History Today, October 21, 1762: Governor General Herman Willem Daendels, Trustee Napoleon Bonaparte Born In Hattem, Netherlands

The Governor General of the Dutch East Indies, Herman Willem Daendels, according to the painting Raden Saleh. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA History today, 260 years ago, October 21, 1762, Herman Willem Daendels was born in Hattem, the Netherlands. He grew up as a smart person. He had held the lawyer profession, even for a while. After that, Daendels had a lot to do with the agenda of revolution.

He is known as a true follower of Napoleon Bonaparte. Daendels was also entrusted with being the Governor General of the Dutch East Indies. He also became a French representation in the archipelago. His breakthrough was revolutionary. In the eyes of the Daendels natives, he is still an colonialist.

Daendels' presence in the map of history of the archipelago was no joke. The lawyer from Hattem was transformed into an important figure. Daendels' ability to lead the Batavia peninsula was behind him. Daendels' courage was glimpsed by Napoleon Bonaparte.

The French great leader admired Daendels. Vice versa. Saban Hari Daendels often voiced the narrative of revolution and change. No one doubts his leadership. Napoleon even considered Daendels an important asset after France occupied the Netherlands. An asset that can carry out its duties as well as possible.

Napoleon also ordered his younger brother, Louis (Lodewijk) Napoleon, who became King of the Netherlands, to immediately send Daendels to Java. Daendels was prepared to become Governor General of the Dutch East Indies. Daendels' departure to the land of hope was infiltrated by two main orders from King Louis. First, save Java from the British attack. Second, fix the administrative system in Java.

Napoleon's intuition did not miss. Daendels is reliable. He was able to learn all kinds of bureaucratic intricacities in the colony. The capital was used by Daendels as a tool to start massive changes.

Herman Willem Daendels was born in Hattem, the Netherlands, once a French soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte. The Dutch were occupied by France in 1795. Napoleon appointed his younger brother, Louis, as King of the Netherlands. Louis assigned Daendels to form a defense in Prussia (Germany).

The Dutch colony in Tanjung Harapan, South Africa, was attacked by England at the end of 1807, when Cape Town fell to England. Louis Napoleon appointed Daendels as Governor General of Java. Daendels was given two tasks, namely defending Java from attacks by the British fleet and realizing a clean government in the East Indies," said Rosihan Anwar in the book Small History Petite Histoire Indonesia Volume 3(2009).

He also kicked out from the start of his power. Gebrakan bejibun. He became a figure capable of turning the colony - the remnant of the VOC power - into a modern Dutch East Indies country. Bureaucratics were also tidied up.

Anyone who tries to perpetuate corruption in any form, even if a high official gets a severe punishment. In fact, the death penalty. Therefore, Daendels was appointed as the first Governor General to perpetuate the death penalty for corruptors. Even the natives dubbed him as Mas Galak.

This anti-corruption attitude makes his figure have many enemies. Main officials. Because, they can no longer play back to become rich. The rest, Daendels initiated the construction of the controversial Anyer-Parunukan post road.

This successor is Herman Willem Daendels. A Bonaparte has been on the throne in the Netherlands, and since then the military's considerations have occupied first place in The Hague's colonial plan. Daendels has never lived in the East, but it seems he is the type of person who is suitable to clean up the rotten and dirty Batavia, a new person standing outside the cliques and gangs, who knows what he wants and has iron arms.

From a revolutionary orator, on the days of patriots,' Daendels grew up to be an officer of Napoleon's model dictator. He is still speaking in mature revolutionary language expressions, but for him it has all become a meaningless slogan," said Bernard HM Vlekke in the book Nusantara (1965).