History of Indonesia

Stretching across more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia's history runs from powerful Hindu-Buddhist maritime empires through the spread of Islam and Dutch colonial exploitation of the 'Spice Islands' to a hard-fought independence struggle in the 1940s, forging one of the most linguistically and religiously diverse nations on Earth.

Timeline

• c. 7th – 13th century

  Srivijaya and Majapahit Empires

  The Buddhist Srivijaya empire dominates maritime trade routes from Sumatra, followed by the Hindu-Buddhist Majapahit empire based in Java, which at its height influences much of maritime Southeast Asia.

• c. 13th – 16th century

  The Spread of Islam

  Muslim traders bring Islam through the archipelago's port cities, gradually making it the dominant religion across most of what is now Indonesia.

• 1602 – 1800

  The Dutch East India Company (VOC)

  The VOC establishes a monopoly over the lucrative spice trade, using Batavia (modern Jakarta) as its base and exercising near-state power over the islands.

• 1800 – 1942

  The Dutch East Indies

  After the VOC's collapse, the Dutch government takes direct colonial control, exploiting the islands' resources through systems like the harsh 'Cultivation System'.

• 1942 – 1945

  Japanese Occupation

  Japan occupies the Dutch East Indies during World War II, disrupting Dutch control and fueling nationalist movements.

• 1945 – 1949

  Independence and Revolution

  Sukarno proclaims independence on 17 August 1945; four years of armed and diplomatic struggle follow before the Netherlands formally recognizes Indonesian sovereignty in 1949.

• 1965 – 1998

  The Suharto Era

  General Suharto takes power after a violent political crisis in 1965-66 and rules for three decades under his 'New Order' before resigning amid the 1998 Asian financial crisis and mass protests.

Key facts

• Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago nation and the most populous Muslim-majority country.
• Borobudur, a 9th-century Buddhist temple in Java, is the largest Buddhist monument on Earth.
• Indonesia's national motto, 'Bhinneka Tunggal Ika' ('Unity in Diversity'), reflects a nation of over 700 languages.

Notable figures

• Sukarno — Indonesia's founding president, who proclaimed independence in 1945.
• Raden Adjeng Kartini — Late-19th-century advocate for the education and rights of Indonesian women.