Java War

Java War
Part of the Dutch colonial campaigns
From top, left to right: Storming of Pleret, attack on Diponegoro near Gawok, charge of Dutch hussars at Magelang, Submission of Dipo Negoro to De Kock
Date 20 July 1825 – 28 March 1830 Location Central and East Java Result Dutch victory Diponegoro exiled to Sulawesi
Belligerents
Dutch Empire Mangkunegaran Pakualaman Yogyakarta Sultanate[a] Surakarta Sunanate[a]	Javanese rebels
Commanders and leaders
Hendrik M. de Kock J. J. van Geen [nl] Mangkunegara II Leonard du Bus Johannes van den Bosch	Diponegoro (POW) Sentot Prawirodirdjo  Kyai Maja  Jayakusuma I †
Strength
c. 26,000[b]	>20,000[c]
Casualties and losses
15,000 dead (8,000 European, 7,000 local recruits)[8]	Up to 20,000 killed[9][10]
>200,000 civilians dead[8]

The Java War (Javanese: ꦥꦼꦫꦁꦗꦮ; Dutch: De Java-oorlog; Indonesian: Perang Jawa), also known in Indonesia as the Diponegoro War (Javanese: ꦥꦼꦫꦁꦢꦶꦥꦤꦼꦒꦫ; Indonesian: Perang Diponegoro), was fought in central and eastern Java from 1825 to 1830, between native Javanese rebels headed by Prince Diponegoro and the colonial Dutch Empire supported by Javanese princely states. It is considered a watershed in Javanese history, culture, and society.

During the early nineteenth century, declining Dutch power along with increased centralization of colonial authorities through brief French and British controls had changed the political order established after the 1755 Treaty of Giyanti, at the expense of the native Javanese princely states. After the deaths of Sultans of Yogyakarta Hamengkubuwana III and IV, along with the return of Dutch presence, Hamengkubuwana III's eldest son Diponegoro became estranged from Yogyakarta's regency of Hamengkubuwana V and with the colonial government. With a millenarian movement emerging and claimed visions of a holy war, Diponegoro would launch his rebellion following tensions caused by a government road project in July 1825.

Shortly after the outbreak of the revolt, rebel forces laid siege to Yogyakarta, which was lifted following the arrival of a large Dutch relief force under H. M. de Kock. Diponegoro and his forces moved north towards Surakarta, defeating Dutch forces in a series of engagements throughout mid-1826 before being defeated west of the city. Other leaders affiliated with the rebellion took up arms in Java's north coast and in East Java. The war transitioned into a guerilla war, with Dutch forces failing to stamp out guerilla activity due to Diponegoro's popular support and Dutch manpower shortages.

By 1827, Dutch forces began employing an extensive strategy of field fortifications (Bentengsteelsel), gradually limiting Diponegoro's ability to maneuver and control territory. The war turned against Diponegoro, and his territorial control began to shrink as rebel forces became confined to the west of Yogyakarta. Further rebel setbacks in 1828 and 1829 saw their remaining armies depleted, with many key commanders surrendering or killed in action. Following a defeat in September 1829, Diponegoro led just a small group of guerillas. During an attempt at negotiations, Diponegoro was captured while meeting with de Kock in Magelang, and he was exiled to Sulawesi where he died in 1855.

The war had disastrous consequences for Java, marking the last significant armed resistance to Dutch rule until the Indonesian National Revolution over a century later. The princely states lost much of their remaining powers and territories, giving the Dutch uncontested rule over the island. At least 200,000 Javanese civilians were killed by violence or resulting disease and starvation, with military losses of 15,000 dead for the Dutch military and around 20,000 dead for the rebels. While the costs of waging the war for the Dutch were heavy, the implementation of the Cultivation System in its immediate aftermath generated enormous revenues for the colonial government.

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