1873-1914 Aceh War

Shield of an Aceh warrior, captured in 1876. Aceh, ca. 1870-1875

For many years, the colonial administration focused purely on Java. It was thought that the other islands of the archipelago, the outer provinces, were unprofitable, so they were left undisturbed. In the late 19th century, the Dutch changed tack. With the opening of the Suez Canal, more ships had started to use the Malacca Strait, and these had fallen prey to pirates who operated from the nearby sultanate of Aceh on Sumatra and threatened to make use of the route impossible. Moreover, in 1871, the Netherlands had acquired official sovereignty over Aceh. To enforce its authority, the Dutch sent troops to take over the palace of the sultan of Aceh. It was a symbolic act, but a guerrilla war erupted which seemed impossible to suppress. Led by J.B. van Heutsz, a Dutch army eventually managed to break the resistance. Dutch troops treated the indigenous population with particular severity.