History
of Bandung
The city history
dates from 1488 when the first reference to Bandung exists. But from
ancient archeological finds, we know the city was home
to Australopithecus, Java Man. These people lived on the banks of
the Cikapundung in north Bandung, and on the shores of the Great
Lake of Bandung. Flint artifacts can still be found in the
Upper Dago area and the Geological Museum has displays and fragments
of skeletal remains and artifacts.
The Sundanese were
a pastoral people farming the fertile regions of Bandung. They developed a
lively oral tradition which includes the still practiced Wayang
Golekpuppet theatre, and many musical forms. "There is a city called
Bandung, comprising 25 to 30 houses," wrote Juliaen de
Silva in 1614.
The achievements of
European adventurers to try their luck in the fertile and prosperous Bandung
area, led eventually to 1786 when a road was built connecting
Jakarta, Bogor, Cianjur and Bandung. This flow was increased when in
1809 Louis Napoleon, the ruler of the Netherlands, ordered Governor
General H.W. Daendels, to increase defences in Java against English. The
vision was a chain of military defense units and a supply road between Batavia
and Cirebon. But this coastal area was marsh and swamp, and it was easier to
construct the road further south, across the Priangan highlands.
The Grote
Postweg (Great Post Road) was built 11 miles north of the then capital of
Bandung. With his usual terseness, Daendels ordered the capital to be relocated
to the road. Bupati Wiranatakusumah II chose a site south of the road
on the western bank of the Cikapundung, near a pair of holy
wells, Sumur Bandung, supposedly protected by the ancient goddess Nyi
Kentring Manik. On this site he built hisdalem (palace) and
the alun-alun (city square). Following traditional
orientations,Mesjid Agung (The Grand Mosque) was placed on the western
side, and the public market on the east. His residence and Pendopo (meeting
place) was on the south facing the mystical mountain of Tangkuban Perahu.
Thus was The Flower Cityborn.
Around the middle of
the l9th Century, South American cinchona (quinine), Assam tea,
and coffee was introduced to the highlands. By the end of the century
Priangan was registered as the most prosperous plantation area of the province.
In 1880 the rail line connecting Jakarta and Bandung was completed,
and promised a 2 1/2 hour trip from the blistering capital in Jakarta to
Bandung.
With this life
changed in Bandung, hotels, cafes, shops sprouted up to serve the planters who
either came down from their highland plantations or up from the capital to
frolic in Bandung. The Concordia Society was formed and with its
large ballroom was the social magnet for weekend activities in the city.
The Preanger Hotel and the Savoy Homann were the hotels of
choice. The Braga became the promenade, lined with exclusive
Europeans shops.
With the
railroad, light industry flourished. Once raw plantation crops were
sent directly to Jakarta for shipment to Europe, now primary processing could
be done efficiently in Bandung. The Chinese who had never lived in
Bandung in any number came to help run the facilities and vendor machines and
services to the new industries. Chinatown dates from this period.
In the first years
of the present century, Pax Neerlandica was proclaimed, resulting in
the passing of military government to a civilian one. With this came the policy
of decentralization to lighten the administrative burden of the central government.
And so Bandung became a municipality in 1906.
This turn of events
left a great impact on the city. City Hall was built at the north end
of Braga to accommodate the new government, separate from the original native
system. This was soon followed by a larger scale development when the military
headquarters was moved from Batavia to Bandung around 1920. The chosen site was
east of City Hall, and consisted of a residence for the Commander in Chief,
offices, barracks and military housing.
By the early 20's
the need for skilled professionals drove the establishment of the technical
high school that was sponsored by the citizens of Bandung. At the same time
the plan to move the capital of the Netherlands Indies from Batavia
to Bandung was already mature, the city was to be extended to the north. The
capital district was placed in the northeast, an area that had formerly been
rice fields, and a grand avenue was planned to run for about 2.5 kilometers
facing the fabledTangkuban Perahu volcano with Gedung Sate at
the south end, and a colossal monument at the other. on both sides of this
grand boulevard buildings would house the various offices of the massive
colonial government.
Along the east bank
of the Cikapundung River amidst natural scenery was the campus of
the Technische Hoogeschool, dormitories and staff housing. The old campus
buildings and its original landscaping reflect the genius of its architectHenri
Maclain Pont. The southwestern section was reserved for the municipal hospital
and the Pasteur Institute, in the neighborhood of the old quinine factory.
These developments were carefully planned down to the architectural and
maintenance details. These years shortly before World War II were the golden
ones in Bandung and those alluded to today as Bandung Tempoe Doeloe.
The war years did
little to change the city of Bandung, but in 1946, facing the return of
the Colonial Dutch to Indonesia, citizens chose to burn down their beloved
Bandung in what has become known as Bandung Lautan Api, Bandung Ocean of
Fire. Citizens fled to the southern hills and overlooking the "ocean of
flames" penned "Halo Halo Bandung," the anthem
promising their return. Political unrest colored the early years of
Independence and consequently people flocked to Bandung where safety was. The
population skyrocketed from 230,000 in 1940 to 1 million by 1961. Economic
prosperity following the oil boom in the 70's pushed this further so that by
1990 there were 2 million inhabitants.
Present day Bandung
is thriving. As home to more than 35 schools of higher education, there is a
vibrant collegiate atmosphere. The excellent fine arts offerings have produced
an artist colony of great repute and excitement. The textile industry is the
largest in the country and contributes to a vigorous business climate.
In 1987 the city
extended its administrative boundaries toward a Greater Bandung Plan (Bandung
Raya) Plans for the city include higher concentrations of development outside
the current city centre, in an attempt to dilute some of the population density
in the old core. These days Bandung Raya is still years ahead, yet
the land has suffered deeply. Commercial activities run amok, God only knows
who can take control. The city core is practically uprooted, old faces are torn
down, lot sizes regrouped, and what was idyllic residence is now bustling chain
supermarkets and rich banks.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar