Biography Text of Prince Diponegoro

by Rania Amberlyn Faris (X MIPA 2)

Prince Harya Dipanegara, commonly known as Prince Diponegoro, was born in Ngayogyakarta
Hadiningrat, 11th November 1785. He died in Makassar, on January 8 1855 at the age of 69. He was one
of the national heroes of the Republic of Indonesia who led the Diponegoro War or Java War during the
period 1825-1830, against the Dutch East Indies Government. This war is known as the war that claimed
the most casualties in Indonesian history.

Diponegoro was born to a concubine named R.A. Mangkarawati. His father was Gusti Raden
Mas Suraja, who later ascended the throne and titled as Hamengkubuwana III. When he reached
adulthood, Prince Diponegoro refused his father’s wish for him to become the king with the excuse of
him unworthy of the throne because his mother was only a concubine, not the empress.

Prince Diponegoro was known as an intelligent, well-read person and an expert in the field of
Javanese-Islamic law. He was more interested in religious matters than the matters of the court
governance and mingling with people. The Prince also preferred to live in Tegalrejo, adjacent to his
great-grandmother’s residence, who was the empress of Sultan Hamengkubuwana I, rather than living in
the palace.
 Prince Diponegoro began to pay attention in the court issues when he was appointed as a
member of guardianship to accompany Sultan Hamengkubuwana V, which because he was only 3 years
old, the daily administration in the palace was controlled by Patih Danureja and the Dutch Resident. The
Prince did not approve of this kind of guardianship, so he protested.

The Diponegoro War or Java War began with the decisions and actions of the Dutch East Indies
that placed stakes on Diponegoro’s land in Tegalrejo Village. Added with several behaviors that
disrespect local customs and excessive exploitation of the people with high taxes, made Prince
Diponegoro furious. Then, he sparked an open resistance, which later received people’s support.

With the support and sympathy of people, Prince Diponegoro’s troops was able to easily move
around their army post and gained logistical supplies. In addition, the troops was known to be very fast
and agile thanks to the war spirit of Sabilillah. The strategy of making natural conditions a “weapon” and
an invincible shield was also carried out by carrying massive attacks during the rainy months, hampering
enemy’s movements and increasing the threat of diseases such as malaria and dysentery.

However, the cunning methods that the Dutch Indies continued to use to capture Diponegoro
made the Prince’s resistance weakened since the end of 1828, after his 2 commanders, Kiai Madja and
Sentot Prawirodirdjo, and their troops were captured. His weakened resistance was also caused by
financial difficulties and the arrest of the Prince’s wife, R.A. Ratnaningsih and her son.

This forced Prince Diponegoro to agree to the meeting between his envoy and General De
Kock’s envoy, a general of the Dutch East Indies, in February 1830. The friendly attitude shown by the
Dutch East Indies made The Prince want to meet General De Kock in person. After several meetings, the
Dutch East Indies continued to show hospitality while preparing for Prince Diponegoro’s arrest.

On the 4th meeting, De Kock unilaterally decided political issues. When Prince Diponegoro
refused, De Kock had already prepared an army, but Diponegoro said he was not afraid to die, which
made De Kock shunned. Then, he said that he would not kill the Prince, but also would not fulfill his
wish. Diponegoro had once thought to stab a keris into De Kock’s body, but he withdrew the intention
because it would only be degrading his dignity. The Prince then agreed to surrender under the condition
that the remaining members of his army who participated in the meeting were released.

Prince Diponegoro was exiled to Manado in 1830, then moved to Makassar in 1834 before dying
in 1855.