Dutch intervention in northern Bali (1848)
| Dutch intervention in northern Bali | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Dutch artillery during the intervention | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Dutch East IndiesLombok | |||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Andreas Victor Michiels | I Gusti Ketut Jelantik † | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 2,400 soldiers |
14,500 soldiers 1,500 riflemen | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 200 killed | 1,000s | ||||||
The Dutch intervention in northern Bali was the second in a long series of six Dutch military interventions on Bali island, until total control was achieved with the Dutch intervention in Bali in 1908. The Dutch used as a pretext Balinese salvage claims over shipwrecks, which were customary to the Balinese, but unacceptable under International law.[1]
The expedition arrived in 2,400 men, a third of which was composed of Europeans, the rest being Javanese and Madurese soldiers, as well as one company of Africans, probably from the Dutch colony in Ghana.[2] The force landed in Bali on 7 May 1848 in the area of Sangsit.[2]
The Balinese numbered 16,000, including about 1,500 equipped with firearms under Jelantik.[2] After the Dutch landing, the Balinese withdrew to their fortified position in Jagaraga about 4 kilometers away.[2]
Battle of Jagaraga
[edit]The Dutch attacked the Balinese in Jagaraga despite the intense tropical heat. The Balinese counter-attacked and routed the Dutch, who left 200 dead and had to reimbark on their ships.[2]
After this humiliating defeat, the Dutch would return, this time successfully, with the Dutch intervention in Bali (1849).[2]