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KASTEEL ROTTERDAM: THE BATTLE OF MACASSAR AND FIRST OF DUTCH FORTIFICATION IN CELEBES

May 11, '08 7:50 AM
for everyone

"Tamatlah sudah memuji Sultan
tersebutlah perkataan Walanda syaitan
Kornilis Sipalman penghulu kapitan
tatkala ke Buton membawa angkatan"

Sja'ir Perang Mengkasar: article 29, by Entji' Amin, a Hasanuddin's secretary

ON MISSION

Macassar [also known as Ujung Pandang] is the biggest city in Eastern Indonesia today, sited in South-western extremity of the island of Celebes.

The name of “Ujung Pandang” is derived from the word “Ujung” means “top or cape”, whereas “Pandang” is folk etymological pronunciation of Macassarese for “Pandan”. Pandan is the floral kind of Pandanus family. Some early ancient maps used the pronunciation “Jompandam” [See map of Celebes: Carte des L’Isle Celebes ou Macassar, Pour servir a l’Hstorie Generale des Voyages, 1747].

Source:
“Carte des L’Isle Celebes ou Macassar”, Jacques Nicolas Bellin [1703-1772],
Historie generale des voyages, 1747.

Dreams come true; occasionally on Saturday 12th of April 2008 I traveled to Kasteel Rotterdam within the former area of Kota Towaya [Macassar old town, close to western coast]. Of course, accompanied by native Macassarese, Pak Mathius [40 years old, born in Tana Toraja].

Just a preface, Kasteel Rotterdam or Fort Rotterdam, the name was derived from the birthplace of Cornelis Janzoon Speelman, there was Rotterdam in Holland. Before it was occupied by VOC, the name of this defense was Fort Jompandam, a fortification of Gowa Sultanate.

The Principal Gate, seen from outside the fort

The Principal Gate, seen from inside the fort

Fort Rotterdam in 1910

Fort Rotterdam in early 20th century

CORNELIS JANSZOON SPEELMAN:
THE MAN BEHIND THE FORT ROTTERDAM

3rd March 1628:
Born in Rotterdam. His father was the enterpreneur in Rotterdam.

1644:
VOC’s ordinary seaman in vessel of “Hillegaertsberch”

14th May 1645:
Arrived in Batavia

1648:
Accountant in VOC

1649:
Merchant assistant in VOC [onderkoopman]

1651:
Secretary of Representative of East Indies

15th September – 12 November 1652:
Expedition to Persia

1652 – 1663:
General accountant

1653:
Married with Petronella Maria Wonderaer, 15 years old girl from Dutch.

12th June 1663:
Governor of Coromandel in Ceylon.

September 1665:
Heeren XVII suspected Speelman made illegal trading and gems of all sorts smuggling.
Speelman was blamed for this case. Although he denied, the Supreme Court in Batavia gave the punishment for 15 month for him and due to pay an amount of f 3.000 fine.
However, he only spent 9 months in dungeon, fortunately.

1666:
As Admiral and Superintendent for Dutch expedition in Macassar.
This expedition was known as Battle of Macassar and would give an admiration for his career in the following years.

MACASSAR IN EARLY 19TH CENTURY AS REPORTED BY THE BRITISH SOLDIER 1815

Before we jump in to Macassar in 17th century, below the scenery of Macassar as seen through the eyes of a soldier of the British Empire. The literature about Macassar can be found in the book entitled “Memoir of the Conquest of Java with The Subsequent Operations of British Forces in The Oriental Archipelago” that written by Major William Thorn and published in 1815.

He wrote that the town and fort have a pleasing appearance from the sea, and the road is protected by isle banks to north and south. It means profitable trade in the “Beach de Maar”, collected here for the Chinese market.

Unlike most other Dutch settlements, which are encompassed by swamps and divided by numerous canals, the country round Macassar is high, fine, and healthy.

Thorn also described about a stone-wall surrounding the town of Macassar. It sufficiently low to admit a defense from the house, and high enough to prevent a sudden surprise from a nightly escalade. The settlements was flourishing, the mixed population of Dutch, Chinese, and native was very considerable.

As well, the climate was temperate, and the country diversified with hills, dales, and mountains, affording a variety of beautiful landscape scenery.

Macassar receives its principal supplies of rice from Bally. Others imported goods were tin, copper, iron, cloths of various kinds. Whereas the principal articles of export trade are gold, sandalwood, camphor, cotton, some kinds of hardware, arms, ginger, long pepper, pearls.

A FAR BEFORE:
AN OVERVIEW OF THE GOWA FORTIFICATIONS

In 16th century, Macassar was the capital of Sultanate of Gowa, sited in along southwest coast of Celebes. The native inhabitants were Macassarese and Buginese, they worked as sailors and traders mainly. The port of Macassare became the most important and busiest port in eastern archipelago, because the commodities will be distributed through out the archipelago.

Vue de Samboupo, Carthographer: Jacques Nicolas Bellin [1703-1772], Historie generale des voyages, 1747.

Fort Somba Opu was the principal fort of Gowa. It was protected by others forts surrounding Gowa-Tallo. There were 15 forts of Gowa defenses:
1. Fort Somba Opu [Principal Fort of Gowa, throne of King Gowa, southern Fort Ujung Pandang]
2. Fort Ujung Pandang [since 1667: Fort Rotterdam]
3. Fort Anak Tallo
4. Fort Barobosa
5. Fort Bontorannu
6. Fort Mariso [northern Somba Opu]
7. Fort Pattunuang
8. Fort Tallo
9. Fort Ujung Tanah
10. Fort Anak Gowa [sub-district of Gowa]
11. Fort Kalegowa [sub-district of Gowa]
12. Fort Panakkukang [sub-district of Gowa]
13. Fort Barombong
14. Fort Galesong
15. Fort Sanrobone [Takalar]

Source: “Macassarsche Man en Vrouw” by O. Elligner Jr. del.et fecit, 1724. Courtesy of Hatmanto Sri Nugroho.

KINGS OF GOWA
BEHIND THE MACASSAR FORTIFICATION CHRONICLES

King of Gowa IX: Daeng Matanre Karaeng “Tumaparisi Kallona”
King of Gowa X: I Manriwagau Daeng Bonto Karaeng Lakiung “Tunipallangga Ulaweng” [ … - 1565]
King of Gowa XI: I Tajibarani Daeng Marompa Karaeng Data “Tunibata” [1565]
King of Gowa XII: I Manggorai Daeng Mametta Karaeng Bontolangkasa “Karaeng Tunijallo” [1565 – 1590].
King of Gowa XIII: Tepukaraeng Daeng Parabung [1590 – 1593].
King of Gowa XIV: I Mangarangi Daeng Manrabia “Sultan Alauddin” [1593 - 1639].
King of Gowa XV: I Manuntungi Daeng Mattola Karaeng Lakiung “Sultan Malikul Said” [1639 – 1655].
King of Gowa XVI: I Mallombasi Daeng Mattawang Karaeng Bonto Mangape “Sultan Hasanuddin” [1655 – 1669]. Dutch used to call him “Haantje van het Oosten”.
King of Gowa XVII: I Mappasossong Daeng Nguraga “Sultan Amir Hamzah” [1669 - …]

HISTORY OF DUTCH EXPEDITION TO MACASSAR

1607:
Abraham Matysz as Dutch representative arrive to Gowa regarding to make a trading relationship between King of Gowa XIV: I Mangarangi Daeng Manrabia “Sultan Alauddin”. Nevertheles, Alaudin refused his propose because Dutch wants to establish monopolistic of spice market.

1633:
Dutch blockaded the Port of Macassar in order to the request about monopoly.

1636:
Anthony van Diemen succeeded to make the agreement with Sultan of Gowa. However, Sultan still makes a relationship for trading with other countries.

1655:
Dutch settlements in Buton was assaulted by Hasanuddin’s followers. Result, Dutch was defeated.

1660:
Johan van Dam battering Gowa. They attack Fort Panakukkang [southern of Somba Opu]. Results: Fort Panakukkan has been successfully occupied by Dutch after fought in 2 days. A Gowa representative, Karaeng Popo had to make agreement in Batavia.

1662:
“De Malvis” and “De Leeuwin” has been sunk in Macassar Straits by Gowa’s warrior. Gowa seized 16 canons from “De Malvis”, whereas “De Leeuwin” gave them treasuries about f 1.425.

1665:
Joan Maetsuyker as Governor General in Batavia had a duty for Joan van Wesenhagen for terminating the trade relationship problem between Dutch and Gowa.
However, the agreement has work out.

1666:
Admiral Cornelis Speelman sketched to attack Gowa with 21 of cruiser and war ships, 600 of Dutch troopers, 400 of Bugis and Ambon troopers.
They were commanded by Arungpalaka assault to Somba Opu. They conquest Macassar subsequent to 1 year in battlefield to fought Sultan Hasanuddin [24th November 1666 – 18 November 1667].
Speelman succeeded to have a triumph for imposing Sultan Hasanuddin to sign the treaty. In his note, the expedition to Macassar was the heaviest encounter he has ever had during the entire existence of his commission.

THE FIRST BATTLE OF MACASSAR

21ST DECEMBER 1666:
Speelman’s first fleet assaulted to the lines of fortification in Gowa: Fort Somba Opu, Fort Panakukkang, and Maccassar.

25TH DECEMBER 1666:
First clashed between Speelman’s trooper and Sultanate Gowa’s trooper in Bantaeng. The stronger Gowa waved Speelman’s trooper out successfully.

1ST JANUARY 1667:
Speelman fleet in Buton, however 6.000 of Gowa troopers have ready to confront in the front lines.

31ST JANUARY 1667:
The Gowa’s troopers have been defeated, then VOC captured Buton. However, Speelman did not make a straight assault to Macassar. He prefer maintained the Ternate – Gowa spice trade route.

25TH JUNE 1667
Treaty between Speelman and Ternate Sultanate.

7TH JULY 1667
There were badly campaign between VOC and Gowa. On this encounter, VOC has captured Gowa fruitfully.

22ND AUGUST 1667:
VOC captured Fort Galesong, the Gowa fortifications.

23RD AUGUST 1667:
VOC captured Fort Barombong, the Gowa fortifications.

18TH NOVEMBER 1667: THE CONSEQUENCES OF BONGAYA TREATY
Sultan Hasanuddin was forced to make armistice. Since Gowa was defeated by VOC, Bongaya Treaty or “Het Bongaisch Verdrag” was signed by Sultan Hasanuddin stands for role of King of Gowa and Cornelis Janszoon Speelman in 1677.

The consequences from this treaty were all fortifications of Gowa have been occupied by VOC, and then VOC destroyed all fortifications. All end, all dead, except Fort Somba Opu and Fort Ujung Pandang. It refers to the Article 10 of Bongaya Treaty.

The Fort Ujung Pandang was principal of VOC office in Macassar and they replaced the name to be Fort Rotterdam. It refers to the Article 11 of Bongaya Treaty.

THE SECOND BATTLE OF MACASSAR: 15TH JUNE 1669

Fort Somba Opu used by throne of King of Gowa, however Sultan Hasanuddin as The King of Gowa XVI has arrangement to assault VOC in 1668-69. Finally, the Somba Opu was razed and demolished by VOC in 1669. Since VOC conquest Macassar in 1677, they utilized Fort Rotterdam intended for the central office and authority in the eastern archipelago.

5th AUGUST 1668:
Lines of Gowa departed from the last of their fortification, Fort Somba Opu, to assault Fort Rotterdam. A shortly battered but badly result.

12TH AUGUST 1668:
The assault of Gowa lines have been broken down by VOC lines in Fort Rotterdam. However, there were numerous casualties, both of Gowa and VOC.

15TH JUNE 1669:
The VOC fought back in to Fort Somba Opu in 7 days. This is the massive and huge battle than previous party.

22ND JUNE 1669:
Speelman captured Fort Somba Opu successfully. Amount of 272 cannon seized by VOC.

30TH JUNE 1669:
Sultan Hasanuddin surrendered, and the Fort Somba Opu was destroyed by VOC.

Source:
"MacassaarscheManenVrouw" in Francois Valentyn, “Oud and Niew Oost Indien”, 1724.
Courtesy of Hatmanto Sri Nugroho.

THE ARCHITECTURE:
FROM FORT JOMPANDAM TO BE FORT ROTTERDAM

Formerly, the Fort Jompandam [Ujung Pandang] was traditional fortification that early built by King of Gowa IX Daeng Matanre Karaeng “Tumaparisi Kallona” and finished completely by King of Gowa X: I Manriwagau Daeng Bonto Karaeng Lakiung “Tunipallangga Ulaweng” in 1545. This fort had traditional construction, made from clay and terracotta. Inside the fort, there were some buildings and houses in traditional macassarese architecture.

Since Gowa was defeated by VOC, Sultan Hasanuddin as King of Gowa signed the Bongaya Treaty 1677. The consequences from this treaty were all defenses of Gowa has been occupied by VOC. According the article 11 of Bongaya Treaty, the Fort Ujung Pandang was occupied by VOC and they replaced the name of this fort to be Fort Rotterdam.

Fort Rotterdam, the name was derived from the birthplace of Cornelis Speelman, there was Rotterdam in Holland. He conquest Macassar subsequent to 1 year in battlefield to fought Sultan Hasanuddin [24th November 1666 – 18 November 1667]. Speelman succeeded to have a triumph for imposing Sultan Hasanuddin to sign the treaty.

The construction of this fort was also changed. The rampart was replaced by masonry squared stone, whereas the all interior were converted in to European architecture.

ARHITECTURAL DATA OF FORT ROTTERDAM IN 17TH CENTURY

Fortification means a defensive military work constructed for strengthening a position. In my observation, the Fort Rotterdam refers to the “Vauban Fortification” that developed by Vauban, a Frenchman in 17th century. The Vauban Fortification adopts a star shape.

Source: Francois Valentyn, “Oud and Niew Oost Indien”, 1724.
Courtesy of Hatmanto Sri Nugroho.

Algebraic:
A. : Church
B. : Center Guard
C. : Secretary
D. : Negotie Comptoir

a. : House of Governor
b. : Merchant Asisstant [Oppercoopmans]
c. : House of Captain
d. : House of Protestant Clergyman

db : Warehouse
e : Warehouse
f : Warehouse

g : Firewood storeroom
h : Weapon equipment
i : Officer command center
k : House of secretary
l : Administrative center for commerce
m : House of officer
n : Guard in principal gate
o : Governor’s guardian
p : House of junior assistant
q : Tower of ammunition powder

k.r. : Duct of irrigation
s.t. : Store and house of Garrison administration
v : City hall
u : Hoist
w : Guard
x : Flagpole
y : Surgery room
z : Senior assistant house

Number:
1. Gate
2. Bridge
3. Raveline
4. Guard
5. Narrow road to the city
6. Narrow road to the cemetery
7. Punishment
8. Part of Ravelijn
9. Moat
10. Bastion Mandersjah
11. Bastion Amboina
12. Bastion Batsjan
13. Bastion Bony
14. Watergate
15. Bastion Bouton
16. Main street
17. Market
18. Dutch cemetery
19. Street in Chinese junction

There are some architectural data based on publication of La Galigo Museum:

THE BASTION

In the beginning, Fort Rotterdam consisted of 6 corners. However present day it remains 5 corners. The corners represent the bastion that refers to a turtle shape:
1. Bastion Bony [Bone] in western [turtle’s head]
2. Bastion Bacan in northwest [left front leg]
3. Bastion Bouton [Buton] in northeast [right front leg]
4. Bastion Mandersjah [Mandarsyah] in southeast [right rear leg]
5. Bastion Amboina in southwest [left rear leg]

THE GATE

There are 2 gates. The principal gate is sited in western rampart, whereas other in the eastern.

THE RAMPART

The rampart consists of squared block stones.
Length of western rampart: 225 m
Length of northern rampart: 164.2 m
Length of east rampart: 193.2 m
Length of southern rampart: 153.35 m
Highest rampart: 7 m
Lowest rampart: 5 m
Width of rampart: 2 m

THE HERITAGE BUILDING OF MACASSAR:
A LOOKING FORWARD

The city without heritage building is like a man without memory in his mind. Macassar is one of the old cities in Indonesia, one of the most important cities in the world on the topic of spice trade in past time.

Macassar should have numerous heritage buildings, however there is a little old buildings remain in the old city of Macassar. Old building was removed by new building, which makes the city have lost her identity, miserably. Why does the Fort Rotterdam which make city landmark merely? Where are the European buildings surrounding the old city? Where are the buildings from 19th century?

Fort Rotterdam, lithograph by Temminck, 1839.

Entitled Post-British Occupation

Principal Gate

Crown in Principal Gate.JPG

Principal Entrance Gate

Curtain between Bouton & Mandersjah.JPG

Cordon

Rampart in Bastion Bony

Ring-Latch

On The Embrassure of Bastion Bouton

Embrasure in Bastion Bony

Ventilation

On Sally Port for Artillery

Betjak Macassar

City Hall

Stair to Cityhall

Upper Gallery in City Hall

Crown-Haunch-Impost

House of Captain
1 Comment

House of Protestant Clergyman

Vessels

Windows in Irrigation Port

Ruin from World War II

Between the Towers

Embossed Brick

Captain's Gallery

Split Window in Speelman's House
5 Comments

Stairs to Bastion Mandersjah

Sally Port

Small Bricks

Rest of World War II

Old Wells

Split Window
2 Comments

Window in Guardhouse

Inside the Guardhouse in Bastion Batstjan

Hinge

Diponegoro's Wooden Bed

Stairs in Guardhouse

Warehouse seen From The Church
6 Comments

Crown of Arc

Huge Cannon Balls
2 Comments

Small Cannon Balls

On Entrance Port

Roof of Warehouse

Speelman's House

Inside the Speelman's House
2 Comments

A Room in Speelman's House

House of Captain

Engraving: Lion

Mathius

Church

Wooden Stairs in Church

Parade Ground

Parapet

Port to Ravelin in Easternbanks

Postern

Protestant Church seen from Speelman's House.JPG

Rear Windows in Warehouse
2 Comments

Roof of Administration House.JPG

Sall Port for Artillery in Bastion Amboina

Sally Port for Artillery

Sally Port between Mandersjah & Amboina

Store and house of Garrison administration

Terreplein in Bastion Bony

Toward Bastion Batsjan

A Prison of Diponegoro

Tropical Roof in Warehouse

Warehouse

Sally Port in Bastion Bouton

The Museum

Tags: makassar

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31 CommentsChronological Reverse Threaded

bagja2000 wrote on May 22, '08

Salut saya dengan Mas Yoan. Selain bisa memanfaatkan setiap kunjungannya ke daerah dengan tak melewatkan kesempatan ke tempat2 bersejarah di daerah itu, juga ceritanya penuh dengan data sejarah serta foto-foto yang cantik..

Salut,
Bagja

rachmasafitri wrote on May 22, '08

saya suka jendelanya..

mahandisyoanata wrote on May 22, '08

bagja2000 said

Terima kasih mas bagja...
kebetulan mendapatkan kesempatan di makassar jadi ya sekalian jalan.

mahandisyoanata wrote on May 22, '08

rachmasafitri said

saya suka jendelanya..

teteup....

rachmasafitri wrote on May 22, '08

mahandisyoanata said

teteup....

ya iya lah.. konsisten di jalur perjendeloan..:D

mahandisyoanata wrote on May 22, '08

rachmasafitri said

ya iya lah.. konsisten di jalur perjendeloan..:D

Hehehe..
aku lagi di malang nih....ada usulan rumah2 cantik yang wajib dikunjungi?

rachmasafitri wrote on May 22, '08

mahandisyoanata said

Hehehe..
aku lagi di malang nih....ada usulan rumah2 cantik yang wajib dikunjungi?

jalan pasar besar..

handelstraat wrote on May 22, '08

oooohhh meja marmer ya...

dev38 wrote on May 22, '08

seperti jendela2 disini yg dobl, utk musim panas............

dev38 wrote on May 22, '08

sayang sekali waktu ke makasar blm semept mampir kesini......

shesleep wrote on May 22, '08

Hiks...kapan ya bisa ke Fort Rotterdam ...*sambil bulak-balik melototin foto-nya*

julia99 wrote on May 23, '08

Thanks for the info.

mahandisyoanata wrote on May 25, '08

handelstraat said

oooohhh meja marmer ya...

betul bung mario...sepertinya koleksi juga ya bung...

mahandisyoanata wrote on May 25, '08

dev38 said

seperti jendela2 disini yg dobl, utk musim panas...........

kalo ini mungkin didesain seperti ini dengan alasan keamanan mbak...

mahandisyoanata wrote on May 25, '08

shesleep said

Hiks...kapan ya bisa ke Fort Rotterdam ...*sambil bulak-balik melototin foto-nya*

Ya sudah, minta ivan honeymoon lagi ke makassar...hehe

mahandisyoanata wrote on May 25, '08

julia99 said

Thanks for the info.

You're welcome

brecs wrote on May 25, '08

selamat heppi birdday Mas... :D

mahandisyoanata wrote on May 25, '08

brecs said

selamat heppi birdday Mas... :D

Thanks mas Sabre... banyak burung2 beterbangan di hari burung ini hehe.. :D

aburida wrote on May 26, '08

Akhirnya jij bisa terjemahkan juga itu legenda di denah Fort Rotterdam, salut-salut-salut...

aburida wrote on May 26, '08

Cannon balls nya ada, trus cannon-nya sendiri masih ada gak bos??

aburida wrote on May 26, '08

Sepintas mirip Museum Bahari... cuman kayaknya terawat ini kali ya?

mahandisyoanata wrote on May 26, '08

aburida said

Akhirnya jij bisa terjemahkan juga itu legenda di denah Fort Rotterdam, salut-salut-salut...

Ikk sendiri tidak tjakap menerdjemahken bahasa belanda lama, ini ada bagian jang dibikin betoel oleh meneer Olivier van Johannes Raap.

mahandisyoanata wrote on May 26, '08

Nah, saya nemunya cannon balls yang gede2, sedangkan cannon yang ada di halaman kok kecil2...kagak match nih..

mahandisyoanata wrote on May 26, '08

aburida said

Sepintas mirip Museum Bahari... cuman kayaknya terawat ini kali ya?

Yup memang mirip, dan lebih terawat karena tidak terendam air laut hehehe....
ini bagian belakang dari pakhuizen [sisi barat]...semacam warehouse rempah2 gitu...

nuragni29 wrote on May 26, '08

lagi mikir, kayaknya gak ada bangunan mlengkung di fort rotterdam -- ooo, taunya 'dibingkai' diding melengkung to....

Yoan, selalu bagus-bagus .... ngiri aku .....

nuragni29 wrote on May 26, '08

aku suka ini ... mbuh kena apa, tapi suka aja.

mahandisyoanata wrote on May 26, '08

nuragni29 said

lagi mikir, kayaknya gak ada bangunan mlengkung di fort rotterdam -- ooo, taunya 'dibingkai' diding melengkung to....

Yoan, selalu bagus-bagus .... ngiri aku .....

"Dibingkai" bagaimana maksudnya mam... ini lengkungan dinding gereja yang ada di tengah2 parade ground.

Dulu bareng batmus ya jalan2nya ke Makassar?

Thanks.

nuragni29 wrote on May 26, '08

mahandisyoanata said

"Dibingkai"

Yoan, 'dibingkai' bukan dalam arti sebenarnya, tapi ya itu, diambilnya dari balik lengkungan itu .... :)

Iya, ke makassar sama batmus th 2005 atau 2006 aku lupa.... :) aku punya photo-photonya juga, tapi tak sebagus punya Yoan :(

mahandisyoanata wrote on May 26, '08

nuragni29 said

Hehehe inget juga ternyata...
Kalo ada foto2nya diupload donk, siapa tahu ada sudut2 yang tak terlihat disini mam...

nuragni29 wrote on May 26, '08

mahandisyoanata said

Kalo ada foto2nya diupload donk, siapa tahu ada sudut2 yang tak terlihat disini mam...

Ada di MP-ku, gak tau album ke berapa, tapi tertanggal 3 Mei 2006. silakan diliat-liat... malu aku .... :(

mahandisyoanata wrote on May 26, '08

nuragni29 said

Ada di MP-ku, gak tau album ke berapa, tapi tertanggal 3 Mei 2006. silakan diliat-liat... malu aku .... :(

Ok dee..ntar dilihat... :)

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MY ODYSSEY

My Passion in Photograph

Mahandis Yoanata