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Originally known as Sunda Kelapa, Jakarta in Indonesia spreads across 661.52
square kilometers. Located on the northwestern coast of Java, Jakarta, the largest
city and capital of Indonesia, Jakarta has history of nearly 500 years. This
port city along the downstream of Ciliwung River was part of a Hindu kingdom-Sunda,
which continuously underwent the strife of being tossed between various colonial
forces till it attained independence in mid 20th century. This history imprinted
by the imperial forces makes Jakarta’s history, a sought-after-treasure by the
tourists. And if you too have a penchant to explore the evolution of this place,
then you must visit Jakarta Museums.
Jakarta first came under the imperial rule of the Portuguese in 1513, which
continued till a youth, Fatahillah led Muslim soldiers from Cirebon and Demak
on June 22, 1557 and annexed Jakarta. The Muslim regime, which began by naming
the then Sunda Kelapa into Jayakarta, was brought to an end when Dutch imperial
forces built many fortifications in Jakarta in 1596. However, even the Dutch
forces were defeated when Prince Jayawikarta, a follower of the Sultan of Banten,
another harbor town on the west of Jakarta, invaded Dutch areas with the help
of English troops in 1618. History again saw a turn-around when the Dutch troops
reoccupied Jayakarta with the help of soldiers from Japan, Germany, Scotland,
Denmark and Belgium.and renamed it to Batavia commemorating the ethnic group
of Batavier, the ancestors of the Dutch.
Interestingly enough, the original remnants of the town of Jakarta, were entirely
destroyed during the Dutch invasion. Only after Indonesia attained independence
after being attacked by Japanese force in 1942 and defended by the natives in
the war of Independence, Jakarta evolved into the commercial and political capital
of Indonesia. As you visit the museums in Jakarta, you will be mesmerized to
find that Jakarta, on one hand, preserved its historic heritage as relics or
as mementoes, on the other hand, it imbibed an urban spirit and a highly cosmopolitan
culture. The confluence of various ethnic tribes, led to an amazing growth of
diversity with varieties of dialects of the Javanese and Sundanese languages,
tribal culture and handicrafts.
Jakarta Museums, in all dimensions, are the treasure-houses of this varied
heritage. Whether you want to explore the nationalist spirit of the natives
with which the war of Independence was fought, the customs of the locals, evolution
of the country and its people, history of imperial dominance or even the art
and architectural specialty of Indonesia, you must visit Jakarta Museums.
More Information on Jakarta Museums
National Museum in Jakarta
Fatahillah Museum in Jakarta
Museum Wayang in Jakarta
Museum Bahari in Jakarta
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