, that misled by our demonstrations they were uot
prepared for attack in this quarter, for in many of the dwellings there
were still Avomen and children. Not to fall into our hands many "kris"
themselves and others are put to death by the retreating Balinese.
Everywhere were groups of men lighting and it was only by signals
that connection could be kept up amongst them.
At eight o'clock, even at nine o'clock the struggle was still going on in
this labyrinth. Although the men advanced as much under cover of the
Avails as they possibly could, the number of our victims was steadil)
increasing; and at this juncture Major van Blommestein had his fool
badly Avounded.
With the help of portions of Swarfs column the left wing sua -eedei I
in advancing, but only very slowly and the right wing could not get mi
at all. They had reached as far as the homesteads lying on the main
road running from South to North, but it was impossible to extend to
the east or north. Every attack was repulsed by the Balinese, and the
main column was in a decidedly critical situation.
The Commander-in-chief perceived the danger; Lieutenant de Greve,
acting Staff-officer, was despatched to Lt.-col. Scheuer, carrying ordersfor
him to advance to rescue the right wing of Fracker's column; but to
avoid, where possible, the main road occupied by the Balinese.
Lt.-col. Scheuer understood perfectly well that if he proceeded by
winding in and out through the tortuous walls, he would never be able
to reach the column in time and furthermore that he and his men would
very likely be caught in an equally dangerous position, lie decided
therefore to follow the main road, f "But it is not free." remarked
lieutenant de Greve.
* Made of bamboo a few days before; everj companj was provided with four of thea
f It appears that in the interval Christan'a companj had advanced through the side r
further West of the main road.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
"Where the 9th battalion marches, the road is free!" is the pithy
reply, an a >pen to criticism, 1 »u t which in this case did not
fail to excite n spirit of daring and which was a fine proof of the mutual
trust between officers and soldiers. They all knew the) could relj
upon one another.
Ami this trust was soon going to l>c put to the test.
The} started at once from the kampong of Poenia and inarched in ■
therlj direction. Without heeding the hostile fire Sub-lieutenant
itenboer was immediate!) wounded in the abdomen they crossed the
river Ant jar and a few walls and homesteads in order to reach the main
road. One more short passage and they will be there. Now onwards.
The enemy seeing themselves attacked on the left flank wheeled round
precipitately. Thus Commander Fracker's right wing was relieved and
could advance.
\- connectedly as the\ could the troops drew nearer to the crossroads.
But here the enemy had taken up a new position which they defended
with all the vigour of despair. Jt was now about 10 a. in.; Schener's
column, always driving the hostile forces hack, had nearly reached the
walled-in space of the S. \\ . poeri, the former dwelling of (Jnsti Njoman
Kaler.
\ few Balinese retreated behind a narrow little gateway and were promptly
followed by the fusileers Terpstra, Haas and Nelk. Suddenly these three
men find themselves in the large enclosure of the poeri face to face
with hundreds of Balinese, amongst whom was very probably the Crown-
prince with his body guard.
The three men were greeted with a shower of bullets ; Haas was wounded
in the head, Terpstra in the hands, hut Nelk was uninjured. At the sounds
of this firing lieutenant Midler wanted to penetrate through the doorway
hut hi- men drew him hack. It was too reckless. Nelk was also called
hack, and he returned to his comrades safe and sound.
It was necessary to force their way through from some other point
Scheuer's column tried to push further along the main road to arrive
at the cross toad-, whence they intended to take the poeri by storm.
If was preci>e|\ at this point that the enemv had concentrated all their
for.,-.. Both from the surrounding walls and from the trees the tire
on the column was so fierce, that it was utterly impossible to proceed. A
tion of native soldiers was now ordered to sacrifice themselves for
the general benefit. The) were to advance to the point where the four
ids meet and where the) would uaturall) attract the enemy's fire thus
:iL r the main bodi an opportunity of advancing to invade the poeri.
native advanced hnrriedlv to reach the appointed spot, but were
eked by the terrific tire. The same order was given to a second
tion, Imt neither could they advance and man) sought shelter behind
aiingin tire- i,|| the mad.
1 mander Scheuer asked, ordered reinforcements to advance hut,
■thev to come from': .Inst at that moment Lieutenant Broekman
was hurried forward to help with his section of Europeans.
CAPTURE OF MATAR IM.
To remember where he came from, we must go back a little.
The ambulance under command of Surgeon J. \\ . Portengen had
advanced on the main road as far as the third side street from the en
roads, say, about 280 yards Prom the poeri. On the west side of this
street runs a clear little stream, and running parallel with the water was
a deep trench. This was an invaluable discovery: the wounded could be
laid down, close to the clear-running water where it was thought the)
would be well screened from the enemy's lire b) the walls.
Therefore the wounded were carried here, including those of the
main column. Lieutenant Broekman was appointed l>\ the command r
of his company, Captain Janssen, to cover the ambulance with his
section.
He heard the call of Colonel Scheuer. Broekman had laded to receive
the "Order of William" notwithstanding his exemplar) conduct at
Atcheen. Was not this an opportunity to win it'^
Just at this moment the ambulance did not require Ins protection,
so forward he went.
He succeeded in reaching the cross-roads with his section and in hold-
ing the position for a little while but this preliminary triumph was
dearly bought! He was shot in the back from a tree V \\ . of the
poeri, and his lower limbs were immediatel) paralyzed.
Although he suffered most excruciating pains, no murmur was ever
heard to pass his lips and his mind remained clear to the cud His
comrades spoke words of comfort to him and the Commander-in-chief
visited him, announcing to him the news that lie was to be decorated
with the "Order of William" for his bravery.
Poor fellow he died just one month after the capture of Mataram.
It was a touching sight to see the affection with which the native soldiers
of his company adorned his bier! And touching too were the words
spoken by the minister over his open grave.
He did not survive to see the accomplishment of his heart s dearest
wish, but his name is inscribed now as "knight" in the registers of
the Chancellor's office of the Order.
The position of Broekman's section was becoming more and more
perilous; in addition to their commander many others had fallen: and
it was evident that the remainder would not be able to stand their ground
much longer.
Yet it is imperative to maintain the position. Who was to advance
now? There was some slight hesitation. Colonel Scheuer determined
to go himself-, he knew all would follow his lead.
Luckily however this resolution needed not to be carried out ' ( aptain
Janssen seeing that it was a question of prompt act, on. placed
at the head and was quickly joined l.\ a tew good shots
Balinese soldiers standing behind one of the low walls were shot down
after which an attack was made, and the enenn wee obliged to
withdraw. . ,
Grenades are thrown over the high walls into the large end,
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
gain .-in advance was made towards the narrow gateway; Captain
Janssen at the head of his company. The} effected an entry at the point
of tin- bayonet into the enclosure, whence the enemy were forced to heat
a retreat. Meanwhile the main column had also penetrated into the open
squan
Befon proceeding we musl see what happened to the ambulance after
Rroekman s departure. Besides this officer himself man\ other seriously
wounded soldiers were brought in. Jusl as two men of the 7th battalion,
Corporal Zijlstra and Fusilier Singel, were carrying in Lieutenant Grooten-
boer a heavy volley was directed straight against them from behindalow
wall just at the end of the trench where the ambulance was stationed.
The doctor immediately put rifles and cartridges in the hands of
Zijlstra, and Singe! and Fusilier Van Wijk of 7th battalion whom he had
just bandaged, and ordered them to repl\ to the fire while the wounded
were all told to bend low or wnv stretched flat on the ground.
While the doctor proceeded with his task of bandaging, a European
soldier Ivine on the ground behind him received a Indict t IiroiiLch tin-
head, which Indict was certainly meant for the doctor. The three
>oldiers managed to keep the eneiiiN at baj by greeting them with bul-
every time their heads appeared above the walls and this was kept
up until Capt. It/man of the 6th battalion, who was advancing with
the main body, came to the rescue and drove the Balinese soldiers
away.
At last the doctor was able to comply with the order of Colonel Scheuer
and transport the wounded one by one along the East side of the main
road to the poeri, to the prince's residence on the \.\V. side, where
the ambulance was established in a large shed.
W e will now return to the main column.
At the same time that Janssen's company had pushed through the
front entrance of the poeri Captain Creutz Lechleitner and his company
reached the back entrance, where they fell in with a band of thirty
men armed with spears and krisses. \ short close fight ensued; Sub-
lieutenant Van Teyn cleft the head of a Balinese right through the
middle, and one b\ one those remaining succumbed. Am further resist-
ance would be futile. The Dewas have so ordained it.
iid loud rejoicings all the other detachments made their wa\ into
po.ri; the position at the cross-roads was given up by theBalinese;
e who did not escape were ^hot down and the ground was covered
with their dead bodies.
I e spirit of the enciii\ was broken. They might ha\e continued to
'id themselves from the three other poeris, which formed equally
Btroilg position-., I, ut their courage was exhausted.
ble that iii our account of tin- attack un .Miiiarnni Bome inaccuracies maj haw
bare bad no official reports to draw from. The accounts we have received
n in variance with one another. This i- however not to he wondered at
when • nrring at headquarters; for which reason the Commander-
thai in future all accounts of fighting !"• brought in on tl rening of
•
CAPTURE >r MATAR \M. 31]
A couple of shells from the mountain artillerj sufficed to drive awa}
the few remaining Balinese and the troops were delighted to recapture
one of the field pieces they had lost on the 26th August, along with
the limber, a couple of wallpieces and a forge which were carried in
triumph to the poeri.
The 2nd battalion, which had been following the movements of the
left flank of the main column, had in the interval also reached tin-
cross-roads.
The reserve had also advanced to this point, and the troops were
assembled on the high road for a moment's repose after the struggle.
The Commander-in-chief appeared on the scene; a deafening cheer
went up from every throat; he was greeted with indescribable enthu-
siasm as he mounted the steps of the palace of the Balinese princ<
What thoughts must have passed through the mind of this man,
bearing the weight of such a heavy responsibility?
In his mind's eye he could picture to himself those wearj troop-.
who, barely a month ago narrowly escaping destruction, had been pur-
sued and disgraced and had their moral so grievously shaken; andnow?
Not only was that army vastly increased in numbers, but it had
gained inward strength and had once more confidence in itself.
The enemy, defiant and arrogant, had hoped to drive us back to sea,
but instead of that had been himself repulsed in every direction l>\ tin-
superiority of our forces.
Beside the triumphant names of Pagasangan and Pasinggahan we ma\
now write the not less celebrated name of Mataram.
With pride and satisfaction indeed may the leader of the armj stand
at the head of his valiant men, in the very centre of the former seal
of Balinese power.
For the first time during all this critical business a smile flit- across
the otherwise serious face of the Commander-in-chief as he nodded to
officers and men. He thanked them for the courage they had displayed
and baring his head led them in giving three cheers, which were
vociferously joined in by the troops.
It was a solemn moment, It was as it were a cementing tighter and
closer of the bonds that united them. The past has been obliterated and
now each one can look back with honour to these days of victory, and
face the future with renewed hope.
Still bad times were yet in store for us.
It was deemed inadvisable to pursue the enemy lint her that da\ in
the midst of the labyrinth of walls. A strong posl had to be built
at Mataram, which was at once begun in the open space ol the vU
poeri For the safety and protection of the fort which was to be
called Mataram-poeri, all the surrounding tcrnton had first oi all
be cleared
A portion of the troops protected the workers, and the others along
with the convicts are set to clearing under the had of the engu
(Captain Ruenepol). To begin with, the three poens are taken m ha
-
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
For dismantlement and subsequent demolishment; powder, dynamite,
crow-bars, pitch, spades and anything that ran be got hold of is brought
into requisition for the work of destruction; and after great efforts, the
walls were finally laid low. Thus were the palaces "of the Balinese
liev iind
been
R b Ana \ 01 KTtoet.
princes brought to the level of the -round on which
raised. "
,' , 1 hrM ' re8id ences were suinptuouslj furnished, magnificent specimens
m ™ r °P? an «»»ft»ti and uxury were profusely strewn about. A
»«J eapons, objects of Balinese art,
various things which thej had secured
us, were brought to light. Time fo]
>ooty in their attack against
examination was not allowed'.
CAPTURE OF MAT A HAM.
Shortly after everything was devoured by the flames. *
In the midst of this horrible scene of devastation, the Sassaki again
clustered round in hundreds, to search the houses for plunder.
Loaded with booty, whole tribes of them returned to their kampoi
while some few remained to assist in the work of demolition.
The fire spread further and further and notwithstanding a h.aw
shower of rain continued to burn fiercely righl through the night. In
the interval the fort had been put into as an effectual state of
defence as was possible. A small work to secure the communications
was also constructed between Arong-Arong and Mataram. \t 6 p. m.
the troops were able to return to Ampenan and their respective posts,
where they were received with tremendous enthusiasm.
Two campanies of the 6th battalion, as well as two Held pieces and
one mountain gun were left at Mataram-poeri and one section in the
small work on the West side.
The men of the naval brigade returned from th< posts the\ had
occupied to Ampenan.
The casualties during the day were killed: 1 officer, (Sub-lieutenanl
H. Valkenburg of the infantry) 13 soldiers and :) convicts; the wounded
included 4 officers (all of the infantry) and 58 soldiers. Total 79.
These serious losses show how heavy the fighting was.
The enemy's losses were far more numerous, although the number of
wounded who made good their escape to Tjakra is unknown. It was
however possible to form an opinion, judging from the number of dead
bodies which were found everywhere, both on the ground and in the
dwellings. The number was computed at 300, amongst whom were
women and children, some of whom had unfortunately fallen victims to
our bullets, but many had received death at the hands of their own
people. From reports received the Crown-prince was also dead; he had
fallen with his men while defending the poeri.
Some of his faithful followers had carried the corpse to Tjakra;
the old prince desired once more to look upon the features of his
son, but was persuaded not to do so. The body was too shockinglj
mutilated.
Thus the man who had been destined to rule as a powerful prince
lost both his life and his crown, paying the penalty of another's guilt.
So fell in honourable fashion the ill-fated prince, as demanded l>\ the
"adat" and the conceptions regarding the honour of a Rajah.
Concerning the effect that the artillery lire had had on .Mataram. the
statements brought in by the spies proved to be as incorrect a- those
they had made regarding the almost entire evacuation of Mataram.
Naturally there were very evident traces of the bombardment. \< r\
great havock had been worked here and there, but then was
* This did not add to tbe comfort of the ambulance of Scheuer'e column, which wm
the N. W. poeri, where all the wounded of the other columns bad been brought ah
the roof above their heads was in flames, they had to been taken to ,i frcBD place
At half past two all the wounded were conveyed to Lmpenan.
:;ii THE LOMBOi K EXPEDITION
question of complete destruction. The small low walls had scarcely
suffered at all.
Tl;> . i part of the houses bad not <>nl\ remained in habitable
condition, but were actually inhabited not 011I3 by men. but even by
women and children.
Experience once again taught us that too much reliance should no1
be placed on the results of a bombardment <»t' large places built with
I stone walls.
The capture <>t Mataram could not fail to till the Balinese with con-
sternation, and the alarm at Tjakra was almost universal. Many would
surrendered at this juncture of affairs, others tried to escape, and
_■■ numbers sought protection amongst the Sassaks, promising to
pt Islamism.
X.
OCCURRENCES PRECEDING THE ATTACK OF TJAKRA N AGAR A.
CUazed,
It was once more Saturday night -29th 30th Sept. — hut wbal n
•different Saturday to that of five weeks ago. This time the sleep of
the troops remained undisturbed.
The following morning, 30th Sept. the Second-in-command advanced
with a column, composed of 3^ companies of Infantry, 1 section of
mountain artillery, 2 sections of engineers and all the available convicts
to proceed with the work of demolition. What a frightful undertaking
is the destruction of a town. The walls must be knocked down, homes
laid waste, trees felled, so that Mur-
rain as a town, may cease to exist.
Day after day, week after week, the
work of extinction will be continued
without interruption, until it is accom-
plished.
But, we will not anticipate events.
The whole of the 30th September the
labours were carried on under suitable
cover. The fort at Mataram-poeri was
reinforced, the surrounding ground was
cleared.
Nothing more was seen of the enemy.
The booty-seeking Sassaks scattered
themselves over the entire Mast part
of Mataram and it was nol long before
they discovered and brought back to us with great rejoicing the second
of our lost field-guns. Capt. Willemstijn, of the stall who was presj
with Segov's column made a reconnoissance on the other side oi
R. Antjar— in their precipitate night the Balinese had omitted to desl
the bridge which crossed the river at this point and was able t<
■distinctly the earthworks, by means of which the Balinese had e
all communication with Mataram from the East side.
tizound
Redoubt of Mataram. Scale 1 : 2250.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
Th< S :s were also busiljj engaged searching about in the N.W.
direction, and it was quite certain this pari must be deserted too, for
the war) Sassaks would never have ventured where the} were likely to
meet their fi
|- was thought that all the Balinesc must have retreated from Mataram.
.\lread3 it was 1 p.m. preparations were made for the return to
Ampenan. Two Sassaks, < mt- provided with a Netherlands flag, the
other with a white one, begged for an interview with the Commander,
Admitted to General Segoi they inform him "that they have come as
representatives of their kampongs in N.W. Mataram to make their
submission and further, that about 50 paces from the N.W. Poeri there
was a store of Balinese weapons and ammunition. The General can go
there quite safely, there was qo danger whatever and the\ will show him
the way. Should he find anything wrong, he will be able to shoot
his informants.' 1 Of course the General did not go on this errand
himself, but despatched a section of [nfantrj belonging to the 2nd
battalion, under Lieutenant van Appen.
Captain Erpecum, acting aide-de-camp to the General went with them
as a matter of curiosity and for the same reason they were joined by
Captain van Griethuijsen, commander of van Oppen's company.
Guided l>\ the Sassaks, thej turned into a narrow street W. of the poeri
and running Northwards. Hue hundred and fifty paces further, thei
had to enter a side-street, only about two yards wide, which the guides
said, lend to the powder-magazine The} follow [\ for a bit.... "This is
going too far", says van Erpecum. Yes. the guides begin to think they
have taken the wrong turning. One of them is lifted up to look over the
wall; the house was empty, — this was the wrong place. So they turned
back until thej reached a continuation of the street where the\ were first of
all, and keep more Northwards. There on the left-hand side was a narrow
little doorway, yes, that was the door leading to the magazine.
The\ entered I > 1 1 1 li;nel\ had part of the troops passed through,
when the) were surprised l>\ the most overwhelming fire from all sides.
"Back!' shouted van Erpecum; all made for that narrow little
doorwaj but onl) one man could go through al a time. It was a
hopeless struggle to get out the enem) fired straight into the very
midsl of that mass of humanity .
And outside? From behind the wall on the other side of that narrow
th< Balinese speared or shot ; ,t point blank range, (hove of the
rtunate men who have not L r <>t inside.
Captain Erpecum succeeded in retreating to a short distance with a
i man) of the wounded, among whom was Captain van Griethuijsen
,,,|f had to leave behind those who were killed; the\ reached another
narrow passage and there van Erpecum tried to put his men under
Just as he went round q corner to see what the exact situation
he was tired upon and fell, and it was In vain that they tried to
help him; Lieutenant van Appen was also shot through the Chest and
he too fell a victim in this unequal struggle.
OCCURRENCES PRECEDING THE ATTACK OF TJAKRA NAG IRA
The General heard the firing and immediate^ sent a couple of
sections of infantry to the rescue; but in this maze of walls it was not
so easy to find their comrades; everything in the poeri was m a state
of alarm; a cavalry soldier came hasteuing up for "tandoes" for the
wounded, some of them were already being carried back. The firsl
was Captain van Griethuijsen, then came Lieutenant van Oppen. The
surgeon and the recorder Valette tr\ to bandage their wounds whilst
bullets were whizzing around them but it was too late to save van Oppen,
he succumbed to his injuries. A short lime alter a couple of convicts,
who had voluntereed to undertake the dangerous task, went and fetched
the dead body of van Erpecum; a bullet through the heart had caused
instantaneous death.
And thus the very day after the victory two smart, efficienl young
officers lost their lives.
If an officer — like Valkenburg and Broekman the previous daj
fall in the heat of the light, at the head of his men, whilst stimulating
and encouraging them in their duty, it is no doubt hard. \<t\ hard
for those they have left to mourn them. Hut in that case the mourners,
be they child, brother, husband or friend, have the solace of knowing
that the lost one laid down his life on the altar of the fatherland and
that the sacrifice thus offered has had glorious results! Not so under
such circumstances as we have described.
Towards dusk the enemy was driven away and all was quiet at
Mataram.
The troops returned with the wounded, of which besides Captain
Griethuijsen there were about nineteen soldiers. There were also nine
soldiers missing. What fate had befallen them?
Deeply and sadly impressed by these occurrences the men made the
return march to Ampenan in complete silence. 1>\ the time the) passed
Arong-Arong it was quite dark.
Suddenly a shot was fired from the kampong of Sinagong on the North
of the high road. Fortunately nothing more was heard and it was indeed
a blessing that the enemy did not further harass the column that night;
how easy it would have been to create confusion in the darkness in that
long line, which included so many hundred convicts
Thus it happens during every war that there are moments of weakness
even for the victorious side, if only the enemy knew of them and made
the most of them.
Without however any further disturbance the troops reached head-
quarters, but it was a very wretched night for everybody.
The following day two" events of very opposite natures took place :
one was a work of vengeance.
One of the Sassak guides, who had led our brave men into the pitfal
had been shot at the beginning of the fray, but the other had be-
taken prisoner and conveyed to Ampenan. At first he denied 1
had any share in the betrayal but a few applications ol
soon brought him to the speedy acknowledgment that he had act<
118
lilt: LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
obedience to the commands of his master, Gusti Gredak; he had been
ordered to trj and induce the General and as man} Dutchmen as he
could to fall into the snare First of all ho had refused to obey, then
the Balinese took a spear and stuck it through his foot— and really tin-
mark- were their and threatened him with death if he persisted in his
refusal.
This confession sealed his fate.
The next morning lie was hanged just outside Ampenan and his fate
shared l>\ a Balinese spy. who had been caught the day before.
Were these guides ivalh guilt} ? We tell the tale thai was extracted
l>\ the cane for what it was worth: but decidedly appearances were
a riust them.
Bui then on tin- other hand the question arises, what could have
prompted the Sassaks to such an act? Fear of the Balinese* 3
The) knew perfectly that the\ were sure of our protection, whilst if
they misled us, the) were certain of punishment, if not immediate death.
Clcattd. (jtourtd
l :2250.
Vnd Mink it was nol affection for the Balinese that could have inspired
thmi; besides was not the powder-magazine found a few days later in
the neighbourhood where the disaster had occurred?
Whatever ma) have been the true state of things, there was not time
for enquir) on the battle-field and the knot had to he cut in the simplest
and quickest possible manner.
Furthermore it was expedient to give some sort of satisfaction to the
deeply-embittered soldiers. And the other victims?
upon pAe of men were standing around a newly-dug grave while
OCCURRENCES PRECEDING THE ATTACK OF TJAKBA NAGAS I
the bodies of their comrades were laid to rest; their grief was mini
with resentment, when they thoughl of the treacher} thai hadtakenfrom
their midst those brave fellows, who escaped death on the open field.
The chief of the staff spoke of the loss sustained 03 the army, the
comrades and the relatives of the deceased; the priest, Father Vogel,
said a few timely words to those gathered together al the grave side
and when he said that "many of us are nearer the unit- of eternih
than we may suspect," everybody Felt the terrible truth of this remark
and the Commander-in-chief, deeply touched, took the hand of this
faithful minister, who had done his duty on so man} sad occasions.
The work of demolition progressed daily at Mataram.
Every morning early the troops with all the available convicts marched
there and only returned at nightfall.
Slowly but surely the ground around Mataram-poeri was being cleared
and levelled and was becoming wider in area; the covering part) was
always at the prescribed distance in front, and everything is done with
the utmost caution and not a step was taken before making perfectl)
sure of the safety of the situation.
In the beginning, whilst the demolition was being proceeded wild in
South and West Mataram, bands of Balinese had shown themselves in
North and East Mataram, so it was decided to re-inforce our post ;if
Mataram-poeri, on the 2nd October, by an additional % J<> cm. cannon.
When the work was terminated in the S. \\\, it was begun in the \ \\
On the 5th October the soldiers that were missing after the catastrophe
of the 30th Sept. were found all heaped up together; these weresergean!
Van Till and eight fusiliers. The enemy had taken their titles, ammu-
nition and clothes, but had not mutilitated the bodies.
Quite close to the spot where they were found, the workers real!)
discovered the magazine of which the Sassaks had spoken; it contained
216 barrels and 13 kegs of gunpowder, 4 eases of cartridges For breech-
loaders and repeaters, and implements for rilling cartridges.
It is a mystery why all this material was left behind, for the enemy
had not quitted this part of Mataram in such great haste.
About a yard from this point was found one of our shells, which
had not burst.
The systematic way in which, the demolition was carried on broughl toligl
many other important finds, principally in the way of arms and ammunition.
Naturally the Sassaks possessed themselves of the lion's share ol the
treasures, such as furniture, clothes, valuables and cases tilled "ith
Kepengs. Here and there great stores of rice were dug up.
Then- generous offer to dig up the treasures buried behind the poeri
at Mataram, was however rejected; they were told that the troops could
not spare time for that at present, for it was not considered n<
to see all the treasures disappear into the hands oi the Sassaks.
As, in the beginning at least, the Sassaks had been oi verj little
* We have not beard whether any later researches have been made I
THE LOMBOi A EXPEDITION
id the work of demolition, and as there were too few hands available
for the gigantic undertaking, the Commander-in-chief had requisitioned
■ •• ".nil free coolies, who reached Lombock on the 2nd
rhej were sent from Madura and were placed under the
ord distinguished Madurese
I e transport was now 2900 men strong and was also increased by
220 horses and the necessary transporl material. The various tactical
units absorbed some 1 , _ ,, >'» convicts for regimental transport: the remain-
ing 17'"' men with the horses and staff were at the disposal of the
a neers.
the whole the conduct of the free coolies left a good deal to lie
wished for: hut we cannot withhold a word of praise from those men
who had been convicted and sentenced: this expedition owes them a
tremendous debt of gratitude. Great services were rendered by
this mass of long-suffering and willing humanity. The} it was who
transported all the artillery material, and all the requisites for the
medical department and the commissariat, etc. How hard they toiled
in the bivouac and in the numerous engineering operations: how
bravelj they passed through the enemy's line to seek information; how
uncomplainingly thej went forth to scout and spy. how readily the\ carried
extra ammunition; how courageously they faced the lire to reach a
wounded soldier and carry him under cover.
On the 6th of October the whole of West-Mataram was razed to the
ground, and after a well-earned rest OH the 7th. the work could be
begun in the Eastern portion.
\ group of old men. women and children, who had been left behind
in their dwellings were conveyed to Ampenan. It was soon noticed
that -oine amongst them were suffering from small-pox ; thej were at
once isolated and eventually sent to Labouan Trine:.
Irom information received, it became known that the disease was
raging on the Bast coast. A Doctor Djawa from BoeleTeng and a vac-
cinator were immediately sent to the district, to prevent as much as
siblethe spreading of the malady, whilst Doctor Vorderman, inspector
of the civil medical department in Java, came to Ampenan from Batavia
to take further precautionary measures.
\«- it appeared that various cases of sickness had occurred at Mataram
andTjakra, great fears wore entertained lest the infection should reach the
camps, SOa special medical officer was instructed to re-vaccinate the troops.
I mcerning the general condition f the men's healths, at the beginning
of October it had been declared excellent, but very shortly afterwards.
on the 8th, the sick list was found to be a long one: in fact it amounted
to '", p,r cent of the troops.
Bj the lOth October Mataram was in such a position as to run no
being re-occupied bj the enemy. Still it was quite another
month befo >uld be Baid that the enemj was completelj driven
from the neighbourhood, and before an attack Oil Tjakra Nagara could
I. • thou
OCCURRENCES PRECEDING THE AT I'M A OF TJAKRA \ IGARA
Let us sec how this month was spent.
The attitude of the Balinese at Tjakra Nagara was entirely a del
one. After the fall of Mataram man) had qo doubt escaped
Northerly and North Easterly direction, where the) were safe from
the fire of our ships and our columns; but, either l.\ force or b\
promises the prince was aide to prevent the greater portion of the
people from leaving- his capital.
On the night of 4th— 5th October there was loud oiusketr) firing in
Tjakra, The following morning several Netherlands flags were seen
flying from different points and a white one was thing from the
Western maingate. What was happening? was there dissension between the
followers of the prince, determined at all costs to defend then- hist strong-
hold and the party who was willing to surrender? And had the latter
got the upper hand at these different points? or was this thing of our fi
simply a stratagem of war and were they trying to entice us int.. n trap?
As no further steps were taken to betoken submission, the latter
conjecture was considered the correct one and the work of bombarding
Tjakra from Mataram and Pagasangan Easl was proceeded with.
Had all or perhaps part of the Balinese really intended to surrender-
It is not surprising after all that had taken place that the Commander-
in-chief should be very suspicious of any advancesthey might make ' From the
reports of the spies we learned that there was a split in the enemy's camp ;
and surely our mode of answering those who wished for pence can
hardly be called conciliatory. It would have been easy to ascertain the
real facts of the matter; a portion of the troops might have established
themselves on the enceinte and thence have judged to what extent
our presence was likely to prove valuable or not to those who wished
to sever their connection with the prince. Hitherto there was ;i gener-
ally prevailing opinion amongst the Balinese that we would si
every man who came over to us.
In reply to the roundabout enquiries that were made by the Balinese
the Commander-in-chief intimated that all those who surrendered and
who Avere found to be neither instigators nor ringleaders, should In-
pardoned under certain conditions (such as the giving up of their arms
and ammunition and their relegation to a certain appointed place . and
their lives should be spared. At a later date, after being empowered
to do so by the government, a promulgation was issued, saying that the
lives should be spared of all those who surrendered either singly or in a bod)
On the 10th October the poenggawa Ida Bagoes Sara} of Tjamara
(North Mataram) gave up his arms and with 59 lighting men, 26 women
and 21 children surrendered to the Commander-in-chief and the) were
immediately escorted to Labuan Tring; after that but few surrendered.
The prince still maintained too much authority and there could be
question of treating with him. Dead or alive he must fall into
hands, nothing less could efface the outrage to our army andourhonou
could not otherwise be redeemed, nor could the future government
Lombock be established on a sure basis.
2:2
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
I'miii everv point of view, the position was now such that there
remained no alternative but to seize the capital by force of anus.
The most desirable |>lan would have been to surround Tjakra either
from Kambcga on the North or Soekadana <»n the South, but this was
not practicable with the force- available. There was nothing to be done
make the attack straight in front while threatening the flanks.
Preparatory to the siege it was essential to strengthen the artillery
in the front, besides guarding against possible attack on the north side.
The south side of Tjakra could be enfiladed from Pagasangan East.
The demolition at East Mataram was so far advanced that batteries
could be erected, while the necessary guns could be brought from the
posts at Arong-Arong and Mataram pocri, which were less favourably
situated for carry-
ing <>ut the pro-
posed project.
On the 14th Oc-
tobertwo battalions
of infantry w ith all
the available engi-
rs and train
pa Bsed t li roug li
East to
Karang Bedil, the
S E. division of
Mataram w here a
position was taken
on the edge of the
rice field opposite
W Tjakra. with the
object of raising a
|K)sl in the Dewa
temple close by for
the reception of a
couple of 12 cm.
i: I. guns.
evening it
was sufficiently ad-
vanced to leave it
to the protection of
a c o in pa li \ o f
infantry and a section <»l
mveved th-
MI
Pagasangan
Sk't.li of the Pusiti
t M«l - tie it. i 500 '.
artillery
reckoning without our host
while next morning the guns could
who in t his case was represented
l>\ the water) element.
In • of the heavy rainfall in the mountains all the small
erj much swollen.
I i hi I risen c i isid irably and swept away in its
OCCURRENCES PRECEDIX<; THE ATTACK OF TJAKRA NAGAR I
course everything along the roads. The bamboo bridge between Vmpcnan
and Kapitan which had been put up l>\ the engineers was unabl
resist the force of the rushing water. Communication with the camp
by the sen was interrupted.
There could be no question of transporting guns mow. The worsl of
the matter was that the 7th battalion which had been covering the w<
of destruction at Mataram, with 50 men of the naval brigade, artillery,
engineers and 800 convicts were cut Prom Vmpenan. All attempt
to get the troops across remained ineffectual owing to the rapidit} of
Bamboo bridge across the river Djangkok.
the current. The night was spent in the open air, without any covering,
exposed to the pouring rain. By means of a small Sassak boat warm
food and gin was carried to the troops.
The following day the water had fallen sufficiently to permit of tin-
men crossing a few at a time in the little Sassak boats or else l>\
holding on to a cable which had been thrown across the river. After-
wards the guns were brought across on rafts and in "praos." I'>\ halt
past eleven the whole column had reached Ampenan and as n |
tionary measure each man was served with a dose oi quinine.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
Here too they had had ;t bad time of it. In times of inundation the
little rivers running both north unci south are unable to empty
themselves into the sea, so the) streamed into Ampenan, and the
people were knee-deep in water. The lower parts of the town had been
lated with the leasl possible delaj and Bhelter sought in the higher
lying parts.
Measures had to be taken at once to restore communication and to
prevent the recurrence of such an accident, the knowledge of which
might have been ver) much to the
advantage of the Balinese, had they but
known of it.
The first thing that was done to re-
open communication was to fetch one
of the lighters belonging to the Royal
Steam-packet Company, take itto pieces
and carry it to the river, the two
pirogues were used as terries, whilst a
temporary wooden bridge was built by
the engineers with the help of the
marines, which would serve until an
iron one could be made.
To facilitate the quicker discharge
of the river Djangkok into the sen. ;i
canal was cut from the point of the
river where it curves to the south,
straight into the sea.
In order to secure a higher and healthier position for the troops and
provide that in case of a renewal of this contingency there should be an
abundant suppl) of force- on the opposite side of the river, it was
decided to construct a fortified encampment for two battalions of infantry,
artillery, cavalr) and engineers at Kapitan.
Besides this ;i dam was constructed to lead the waters of the Som-
brok— a river north of Ampenan in a more northerly direction to the
Meninting, to prevent the flooding of the camp on the north side.
\lan\ repairs wore needed: gales of wind and rain, loth in the
quarters at Ampenan and at the outposts and also on the roads, had
worked considerable damage everywhere. The new Decauville-line
from Ampenan to Pagasangan East l>\ kaleh. was so deeply imbedded
in mud, that preference was given to the old main road: Arong-Arong-
Miitaram-Pagasangan East, which was now free.
It i- almost unnecessary to sa) that under the circumstances the dis-
embarking and transport of supplies was a matter of greal difficult) and
too i it deal of time, especially the transport of artillery material
and ammunition.
Although every effort was used to push on the building of the pier, still
little p] :■ made. The shore COllld 110 Longer he reached l)\
the rati-, and the cases of ammunition had !" he opened on the raft
B S l i" 225ft
OCCURRENCES PRECEDISC THE ATTACK OF TJAKBA \ [GAR I
and the projectiles were carried on shore one by one through th< 3urf.
When it became impossible to lower the cases on to the ra
thing had to he brought by pinnaces. Some of the lighter cases could be
placed in them as they were, bul the larger ones had to be opened and
all the projectiles and cartridges had to be placed in the pun
separately and carried on shore, the sailors being up in their uosts in water.
And days might come when even this mode of disembarkation would
be impossible, when all communication would be broken with the harbour.
Meanwhile the two 12 cm. guns
had been placed in battery at Karang
Bedil on the 19th October.
To accelerate communication bet ween
this post and the main road running
North and South, a solid bridge was
built across the river Antjar and tor its
protection a blockhouse was erected
in the high road near the bridge.
The following day they were able
to beg in a new battery at Padjang
on the east side of Mataram and north
of Karang-Bedil.
q'xound
The enemy tried to impede the 1 , itt( .,. y al Padjang
labour here by heavy firing from
Mondjok (N. E. of Mataram) which they still occupied, but the\ were
repulsed with slight loss in killed and wounded.
The new post at Padjang was so far advanced at night thai the
company left behind had no reason to fear an attack.
Three days later it was strengthened by two 12 cm. guns and a
20 cm. mortar, on the fourth by two more similar mortars, while
artillery staff was composed of two superior officers. :', corporals and
28 cannoneers.
On the 28th October Karang-Bedil was strengthened by one 12 cm.
gun and the artillery garrison was brought up to 2 officers, 2 N I
officers, 2 corporals and 15 cannoneers.
With this complement the batteries against Tjakra were read) foractioi
As the work of building the new posts had proceeded, some ol
earlier ones had lost their importance, so that thc\ could either be quite
abandoned or the garrison very much decreased. Kaleb was redu
U company and so was Mataram-poeri and these troops were left then
only to keep open the line of communication; hut the post oi obser-
vation at the W. entrance to Mataram as well as the
Arong-Arong were dismantled.
During all these preparations the enemj had continued mostly inacti
Only on the 27th Oct. had the enemy fired on the troop whilst th
were opening up the ground near Padjang on the North hank ol
Antjar; a clearance had been necessar 3 at this point to get a
view of Taman Radja and Bangkal Tjoehk.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
The three batteries facing Tjakra: Pagasaugan East, Karang-Bedil and
Padjang had kept up .1 continuous fire against the capital Bince the
23rd, with the result that on 30th Oct. a powder magazine exploded at
Tjakra. The Bhock was felt at a considerable distance; pieces of wood
and stone were flung as far as Mataram where the troops were working.
All during tins month everj effort was put forth for the improvement
it- dwellings and the lines of communication, the need of which
was felt more and more.
( )n the 19th of October there was another \en heavj rainfall at
Ampenan and the river Djangkok again overflowed.
The work of building the new encampment could only be proceeded
with ven bIowIv; the spot chosen was on the North of the road to
Mataram and as it was thiekh wooded and there were \erv large trees
to be felled, the time spent even in preparing the ground was considerable.
Although there were thousands of hands employed," writes the cor-
respondent of the Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad to his paper on 4th Nov.. "it
took a whole fortnight to raise :i breastwork 4ft high, to build four
verj primitive small forts, to cut down the trees and put up a wire
entanglement round the bivouac.
"In view of the \er\ slow progress and seeing that at this rate it
would take another three weeks to complete the work, it has been decided to
irl to more decisive tacties so. late at night, the order was sud-
denly given to the 6th battalion to be read} to start at daybreak the follow ing
morning, for the new encampment at ECapitan. Certainly the idea was
not inviting, l>ut the officers clearly understood that it was the best
thing to be done. The officers and soldiers, helped by the convicts,
the Madurese and Sassak coolies, and instructed l>\ the engineers, all
><-t to work cheerfully to do the best they could to forward the work.
hut towards midda\ a torrent of rain fell, drenching the men and every-
thing the\ had brought with them. This however was not allowed
to interfere with their labours and towards evening nil were under
" . ... The rain i-; incessant. The bivouac is nothing hut a pool
ot mud. everything is wet, nobody possesses a dr\ stitch of clothing
'li«- buii is hidden." Two companies of the 7th battalion were sent
to kapiian the following daj and managed to run up a sort of make-
shelter, hilt there could he lio (piestloll of Continuing the Work
serioush
I begin with, the Sassaks coolies have simpl} remained awaj during
last couple of days; the\ object to working in tin- rain. Secondly
.ire bringing in no more materials, and the numerous har-
>i infantry, artillery, cavalry, ammunition, victuals and convicts
ii figure bo prominent!} on the "plan lor the bivouac," cannot he
•nine tangible shape without materials, but if only we had
•• should L r et on famoush .
I' ich a pit) that all the ground should have been so much
.,> It is nothing hut mud, mud, mud !
OCCURRENCES PRECEDING THE ITTACK OF TJAKRA NAGARA.
"To the honour of our soldiers be it said thai under thes< mosl
unsatisfactory circumstances, all continue to work diligently and
fully as long- as their health permits. The} understand as well as the
officers that fate is responsible for this distressing state of affairs and
they try to make the best of things.
"....Slow progress is being made with the iron bridge across the
Djangkok. . .
"The landing of all the Ikhw materials was attended l»\ mam
•difficulties; competent workmen were scarce; the stonj nature of the
soil obstructed the driving in of the iron pillars. A n«\\ approach had
to be made, for the bridge was about 165 yards east of the old
bamboo one. . . ."
On the 5th November General Vetter sent the following communi-
cation to Batavia.
...."The west monsoons are being severely felt; lor the lasl lorn-
•days we have had an uninterrupted downpour of heavy rain, which i-
doing serious damage to the roads. The temporary bridge over the
Soungei Djangkok is impassable, so that all communication has t<> be
carried on by means of the bridge of boats" "Communication with the
harbour is repeatedly interrupted, and on the 3rd it remained so all
day owing to the heavy rainstorm from the S. West, which caused the
sea to swell tremendously."
The situation was assuming a very alarming aspect : communication
with the harbour was growing more and more difficult, for one entire
•day it was cut off entirely, the roads were like swamps, the rivers were
all swollen, part of the country was completely under water.
What results could be expected from an attack against Tjakra under
such conditions?
What resistance did we not encounter at Mataram'r And evenyetthe
enemy could not be said to be quite driven away from there. W hat
would be the result if we besieged Tjakra, so much more extensive,
feeling too that the enemy would fight this time with the energ\ born
of despair?
W T ould it be possible to march through these swamp} rnv fields
and to wade through these unfordable rivers? Would the artiller) ever
be able to keep up with the other troops?
On the other hand, how would a dela\ affect the health o\ the
men? Was not Lombock during the West monsoon known t<> he
unhealthy ?
And now, with all these rains and storms and insufficienl protection
from the inclemency of the weather and the marshy ground, was there
not every reason to dread all sorts of illness?
The sick list had already reached the enormous proportions ol
per cent, and for Europeans even 1 1 \ per cent!
Surely under these circumstances it is not to be wondered at I
ithe Commander-in-chief thought of the future with gl n forebodn
And, there were other dark clouds perceptible on the horizon
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
We will now saj a Pew word*- concerning affairs not taking place on
t he actual battle-field.
The daj after the capture of Mataram, the men landed from the
. / pi and the Borneo bad returned to their ships, those of the
had gone oh board the Koningin Emma.
began cruising the North coast again; the Prina Hendrik
remained in the harbour at Ampenan, on account of the less favorable
health conditions of the nun: and in her stead the Tromp took up the
station in (Combal baj
( >n the 4th October the Bali threw fifty shells into the big kampong
menang on the Y\\ coast, a place where the Balinese had stored
auav large provisions of rice. The kampong was soon a mass of flames
and four rice magazines were destroyed, the natives fled further inland
and the Sassaks continued the work of demolition and plunder. Large
quantities of arms and ammunition were discovered l>\ the Sassaks, from
whom a great part were obtained later through the intermediary of the
commander of the Bali, assisted l»\ the Bugis chief. Abdullah Bouta,
who exercised great influence on the North const: 11 guns, some
muzzle-loading and repeating rifles, besides 4<> barrels of powder, pro-
:tiles, etc. were later on conveyed to Ampenan.
\- soon a- the health of the men on hoard the Prins Hendrik had
improved, the} started from Ampenan to cruise the North con-!;
however five days later. 24th October, the} were compelled to return
\mpeiian owing to the illness of the commander and eventually the
ship went to Macassar for coal.
The Borneo which during the earlj part of the month had been
assisting in the preliminary bombardment of Tjakra Nagara left the
N.»rth coast to cruise about in the strait of Lombock and search all
jels going to and fro between the Islands of Lombock and Bali;
various reports from the spies in the beginning of November went to
prove that the Balinese government were trying and apparently with
J chance of success, to enter into friendly negotiations with the
chief- of Praja. The extraordinar} attitude assumed towards us from
the \r\\ beginning l>\ Goeroe Bangkol and maintained in spite of our
appeals seemed to confirm the correctness of the rumour-, rendering it
imperative to keep a -harp look out over Praja; and other indications
were not wanting to strengthen our suspicions.
Gusti Njouiaii Dangin, a Balinese chief residing at Tjakra, who had
notified his intention hitherto not carried out. to submit to us.
tied the Commander-in-chief l>\ letter thai Goeroe Bangkol was only
waiting for a favorable opportunit} to betray the Netherlands govern-
ment and intended f<» stand bj the Balinese princes, having in fact
alreadj despatched envoys to treat with them. Things had come to a
pretty pa--, if our troops might be betrayed at an\ moment by the
pnu'-ip; chiefs! Strict watch over events on the opposite coast
and everything that came from there was therefore obligator! and the
precaution taken was not in vain On two different occasions the Borneo
OCCURRENCES PRECEDIXC THE ATTACK OF TJAKR I \ \< I/.' I
overtook a native vessel carrying letters on palm leaves from I
assim, one being from Gusti Gr'de* Djilantik to the Balinese p
Datoe Pangeran. The letter Prom our friend was full of sympathetic
enquiries after the Sassaks and their present frame of mind; he explained
that lie himself had only returned to Bali t<> satisfy his follow
unwilling to leave him alone at Lombock, l>ut thai he was quite read}
to return alone if by doing so he should lie of anj use to l>
Pangeran. What was the meaning of this: Did it nol look as if Datoe
Pangeran, instead of having lied from the Balinese as -i.iied. had been
sent to Praja by the Prince to act
in their interests? Certainly these
offers of assistance made by (iusti
Djilantik were strangely at variance
with his assurances of friendship
towards us; the contents of the letter
would further imply that he had not
yet abandoned all hopes of playing a
political part amongst the Sassaks,
confirming the impression made at the
beginning of the negotiations.
In view of all these facts the Com-
mander-in-chief decided to obtain
positive knowledge of the real dispo-
sition of the chiefs and the inhabitants
of the districts of Praja; it was also
desirable to know the intentions of
Goeroe Dangkol towards Datoe Pan-
geran, and the position of the
latter towards the Balinese members
of his family. This delicate task was
entrusted to Controller Liefrinck, j. h. Liefrinck.
since September acting assistant-
resident at Lombock. He started on his missison on the 12th INovernber,
travelling overland to Praja through a district, where dailx skirmis
were taking place between the Balinese and the Sassaks. The countr)
was also rendered unsafe by the Sassaks of Praja, itself, who were
plundering right and left, not even showing mercy to those oi their o*
tribes inhabiting the Western part of the island. On the da> -
departure a column consisting of two infantry battalions, a hal
cavalry and two sections of mountain artillery under General begov,
with Captain Willemstijn as Chief of the Staff, made a demonstration 11
a Southerly direction towards Pagoetan, for the possession oi wli
kampong the Balinese and the Sassaks kept up a continuous
The troops marched via Kaleh to Pagasangan-East, took up their position
on the East frontier of the kampong and directed their artillery :
against Abean Toeboeh, the most Southerly division oi Ljakra J
Liefrinck reached Praja safely and l.is reception was everything
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
could be d be told Goeroe Bangkol of tbe letter written b\
Djilantik and warned him of the danger be ran if Datoe Pangeran
risked conniving at assistance from Bali. Goeroe Bangkol solemnl)
larcd thai he would never have anything to do with the Balinese and
all the other chiefs gave repeated assurances of their friendliness and
our government; Liefrinck was able to return on the l(»th
\ member with satisfactory information.
Owing to the successful issue of the war we shall never know in how
the disquieting rumours were reall) true or not; but we arc safe
there is never smoke without fire!' And it is a noteworthy
that n<> more disturbing news was received after Liefrinck s mission
and we have no hesitation in stating that the timely measure of the
I tmander-in-chief, combined with the tact of his envoy, saved us
from very imminent peril.
In another and more literal sense the atmosphere was clearer, for the
rains and storms of the latter part of October and the beginning of
mber were onlj temporary and fortunately the actual rainy season
did not set in until some weeks later: everyone's courage revived and
with renewed strength the operations were continued and carried through
to a triumphant termination.
I i achieve this happy result more troops were needed. For within the
o rails of Tjakra Nagara the Balinese had concentrated all their
remaining forces and no sacrifice would be spared in the defence of their
last stronghold, abundantly supplied with ammunition and weapons.
I e peculiar structure of the place with its numerous bouses encircled
b) high walls and forming as it were so many fortified posts was well
adapted to call forth all our energies; ever) attacking division would need
•vered in flank and rear by strong detachments, thus lessening
number of combatants as the} advanced towards the point to be
:ked, and for this purpose there were but :! battalions available, so an
additional reinforcement of 2 battalions of infantry was considered
3 and fortunateh the Government shared the opinion of the
Commander-in-chief, and telegraphed that when the time came when he
actualh required further help, it would be sent him without delay. On
the 7th November ( ieiieia! Vetter sent the telegram and on the l<lth
the order was issued . . .
'ore it could be deemed safe to direct operations exclusively against
ra it wa- imperative to drive away the Balinese in occupation of
the North- East of Mataram still in communication with Tjakra and
g .in observation corps as it were in our midst and ready to take
nsive at the proper time.
• da) on which the Commander-in-Chief telegraphed for his rein-
ments General Segov started at t.80 a. m. with two battalions, the
uid the 7th, two sections ,,f mountain artillery two sections of
-uy train and some cavalr) in order to clear the
kampong of Mondjok of the enemy, lay it waste and. if considered
dicnt, ( struct a fort there.
OCCURRENCES PRECED I M; THE ATTACK OF TJAKRA NAGARA
About 7 a.m. two companies of the 6th and two of the 7th batl
were in the front line in the North Easl of Mataram; each companj had
a section thrown out as skirmishers, and was supported l,\ the second.
first line was followed at a short distance l>\ a second composed oi
companj of each battalion. The whole movemenl was covered h\ one
reserve company behind each battalion and the arlillen was temporarily
divided amongst them.
The advance proceeded slowly, all obstacles were cleared a\va\ with
spades, hatchets and pick-axes ; half an hour later the c pam of the
left wing (7th battalion) saw some armed Balinese, probabh advanced
outposts, taking flight. This retreat was inimediatel\ followed bj a vigorous
beating of the tom-toms at Moudjok, whereupon linn- began, pro-
ceeding chiefly from the trees and was replied to by a few rounds from the
artillery; the Balinese who fortunately for us shot verj badh on this
occasion — not one of our troops was hit — tied at the end of a quarter
•of an hour. Moudjok was soon occupied and the adjoining kampong of
Bangkal Tjoelik offered no resistance whatever; on the contrarj several
■Sassaks advanced with white flags and the Netherlands colour-.
The right wing (6th battalion) was not long in pushing the eneim
■out of the kampong of Taman-Radja, the\ having tied to the front of
'Tjakra, which was immediately placed under fire.
Meanwhile the work of devastation was being proceeded with, walls
were laid low and trees were chopped down; inan\ weapons were found
here and a quantity of things were recovered that had belonged to the
7th battalion, formerly stationed near here. As the work was pushed
forward it became evident there was no suitable place for a fortified
post, besides which there appeared no need for one.
The troops return; Mataram was entirely vacated l>\ the enem) and
with the exception of Moudjok, completely laid waste. Hut what
a terrible task it was and how many thousands of hands worked at
it for weeks together !
Was this complete destruction — and the same applies to Pagasangan
and Pasinggahan -necessary or of any use? Was it necessary from a
military point of view? We read in the official report that alreadj on
the 10th October, Mataram was in so far destroyed as to render
re-occupation by the enemy impossible; how is it then that a whole
month later it was considered unsafe to besiege Tjakra- Surely we
•cannot put down this wholesale destruction to a spirit of revenge. It i-
natural that at the beginning there was a strong desire to atone for the
first disaster, but weeks afterwards more dispassionate reasoning ougl
to have prevailed; but we are convinced that mere anger and vengeance
•cannot have been the guiding motives of tin- Commander-in-chief.
In our opinion it would have been desirable to confine the work oi
dismantlement within the narrowest limits compatible with safety:
lo. in our own immediate interests to save the strength and dealt
of the troops; and in order to pursue and terminate the operations
soon as possible before the approaching west monsoon;
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
in our future interests, which demanded the overthrow of our
cnem\ in the least possible space of time, and having forced them to
our rule, to restore them to their ordinary mode of life and
contribute to their welfare. A prosperous people loves peace, is more
inclined to order and quiet and is the easiest to govern.
31 and humanity ought to have prevailed.
How many treasures of Balinese art have thus been hist to us!
On the 11th November the iron bridge across the river Djangkok was
read) ; and to facilitate the transport a beginning was made on the same
daj with the Decauville railwaj from Ampenan to Mataram through
Kapitan. Our line of communicatiou from the basis of operations
Ampenan to Pagasangan East being perfectl) safe, work of dismantling
our post at Pagasangan West was begun also on this day.
On the 14th November General Segov, to whom Captain Willem-
Stijn was attached as Chief of the staff, with a column consisting of
the 7th, battalion, 100 men of the naval brigade, one section of mountain
artillery and 20 cavalry, marched through Kaleh to Pagasangan East,
hence in a Southerly direction past the outlying post No. Ill across
the we\ sawah t<> the North frontier of Pagoetan, where they took up
position with the object of lending moral support to the Sassaks, conti-
nually harassed from Abean Toeboek and l>\ wandering Balinese, and
also with the hope of inciting them to more energetic resistance against the
latter. After a shorl time and without having perceived anything
of the eiiem\ the\ set OU< on the return march at a quarter past ten.
These days were bus) ones, spent in general improvements; the Decau-
ville line was pushed rapid I) forward and the accommodation for l>oth
officers and men at Kapitan was being worked at; stables were also
put up for the artillen horses. ;i large quantities of sand was brought
up from the beach f" repair the ro;ids and a large suppl) of provisions
was laid in. Stores and ammunition were transported daily to the posts
and batteries, which needed to he well equipped for the coming action.
On the 16th and 17th November, the two days previous to the actual
mlt, a heavj bombardment, of 60 to 80 rounds per gun, was to he
directed against Tjakra l>\ all the batteries.
The main object of attack was of course the poeri; hut each battery
L r i\eii a special objective. The three 12 cm. howitzers and the
one 1 2 cm. and a gun at Pagasangan East were to direct their lire
nst the South of Tjakra. viz., Panaraua and Abean Toeboek. The
7 cm. -run at Karang-Bedil against Soeita and the East of Tjakra,
about 1000 yards distant: the three \'2 cm. Ulllis of this post were
fire at Toh-pati North Tjakra and also to put the west front of
Tjakra under tire, south of the high road, to breach the walls for
the advance of the troops and to force the enemy to abandon that
With this object one of the 12 cm. guns of Padjang was
i pul into requisition, as well as the three mortars which were stationed
'• and with which it would be impossible to reach the Poeri. The
OCCURRENCES PRECEDING THE ATTACK OF TJAKBA NAG IBA
second 12 c. gun ;it Padjang was to direct its fire against Toh-pati
and the village of Sajang, North of Tjakra.
On the 16th November all the ships of the expeditionar} Naval Force
were collected in the harbour of Anipciiiui ; the Tromp had come from
her cruising station in Kombal-bay, on the L2th; on the L5th the 8
and the Prins Hendrik had arrived From the North coasl On the
17th the Borneo added her fire to the laud batteries and threw 1""
shells into Tjakra Nagara.
The Prins Hendrik, the Borneo, the Tromp and the Bali, disembarked
their Naval Brigade (184 men) on the 17th and th.\ were to occup)
the garrison of Kapitan during the operations againsl Tjakra.
Out of the Naval Brigade already on shore 60 nan are to assisl in
the capture of Tjakra, 60 others are to occupj Kaleh and •_'<> others
the outpost of the river Anjar.
XI.
FRESH REINFORCEMENTS. FALL OF TJAKRA NAGARA.
Amidst great demonstrations of sympathy the two battalions appointed
to reinforce the expedition left their respective stations:
The 5th, composed of I s * officers, 575 soldiers, '_' officers' horses with
romen, left Semarang on the Gouverneur Generaafs Jacob and the
11th of the same strength started on the " Read" from Meester
Cornells.
1 1 \ in the morning of the 10th November the G. G.'s Jacob entered
the harbour of Ampenan and by nine o'clock the 5th battalion was
quartered in the old barracks on the shore. The " Beael" arrived in the
afternoon, but owing to the heaw surf and the lateness of the hour
the disembarkation was postponed until the following morning, when by
in a.m. the 11th battalion also reached the bivouac of Ampenan.
Much to the disappointment of the 5th battalion the\ were not to take
an) active part in the prospective attack, but were to take turns in
relieving the different posts with the Naval Brigade, thus leaving live
complete battalions for actual righting: the 2nd, 6th, 7th, 9th and 11th.
< >n the 16th November detachments of the 5th were despatched to
relieve the occupation of posts I. II and III.
In the afternoon all the commanders of regiments were summoned to
inference with the Commander-in-chief to receive their orders for
the action intended for next day. We give the orders in full to show
much foresight is needed and how e\en the smallest detail is
thought of preparatory to such a serious undertaking:
B.X i'i nil [ON in Lom BOI k.
< hdrr of the da\ .
Headquarters i . tmpenan.
1/ November 1895.
I IStll November, an attack will he made on Tjakra
irn with the view of capturing the town and core especially the
FRESH REINFORCEMENTS. FALL OF TJAKBA NAGARA.
palace of the Prince. The troops appointed to take pari in the atta
The 2nd battalion of iufantr) .
6 th
» ?th
■'tli
„ 11th
one company of Madurese;
60 men of the Naval Brigade ;
one detachment of cavalry (orderlies);
two sections of field artillery;
two sections of mountain artillery;
two sections of Coliorn mortars;
three sections of engineers.
The 1st column under Major-General Segov, attached to whom as
Staff Officer is 1st Lieutenant de Greve, will consist of the 6th battalion,
two companies of the 11th, one section of mountain guns, one section
of engineers, three gunners with hand grenades, six cavalry orderlies
and 125 convicts with entrenching tools.
The 2nd column, under Colonel Swart, with Major van Koten as
Staff-Officer, of the 2nd battalion of infantry, two Cohorn mortars, one
section of engineers, three gunners with hand grenades, four cavalrj
orderlies and 125 convicts with tools.
The 3rd column, under Lieutenant-Colonel Scheurer, with Captain
Willemstijn as staff-officer, of the 2nd battalion, two companies of the
1 1 tli battalion, two Cohorn mortars, one section of engineers, three
gunners with hand grenades, four cavalry orderlies and 125 convicts with
material.
The 4th (reserve) column under Major Willems of the 7th battalion
of infantry, one company of the Madurese troops, 60 men of the Naval
Brigade two sections of field artillery, one section of m tain artillery
and 75 convicts.
The 2nd battalion of infantry and two companies of the 9th, now
occupying the posts, are to be relieved in time by the 5th battalion.
The attack on Tjakra Nagara is to take place from the west. The
different columns must march so that the three firs! reach the VVesI
front of Tjakra by 5.30 a, m. ; Scheuer's column is to be on the right.
Swarfs in the middle and Segov's on the left.
Scheuer's column is to rest its left flank on the high road from Mat;
ram to Tjakra, and extend as far the nearest road Southwards, which
runs East and West: in order to secure its right Hank, this column is
stronger, than the centre one. Swarfs column is to advance between
the main road and the Antjar stream, while the right (lank of - °
column also rests on the Antjar.
In order that the various columns may reach the points of i
good time they are to start in the following order:
Two companies of the 9th batalion, two companies of the 11th,
gunners with hand grenades, two Cohorn mortars, one section o\
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
iut cavalrj orderlies, L25 convicts and the relieving divisions
forKalehand Pagasangan East are to start from A.mpenan at 3.30a.m.
for Pagasangan East via fCaleh. The troops appointed to relieve these
s will march on ahead, bo that uo time ma} be lost in effecting the
exchange and the troops -tan. .mil at the posts must be in marching
order when the fighting column comes up. Two cavalry orderlies are
to remain stationed at Kaleh and two at Pagasangan Easl to earn infor-
mation backwards and forwards, whilst the four available cavalrj sol-
diers now at Pagasangan East are to be attached to Scheuer's column,
Imr will temporarily staj at Mataram with the reserve column.
At 3.45 a.m. -i\ cavaln troopers, one .section of engineers, three
gunners with hand grenades, two Cohorn mortar-. 125 convict-, besides
two sections of field- and the section of mountain artillery of the
rve column and the troops appointed for the relief of the garrisons
at Arong-Arong, Mataram-Poeri, and the posts <>n the Antjar.
ECarang-Bedil and Padjang, are to march from Ampenan to Padjang
via Axong-Arong and Mataram-poeri. The troops that are to garrison
Karang-Bedil march by Mataram-Poeri; the relieved garrison also goes
via Mataram-Poeri to Padjang to join the second column. Two cavaln
troopers remain at Mataram-I'ocii and two at Padjang to earn orders
and instructions, whilst the remaining two with the two already at his
disposal are to act as orderlies to Colonel Swart. At 4 a. m. the
first or left column at the head; and the fourth or reserve column
besides the field and mountain artillery are to march from Kapitan to
Mataram.
During all these marches the utmost stillness and silence are to be
observed.
1.30 a.m. 20 cavalry troopers with one officer must hold themselves
in readme—, to be disposed of as desired by the Commander-in-chief.
The men are to be in marching order without knapsacks, hnt must
earn their ipiilts and over-coats. In addition to his (ill cartridges, every
man mu-t take 20 more in his trousers-pockets, and in his ha\crsack
ketoepat cooked rice in little bags of plaited cocoanut leaves) and a
two day's supply of "dendeng" smoked meat or sardines; the coolies
will earn " holland- enough for two days. The cooking uteii-ils are
to be taken, with cook-, cooks-mates and four kitchen coolies to each
company these are to he stationed at Mataram-Poeri.
At least four scaling-ladders ought to be carried by each companj
'i battalion can have at it- disposal '»! convicts to earn- reserve
ammunition, 76 for the ambulance, L6 \'<>v the kitchen utensils, 12 to
earn the gin and 32 for the scaling-ladders, in all 200.
E en -eetion of mortar- is to have I s convicts.
\n\ corps unprovided with a sufficient number of convicts may
obtain the number wanted l>\ applying through the Chief of the Stan
to the Commander of the general transport.
The Ilieal houn are to he a- follow - ;
The men are to breakfast before starting, while the cooked rice and
FRESH REINFORCEMENTS. FALL OF TJAKRA NAGARA.
vegetables carried by each man, and the provision of smoked meal or
sardines for the day is to be used for supper. At Mataram-P
cooked rice and vegetables will only be prepared for the following day;
after that, dinner will be cooked for the whole column which will be
carried from there to Tjakra Nagara, as also the breakfast (including
ground coffee) for the next day. The necessary victuals will be Btored
at Mataram-Poeri. The coffee for the next morning i^ to !><• made
by the men at Tjakra Nagara; after having used the kettles to make
it with, they must be taken back to Mataram-Poeri. The transporl
will then return to Tjakra with the day's provision of "ketoepat" which i-
to be distributed to the men and carried in their baversaclts.
The artillery attached to the virions columns are t" feed with the
infantry. The Reserve Column, including the Commander-in-chief ami
the Chief of the Staff, as also Lieutenant-Colonel Hamerster attached
to the Commander-in-chief — will at the commencement of the operations
be stationed east of Padjang, about where the 7th battalion was
formerly located.
If the troops require more ammunition it can be fetched l>\ the
infantry from Padjang and Mataram-Poeri or by the mounted artillery
from the various posts according to the orders of their co anding
officers; reserve hand grenades may be procured from the artiller)
sections of the first, second and third column and al Mataram-Poeri.
Both at Padjang and at Mataram-Poeri there are depots of engineering
material, in the event of forts having to be constructed al Tjakra
Nagara; at Mataram-Poeri 150 lanterns are stored.
All Commanders of regiments and companies and all other officers
are particularly warned that no place is to be burned without leave of
the Commander-in-Chief or the Chief of the Staff.
During the operations Major Laceulle will be in command at the
bivouac at Ampenan and Captain Otken at that of Kapitan.
By order:
(Signed) Pi Moulin.
Chief of the Staff.
Once again it is a Saturday night and again too we are dealing with
Tjakra Nagara! but this time the parts in the dram;, are reversed and
it is we who are going to attack the enemy in their stronghold. I he
day of retribution is about to dawn !
At the appointed hour the columns were on the march, but no
sound was heard; they intended to surprise the enemy: 'I he moon I
up the path; they can hear in the distance that the posts are keeping
a vigorous fire, the heavy cannon never ceases for one single ins!
as many as ten projectiles being hurled into Tjakra at one time;
sound of the explosions is terrific and every now and then a red
in the sky shows the beginning of a fire* The troop, are filled with
* As was discovered later, the enemy La,! unroofed many of the houses , so thai
were not many larg-e fires, whirl, was fortunate, as thej would haye caused greatobsl
to our troops.
THE LOMBOCE EXPEDITION.
enthusiasm; thei see that the long desired result is close at hand,
Tjakra Nagara is bound to fall !
The right column, Scheuer's) which had started at :> a.m. and relieved
the garrisons of the 9th battalion at Kaleh and Pagasangan East, reached
ien Gebang, a small kampong East of Pagasangan at about 4.30 a.m.,
following in a Ninth Easterlj direction the road from there to Tjakra
ia. since the last reconnaissance had been made, a couple of days
re, the roads had got into a bad state, so that it was nearly
daybreak when the column arrived at the west front of Tjakra. With-
out seeing anything of the enenrj tli<\ succeeded in taking up their
allotted place covered bj a company and a half of the 11th battalion. Sud-
denly at about 5.30
a.m. heavy tiring
was heard from
the North, indicat-
ing thai the left
column was already
engaged with the
Balinese and that
further surprise was
out of the question.
The enemy had
been driven from
the West front
by our artillery and
w as now defending
the interior of the
capital with the
greatest pertinacity
and it would be
neeessan to fight for
it inch 1>\ inch. Each
homestead must be
captured one \>\ one
and c\ er\ lew steps
there were fresh
w alls to be thrown
down or pierced.
Time after time
small bodies of
"Balim i troops advanced
lance "i spear in hand and flung themselves on our soldiers; tine thej met
their own death iii this desperate struggle, but at a terrible cost of men
>ur side. In this fashion fifteen cross road-- or alleys had to he
traversed before reaching the main road running from North to South
from Teliwang to Abean Toeboek; notwithstanding that the distance was
sed a- uuickh a- oossible. we sustained considerable loss from the
(jin
as possible, we
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
Balinese shooting from the trees and walls on the South. At one of
the la<t side roads before the main road from Tjakra Nagara to Mata-
ram, four Balinese rushed forward with their lances; three mel almost
instantaneous death, whilsl the fourth, although wounded, rushed onwards
and thrust his spear into Captain Scheib, who succumbed immediately;
the infuriated Boldiers showed no mercj and the fourth man was soon
disposed of. It was a frightful sight, some men even hid ainongsl
then- wives and children, who asked "ampon" (mercy) for them. Bui
the dut\ of self-defence permits of no forgiveness here.
Women, magnificently dressed and belonging to the highest, the
Brahmin caste, threw themselves Mindly amongst our troops trving to
defend themselves with spears, Mit the\ too met their death as their
husbands had done. The\ sought death ill preference to dishonour!
The\ had been made to believe that if they lived they would be
handed over to our soldiers as concubines and they preferred death to
the shame oi being treated as the despised caste of Sudras.
Scheuer's column reached the high road from Teliwang to AJbean
roeboeh at 11 o'clock; here the\ saw a division of the centre column
Swart's hurried]} retreating from the west wall of the large poeri, the
former residence of the chief. North Bast of the cross-roads. Had it
heen repulsed? And what had it being doing in the interval:
Although this column had stalled a quarter of an hour later than
the right column it was able to enter Tjakra Nagara at 5.15 a.m. on
the West between the high mad and the river Autjar when the bom-
bardment had ceased. Nothing was visiMe of the enemy and the greater
part of the walls and homesteads were destroyed, the lew remaining ones
being deserted and everything around testified to the successful work of
our artillery; Swart's column was able to penetrate 300 metres inside the
town without meeting the enemy, who was evidently surprised. However, as
as the first shot was tired in the North, the tomtom summoned all the
Balinese and henceforward the column's advance met with the same
energetic resistance a- Scheuer's. and. as at the capture of Mataram,
most of our losses were caused from the Balinese posted in the trees.
Mam hands of both men and women impeded our progress with their
-pear- in even case thej paid lor it with their lives, but not without
indicting considerable loss on our soldiers.
The nearer the columns came to the central point of defence, the
obstinate and fierce was the resistance encountered; and thus pushing
forward steadily the\ arrived near the \. W. Poeri, the former head-
quarters; in their endeavours to take this point the troops were furiously
fired upon on the righl wing from the S. W. Poeri, so it wasnecessan
ipturc this stronghold before advancing towards the residence of
the Prince. Colonel Swart advanced to the front line to give his orders
■'"id directions and after a lew vollies, the 3rd companj under Captain
> den Ende and a portion of the 2nd under Lieutenant lleijtinan
advanced towards the S. W. poeri, and. at the head of a section of
Amboynese, Captain Van den Ende penetrated into one of the squares
FEESH REINFORCEM EN TS. /•'. ILL OF T.I. I A I; A NAGA /,' , I
•densely occupied by the Balinese; there was a short sharp hand to hand
tight and 26 Balinese lay dead on the ground, 16 having been killed
with the bayonet. The S. W. poeri was \n\ soon in ourno bul
it had cost the life of Lieutenant Ancona.
At about 11 a.m. thej \\rrc able to attack the North-East poeri; the
right wing (4th company) under Captain Koch attacked the West wall of the
poeri; there were however no breaches to pass through and the wall was
too high to climb and there were no sealing ladders ;it hand; B section
of engineers succeeded in laving a breaching charge of dynamite
and it was just when they were running away from the wall, to
await the result at a distance, thai Major Scheuer's column appeared
at the cross-roads.
As soon as the charge had exploded (near space 4, sec plan of poeri
at Tjakra Nagara) the 1st and 2nd sections hurried to the breach; the
European fusilier Van der Klanip, was the first to enter and was soon
followed by the men of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd section, the lasl being
replaced by the 4th in the high road running West to Easl and
followed with their tire the retreating enemy. It was Swarfs column
who were the first to penetrate the poeri; they were inside, but how were
they to get on beyond it?
The three sections now found themselves in spaces 4 and 3; leading
to space 15 by a narrow street and a gate; through a hole in the wall
they could see the enemy and they shot a few of them down, with the
result that some took to flight and others rushed towards them through
the narrow doorway; all, who were not killed in their attempt to pa-
through the door, were killed as soon as t lu\ came upon ourmenin the
space' now occupied by us. The street and space 15 were subsequent!}
occupied by the 4th company.
Whilst Captain Koch was trying to push north in the poeri, Major
Scheuer had forced his way into space 15. On arrival at the cross
roads one company of the right column showed front to the South;
one detachment occupied the ground South and South Easl of the poeri,
another further East of the high road to Narmada and one eompan}
succeeded in taking the large front square (space 2). The engineer-
attached to this column effected a breach in the high wall on the easl ol
the square, thus allowing of an advance into space L4, the enemj
withdrawing still further into the interior and the next vement brought
about the meeting of the two columns in space L5. Before proceed}!
with the account of these two columns in their long and bitter conflict,
let us see what had befallen the left column, who contrary to all anti<
pations had found themselves confronted with the main bodj oi the
I Wf\ 1 1 np^f*
When Segov's column, having marched from Ampenan half an I
later than the right column, reached a point West of Padjang
5am., they crossed the river Antjar and fell into their line oi bat
5.15 am. East of Jaman-Radja: The 1st company on the right,
• on the left wing, the 2nd in the middle, the Isl section in all cai
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
being in the fighting line, the 2nd about twenty paces behind. The 3rd
company formed the reserve.
Attn- marching along the north frontier of Tjakra in this order about
a distance of 458 yards, the column was perceived by the enemy, but
the few Balinese occupying the sawah were soon pul to flight by a
couple of vollies from the 1st company.
This was, however, immediately followed l>\ severe firing from the trout
Djakra, which was energetically responded to l>\ the advancing column.
The 2nd companj of Araboynese under Captain Schreijner took up
position on an eminence, whence they tired steadily, causing extensive
damage. The section of mountain artillery on the left flank directed their
tire against the sawah tract north of Seliwang to prevent assistance from
that quarter being brought to Tjakra. Advancing further eastwards
Schreijner's com-
pany had to en-
dure an especially
heavy tire from be-
hind the walls.
After uniting the
1st section of the
right- with the left
wing Captain
Schreijner advanced
and was immedia-
tely followed by
the entire company,
who were soon
inside the narrow-
northern portion of
Tjakra which had
been assigned to
Segov'a column as
point of attack.
While the sec-
tion of mountain
artillery continued
for a time in the
position they had
taken up. the lead-
ing sections pushed
forward with all
their strength to
the high road of
Teliwang and the
croM roads were reached at < a.m. According to their instructions, they
endeavoured to proceed southwards to the poeri, but at this point they
were overwhelmed bj the Balinese who had been driven awav from
tion <•! mountain artillery on man
FRESH REINFORCEMENTS. /■'. [LL OF 77 . IKRA NAGA R I .
West Tjakra by Swarfs and Scheuer's columns; the enemy's Foi
were so numerous that the position was only held with the s
difficulty and with much loss.
The reserve was called up to cover the lefl wing and the artillen lefl
to take care of itself.
General Segov tried in vain to effect a junction with the centre
column; a change of front Southwards was impossible without it, the
enemy on the right hand flank holding too man} of our troops in check.
The reserve on the left flank were repulsed in an assault against a
Dewa temple standing east of the high road from Teliwang and the
situation was becoming dangerous.
At 7.30 a.m. General Segov sent word to the Commander-in-chief
that he could not effect a junction with Swarfs column and thai reinforce-
ments were needed to make the change of front as ordered, possible.
This news was received by the Commander-in-chief at s a.m. Neither
of the other columns had yet reached the large poeri, the chief goal,
and both had still to face a severe struggle, the result of which could
hardly be foreseen.
General Vetter sent an answer by two cavalry orderlies to the
effect, that no reinforcements could as yet be sent, but that a message
was being sent to Swart's column to push north and try and join t lu-
left column.
The orderlies were unable to pass through Tjakra and deliver the
answer, everywhere they were met by the enemy and were obliged to
return to the Commander-in-chief, who meanwhile had arrived nearer
the poeri.
Colonel Segov's column was meantime in a bad way and many of his
brave men had been laid low — it grew later and later and yet he
received no answer to his request and no relief ;— finally he sent his
staff-officer, de Greve, to the Commander-in-chief with the question:
"whether in spite of all the difficulties he was to try and effect a change
of front southwards, or whether he should try to re-cross the Ant jar
and join Colonel Swarfs column"?
Lieutenant de Greve fell in with General Vetter at the cross
roads, just as the latter was giving orders to two companies of the 7th
battalion from the general reserve, to go to the relief of the left column along
the high road to the cross-roads of Teliwang. Now that the Commander-
in-chief found himself master of the main cross-roads and inside a portion
of the poeri, he felt himself in a position to despatch some of the
general reserve to the help of the left column.
What had the reserve been doing in the meantime?
It left Ampenan at the same time as Segov's column and had at
first taken up a position on the high road Mataram-Tjakra Nagara,
south of Padjang, subsequently slowly following the advancing movemen
of Swarfs and Scheuer's columns. Once inside Tjakra its progresi
had been much impeded bv the destruction that had been wio.il
the roads and a good deal of clearing was necessary before
344
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
proceed with the ordnance. Whilst advancing they also cleared the
roads of all enemies they met, knocked down walls or made large
passages through them. They fell in with a good number of Balinese
both north and south of the high road attempting to pursue the rear
of the advancing columns and, thus fighting their \\a\ onward, the reserve
arrived at the cross roads just as Swart's and Scheuer's columns were
about to attack the poeri. The} had just posted themselves then' with
tin- two companies of the 11th battalion of the left columns when the
orders of tin- Commander-in-chief reached them.
IILl. road inside rjakra N i iri
The two companies of -the 7th battalion appointed to relieve the left
column immediately advanced along the high road to Teliwang, crossed
the river Antjar ana threatened in the rear the Balinese attacking General
S _ right flank. These, now treed from the enemy, made with the
help of the two fresh companies a movement north, in order to attack
the Dewa-temple as ordered ; but l>\ the time the troops entered the enemy
had tied. The walls of the temple were at once levelled to the ground
and the remainder of the captured position cleared as much as possible.
Subsequently the column advanced to the cross roads and the exhausted
troops arrived there aboul 1 p. m.
During tins time the advance in the poeri had been continued: after
occupying space 15, one section managed to penetrate into the passage
between 5 and 16, but was severely attacked \>\ Balinese with spears.
However the enemj were overmastered and an advance north wasmade
b) the three sections from Bpace 5, the passage way and space 16.
Whilst the 1st and 3rd companies of the 2nd battalion were pushing
FRESH REINFORCEMENTS. FALL OF TJAKBA NAGARA
forward North and North East, Scheuer's column was advancing along
the south extending his line eastwards.
Amidst continuous fighting they captured the West and North
spaces, advancing- as far even as the Majoera, the eastern portion <>t
the poeri; but all attempts to capture the central portion were in vain
Here the Balinese had taken up position and had strongh fortified the
high surrounding walls. This portion of the poeri proved to be tin-
actual residence of the prince, space 22a. b. c. and 23 the treasury.
Here the Balinese fought with the energ} of despair to defend then-
prince and his treasure.
Lieutenant Gerlach faced the redoubl with his section in space 17.
Lieutenant Oudshoorn with his in space L8 and Lieutenant Verwei Mejan
occupied space 24 with two sections.
Every endeavour made by the column from these points as well as
all attempts made by the 1st and 3rd companies of the 2nd battalion
to penetrate deeper into the palace remained without the slightesl effect.
Neither the fire of the guns against this fortified group of houses, nor
the 12 cm. shells thrown in by hand, not even setting fire to one of
the buildings north of the fortified post could induce the Balinese to
surrender their stronghold. Picked shots entrenched in the innermost
building of the prince's abode shot down with repeaters every man who
raised his head above the protecting walls.
In vain too were all the efforts of Scheuer's column; finally two moun-
tain guns were brought into requisition and at less than 25 paces distance
fifty shells were thrown against the fortified houses; the fire oftheenenvj
was silenced; — it looked as if they no longer intended defending themselves.
A third attempt to penetrate was made and Lieutenant Midler entered as
far as the front gallery without receiving any fire; the barricaded door
was thrown open. He thought himself master of the situation — but one-
inside fire poured upon him from all sides, and it was only byamiracle
that he returned with his wounded.
The artillery once again opened fire on the houses, another company,
the first of the 9th battalion, made one more assault, but in vain, the
troops were again repulsed with heavy losses.
It was now 3 p.m. and no apparent progress was being made. Major
Scheuer sent word to the Commander-in-chief at the cross road- of
the state of affairs and to ask for further orders.
The troops, who had not tasted food or drink for twelve hour- and
had been fighting nearly the whole time, were absolute!} done up with
exhaustion and fatigue. The hour was too far advanced now for a system-
atic dismantlement, even should the stronghold fall into their hands
so the Commander-in-chief decided to put an end to the operation- for
that day and allow the men time to recover before proceeding am
further. At 2.30 p.m. food was been brought up from Mataram-poeri t<
Tiakra under the personal supervision of Major van Berg oi thetranspo
The 9th battalion with a section of engineers were appointed to occup>
during the night the Dewa-temple South of the Majoera. whilst
THE LOMBOCE EXPEDITION.
companies of the 11th battalion and one section of engineers were left in
another temple, lying South West of the high road, but just bordering on it.
th positions were strengthened as much as possible from the stores
of engineering material at Padjang and Mataram-Poeri. About 4 p. m.
tlu- troops not told off t £upj Tjakra assembled in the high road and
marched t<» their respective quarters, reaching Kapitan and Ampenan about
6 p.m., where the} were most enthusiastically received and hoped
to enjoy a well-earned rest. It was nol to be a long on< however, as a hot
contest was anticipated on the morrow before the enemy's last stronghold
u;is taken.
At "t.:!i» a.m. on the Following day, 19th November, a column under
General Sego> advanced from Kapitan; it was composed of the 2nd and
6th battalions, three companies of the 7th, one company of the 11th.
two companies of Madurese, two sections of field and one section mountain
artillery, two cohorn mortars, one section of engineers, in addition to
all the available convicts of the general train.
On their arrival at the cross-roads at Tjakra Nagara they learned from
the troops left in occupation that the night had been undisturbed; lmt
that the sentries had heard people moving inside the poeri and further-
more that a scouting part} sent out at daybreak found that the space
stoutl} defended 1>\ the Balinese on the previous dav had Keen
deserted lmt was being looted by a mass of people, who quickly dispersed
at the sound of the rifles. The treasury of the prince was discovered.
where in a chamber Hi ft. 9 ins. by 16 ft. 1) ins., rijksdaalders were
heaped up to the height of '2 ft., besides which there were many objects
m gold, precious stones and endless valuable curiosities.
But where was the old prince himself?
According to report he had been wounded the previous dav during
the siege () f | n ^ palace and his faithful followers had conveyed him
during the night to Sasari, a kampong north of Tjakra Nagara on the
road to Lingsar.
On receipt .if this news the Commander-in-chief with the Chief of
the staff made the following disposition for the troops:
The 6th battalion were to char the ground north and south of the
high road the west entrance to Tjakra Nagara. breaking down all the
walls possible, to begin with those running along the high road; snlisr-
quently the} were to clear the road, so that traffic might not he
impeded.
Two companies of the 11th battalion were to dismantle the Dewa-temple,
3 We8t of the cr088 roads, where they spent the night. When this was
accomplished the} were to open up the ground King around the temple
ipied during the night b} the 9th battalion, as this temple was
intended for occupation l»\ the troops.
Three companies of the 7th battalion were to prepare this temple to
accommodate the troops and put it in a state of defence and occupy
these quarters when the remaining troops returned to Ampenan and Kapitan.
I'he 9th battalion and one section of engineers were to place the most
FRESH REINFORCEMENTS. FALL OF TJAKRA NAGARA.
S. W. portion of the poeri and the one containing the treasun in a
thorough state of defence. One company, the 4th of the above-named
battalion, was especially charged to guard the treasury and pack up all
the money and treasure found.
The Madurese were to guard the cross-roads.
A column com n landed by colonel Swart, consisting of the 2nd battalion,
two companies of the 11th, one section of mountain artillery, one section
of engineers and 12 cavalry soldiers with one officer, received orders
to make a reconnaissance in an easterly direction, (towards Soeita to
try and reach the east exit of Tjakra Nagara and to carefulh examine
the ground on both sides.
During their march many Balinese implored to have their lives and
homesteads spared and the request was granted on condition thai the\
broke down the walls enclosing them and those running along the stri
but, in case of refusal, everything was levelled to the ground
The population immediately set to work to fulfil these condition- and
further showed their good will by offering the soldiers cocoa-nuts and
drinking water.
Swart's column reached the goal of the inarch without encountering
any hostility or resistance.
Many inhabitants of the captured town came to make their submission
to the Commander-in-chief and were informed by the Resident of Bali
and Lombock that their lives and dwellings would he spared, if the)
complied with the above mentioned conditions. The Commander of
Narmada, Gusti Made Getas, also came to the General to make liia
surrender.
In the treasury of the old prince the Commander of the -1th com-
pany and his tw r o officers had put 1000 lbs. of gold and 6996 lbs. of
silver coins — the latter slightly damaged by tire — into hags and this
was only a part of the booty! It was placed on carts for transport
to Ampenan, to be received there by a specially appointed committee
In the course of the day the inhabitants of tjakra brought hack to
us tw T o field-guns and a mountain gun left behind in our retreat three
months before. There was still one piece of ordnance missing and
this too they promised to bring, everything was progressing beyond our
expectations.
Alas! once again our victory was marred as if was after the capture
of Mataram.
Whilst Captain Tuinenburg was engaged superintending the emptying
of a powder magazine of the poeri into the big pond in the Majoera
lest the fire from a neighbouring house should spread to it, a spark appears
to have flown across, causing the most frightful explosion. Capta
Tuinenburg, shockingly burned, was flung into the pond; Lieutenant Campion
who was assisting him, was badly scorched and thrown to agreal dist
thirteen convicts carrying out the work were so seriouslj hurt
some died very soon after and the others had to he transported to the
hospital at Ampenan.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
The whole supply of powder and ammunition was afterwards rendered
harmless by the engineers. With the exception of the three companies
of the 7th battalion remaining at Tjakra, all the other troops returned
to their respective quarters at 4 p.m.
Tjakra N'agara, being taken, we ma\ take a look at the exact position
of tilings ami a retrospective glance at the overthrow of Balinese power
Lombock.
The losses on both sides were severe; it is impossible to deter-
mine accurately those of the Balinese. No absolute reliance can be
placed on the numbers given by natives, however well-intentioned tlie\
iii;i\ be, for the\ are quite unable to grapple with big figures. But.
from the following, some idea ma\ be arrived at.
In their advance from West Tjakra to the poeri, the 3rd company of
the 2nd battalion, who met with the least resistance comparatively
speaking, counted from 25 to 80 Balinese killed outside the S.W. poeri.
If we reckon the losses inflicted by the four companies of Swart's
column as being tour times this number, we are more likely to iinder-
than over-estimate the figures.
- lieuer's column must have claimed an equal number of victims, so
that tin- total loss inflicted 1>\ the two columns before storming the
poeri may he put down as between -<>i) and 300. Adding to this the
numbers killed l>\ the left column who met with the longest and must
Stubborn stand and those killed by the reserve column, we should say
the figures would reach 1«"> to 500.
Inside the poeri 37 dead bodies were found in one room, 17 ill
another and groups of :!. 4 and 8 were found in several places,
so that we ma\ safety assume the number of Balinese that fell at the
_ of Tjakra Niagara to lie about C>00.
Whatever importance ma\ he attached to this, there is no doubt that
the Balinese losses were ven great; on their scouting expedition on the
morning of the 19th on the road to Soeita, Swart's column counted
500 deatl bodies in a space some 1300 wis. long 1>V 170 yds. wide.
All the houses both right and left of the road were examined, in one
there wire Is dead bodies, in another 11, in a third 7, etc. We must.
however, hear in mind the custom of the Balinese of keeping their dead
above ground and that manj bodies ma\ probably have lain there from
the date of previous battles or have been broughl thither from other
neighbourhoods
But on our Bide too victor) was dearl} bought!
Mingled with the shout- of JO) and triumph sent up in the mother
Country, there was sorrow and grief in the hearts of mam who have
to mourn the loss of a dearly-beloved father, brother, sons or friend.
ptains W \ Scheib and I). M Slangen, 2nd Lieutenants .1. C. A
d'Ancona, J. \\ Setoff and II. A. (' van (\<v Heijden allot' the infantrj
and H soldien died a hero's death. Naval Lieutenant 1st class
•'• C. 'an Wessem, Nt Lieutenant L. 8. M. Wittich, 2nd Lieutenant
FRESH BEINFORCKM i:.\ TS. /■'. I /. \, u /■' T.I A K //. i VAGA R . I
:\:>
H. Holkema, both of the infantry, besides 103 soldiers were wounded.
The medical staff did splendid work; ever} column had its own
ambulance with one or two surgeons; stretchers and carriers were
abundance to carry the wounded as quickl} as possible to the head
ambulance, stationed opposite the fortified posl of Padjang, where a shed
about 100 metres long had been erected containing space for 40 men
and two operating tables.
After the wounds had been
attended to, those who were able
to be transported were sent to
Ampenan and then on hoard
the hospital ship " Maetsuijcker" .
The delegates of the Red Cross,
as well as the head of the
Society for mutual Help, pro-
vided the sick with all the
necessary refreshments.! The
Senior Chaplain, Offerhous, re-
mained at the head ambulance
and the Reverend Father Voogel
was with the columns, giving
spiritual assistance and com-
fort to wounded and dying.
Major Schuckink Kool conscien-
tiously superintended the burial
of the killed. Those who fell
in the service of their country
received therefore every care
and attention. All this, and
the consideration of the great
object their dead ones helped
to achieve, may be of some slight
consolation to those who are
left to deplore their loss.
The whole of Tjakra bore evidence of the efficienc) "I our artillery;
some parts had naturally suffered more than others; considering the
wide area covered by the poeri-700 by SCO yards with its innumer-
able walls and divisions, it was of course impossible to la) it in
in a few hours; the interior however had tared hadh and some portion.
were entirely destroyd. Oddly enough, the West and South outer wa
showed no traces of the bombardment; only a Eragmenl oj a shell na<
caught the upper part at one spot. Besides, we had proofs oi the tor
artillery doing great execution by their blowing up two powder magazines,
known to be in the vicinity of the poeri. We must however no ose
sight of the favorable circumstances that permitted our hat cries be
placed within such a short distance of Tjakra. thus enabling all he
guns even the 20 cm. mortars, to take an effectual share ... the bo.
• Father 1". J. A. \
THE LOMBOCR EXPEDITION.
bardmeot. The siege train inaj be said to have played a great part in
the capture of Pagasangan, Mataram and Tjakra Nagara, but, it was
rather in spite of its guns than 1>\ them; they left a good deal to be
wished for. The best gun was the 12 cm. breachloader, a very good
gun, a< long a> it is nor worn out with firing. k& we have already
mentioned, bix had been transported to Lombock, one was placed in
rj at Pagasangan, two at Padjang and three at Karang-Bedil ; not
only were they few in number, but, out of these few, there were only
two modern ones, the others being old and thus probably nearly
worn < nit.
the four 12 cm. muzzleloaders, brought from the abandoned fort
rjilatjap, one was completely worn out, and the others, placed in
battery at Pagasangan East, though still serviceable, only carried 2530
yards, or, with shrapnel 1760, being thus worth but little. The worst,
however, were the wholly antiquated 20 cm, bronze mortars: six of
which had been despatched to Lombock, but half only could be placed
in battery against 'Tjakra (viz., at Padjang.)
When tired with a full charge, their ran<re was only lollO yards,
and had but slight penetration. Hut with such a large and close target
thej produced a great moral effect, owing to their large calibre.
The qualiti of the ammunition was first-rate; it rarely occurred that
the shells did not explode and their not doing so might be accounted
\'<>y by their falling into the large ponds of the poeri.
Regarding the number of rounds tired, it was at first decided that every
gun should discharge 30 rounds daily. In order that the enemy might be
harassed all day long it was arranged that each of the three batteries should
rest two hours for everj one horn- of firing — the original plan being to
maintain this rate for fourteen days, then to double it for three days
previous to the actual assault. When, shortly after the commencement
of the bombardment, resistance became so stubborn, the roads grew bad,
transport more difficult, the unloading of ammunition more complicated,
communication with the harbour even interrupted and all the branches of
the service severel} taxed, some fear was fell thai the ammunition would
run short if the firing was kept up at this rate, thai is to saj
owing to the many obstacles it might be impossible to replenish the
supplies. * It was for this reason and not for lack of ammunition
that the Commander-in-Chief ordered a diminution in the rate of
firing
If. then, the bombardmenl of Tjakra Nagara, both by reason of the
guns used and the small quantity of ammunition expended during a
certain period, was not quite so vigorous as might otherwise have been
both feasible and desirable, no reproach must attach to the staff, who,
i the Commander, Major Boetje, downwards, made the very most
hat was at their disposal.
- the replenishing of the Buppliea the guns were regularlj provided with a
hi- that the Bupplj was taken t., one •>!' the three posts everj « 1 ;» ^ .
• must hare always hml at the ren Least a three day's allowance of ammunition.
FRESH REINFOBC EM ENTS. FALL OF TJAKRA NAG IRA 35]
>f praise too must nol be omitted for those responsible
the actual seal of war, but, who worked indefatigabh nt
work shops and at the laborator} ;ii Surabaya. l'.\ con-
A word of
away from th
the artillery w
tinuous work, sometimes both day and nighl and even Sundays, this
body of men were able to satisfy the hcaw demands of the expe-
ditionary forces.
Concerning - the actual and final assault, there were of course various
ways of undertaking it, to review which would take ton much time.
The plan adopted was essentially a . simple one, an important matter
in military operations — skilful and complicated combinations there v
none; all three columns had one and the same plainly marked out goal,
viz., the cross-roads occupied by the prince's poeri. II we consider, that,
notwithstanding this obvious simplicity and distinctness, both <<\ the
front attacking columns had to bear the brunt of the light unaided,
that the left column was unable to effect a junction with the centre,
that communication could not be kept up by the cavalrj orderlies; we
have a practical lesson in the difficulties attendant on a combined
attack in India. It is clear, that if these take place on a huge scale and
at great distances, the result hangs merely upon a thread.
The composition and use of the general reserve can only meet with
universal approval. Its strength, as far as the infant r\ was concerned,
4 companies of the twenty available for the assault, was none too great ;
the other columns could not have been weaker than the\ were, so that
the necessity of further reinforcements, first of one. then of two bat-
talions of infantry, is conclusively proved.
The inference to be drawn regarding the inadequacy of the firstexpe-
ditionary force is self-evident; for, although the Balinese had time to
organize the rebellion, the defence, and especially the peculiar disposition
of the place where their chief forces were concentrated, would have
been the same in both cases and, although, we cannot but regret the
losses and the retreat of the 26th of August, there is not the slightest
doubt, but what our disasters would have been far more serious had we
attempted to take Mataram and Tjakra Nagara by storm when we first
landed. This expedition points in a striking manner to the absolute
necessity of sending at the very outset of an expedition sufficient for
to meet all eventualities.
The capture of Tjakra Nagara has once more testified to the efficiency
of our Indian army and to the magnificent results to be obtained b\
it. Skilfully led, supported by a clever general staff, headed b\ men like
Segov, Swart and Scheuer, our troops fought with Mich unflagg
energy against a well-armed enemy, defending his hearth and home swit
desperate resolution, that their heroic courage and contempt oi dea
finally conquered all obstacles in their path.
The crowning point of the combat was the siege and defence oi
poeri; here, in the presence of the old rajah himself the last ,Ur
struggle was fought; this last stronghold was defended with the
of despair and both men and women sacrificed themselves liter;
THE LOMBOCE EXPEDITION.
the foot of the throne. Many krissed themselves rather than fall into
our hands. *
Let us give honour to our opponents, who, in the days of prosperity,
showed even deference t<> the vanquished and who died like heroes m
the time of adversity.
Might not the poeri have been entirely surrounded on the afternoon
of the l s th November? We think that the capture of the poeri might
have been verj probable and that it would have been quite practicable
irround the place; but we consider that the Commander-in-chief
showedgreat discretion in not exacting the uttermost from the exhausted
troops and exposing them t<» ;i night attack in an unprepared position.
One important \va\ of escape was cut off for the prince and his
defenders as a greater part of the territory was occupied by Sassaks,
and. any extra mone) that would have been added to our treasury by
continuing the struggle the same day. would have been bought too dear,
for it would have cost many more precious lives.
- .. without a U<>\\ <>r a shot, the last stronghold of the enemy fell
into our hands the next day.
The prophecy of the governor was fulfilled! Our Indian army had
maintained its reputation in the most brilliant manner and one more
glorious page had been added to the annals of our country.
* In one of tin- portions of the poet, where Buch a stubborn defence »;is made on the
previous day, 4 women were krissed. One, who was remarkably young and beautifal and
:,_'inir to the Brahmin caste, had been one of the old prince's favorifc
XII.
FALL OF THE LOMBOCK DYNASTY.
The rebellion was, virtually speaking, terminated the <l;i\ we captured
Tjakra Nagara; but, with a view to the future settlement of affairs, we
had still to obtain possession of the Prince and the chief members of his
family. The old Rajah having-, according to report, fled to Sasari, the
most North Easterly point of Tjakra, a column was senl there on the
morning of the 20th November, starting from Ampenan at :!.:!<> a.m.
under command of General Segov and composed of the 2nd, 6th, and
11th battalion, one company of the 7th, two companies of Madurese, tw T o
sections field- two sections mountain artillery, 4 gunners with hand
grenades, two sections of engineers, 22 cavalry soldiers and one cavalrj
officer, besides all the available convicts.
Reaching the cross-roads of Tjakra at 7.15 a.m. three companies of
the 2nd battalion, one company of Madurese and two sections of field-
artillery were ordered by the Commander-in-chief to block the various
ways leading to the cross-roads and to keep guard, whilst half a section
of engineers, under cover of the remaining company of the 2nd battalion,
were told off to search the treasury and all other possible receptacles and
secure the contents.
The remaining troops and one company of the 5th battalion as well
as 100 convicts were to proceed to Sasari, where general Segov, with
Major van Kooten and 1st Lieutenant de Greve as Staff-officers, were to
try and arrest the prince. From the cross-roads they followed the high
road in an Easterly direction, striking north at the second crossing and
halted shortly after passing over the Ant jar. Meanwhile the cavalry were
ordered to ride through the rice-field and reach the road to Lingsar
with the utmost speed and post themselves east of Sasari to prevent tin-
prince's escape from this point.
The 6th battalion, with one section of mountain artillery, half ;i sec-
tion of engineers and 50 convicts, marched in a X. E. direction t<> the
village of Selakala, where they changed front and took up their position
on the road to Lingsar, east of and facing Sasari.
The 11th battalion, a section of engineers and 50 convicts advanced
northwards through Poenia and took up position South of the road
Lingsar, also facing Sasari.
THE LOMBOCR EXPEDITION.
The remaining troops— one companj of the 5th and one of the 7tli
battalion, one company of Madurese and our section of mountain artillery
formed the reserve between and in rear of the two first mentioned columns.
When these had taken up their appointed positions, the cavalry were
relieved and received orders to watch the sawah from the North and
North West of Sasari as far as the high road from Teliwaug to Abean
Toeboeh and to prevent flight in that direction. Whilst nearing the
north of Sasari. a few shot- were tired at them but they found no serious
obstruction on their road.
Two Balinese were now despatched to the prince, calling on him to
surrender; flight was impossible and if he did not give himself up of
his OWn free will, force would lie l ist't ! . Who could predict the line of
action that he would adopt? The prince was real!} here with his sol). Anak
Agong Made" Djilantik, successor to the throne since the death of K'Toet,
and with In- grandson son of K'Toet) Anak Agong G'de* Oka. It must
In- home in mind that we are now dealing with the brother of the
rajah who in 1846 expressed himself as "unable to understand that a
Balinese rajah had taken tit flight instead of shutting himself up in his
kraton with lu< people and fighting to his last breath as demanded by
the custom of the country and the honour of a rajah."
Ih.w differently history would have dealt with the niemorx of this
famous prince, had he acted consistently with the theories he shared in
earlier years, and how many humiliations and mortifications hi' would
have been -pared.
lor two long hours he hesitated, hut finally decided to throw himself
upon our mercy and to surrender himself, his son and his grandson to
( leneral Segov.
Attired in yellow and seated upon a chair, he was carried by his followers
to the victor, an event never to he forgotten by those who witnessed
it and occupying a memorable place in the history of our Indian warfare.
That the surrender might not have any appearance of being a voluntary
one and to exclude all false apprehensions from the minds of the Balinese,
the request made bj the prince, to he carried the whole way by his
own attendant- wa- refused.
Six convict- were appointed to carry his chair and two carried the
golden pajong umbrella) the only remaining symbol of his greatness
to protect the head of the prince against the scorching rays of the sun.
All the columns united in the return march to Anipenan, excepting
the 5th, 7th and 11th battalions, who remained to act as escort to the
treasure discovered that day, consisting of 7459 lbs. of silver and three
- of valuables. In due course Mataram, or rather the space it once
\\a- passed and who can tell the feelings of the prince when
he looked round in vain for his former capital.
The prince wa- temporarily housed in the offices at Ampenan, used
hitherto by the General-Staff, and a squadron of infantry mounted guard.
The jo\ of the troops and COUirades at Anipenan was boundless!
Three companies of the 7th battalion occupied the Dewa-temple, nom put
FALL OF THE LOMBOCK DYNA8T1
into a state of defence and one companj of this battalion was left in the
poen to guard the treasury.
Various notable Balinese surrendered themselves the same dai amoncsl
others, Anak-Agoeng [t'Toet Djilantik Kanginan, grandson of the Raj
elder brother, who died in ]s7<>. Finally, the last missing pin was
brought back by the inhabitants.
Now that we had secured I he prince, Ins son and Ins grandson, it
was the turn of the remaining members of the family and on the
21st November the prince was instructed to write to his relatives at Sasari
bidding them come nt
once to \iii|)fii;ui. The
two Balinese messengers
returned with unsatisfac-
tory replies: one member
of the family, Anak A.go<
Nengah Karang, a si f
the before mentioned elder
brother of the prince, had
excused himself on the
plea of illness, two others
were absent, etc.
On receipt of these replies
a column commanded l>\
Colonel Swart, composed
of the IHli ami 1 1th infantn
battalions, mountain artil-
lery and two companies of
Madurese i ( Japtain Otken
marched to Sasari, which
they reached .-it !i a.m. and
surrounded. The members
of the prince's family \\ ere
summoned to surrender and,
as the parleying led to
nothing, the artillery opened
fire on their residence at 11.80 a.m.
f *♦> The place was soon in flames, and at the same time a terrible noise was
heard; from the border of the kampong a brisk fire was directed on <>ur
advancing troops on the east side. The reserve were ordered t<> go to
their relief, but, by the time they had readied the fighting line, a terrible
drama had taken place.
Whilst the 6th battalion were encircling the kampong more closely,
suddenly, and amidst the wildest yells and cries, a whole hand of Balinese
rushed forth from the burning pile on Captain Schreiner's column.
These were all the remaining members of the reigning family wit
their suite, poenggawas, idas, gustis, men, women and children:
were ready to seek death and had arrayed themselves in their n
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
_ in t dresses, adorned themselves with jewelry, armed themselves
with the sacred kris or spear and. thus prepared, they hurried themselves
with all their strength on our soldiers.
This was the famous " poepotan ! '* *
Our soldiers did not hesitate for a moment; the enemy was quicklj
decimated; few came within reach of our bayonets, those who were
not immediate!) shot down took their own lives rather than fall into
our hamU. Amongst those killed in this last struggle were two sons
of Mad.': Anak Agoeng k'Toet Djilantik VVeda and Anak Agoeng Ajoe
Mad.', a great-grands* £ the prince, Anak Agoeng G'de* Djilantik)
the five year old son of Anak Agoeng G'de^ Poetoeh, killed at Pagasangan,
all the daughters of the Rajah: Anak-Agoeng Ajoe Mad6, Anak-Agoeng
Neugah, Anak-Agoeng Ajoe Karang and Anak-Agoeng Ajoe Praba,
and two of his grand-daughters Anak-Agoeng Ajoe Poetoe and Anak
Agoeng Ajoe Mas.
Twelve men occupying the highest positions and fifty of the most
noted women died like heroes. In this the) acted according to Balinese
"adat" and they claim our respect and admiration.
After the Madurese took the first line, a further advance was made
into the interior of the kampong; this movement produced a heavy
fire from the enemy, especiall) from the trees. Major Frackers, com-
manding the 6th battalion, was mortally wounded, the gray charger he
was riding serving unfortunately as an admirable target to the Balinese.
The young 2nd Lieutenant F. b'ranssen was badly wounded at the same
time, but in spite of the loss of blood, led his men to the end of the fight.
In view of this resolute opposition, the 11th battalion, who meanwhile
had made a breach ill the north wall of the kampong and were within
17<» yards of thai face pf the building, received orders to join the
left wing. The two battalions then advanced together and succeeded in
reaching a breach in the east wall of the kampong and had already
filtered, when suddenl) -about 1 p.m. — a most terrific explosion took
place in a powder magazine close by, presumabl) ignited by a Balinese
posted at the hreach. Huge masses of earth, burning straw, pieces
of wood, heav) beams were flung up in the air and fell to the ground
in the midst of our men and the fire spread to various parts of the
kampong; B few minutes later a second explosion was heard and the
entile kampong was in a blaze. However, Lieutenants Ter Heck and
Wefera Bettink succeeded in leading their native (Javanese) soldiers all
of the 3rd compan) of the I 1th battalion straight into the middle of
the burning kampong, abandoned by the enemy. This compan) had
nothingmore to fear from the Balinese, but, unfortunately, the 6th bat-
talion was unacquainted with then- entrj into the kampong and kept up their
fire in that direction, s., that their comrades had some difficulty in protecting
themselves. When the Commander of the column was informed of the
state of affairs, he issued orders tor a retreat, considering it inadvisable
FALL OF THE LOMBOCR DYNASTY.
to push further forward into the flames, This circumstance permitted
the escape of Anak-Agoeng Neucah Karang, as also of Anak
G'de Rai' a sou of k'Toet; the former going to Toh-pati, north Tjakra,
the latter to the mountain kampong of A wan-- Madia.
The troops returned to Ampenan carrying the dead body of Major Frackera
and one soldier killed and Lieutenanl Franssen and 12 soldiers wounded.
Great sorrow was felt at the death of .Major Frackers, who l>\ his calm
demeanour in battle, had won the confidence of all who served under
him and was highly esteemed by officers and men alike for his main
excellent qualities.
The following day — 23rd November — a reconnaissance was made from
the Tjakra cross-roads in a southerly direction towards Abean Toeboeh ;
all the side roads east and west of the high road were thoroughl} searched
without encountering the smallest display of hostility and the inhabitants
set to work willingly to break down the south wall of Tjakra.
On this day a larger proportion of notable Balinese of rank came t<>
surrender than on any previous day and these included Ida K'Toet
Wanasari, the head of the Brahmins at Tjakra.
On the same day another important event took place al Vmpenan:
-Controller Liefrinck informed the Prince by a written' communication
of the Commander-in-chief's decision to send him to Batavia. However
distasteful this news might be, the prince had no choice bul to Bubmit.
The prince passed between a double line of soldiers from his tem-
porary dwelling to the shore; not a soul was visible; the soldier- were
■confined to barracks ; there were no salutes; the departure had been kept
secret and was hurried as much as possible to avoid an\ kind of demon-
stration. The Prince touched the soil of Salamparang for the last time
and carried away with him a few handfuls of sand, as a souvenir, to the
country to which the company were going to exile him!
He took his seat in the state barge of the Koningin Emma, which
was towed by the steam launch of the Iromp to the Prim Ilendrik, the
man-of-war destined to carry to Batavia the Prince with his son and
grandson taken prisoners on the 20th November, as also his grand
nephew who surrendered after the fall of Tjakra. Next to the Btate
barge, guarded by the sailors, was a boat of the Bali with a launch of
the Tromp, filled with poenggawas and followers. The steam pinnace
of the Maetsuycker had in tow a launch with followers of lower rank
and was accompanied by an armed pinnace.
Controller Liefrinck went with the Prince on the Prim Uendrik. \
few shrill whistles and the man-of-war left the harbour of Lombock
carrying into exile the last Rajah of the island.
On the 24th November main more notable chief- surrendered am
on the 25th another member (if the family was brought to Ainpen
the rajah's eight year old son: Anak-Agoeng rTToel Oka, who live,
* This appears to have been the only way of communicating with him. Although
mind was perfectly clear, he was too deaf to confer with verbally.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
with his mother Duida Pateniah — a Sassak in the kampong of Soeka-
radja and w In mi one of the chiefs had induced to surrender. Hut Anak-
ng Nengah Karang was still al Toh-pati.
The next day, 26th November, a column, composed of half a battalion
of infantry, one half 1 1« >< » j > of cavalry, one section mountain artillery
and one section of engineers commanded l>\ General Segov, marched on
thi< place. From the cross-roads at Tjakra they proceeded northwards;
tlu' 6th battalion took up position in the kampong of Teliwang, the
remainder of the troops in the sawah north of Toh-pati, where the
artillery set up their batten ; the last summons to surrender remaining
unanswered, fire was opened on the residence of the members of the
prince's family. Shortlj afterwards a gate was opened on the west trout
Foh-pati; a few minutes later Anak-Agoeng Nengah Karang appeared,
carried in his chair by his followers and surrounded by a few others
who had continued faithful to him.
Our troops directed a beav) fire towards the approaching group ; struck
b) many bullets, the prince died in his chair, his friends falling around
him, including men, women and one child!
The troops penetrated into the kampong and were received with a good
deal of opposition, but, after some stead) fighting, the Balinese were
driven to flight; but man) notable men and women were killed in this
last engagement.
( )n our side the casualties were: one soldier killed and five
wounded. K'Toet's son, Anak-Agoeng G'de* Ivai. who had fled to the
mountain-, was brought from his hiding place h\ two poenggawas and
taken to Ampeiian on the 29th November and later to Batavia with
his wife, Ni Dami, bis mother |)jero Mimbar, and the Rajah's young
son, Anak-Agoeng k Tort oka. with the boy's mother, Adinda Patimah.
Meanwhile the old Prince had arrived at Batavia and. in spite of all
the measures taken b) the Government to keep the arrival quiet, the
news had become known, and earl) on the morning of the 28th Novem-
l»er. thousands of spectators gathered at Tandjong Priok to witness the
arrival. There was a great deal of activity on the man-of-war, where
the Resident and man) other civil officials went on board to receive
the prisoners.
\ section of marines unr landed and a guard was placed along the
<iua\ before the Rajah disembarked. He looked ver) old and a few
hairs showed themselves from beneath his head-covering, he wore
■slow Bilk jacket and a short sarong. On his upper lip was a plaister
and bis bod) was bandaged where he had been wounded while defending
the poeri.
\\ lul>t he was being carried in his chair aero-- the gangway, murmurs
heard amongst the multitude, and here and there an oath, bill there
was no disorder. The Rajah was followed b) the crown prince and then
came the rest of the suite accompanied l»\ the officials, causing consid-
erable surprise to the crowd.
\ i >uple of carriages in the train hud been reserved for the prison-
FALL OF THE LOMBOCK DYNASTY.
ers; looking up at this strange conveyance with a kind of childish
fear, the prince was lifted up into ii bj his attendants his wounds
impeding his movements, and his son and grandson entered the amc
compartment, as also Heer Liefrinck and various officials. The 3econd
carriage was for the suite and was accompanied b\ the Bheriff.
The train left the station amid the shouts of the people and all
along the line there were crowds waiting to catch a glimpse of the
prisoners; they left the train at Koningsplein and the res! of the
journey was made in hired carriages and they were escorted to their final
destination by a detachment of cavalry in addiin.ii to various other
military officials; a residence had been prepared for the princes at
Janah Abang under the direction of the sheriff. :::
Meanwhile, all the poenggawas, pedandas and the entire population
of Balinese at Lombock had surrendered; inspections were mad. even
day in the different districts: 27th — 29th November Colonel Swarl visited
Narmada; 30th November General Segov inarched to Lingsar; the I si
December an expedition went to Rembega and Gunong Sari; there was
not a vestige of opposition anywhere; peace prevailed everywhere; the
bazaars were busily frequented as of old, and the people throughout
showed obedience and good will.
The time had now arrived when some attempt could be Diade to
introduce order into the disorganized state of the island. The Com-
mander-in-chief was assisted by G. A. Scherer, director of Internal
Government, who had started once more for Lombock on the L7th No-
vember according to instructions from the Government, who knew that
political discussions would be the order of the da\ alter the fall of
Tjakra. All the Sassak chiefs were summoned to meet the Commander-
in-chief on the West coast for the purpose of holding a conference;
besides Mami Sapian, Goeroe Bangkol, also chief of Praja, answered to
the summons, bringing with him this time the Balinese Prince Datoe
Pangeran, who was at once — December 9th — shipped off on the Tromp,
to Buitenzorg. Goeroe Bangkol had put forward as many difficulties
to the departure as he could; but he was given to understand thai
the Governor General insisted upon it and lie was bound to submit to
the inevitable, and thus another obstacle- was removed From our path.
Various posts were already being dismantled and the time was ap-
proaching when the greater part of the troops could return home. Soiue
took their departure early in December, including the 5th, 6th, 7th
and 9th battalions, the artillery, cavalry, engineers, departmental corps,
and auxiliaries not appointed for occupation of the island.
In the beginning of the work we spoke of the enthusiasm displayed
towards the departing soldiers, but it was insignificanl in comparison to
* Besides the prince, his son, grandson ami nephew the other
Abang were: the poenggawas G.usti N.j an Wanasara Jogok, Dewa <■'
Gusti STeugah Penida Dekdak, (iusti Wajan Jedoekh, four men ami four women
On the 5th December the prince's youngest bod and his mother Dinda Patimal
conveyed here, and one male and one female servant.
THE I. MB OCR EXPEDITION,
the cordiality and excitemeni which prevailed on their return, we will
only mention one instance to show the frame of mind existing.
Gaily decorated with flags, the Both steamed into the harbour of
Tandjong Priok at 7 a.m. <>n the loth December; a vast multitude
nbled to greet the home-coming troops and words tail to describe
the j<>\ and happiness of the meeting after the long anxious period of
separation. There weir ..)' course man} sore hearts and this da\ of
rejoicing was to main a day of sorrow and mourning, but outwardly
there was nothing t<> mar the universal gladness.
At Batavia, as well as at Noordwijk and EConingsplein where the
train halted, great crowds were gathered, to welcome the newly arrived
troops and amongst the various military authorities was the Commander
of tin- army; at this point too the Governor-General and Mevrouw Nan
der Wijck and the Colonial Secretary had come to greet Major Scheuer
and his battalion.
No one present will ever forgel the moment when the Governor
General stood in front of the colours in the centre of the battalion
drawn up in a square and addressed a few well chosen words to the
troops, congratulating them on the share thev took in the work of con-
quest and referring sadly to those of their comrades who had died on
the battle-field; when amidst loud cheers Mevrouw van der Wijck
placed a wreath of tlowers on their flag —on that cherished flag that
they had carried high even in the days of disaster.
The troops tiled past the national guard, the loth battallion, the engi-
neers and the cavalry, from the Koningsplein to the esplanade of fort
Prins llendrik.
At this stage the enthusiasm of the people reached its height;
two triumphal arch ways with the inscriptions: "Honour to the fallen
Heroes," and "Welcome" testified to the feelings of the citizens, who
in spite of the heav) rain, had waited from earl} morning for the arrival
of the soldiers. Their approach was the signal for tremendous cheering
and their brave Commander was nearly covered by the flowers strewn
along his path and every one was anxious to be first to shake hands with
the heroes of Lombock. The enthusiasm was boundless and this was
but a precursor of similar scenes repeated at Batavia, Semarang and
Surabaya. In honouring these brave men we honoured the whole of
our Indian army.
\'< Government resolution of 24th December 1894, the expedition
broken up. and nearl\ all the troops not needed for garrison
purposes left the island within a few days. The mobilized Madurese
and the Madurese \\-rr coolies returned to their homes on the 27tll
I' ember and we hope that faithful Major Majang FCoro will enjoy
the well-deserved repose he has earned by his unsparing devotion to
our cau
The Commander-in-chief with his staff left at the close of the year.
•- Batavia on the 2nd January; a magnificenl ovation awaited
him and the public demonstration showed full appreciation of General
FALL OF THE LOMBOCK DYNAST! ;,.|
Vetter's services; his health, however, necessitated his return to
mother country and on the 13th he quitted the service on a ret
pension and started for Holland.
His retirement was not of long duration for on the 19th .Inn
was nominated Lieutenant-General, Commander of the armi and head
of the war Department in the Dutch [ndies in the place of Gej van
Pittius who had resigned on the 2nd of May.
Colonel Swart was left in command of the temporar) occupation <»l
Lombock with the 2nd and 11th battalions and the necessan detach-
ments of the other branches of the service; the main bod} 01 infantn
was quartered at Ampenan, one company with ;i detachmenl of garrison
artillery occupied a fort, New-Mataram, built on the ground occupied
by the former Balinese capita! of that name; hull' a companj of infantry
was divided between two block-houses: one half wa\ between Ampenan
and Mataram, the other at the iron bridge across the river Djangkok.
Owing to the unhealthy condition of the troops at Ampenan, ;i semi-
permanent encampment was established at kapitan at a higher and more
healthy situation.
It was not only at Lombock that the troops suffered much from the
fatigues and privations they had experienced during the campaign. Manx of
the^European soldiers who had returned to Java carried with them the
germs of illness and more died from the effects of campaigning than
were actually killed in combat. *
Meanwhile two men-of-war and one of the transports remained in
Lombock waters to put a stop to the opium smuggling; besides seeing
to the conditions laid down for the import, export and transit trade
being carried out, part of their duty consisted in lending co-operation
if needed, to enforce the execution of the measures enacted.
After the departure of the Commander-in-chief the Resident with
his staff devoted all his energies to introducing regulations concerning
administration and justice amongst the natives and to restoring peace
and order amongst the inhabitants, especially trying to render life and
property safe. This was a very difficult task, the more so in the
Sassak territories where, owing to the long standing state of rebellion
and warfare, anarchy had become the order of the da\ and the few
remaining chiefs were contending among themselves \\u- the upper lia
Controller Engelenberg was especially appointed to supervise th< I
coast and make the chiefs understand the real need of the new measures
for the restoration of law and order, and his instructions were
stringent concerning the traffic in men and the old laws ..I
The improvement of the roads and the irrigation system also claimed
considerable share of his attention.
As long as no decision was arrived at regarding the future goven
* Total of killed: 15 officers, 96 European, 34 taboyneu and 36 native soldier
175. Total wounded: 30 officers, 238 Europeans and 235 native soldiers, in a
5 officers, 20 Europeans and 19 native soldiers died afterwards.
From an account in the "Bat. Nieuwsblad" 175 Europeans, 3 ajnboyiw
.soldiers, in all 246 men. died from sickness, fatigue and exhaustion.
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION.
mentof the islands all the regulations bore only a provisional character,
but l>v the middle of the following year, 20th July, 1895, the vexed
question was tinalK Bettled l>\ taking Lombock under our direct admi-
nistration, lr now forms an assistant-residenc) under the Resident of
Bali and Lombock.
Whilst investigations were being made, as to at whose door lay the
blame for the attack of 25th — 26th August the previous year, the old
Rajah died at Batavia on 20th May.
\ards five o'clock in the afternoon of that day lie felt ill and it
decided to call in the doctor; the old prince went to bed and drew
a heavy sigh, attracting the attention of <>nc of his suite. On reaching
the bed-side life was extinct ; the Rajah had died painlessly of cessation
of the heart's action. The union of the Atiuan and the body was ter-
minated and the calm features bore no traces of the sufferings this
once powerful prince had passed through.
In accordance with the Balinese custom the bod} was purified,
wrapped in linen and costly cloths, then placed in a coffin decorated
with linen and flowers, around which his followers watched and prayed
all night.
The funeral took place quietly the following morning, the hour pur-
posely being kept secret; the poenggawas carried the coffin to the
boundary of the homestead, whence the bier was carried by sixteen
natives to the burial ground at Karet: alongside the coffin walked two
attendant- carrying umbrellas to protect the corpse from the rays of the
sun, a- I- customary amongst the Balinese. A small crowd of casual
passers-b) on the road stared at the procession with curiosity, but
without having the least idea who was being conveyed to his last
resting-place. The coffin was lowered into a grave in an enclosed piece
ground of the cemeterj in the presence of the Resident, the assistant
resident and the sheriff. Such was the end of Lombock's last prince!
1 ncerning the other members of the dynasty, three more of whom
had been de-patched to Hatavia in the middle of May. it was decided.
conformably to Article 47 of the administration laws, that tlu\ should
live elsewhere in hutch India: in the interests of peace and order their
return to the island could, not be permitted.
The same measure applied equally to Datoe Pangeran, there having
been abundant evidence to prove that he and his Balinese relatives took
part in the revolt against our government.
The greater part of the poenggawas and many of the prince's fol-
lowers were allowed to return home after his death, sonic having
alread) gone in February.
lo complete our subjeel it might have been advisable to discuss
further developments in Bali and to describe how the fall of the Bali-
princes in Lombock affected the sister island hut space forbids us
nter into an\ more details; we fear to have already somewhat fried
the patience of our reader-.
FALL OF THE LOMBOCK DYNASTY.
Just one word about our friend Gusti Djilantik.
On the one hand, he has to contend with a \n\ influential Bal
party at Karang Assim hostile to us and who, during his absenci
an embassy to Bangli and Gianjar to incite rebellion and an attack on
the District of Boeleleng; a strong party who reproach him with the
death of Made and sympathy with our interests to the detrimenl of
the Balinese. . . .
On the other hand he is threatened with his old eneim Karang
Assim, the Dewa Agong of Kloenkoeng, who asks for nothing better,
than, with our help, to settle with him tor good and all.
There he stands between two fires, his conduct towards us certain!}
not having been strictly straightforward.
It is a difficult position for Djilantik, but at the same time, 8 source
of embarrassment to our Government and a successful solution of the
problem will call for great tact and prudence
If, shortly after the revolt broke out, Djilantik had been arrested, .1-
his behaviour towards General Van Ham and the Resident Dannenbargh
warranted, we should have been in a position to place Karang Assim
under our direct control and further grounds were given for this b} tin
conspiracy of the Karang Assim party and the correspondence which
passed between Djilantik and our enemy Datoe Pangeran.
Djilantik's capture could not have been effected without a struggle.
but, with our strong triumphant forces and with the impression created
by our victory, this could easily have been accomplished taking into
consideration the condition of Bali.
However, this step was not taken and after a good deal of discussion,
our Government decided to leave Djilantik to govern Karang V.ssim
provisionally, as our representative.
The difficulties with which he is beset, the intense desire of our
Government to avoid everything that may lead to disturbance al Karang
Assim, and the necessity of supporting Djilantik, to prevent his throwing
himself into the cause of the Karang Assim party — all these things point
to a long continuance of the present state of affairs, but if i- 011.I3 a
temporary arrangement and we must never for a moment lose sight of
our political goal in Bali.
We have finished our task and no one more than the writer himseU
is so fully aware of its many shortcomings.
The main object of the book has been to endeavour to tell the truth
and we hope to have succeeded in giving a faithful picture «>l 1
highly remarkable country and people, of their sufferings and of then
struggles, of the fall of their Prince and the way in which a new])
conquered province has been added to our magnificent pi
the East! We owe our best thanks to the hearty co-operation we
received from his Excellency, the colonial minister, Mr. .1. II. Berj
with whose permission we received valuable assistance from Heer Ref<
daris J. 'J. Vichoff, chief of the third office of East India affairs
THE LOMBOCK EXPEDITION
Department, and also to the many whose names have already been
mentioned and to many, whose names we are not at Liberty to disclose.
It is difficult for an historian to abstain from criticism, but in seeking
to be as impartial as possible we have been happy to find more
occasions for praise than blame, with full appreciation for the manner
in which the expedition was prepared, carried out and brought to a
triumphant end. It has been an intense satisfaction to us to narrate the
deeds oi loyalty, heroism and self-sacrifice of our Indian army and
thereby to save from oblivion the unimpeachable conduct of our brave
soldiers.
One last page remains to be added to our story, a glorious one.
It \va^ the 6th -1 1 1 1 \ 1895 and a glorious summer's day; the cloudless
blue -k\ seemed as if it were desirous to participate in the homage about
to he paid to our beroes; thousands of spectators had gathered to
witness tiie solemnity about to take place in the Malieveld; at noon loud
cheers announced the arrival of the two Queens, who with their presence,
were about to grace the touching ceremony. Tbe young Queen herself
was going to bestow the order ••for Valour, Prudence and Fidelity"
Military Order of the Netherlands': from the Commander-in-chief down
to the soldier of lowest rank, every man presented himself before his
young Queen and she attached the "order"' to his breast, as it was
handed to her !>\ Atchin's old hero. General van der Heijden. *
It was a moment of solemn silence when the Queen-Regent stepped
forward and addressed the troops:
Officers, non-commissioned officers, corporals and soldiers!
•• It was the Queen's wish to present this mark of honour to those
who have fought for the maintenance of our power in our possessions
across the sea. From my heart I congratulate you all.
u You deserved this distinction when in troublous times you were
willing to sacrifice your lives for your Queen and your country and
therel)\ added a new and glorious page to the annals of the army and
the navy.
"I join with the Queen in honouring you all at this moment for the
magnificent proofs you have given in the conscientious fulfilment of your
duty, for your self-sacrifice and your fearlessness in the face of death.
"i i ma\ look hack to those days of hardship with legitimate pride
and it is a privilege for me to thank both army and nav\ for their
ices ti> the Queen and the kat herlaiid : and at the same time we
pa\ homage to the memorj of those who fell in the struggle.
" Honoured be the men who met their death fighting for their country's
honour. The\ cannot receive the reward for their courage, for. faithful
i death, the\ have given up their lives. Officers, non-commissioned
and Boldiers, tell your comrades m the Indies that both Queen
and people feel for them the highest adm i rat ion and gratefully acknow-
• .itii. n- had been made on the 22nd Jane.
FALL OF THE LOMBOCK DYNASTY,
ledge that the Indian army fulfils its calling with honour. M;i\ suc<
ever accompany your arms for the honour of our colonies and the
welfare of our country."
The moment is indelibly marked on the memorj of all presenl when
the young - Queen exclaimed:
"Long live the Indian army." The deafening cheers, the "Long 1 i ^ «
the Queens!" that rose spontaneously in response were an outlet Eorthe
pent-up feelings of all; it was an unasked for, and therefore all t In-
more [sincere, oath of allegiance and lo\;i!t\ to Netherlands' beloved
Mistress! It was a fitting close to the Lombock Expedition!
PIN IS.
S E A
MAP
of
JAVA.
i r i."i i- ii..
) )
. Xnipei
.STRAITS OF LOMBOCK
-J.ifi Panda)
■
ALLAS .ST/IA/TS
Telok Blon ja
INDEX.
Abdullah Said, 182, 184.
Adi Negoro, "Pangeran", veteran, 35.
"Agama," the Hindu law-books, in Bali, 88.
Agriculture, (see Irrigation, Soebaks,We1 Rice
culture), 133.
Amboyna, 171.
Ampenan, duties at, 2, 3, 6; harbour, 8,9.
10, 144, 145, 214, 244, 249, 277, 278, 302,
305,333,334; 56, 98; commercial import-
ance of, 143; drawbacks and advantages
of, 144, 145, 146, 152, 153; roads, 154,
156; rice trade, 124, 162, 164; landing
of expedition, 185—187, 188, 189, 190,
191, 193, 195; depol at, L99; Europeans
at, 201; 204, 206, 215; weakness of, 217;
-hues at, 219, 220, 226; 235, 23G, 237,
238, 239; retreat on, 240, 241, 244, 246,
247, 249, 252, 257, 258, 259, 261, 266,
267, 268, 271, 272, 273; 279, 281, mag-
azine at, 286; 289, naval force at, 291;
293, 295, 298, 299, 300; a treacherous
chief 302; pin- for, 302, 303; 306, 313,
316, 317, 818, 320, 323, floods in, 324,
326, 328, railway from, 332: 336, 337,
341, 343, 346; treasure sent to, 358;
new barracks, 361.
Anak, Agong G'de Noerah Karang Assim.
Rajah, the old.
Anak Agong K'toet or K'tut, crown prince of
Lombock, his character, 190, 197, 198. 199,
204, 208; negociations with, 214—219;
his non-comprehension, 217; illness 219.
220; letter to, 221 ; his letter to Lindgreen
251 ; Lindgreen's surrender, 255, 258. ami
release, 259, 266; his son a Mahometan,
286; he heads attack 305, and dies, 199,
313, his hen-, 334.
Anak Agong Made, or G-usti Made, or Made;
Balinese chief in Lombock, 14, 15 17,
his cruelty 89, 143, 212, 216; appearance,
and fate, 93, 148, 192; Ins palace, 160,
210, the rebellion, 183, 184. 185, 186,
188, 189, 198, surrender demanded 16,
191, prefers kris to surrender, 191, his
death, 93, 192, and funeral. 193. results,
195, 204, 208, 221 ; 363.
Anak Agong Made Djilantik, 354.
Angka Widjaja, Hindu ruler of Java, 56, 57.
Animals, semi-sacred. Bali, 71.
Antjar river, 153, 156, 159, source. 210; 236,
237, 288, 289, 291, 306, 308, 315, bridged
325; 335, 341, 344, 352.
Arab missionaries, in the Islands', 57, 117.
\ral> traders in the Islands, .",9. 183. camp-
followers, 302.
Arja Damar, Hindu-Javanese Hero, 5-.
Artillery, ell'ect or mi men. 259; <m fortifi-
cations, 313- i. 349—50.
\inii
296,
dismantled
A,, l " or Atchin, i;,,
1*2. JIT. 263
firsl campaign
" Mman "'. II,,- ■.,.. ,' p
Babak i iver, 153, 216, 222 Ji"
Oado or wadah, hiei .
Badjo, Dutch expedition to, 1 16
Bali and the Balinese in Bali :md Loml
also ^rabs, Cremation, Dannenh i
Dessa, Lombock Pi inces, Rulei s undei -
nam- etc., etc. 6, 7, 8, U
victory in. 28, I \x \ Hindu , onqui
139, recollections of, 3
1 1 ies and traditions. 57,
or., religion mixed, 66, 67, • I
08. practices, 08. 69, 100, 130, 132
customs, Til. i In ma] custom
mountains 73, death and funei a !
70,79; cremation, 91— 100,82,93 [9
balming, 252 worship, 71. 71
caste, 86—88 ma 1 1 iage and divon ■
toms, 70, 87, K8, 98, various forms '
Kill. 180: dress, 87; law an I justii
89, 109, 110. 1 12, 137; amusements, 100—
103, 104, 112. 121, langi l I 121
122 : opium h ibit, 104, I 12
lies of inhabitants, 72, 7.",. 105, I II. 112
126; "] potan" fights, 104
general lack ol courage, 105, I - !
of women. 106, III. id woi ship,
71, and rule. Ill; ai tistic and general
capacity, 76, 1 12. 121. M. - -
ature, 65, 1 16, 117; political
of i ulei s, 117-. failure ol missions, 1 17.
I IS. Catholicism suited to, 118
Dutch to, I 18, I 19 agi u
irrigation, 123, wel rice cultu
agricultural guilds, 126 ' • . 161
fauna, 162, 163; firsl Dut< h
166, succeeding 1 1 lations. 167
Portuguese expelled
uese go to I. bock, 172. I 7 I
Sumbawa, 174; establisl
17.".. their Rajah, I i
170 hostility to tin
attitude to Dut<
peak of, 214, 217.
breaks out, 221—22 I
243, 21 1, 246
251,254 255 tl
267, tei roi offi
dition in treal
HO, effe< t
12 I . stand
I
58 lion of the
' Hid .it pa I | • • vaCU-
results ol
urrenderol notables, 354; the princes'
pie in
expeditions, previous, 2£
mbock, populati hort-
lived, r.l. soldi* 5 location of, 56 .
ittitude to expeditionai v fori e 193
195, 199, 208, -JIT. 220.
J? ilinese i ulers "i Lomboi k, \ • •:, \
Lombock princes, etc. . ci uelty of,
1—:.. 1 .1. 143, insoh n< e 6 II. 15, Hindu
- ;n i iv.il in Lombock; 59,
.in of their powei . 139, ! M),
legal posit IH
. Sultan of, and Majang I
gli, or Bangei, state I-.:.
■ 15, 16, 21, 22 32 14, 171,
bombarded bj the English 1*1 : 207 213
271 281,337, old Rajah at, 35 — 9 : return
- ■
Batak territory, 217
ti t Indra, legend of, 59—61.
. Elian, 1. i. 204, -Jl i. 215, _! 1 « » . 221, -J.;'.'
110.
It, -IN used in worship, T'.i
Bijlevelt, Major van, 28, 214 226, 231 2:;2
27 1 .
i, 168, and "open" port, 170. Dutch
181 .
I'.nth customs. Bali 70.
38 195—197, life in
214.
• \ il spirits, 68, " Menjepi "
• 68—9 : I B2, as temple
dians, 113.
the <-n v i«\ '- dwelling at Mataram,
164.
'. 171 : infringed, 17-2: omis-
iii. 17:;, 180.
17.; I7i.
idministration
I'n ahmanas, Hindu sat i ed book
Brahmin i 37
unequal mai i
12 94 . in
tn women, 106, women al
minism, and
■ ••i nmenl and the Lombock Pi inces,
tion in
I >/•■! .mi. |H; political
1 • iii If, and Bali
til ..i women, I 10.
Buddhism in Malaya, 66—68, 71. and immor-
tality, 91, and women, 106, -Jin.
12, population in Lombock, 16
soldiers 105, 202, 328.
Buleleng, oi Boeleli >l Dutch resi-
dent, I. II 12. 14, 16, 17:
Buddhists in CG. crime. 94. cockfights
at, 102, 103; taken bj Hutch. 1846
105; batth if, I 18; 164; Raffles I
concession of, is:;. 190, 199, admin-
istration of, 205, 272, 281
Hum Budui . 56.
Card games, Bali, dice playing, 2. 100,
"vingt-et-un," 102; Chinese, IKephk)
30, 31.
Caste, [set Brahmins, Kshatryas. Vaisyas, and
Sudras,) divisions, legend of, 130, 61; ori-
ginal plan, 80; present working of, 87,
social and legal distinctions how made
- ' 90, lo:,. immunities of big]
89, ins, general acquaintance with liter-
atui e, 1 10. i quality of all in soebat, 129,
and dessa membership, 135. 139.
Casualties, 225, 227 229, 230, 232, 234
243, 244, 246, 217 249, 250, 251. 254,
261, 262, 272. 307, 308, 309, 310, 312,
319, 340, 341, 347. 348, 349, 357
total 361.
Celebes, Hutch administration, 205; princes
offer help, 303.
Ceram, and the Ceramese, 178.
Characteristics of the Hutch. 2
Childless wives, and divorce, 70. 98.
Chinese in Lombock, 186, 187, 302
Circumcision, curative, legend. 01.
Cock-fighting, [set Games and Sports as
means of taxation, 2. 79, 100; official,
102; bad died- of, 103, 113; regulations;
for 105.
Cockatoo, tradition of, 57.
Convict soldiers, 317, value of, 320.
Cremation, 70. origin, 91, object 92, process,
92, 93, limitations, 93, 94, how per-
formed, 94 -100.
Cremation of widows, 0s — 100.
Cropley, Mr. at Ampenan, 201.
Daeng Gin 203, 204, 215.
Dancei -, and dancing, Djogeds, Gandroengs,
Legongs, Ronggoengs, Sangiangs) in
Bali, 94, 100, I'M ; in Lombock, 105,
131, 132.
Dannenbargh, Resident of Bali and Lom-
bock, 7. 8, 9, ll. 12, 15, 16 -
addresses troops, 27, 28; work of pacifi-
cation, 361 ; :■■
H. inn. oi s i ira An///,-, lake. 152.
Mahometan prince, 2
mistrusti :|. exiled, 359; 363.
Death and Funeral customs, Bali, [see Crem-
ation) Bali, 3, 70, 71. 79, and worship,
91 ,100, 348, 362.
D< 'hin. Hi • i van, colonial Minister, 18.
Guilds, 1. :; : eleel Bali
prim • s, 139, and are oppressed, 1 10, 1 13.
temples, 7n. 7:,. 89, origin and
construe! 135, H7.
Ill
Dewa Agong, 6, the first, 58, his burial grand-
eurs, 96; 363.
Dewa temple, the, set Mataram, siege of.
Dewas, see Boetas or Rakashas, also Kalas.
Divine immanencej belief in, 77 — 79.
hi voice in Bali, 70. '.is. 109.
Djagaraga, battle of, 28, 15.
Djangkok river, Lombock, 152, 153, 156,238,
overflows, 1312, 326, is bridged, 323 327,
332, 361, is diverted, 325.
Djembrana, 183, 191, Dutch administration
in, 205.
"Djero", safe form of address for nativi ,90.
Djogeds, dancers, 94, 100—101.
Dogs, as punitive re-incarnations, 92.
"Doodkisten ", (coffins) name ol the Rembang
promontory, 31.
Dress of the Balinese, 87, 119; oftheSassaks
01, 119.
Durga worship, 82, 83.
DutchColonial administral ivemel hods,204, 205..
Dutch East India Company, firsl fleet des-
patched, 165, a slight exaggeration, 166 ;
relations with Bali, Lombock, etc., 167 —
182; send envoys to Bali, 168, 17:!: the
Maccassar war and treaty. 171, infringed,
172; difficulties, of rule, 174, 17.",; rela-
tions with Bali, 175; desire to exclude
other traders, 177; Lecerff's mission,
177—180, decline and fall of the Com-
pany, 181.
Dutch Indian Naval affairs, (see also Naval
Brigade and Ships,) 273—282.
Dutch national Anthem, 28.
Dutch rule, advantages of, 183.
Dutch in the Transvaal, 263.
Dwarfs of the King of Bali, 166.
Engelenberg, Commissioner, at Praja, 286; at
Jeros, 300; on the East Coast, 361.
English in the Islands, 170. 175, 176, 177.
Dutch wars with, 181, 182.
"Erf", the Bali homestead, 68; worship of,
71, Bali affection for, 72, 81 ; a real
"castle", 111.
Etiquette between castes, 88, 90, between
natives and Europeans, 90, 122.
European resident proposed for Lombock,
206, 214.
Expedition to Lombock, (see Ham, Instruc-
tions, Lindgreen, Pabst, Vetter, etc., etc.)
its immediate causes, 1 — 16, discussed.
164, 200, decided on: 17, criticised. 17,
justified, 18, composition and departure
of, 19, 45; names of officers, &c.,36 — Sr3,
transport and commissariat, 43 — 44, rein-
forcements, whence drawn, 44, landing,
185 — 187; position at Ampenan, 187, 188,
189, meeting with Gusti Djilantik, 190,
ultimatum accepted, 191, 198, scope of,
extended, 300; death of Anak Agong
Made; 191, 192, errors in conduct of
expedition, 193— 199, criticisms and com-
parisons, 216, 217, 220—222; near its
end, 219, disasters to Commander-in-Chief
223—226, and retreat, 227, 231, 233, fate
of other columns, 231-233; 234- 237;
239—244:244; affairs at Ampenan, 237—
239; Lindgreen's troubles, 244—261,
270 ; c land ol naval
270, reinforci mi nts, 271
"" "'
naval op, rati.
Duti h Indian Mai in
' furthei i'
idditional I
328 . opi
288 303, offei ol rial
the lighting
the town. 311; .,
p | 313; prepai
Tjakra N
it- difficulties. :\-ir, 327, th<
ment, &c, 328
theattacl I partial i
final capture, 346
lessons of He- expeditio
operation
princes, :;:,:,—:;:,:. 359
troops, :::.'.'. 360, honours foi -
364,365, what mi-hl l,.,\, i„, ., J |
Family lite and ties, I >■
Bali, 71. 72. 81, maternal afTi
Feasts,
Birthday of Ral I Sedana, 66.
Cock-fighting festivals, 102, ll
Feasts of the gods, 100.
Fire-feast, Bali
Galoengan, ■•! Wu \ eai 's D
si. 82, 131.
Karis Dewa Yagna, .".6.
Kns festival 98, '.''.i
New Moon Mud lull M . T'.i 130
Oesaba, or harvest festival. 130—1
Fires, 337.
Flag oi' Lombock, 1 13, hauled dovi n
Flag, of the Netherlands, 27, 143 I in
Lombock, 187, 261, di 1 oi
Flora and fauna of Lombock, A < . . 161-
Flores, unfortunate results "i expedil
Gambling, 2. 100; god ..1. 102; results,
103, 104.
( lames and Spoi I 1 lock-fightii
31, 79, 100—103, 105, 132, 141
Gandroengs, dancing boys, 102.
Gedeh, volcano, (Ja 1 a I, 20.
Germans in the I ranco-Gei man
Gjangar, Human sacrifices, 65; Buddhists in,
66, widow-burning, 99
Goa, princes offer of help,
Gods, Hindu-Balinese, ubiquil
72 I0'2, dwellings, 7
Kio. 102.
Cods. Malayan, 6
ek, religious 01 gj in Lombok, 131,
Goeroe Bai
Goloks, 131.
Gunon
Gunong Sari, p
cribed, 160. 161, 212, I
Gusti (.'do Djilantik, prii
11. 15, 184, 190; u
- . (bulls
■J IT. . I. inge
i» mistrusted,
m 178 IT'.'
. his wai ning
17.". IT'. 17T.
178 l
i : ; 15 182
II. mi.' General van, 29, 187, and Djilantik,
. 219 220 36 I 221 ; 225,
229 230 ind burial,
247 271
ips, I-'. ii- Ibi . 17 : 237, 239 ;
• I ii i ni^ expedition, 320. '2:>T. and after, 361.
Ileijden, Genei .il van dei
Help offered bj nath ■ 303.
Hindu-Balinese institutions, and religion,
_ ! lefects of, 109, I lit. III.
122, irrigation, 123, 125,
union-. 126,
Hindus, earlj colonies in Malaysia, 56, 123;
copquesl "i Bali, 57, 139; traditions
respecting, 61.
Holland, a little libertj with the map of, 166.
Rolsteijn Jan Fransen "i Francois, \1>. 17:;.
1 1 • • I -. v. iter, / ■ 'irla) 70, 79 93
Home authorities, caution of, 17. 18.
Hordijck, Cornelius Pijnacker, Governor-Ge-
neral, Dutch Indii 1893.) letter to
Loin bock princes, 8 — 9, retires, II.
Indian Military Marine, conditio; 273-281.
Indian wars, considered, 269, 270.
Initiative, Dutch lack or, I
Instructions to Commander-in-chief, '■'>-. 197,
articles of, 200—201, defects and results,
205.
Internecine wars and intrigues in the
Islands 168—184
16, 123—132; 361.
Islam Dal Pangei an, Hadjis, & i
Arab missionai ies of, in Java .">7, and
the Islands, 117. traditions respecting
it- introductio 61, in Macassai .
! Ii . In- sanitai j mission i" Bali, 94.
Ingka \\ idjaja , volcan 20
_.; . pikol hoi si coast,
'■ni times, 15, 60 ; Hindu
ctun 56 Islam in, ."'7. 58, 59,
61 New Yea 81 ; instruments,
100; ii'. i ■ ".". lost, 1 16; ociabi-
.ii I pi ide "I inhabitants, 111 112;
116 docility, 120, I"
I _ j 1 tu 1 1 i -j I
161, i "i mei trade with
167 199 Dutch administration
reti I troops
Sawah 24
Munniks de, I". ;il i onv
.lu-ti. . ->' .iii"ii ..I l>\ Balinese, 88 89
108 112.
K.il.i-. [s alt Boetas, Hakashas, &c) « • \ 1 1
spii H-. 68 69 70 '.'7. 138.
Kale, 261.
K.ilil. i "I. addresses the expeditionary force, 23.
K;ii ingassin, i also <in-ti G'de Djilantik,
I jakra Nagara,) -1. 3, 6, B, 56, 61, human,
sacrilices, 65, Buddhists in, 66, crime in,
89; 179, 180, 181, 183, 190, troops, 214
219; 277, 278, 279; now ruled by Gusti
CM.- Djilantik, 363.
Kasima n, Hindu temple in Bali, 112.
Kawi, sacred literature of Bali, 67, 79. 116,
117. language, 102.
Kemasan. 304, it- kitchens, 305.
Keplek, ;< Chinese <:u <\ game, :>i>. :!l .
Klongkong, 01 Kalongkong, or Kloengk
Dewa Agong . war, - J ii. people woolly-
haired, 57, 58: 183, 184, 363.
Kombal Bay, 277. 278, 279, 328, 333.
Koopman, Huskus, hi- treaty, s . Treaties.
Kota Radja, 197, 198.
Kotta, the, 94.
K'i isses,35, 15,oi namented,48;the1 welve sacred,
n. ■'•.II. -i"i ged, 53, 55 ; shape of Sassak, 61,
119; 66; when laid aside, 68, 131, blessed
li\ priests, 79, constantly worn, 87, '.tl.
weapon of execution, 88, feasts nl*. 98. 99.
Eshatrya, or warrior caste, 86, 115.
Labuan Ti ing, harbour, 145, 146; 153, 302,
320, 321.
I., ni tl. Alexander, his mission to Lombock,
177 179, 180.
Legongs, little girl dancers, 101, 104.
Lepros; . 'ti.
Lettei of the Sassak chiefs "i Lombock, I
another, 12; firs! quoted, 100, 110, 111,
133, 142, 143, 177.
Liefrinck, Controller, J. II.. 7. 9, 1 1, reporl
on famine, .\ i., in east Lombock, 12 — 15,
bears message of help to Sassaks, 17.
with the expedition, 190; the death of
Made, 191 ; 204. 206, 218, seul to Praja,
330; 357, 359.
Lindgreen, Capt., his column, 239, 243, 244,
247, 250, 252, 254, his surrendi i
and imprisonment, 197. his scouts, 252,
257, 258, In- fine reply, 259;
260, i v -''i free, "2(il : circumstances con-
sidered, 266, 267; 302.
Lingsar, 160, 195, described, 210-212; 243
301, 346, 359
Lintgens, Aer it, account >>i Bali, quoted, 165
Local authorities, extreme caution of, 17. 18.
Lombock, called .tl-" Salomparang, and Little
Java, (if i alto Balinese Dessas, Expedition,
Lomboi k Pi in< the old, Sassaks
Soebaks, &c. Chiefs' letter to Dutch
resident, I :.. trealj ol 1843 5 6 18,
evaded 6 8, Resident's letter to Lombock
p .-, 8, li"\\ treated, 1 1 . IT>. inter-
necine wai -. :; i. 6, T. 11, 12, 14 15
Conti ollei '- report, famine :i nd revolt,
12 15 Dutch Ultimatum, 16, 186,
pted, 191. I ni i hei clauses insisted
mi, 300; expedition ordered, 17. is. 164,
composition and departure of, 19 15,
course of, IS', 347, overthrow ol Balinese
dynasty, 348, end of rebellion, 353, exile
of Rajah, 357, and others, 359, 362, con-
ference of chiefs, 359, temporarj admin-
istration, 361, 362, presenl sub-ruler, 363.
Lombock, fertility, 46; population, 46, 54;
religion, 46, 77 ; the Rajah's needle-census,
48 — 54; military strength, 54, 55, distri-
bution, 56 : introducti i I i .,,,
name, 60, early history, 61, 62 ; Balinesc
rule established, its limits, 56, 62, 190 ;
I lan sacrifices in, 66, caste, 86, 91,
health and disease, 94, games, 100,
gamboeh performances, 102, tl Id
Rajah's reforms, 105, 1 10, Literature of
117. Sassak manners and customs, 119 —
122; rice culture and c merce, 46,124;
irrigation 46, 125 -128— 132 ; agriculture,
•133, its Hag, -h:{, poiis. bays, and har-
bours, 146, 327, mountains, 147 — 152,
300 lakes, 152, rivers, 152, 153, roads,
153—156, flora and fauna, 161—163;
internal transport, 162, 163; first Dutch
visit, 167, 16 ( .l ; originally under Macassai ,
170; Portuguese expelled by treaty, 170;
first treaty with, 172, Balinese advent, 17-2,
establishment of, 175, Lecerff's embassv,
177, 179; verbal treaty 179, 180;English
in, 176; exclusion of foreigners 177,178,
181; 182, immediate cause of present
expedition, 183, 184, 185; princes, ISC,
new form of administration, 206.
Lombock Princes, (see Anak Agong K'toet,
Anak Agong Made, Datoe Pangeran,
Gusti G'de Djilantik, Rajah, the old, &e.)
1 ; oppression by, 2, 3; insolence of, 6, 7,
8,9,15,16, 180, 181, 182: the old prince,
14; former rulers, 62; consequences of
the Dutch ultimatum, 16, 17, 104; their
palaces, 113, their political intolerance,
117, objections to coffee planting, 133;
cities and palaces, 156 — 161, reception
of Dutch envoys, 164; earlier princes,
165— 182; present, 190-19;*; accept ulti-
matum; 191—198, 214, dislike treaty,
218, 219; shun at Mataram, 297, then
great "Poepotan", 355 — 356; sin render,
death and exile of others, 357—359,363.
Lontar leaves used to write on, 116, 122,
123, 139, 251, 329.
Ma Radja, wife of the old Rajah, Ml. her
great influence, 182.
Macassar, 168, Portuguese in; 169, herpowei
and rule, 170, 173; Dutch defeat of, and
treaty with, 171 ; pirates, 172. 174, 175,
180; Dutch Governors of, and the Bal
175,176, 177, 178; 179, 185, Dutch diffi-
culties, in, 180, 184; a coaling
277, 278. 328; oiler of help, 303.
Madjapahit, Hindu kingdom, rise and fall of,
56, 57, 58, famous temple at 113. 209.
Madura, troops of 34, reputation of, 35, 286,
287,296; reminiscences of, 45, comes under
Dutch rule, 176, coolies of, 220.
Magelang, depot, 26, 214, 272. 280. 281.
Mahomedans, [see Hadjis, Islam and Sassaks),
original owners ol Lomb ick, 1 ; II 1—1
I. 3, I HO; pei ■■ ut<
Majang K Majoi Radi 11
60
Mala j . .no ienl faith 6
expi 1
■ ■ , 1 2 1 '
Mi Sapian, 286
Vlangarai, 17.
\ 1 . 1 11 1 1 . 1 . 1 \ 1 1 '
ol 111. 111 ii lei w it. , 106.
Via ntras, secret writii
Mantling Modi I
Map-, use made "i in the 1 am|
Marriage customs "I I. bock and 1
98, various form* 1 I 106 109
1 1 1 1< of Mann I.11 . 106.
\l;it. nam, '.. 5. palai I I, 11, 14
46, Royal abode, 50, 52 I 1 II.
[43, I'm. 149, L52 153 155
L56— 159; 164, wars ol
169, 170; 186, 187, 188, advam • n I'M
lair, 193; 195, importani • 201
disadvantages 197 prii
198; Dutch depot, 199 220
posed representative l"i . 206 21 i
22!. 225, 226 i
234. Dewa-temple of, 230, lightiiif
233; retreat I'mhii of Balii I ■
brigadeat, 238 248 249 259, bom
bj squadron, 260, 27
263, 265. 265 268 270 271
276, 2si . the siegi . -jsx ; outposts
297, distj ibution ol
304, the capture, 310, 31 1. |
troyed; 312, i asualt
,-az'ing of,315 319,320
Maui ice i i Nassau, 166.
Medicinal usuages of Bali, 71. 85.
VIee iter Coi nelis, depot, 23.
Mengwi, is:;. 184.
Meninting, rivei . 153, 324
•• Menjepi ". or exoi cism ceremoi
Merbal , Mountain, 26.
'• Metilas ". oi i ight to refuse obi
Michiels, slain at Djaf
Mode, of address, 89, 90
Mon ia, volcano. Java, 26.
Moliere, Capt. Grandpre, sent to ohtaii
mation regarding Loml
Monsoons, west, effects of, 327.
Morality, low among Balini
and hi Lombock, 105.
Music .mil musical instru nts, •
95, 99, 100, L31, 139 198
Mythology U B
. 86, 102.
N. ada, I I. 56, i il
208 210, natiw battle neai 210
216, 240, 260 341, '■
::;:. 359.
\ , v il la i ade 238, i omm i
risons, 21
"Nini "■. the I
Oaths, 75. 76.
hai vest !• si
., Bali ", the, ,
immander National
Opium li.ti.it in Bali, 104; forbidden in Lom-
105 ■ '. am smugg
it.-Col. \;in La wick wm. 24, 195,
215, 21
,! 242,
list) i-. .ii priesl 94 95.
idas, ..i / Bi abmin priests, their
oil - 78 BO
- i — t k port and hai bour,
147 154
_ 10 ittacked, 291 ;< arried,
Paleml h administration of, 205.
Pamangkoe, lower grade "t priest, 80.
_ •. volcano, Java, 20.
S issak, 2, 1 13;
Hit. 105; Sudra i lass, 110, 113.
• I recall ol troops 199.
• Pas ware g'de" legal code ol Bali, 88.
in, kampo irried, 292, 31 I.
Permas, human dwelling of the gods, 77.
Pikol horses of Java, odd appearance, Ji
Lombock, 162, 163.
besserk t i ^ lit—, 104 ; the
s,oi Balinese princely palaces described,
113, destroyed, :;i I. 312.
and Harbours, I 15 1 17, 177.
and Dutch in the Islands 164;
in Macassar, 169, 170; treaty 17n and
sea-Gght with the Dutch, 171. thru fort
ma, 172
. rebellion it, 3 I 55, 182—184 ; famine,
12, L3, 14 . chiefs of 14, 15. 61; 62,
tk capital, 142; 204, 210, 21 1 ; 239,
Liefrinck al 329, 330,359.
tianl women, superstitions connected
with, 7(t
Brahmins, Padandas, and
Pamangkoe . 65, 68, 7s -8<».
! famine at 14
Pring i 16 I 216.
Punishments employ* Ki is 87, 88, 89.
to I he h i estow the
\ aloui '" aftei campaig n,
imandei ol Mai ine al
Ampenan
■ I ship of, ■
I. Majai Koro.
•iiii.it, ln-
i ..i Lombock, (Raloe \
..i.ili Kai
Inst '.ii in. 1. 1. 1. ■ I _ ■ i ueltj
r ol morals, 105 107
1 10; in- ■ v -i ii 1 1 . 1 . - .ni.l m ife, III. 117
121, 182 . rice tax, how paid to, 124
11111111.1111.1! P.M.
death ol Gusli Madi 93 193
196 G 197
199 202; his interview with Lindgreen,
i,i- grandson slain, 313
his stand al Tjakra, 345, and fligl
his .n rest death
and burial, 362
Re-birth, beliel in, '.'J 96
Reinforcements, -27-2. lis! 282 283.
Religion in Bali, 65 100, 130, 132.
Rem bang promontory of, 31.
Resident "I Lombock, tet Dannenbargh.
Km. I|. mi. .'i "Gunong Agong",) sacred \nl-
canic mountain, tin' Peak ol Lombock,
19, 50, 51 : spirit of, 52, 7:.: 58
7 1 J2 . as. .ut of, 148, 149, 150,
152 flora of, 161.
Ronggengs, dancing girls, dress of, 86: n-li-
-icni> dancers, 100, 101.
Sacrifices, 65, 69, 70, 100, 103, 130.
Saivas, Siva-woi shippei s, 66, 07.
Sakra, fat i ; famine in 12, 1 \ : 203,
216, 239.
Salak, Mil. aim. Java, 20.
Salamparang or Salavpara .-. "i Lombock, tee
nuclei Lombock.
Samarang, or N wang, roadstead, 25
27,32 regent of 15; 281, reinforcements,
from :>;!'■ ; i et I troops to, '<b"
Sangiang dancei s, 131.
Sankilang's rebellion, 180.
Sassak chiefs of Lombock, theii letter I" the
Dutch, I—."., 12; rebel against the Bali-
nese, 4; refuse sul ssion, Ii: hated by
the Balinese, 15; present position, 142,
former, 149; Dutch conference with, 203,
204, accepl new arrangements, 206,217;
■JI ;. 216, 220; during the war, 225, 231,
conference after, 359.
Sassaks, the, of Lombock, [set Expedition,
Letter of Sassak chiefs,) Sassak chiefs,
\-c, ;;. ;. 6, 7 : appeal to Dutch 8 ; rebel
I i. 12, I • 15, 184 200 210; expedition
to help, 17. 18; population, 16, 17, 54,
soldiers, 54, 55; accept Islam, 59; in
Lombock, 60, 61 ; dress 61, 119 . ill-usage
..I 105, IK). Ill, lil. I U 143, 176, 182,
183, 200 ; religious persecutions of, 11/.
buildings, 120; language, 121, 122; liter-
ature, 122, laws, and punishments, 122
rice tax, 124, incited bj Daeng Ginoro,
203; 204, 205; threaten Narmada, 260,
help the Dutch, 286, al siege ol Mataram,
293 294, 295, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302,
303, and after, 314 ; 315, 316, treachei \
of, 316; 317, dangei of, 318; feari
316—319, their boats,
326 turbulence of terril is, 361.
Sawahs, (wet rice fields) tee Irrigation and
Soebaks, 1. 3 86 123, 124, 232.
Schei ei , G. A. dii ector ol Intel nal ional I
.■nun. ut. 359
Segov,Col I. 26 27 28 - id in command
of the Expedition, 270, promoted, J7'2 .
315 316 329 332, 335 341
In- colleag M. s 351 . captures
the old Rajah, 352, 353, 359
Bela, 15 16, 29 100.
Seka-Dadia joint temple socie*
tics, 71. 86.
Sema, or crematorium, 97.
Ships of the, Dutch in the East,
Argus, 286.
Bali, (gunboat, ls1 cl.) 275, 277, 278,279,
301, 305, 328, 333, 357.
Banda, 276.
Batavia, (gunboat, 2ml cl.) '27."). 276.
Benkoelen, (gunboat.) 275, 276.
Borneo, (gunboat, 1st cl.) 27:,. 291
328, 383.
Bromo, (guardship) 276.
Carpentier, 281.
Ceram, (gunboat, 2nd cl.) -27.",. 276.
Cerberus, (torpedo-boat) 276, 279.
Coen, (transport) 281.
Flores, (gunboat,' 2nd cl.) 27:.. 276.
Gedeb, (guardship.) 276.
Japara, 281.
.lava, (gunboat, under repair) 27:.. 276.
Lombock, (gunboat, Isl cl.) 27:.. 276.
Ships of the, Dutch in the East,
Madura, (gunboat, 2nd cl.) 275. 276.
.Makassar, (gunboat, under repair), 275, 276.
Medan, 282.
Merapi, (paddle-steamer, 1st cl.) 275, 276.
Padang, (gunboat), 275, 276.
Pontianak, (gunboat, 2nd el.) 275, 276.
Sambas, (gunboat) 275, 276.
Sindoro, (paddle-steamer, 2nd el.) 275, 276.
Soembing, (paddle-steamer, 2ml el.) 276.
Speelman, 282.
Sumbawa, (gunboat, 1st el.) 275, 276.
Ships employed in the expedition, (Indian
Military Marine.)
Borneo, 17, 186, 275.
Gouverueur Generaal's Jacob, {transport)
23, 185, 295, 334.
Koningin Emma der Nederlanden, I frigate)
17, 186, 237, 238, 244, 270. 273, 276
277, 278, 279, 284, 291, 305, 328, 357
Maetsuijcker, (transport) 2:;. 25. 32, 185
186, 214, 237, 278, 281, 284, 349, 357
PrinsHendrik der Nederlanden, (ra 1 7
18 201, 237, 273, 276, 277. 278, 279
284, 305, 328, 333, 357.
Sumatra, 17, 186, 237, 274, 276, 277.
Tromp, {frigate) 17, 186, 237, 276, 277,
278, 279/291, 305, 328, 339, 357.
Ships employed as transport in tl xpedi-
tion, (see above)
Amboina, 25, 32, 185.
Argus, (opim cruiser) 185, 276.
Borneo, {gunboat) 238, 275, 276, 277,278,
280.
Both, {chartered transport) 26, 28, 185,360.
Carpentier, 44.
Coen, 26, 28, 35, 185, 281.
Cycloon, (opium cruiser) 186, 237,276,302.
General Pel, 26, 28. 18:., 296.
Graaf v. Hijlan.lt, 24, 25, 32, L85.
Japara, 26, 28, 35, 18:..
Medan, 26, 28, 185.
Nias, 280.
Prins Alexander, 24, 25, 28, 185,
Reael, 26, 28, 185, 334.
1 sloop of the Steam Navigat <.<>m-
pany, 187.
Company 21 i
Shi] ib- in i Nethei land I
Amsterdam 165.
Duijfke, \... hi
K'limi i. i Nedei la nden 27 1 276.
Maui It lil^, 165.
Sindoro, mount
I), pi IIM el)
II.
Sivaism in Mala 7 i
Smallpos in l."ii
Soebak, or poldei -admiuisti itioi
giving cock-fighl 163 I I
121, I2S; objei I I ■■
132, 135, org inizal 127 132
tions 129, 136 ; thi
others, [36—132.
Soembing, Mountain, Java, 26 2 11.
Somboro, see Tambora.
Sombrok, river, divei ted, 32 '.
Sorcery, 71.
Spaniards, in the Islands, 166
Speelman, Cbrnelis, M
treaty, 171.
Stul i.i caste, lb.' low inequal
in. i: i : el iquetti
(.(', in Bali, 90 : in I. bock, '.'I ; reli
disabilitii burial, 92
"poenggawas ". in Bali, '.M dil
women among, I In. 1 1 1 . 1 1
itance,65, 116; and Catholicism, 1 18
Sukararaja, (bivouac) 215, 216 2! ■
265, 266.
Sumatra, East, Dutch administral 265; 217
Sumbawa, and inhabitants, 2, vol< ani
in, n in. 16, 124, 161 languagi 122
170; sub-kingdoms 171. 172 17
teachei s, I7:i ; intei necine wai 9, I .
17 i : 184.
Surabaya, or Soerabaya, 7, 17.
Regents of, i:,: 199, 21 I
271. 276, 277. 2s 1 . 362 . oi In
at, 351 : returned troops
Suzerain, the duties ol ... 15 -
Suzerainty of the Netherlands acknow-
ledged, 143.
Xabanan, Rajah, on widow Inn i
toem]
Tambora, oi S mo, erupti
16, 124, 161.
Tandjong Priok, harbour, 19
•jTii: rice -t - li
"Tarara-Boom-de-ah ' in Lomboi I. '
Tawang-Karang, or jetson
:.. 6, Is;::.
Taxation, I. 2. 102, 163 12. I.i
143, 176.
Temples, ami temple rites.
etc.) :.<'.. 7n. 71. an'! «
135 ; til
7i 7:.
temples, ;
or hill po
private and othei '
INDEX
103 Madjahapit, 1 13,
160, 161. Soebak
temples, 12s. 131, 210, 211.
Theatrical pei foi mam • . gamboeh <•! wajang)
102.
N jhts ", Balim
1 16
■ ii " poi i, ITii. 171.
1 1 : massai re al 15
"• i . 14 i. 1"> ; . i oads, 155, 156 |
150, 161, 10'.. 191 . Dutch occu-
: ■ 194 ns for, 195, criticized,
197 198 I 204, 214,
215, 221, 208 209;
lake, 212 . weaklj si 217,3
native troops at, 219, contemplate attack,
220, and carry il out, 222, 226, 271
il to Mataram, - 231,
• i • 241 : l-in.l-
at, 244, 246 247; 249; sally, 254,
259 260, size <ii.l construction
; 265 2l I 276, 277.
natives retn
_ 17 explosion at, 300, 301,
:;i i. taken, 318 . treasure
n tillerj on, 349,
criticisms on the sieg 350
Tjaloet-djalma, oi caste divisions, t Caste,
s ol funeral bier, '.•."•. graded
by rank,
Tonuingen, Majoi Rosl van, 33, 234.
Transmigration "I Souls, doctrine of, 94, 92,
Transport 3 Dutch Indian Army, V-> —
osports undi r Ships.
Holland and Java 1743) 17.',.
Holland and Lombock, 1 1601 . 166; 1771.
unwritten, bul confirmed in 4776), 478,
17'.' knowledging Dutch suze-
nty, 5—7, 18, 143, 182; proposed,
21 I 216, 218, 219.
Holland an I Mai assar, 1667, Bonaj . 171.
172, 17::. 190, 203.
Hull;, ml and Portug il 1644 . 173.
Mi. i- .ii and .Mat. ii am, 1656 . 170.
•Iiiitli-, Balinese customs concerning, 70.
Ultimatum t.. the Lombock Princes, 16 17
pted 191 : 198; withoul protest,
. it- conditions strengthened.
I'm no pie 71 86 111; ci ema-
92, bak, 103, 144.
nishad docti iu<. ol in ii i.iht \ . 91, and
morality. 92.
\".i i^> -i, "i mercantile caste, 80, 115.
tte, Heer, information department, 302.
Vedas, Hindu sacred boo 79.
Vetter, General, Commandei -in-chief, Lombock
Expedition, see Expedition, Instructions
&c„ 12, 21, 23, 188, 189, 190, 191 •. dis-
posal ni i is, 193, 195, 198, 215, 217.
219, 220, 221 i visits old Rajah, 197, 198,
dilemma, 199 meets Sassak chiefs, 203,
206, 2(i7 . reprimands Djilantik, 204 . 206,
207; recognizes the Crown Prince, 208
21 i . treatj negociations, 21 '.. 217. 218
219; attack threatened, 220, 221 ;deli
224; his « I « » i 1 1 1_ - 226, and retreat 231;
inarches on Tjakra, 232; his coolness,
233, pushes on, 2:>i. to Ampenan, 237,
kindness to Sassaks, 239; instructions
to troops, 239, to advance, 241, 244,
247, 251, 257 260; receives
Rajah's letter, 261; criticisms on 262,
268, 277 278 ; his despatches, 271. 272.
27:;. disposition o ips, 288
forsii -■■ ..I Mataram, 290—299; 300, 303,
307, 344, 349: terms offered by, 324,
despatches, :i27. 328, sends Liefrinck to
Praja, 329, calls up reinforcements, 320.
330, reasons for destroying ili«- <itir»,
334 : siegeoi Mataram, 335, 337,343,344,
345, 346, criticisms, 352; :;•"-:•!. exiles the
princes, 357, 359; 10^ return and re-
a|i|iiiiiitiiniil, 300. 301.
Vogel, Rev. Father F. J. A., 234, 349, 349.
Weapons, blessing of, in Bali, 79.
Weapons of Lombock, get Krisses, 35, 54, 55,209
Weltevreden, poinl of departure of expedi-
tion, 21
Wei i i< <■ culture, tet Irrigation, Soebaks, 16,
when introduced, 12: > . staple of Lombock,
124, 167 : how carried on, 124, 128; 132,
133, 135, package and transport, 162.
Widows, burn! alive or cremated, 98, '■ , '• , ■
Wijck, Jhr. G. II. A. \.m der, Governor-General
Dutch Indies, 1893. 11, 12. 15, 16, 17,23,
15, 360.
Willemstrjn, Capt. 239, 244, 248, 265, 268,
302, 304 345, 329.
Witchcraft, cause of sickness, 71.
W ii. f! Panjoei ans, position ol (Bali),
70, 106—1 1 1 ; affectionate mothers, 109,
accomplishments, 1 13, 1 i4.
Writing, 1 13, materials, 146, Sassak, 122.
Yajnawalka, his teaching of immortality, 94.
Y< .M. ii- length in Bali, 80, 102.
GLOSSARY OF A FEW WORDS NOT SUFFICIENTLY
EXPLAINED IN THE TEXT.
Uadjoc, jacket fastening at the neck I I .
Uale-agong, public room where meetings are held; temporary lod
Bale-bale, bench
Bedak, ointment; grease to smear the body with
Hngis, inhabitants of the island of Boni
Iloetii, giant ; evil spirit
Dalem or dalam, literally speaking, the interior or appertaining to
used to designate the royal residence, as in this case
Ihissa, native village or hamlet lying outside the town
Dewa agong, dewa is a title given to a Hindu divinity agong meai
Hadji, pilgrims who have been to Mecca
K a in he n or Kaiiilian, covering worn to protect the body -7
Kaboejoetan, temple belonging to one family
K ala, scorpion ; evil spirit
Kati, weight measure of about I.1/4 1 1 »
Keping or Kepeng, coin of the value of one fifth of a farthing
Kerta, a court of justice -7
Mandoor, a native employed to superintend people at their work
Mepadik, lawful marriage contracted with the consent of the bride's and the bride-
groom's parents or their representatives
Padanda, priest
Pangeran, prince, title given to royalty
Pasimpangan, a temporary resting place
Pas' wara Sassak, Sassak code of law 121
Penjarikan, village-clerk 137
Pikol, species of horse found in large numbers in Lombock - 1
Poeri, interior of a palace, borough or town; frequently used t<> edsignate tin-
palace itself II
Pumbuckle, representative of a prince; village chief
Punggawa or poengawa, chief, commander; also high state official
Radon, old title of nobility in Java
Sawak, rice plantation
Salendang or selendang, kind of long scarf, worn over the shoulders or roond the loin*
Sirih, betel, a species of pepper, the leaves of which are chewed by the oativ<
the East-Indies
Soebak, guild, union '
Tegal, high-lying land not suitable for wet rice culture
Tjeleng (also called Babi oetan), wild boar
Toja-tirta, holy water
Waidono (wedono), chief of district
ERRATA.
Page 211. Budhist, should be Buddhist.
„ 256. Instead of the name of Rat oe Agbeng G-'de Ngoerah Karang
of Lombock there should be Gusti Djilantik.
Previous to his ascent to tli e throne the old Rajah, who
in 1895 was called Anak-Agoeng G'de Ngoerah Karang
ascent he was styled Ratoe- rah Karang- \
AUTHORITIES QUOTED.
tblad.
Bi eosma, .'. EL
I'.i.i \ AMk. Dr.
< i.w 1.1 . ' 11 iatory of Religions".
Colonial A-driser.
Fbiedj rich, ■ IV. \ ioue Eieport."
Fi:i i B8, •' P.
G ■/-".
rnmenl Papers, of the Dutch Bast India Company, etc,
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Eeijlig i-t.
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Boi wan, Cornelius.
"Indian Military Review, 1891".
.1 \. i >B8, Dr.
Dl JONGE.
.I..NK1 -
Keen, Dr.
EClELSTRA.
Letters of Sassas < 'hiefs.
LlEl EINCK.
LlNGENS, ARNOl 1.
aa-Bali, the
Ratzel, •• Volkerlrunde".
Boi i.i.. V. .1. A.
i; e.
B< a i.i gel, Prof. A. W. von.
•■ Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsch-Indie."
Tonkes, "Volkskunde von Bali."
I \ \ Geusau.
Van DEB CHUB.
Van DEM BSOEK, 11 A.
V \n deb Ti ik. Dr. \m bronni r.
V \N B< K
Van H ■ • \ II i
\" \ n 1 ; i i -
BlJCKEVORSEL.
; ,. v. h. B I itsch., XII.
V i i ii. Prof.
v"ichoi r, J.J
WaANDE] 1 1 1 .'ii.M i V
W \ n. \- i . Bialay Archipelago".
Wii.i.i.m- i [j -. in Indian Military Review 1891.
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