For those interested in Colonial conflict or looking for something out of the mainstream of colonial wargaming the Dutch Colonial campaigns in the East Indies [modern Indonesia] are certainly worthy of further investigation. The following accounts of the Dutch campaigns of 1846 - 1849 on the island of Bali will hopefully assist in this regard.

The First Buleleng War 1846

In 1841 and 1843 The Netherlands Government negotiated a number of "Contracts", or treaties, with the autonomous Princes of Bali. The Netherlands saw these treaties as confirming their sovereignty over Bali. Unfortunately for the Dutch many of the Balinese Princes did not share the Dutch view of their sovereignty and simply failed to ratify, or even inform their people about their new "arrangements".

After several vessels flying the Dutch flag ran aground off the northern Balinese principality of Buleleng [see map] and were looted by coastal villagers in accordance with traditional Tawang Kerang or "Reef Rights", relations between Buleleng and the Dutch became strained. Two Dutch embassies to Buleleng failed. In fact the nationalistic Prime Minister of Buleleng, Gusti Ketut Jelantik, who recognized the consequences of accepting Dutch sovereignty confronted the Dutch emissaries by shouting at them amongst other things "…the destiny of this princedom can only be decided at the point of the Kris" [Bali in the 19th Century p66].

When it became apparent to the Dutch that Buleleng and its allies had no intention of abiding by the treaties or compensating the owners of the looted vessels they resolved to impose their authority by force of arms. Dutch diplomats remained active and secured pledges of friendship from several Balinese Princes, many of whom had grudges against Buleleng due to land seizures carried out by Buleleng since the late 1830s.

The campaign began the 26th of June with the arrival off the coast of Buleleng of a Dutch expeditionary force consisting of 3500 regular troops of the Koninklijk Nederlandsch-Indisch Leger, KNIL (Royal Dutch East Indies Army) and 500 auxiliaries from the island of Madura [north of Java]. Accompanying the military was a Dr. H.H.F Freiderich an orientalist and linguist of world standing, whose task it was to identify and collect ancient Balinese and Javanese writings as well as antiques as spoils of war.

On the 28th of June, after an ultimatum was ignored, the Dutch warships bombarded the Buleleng defenses and landed their troops. After fierce fighting Buleleng town [see map] was captured and the Dutch pressed on to capture the capital Singaraja where they looted and burned the Prince's palace. It was a hollow victory, however, as Gusti Ketut Jelantik, who commanded the Buleleng army, had withdrawn his forces to the mountain fortress of Jagaraga [see map]. Once there he was reinforced by the army of Buleleng's only ally, the Prince of Karangasem who was the brother in law of the Prince of Buleleng.

The Dutch did not pursue the Buleleng army but instead dispatched George Peacock King an English merchant-adventurer to negotiate with the princes of Buleleng and Karangasem. Somehow King persuaded the Princes to resign the "contracts" of 1841 and 1843. The Prince's signatures, however, were a subterfuge and only signed on the advice of Gusti Ketut Jelantik, who wished to see the Dutch leave Buleleng as quickly as possible. Satisfied with their "victory" the Dutch forces returned to Java.

Dutch Colonial Campaigns in Bali 1846-1849

The First Buleleng War 1846
The Second Buleleng War 1848 - 1849
First Battle at Jagaraga 9th June 1848
Second Battle at Jagaraga 15th-16th April 1849
The Fight for the "Bat Cave": Kumbasa and Beyond
Balinese Warriors and Weapons
Koninklijk Nederlandsch-Indisch Leger, KNIL (Royal Dutch East Indies Army)