Administrative divisions of the Dutch East Indies

The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony consisting of what is now mostly the modern state of Indonesia. The Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824, which ceded Dutch Malacca, a governorate of the Dutch East Indies that was transferred to Great Britain has consolidated modern-day rule to the Malacca state of Malaysia. It was divided into three governorates, namely the Great East, Borneo (Kalimantan) and Sumatra, and into three provinces in Java. Provinces and governorates were further divided into residencies. Residencies under the provinces were divided into regencies (Dutch: regentschappen), and residencies under governorates were divided into departments (Dutch: Afdeelingen, modern spelling afdelingen) and then further into regentschappen.[1]

The following list is the divisions of the Dutch East Indies in 1942, prior to the Japanese occupation in World War II.

Sumatra

In 1938, all of the various Residencies and Gouvernements in Sumatra were reorganized under the new Gouvernement of Sumatra.[2]

NamePopulation
(1930)
Area
(km2)
Modern areaNative state(s)
Dutch nameLocal nameResidency
Residentie Atjèh en OnderhoorighedenAcehAtjeh and Dependencies Residency1,003,06255392.23 Aceh, comprising the divisions (afdeeling) of Groot-Atjèh, Noordkust van Atjèh, Oostkust van Atjèh and Westkust van Atjèh.State of Trumon
Residentie TapanoeliTapanuliTapanoeli Residency1,042,58339076.87 western part of North Sumatra, consisting of the divisions (afdeeling) of Sibolga en Omstreken, Nias en omliggend eiland, Bataklanden and Padang Sidempoeannone
Residentie Oostkust van SumatraSumatra TimurSumatra's East Coast Residency1,693,20094583.25 eastern part of North Sumatra and northern part of Riau, consisting of the divisions (afdeeling) of Langkat, Deli en Serdang, Asahan, Simaloengoen en Karolanden and Bengkalis; and with the municipalities (stadsgemeente) of Medan, Bindjai, Tebing Tinggi, Tandjoengbalai and PematangsiantarKingdom of Siantar, Kingdom of Dolok Silau, Kingdom of Raya, Kingdom of Purba, Kingdom of Si Lima Kuta, Kingdom of Tanahdjawa, Langkat Sultanate, Deli Sultanate, Serdang Sultanate, Asahan Sultanate, Panei Sultanate, Siak Sultanate, Pelalawan Sultanate, Kedatuan of Batubara, Lima Puluh, Kampar and Pesisir, Paramount Chiefdoms of Lingga, Sarinembah, Suka, Barusjahe, Kutabuluh and other smaller states
Residentie Sumatra's WestkustSumatra BaratSumatra's West Coast Residency1,910,29849778.10 West Sumatra including Mentawai Islands, consisting of the divisions (afdeeling) of Tanah Datar, Agam, Solok, Limapoeloe Koto, and Zuid Benedenlanden; and with the municipalities (stadsgemeente) of Padang, Fort de Kock, and Sawahloentonone
Residentie Riouw en OnderhoorighedenRiauRiouw and Dependencies Residency298,22531668.44 southern part of Riau and Riau Islands, consisting of the divisions (afdeeling) of Indragiri and TandjoengpinangIndragiri Sultanate
Residentie DjambiJambiDjambi Residency245,27244923.76Jambi, consisting of the division (afdeeling) of Djambinone
Residentie BenkoelenBengkuluBenkoelen Residency323,12326249.39Bengkulu, consisting of the division (afdeeling) of Benkoelennone
Residentie PalembangPalembangPalembang Residency1,098,72586355.65South Sumatra, consist of the divisions (afdeeling) of Palembang Bovenlanden, Palembang Benedenlanden, and Ogan en Komering-oeloe; and with the municipality (stadsgemeente) of Palembangnone
Residentie Bangka en OnderhoorighedenBangkaBangka and Dependencies Residency278,79216774.70Bangka and Belitung Islands, consisting of the divisions (afdeeling) of Bangka and Billitonnone
Residentie Lampongsche DistrictenLampungLampong Districts Residency361,56328783.74Lampung, consisting of the division (afdeeling) of Teloekbetoengnone

Java

Java comprised three provinces, West, Middle and East Java, the boundaries of which were similar to the island's pre-2000 boundaries.

West Java

Under control of Governorate of West Java (Gouvernement West-Java)

NamePopulation
(1930)
Area
(km2)
Modern areaNative state(s)
Dutch nameLocal nameResidency
Residentie BantamBantenBantam Residency1,028,628n/a Banten consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Serang, Lebak and Pandeglangnone
Residentie BataviaBetawiBatavia Residency2,637,035n/a Jakarta and surroundings, consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Batavia (includes Tangerang and its surrounding city and regency), Meester-Cornelis (includes most of current West Jakarta and Bekasi) and Krawang (includes Purwakarta); with municipality (stadsgemeente) of Batavianone
Residentie BuitenzorgBogorBuitenzorg Residency2,212,997n/a Bogor, Sukabumi and Cianjur, consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Buitenzorg, Soekaboemi and Tjiandjoer; with municipalities (stadsgemeente) of Buitenzorg and Soekaboeminone
Residentie Preanger-RegentschappenPrianganPreanger Regencies Residency3,448,796n/a Bandung and surroundings, consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Bandoeng, Soemedang, Tasikmalaja, Tjiamis and Garoet; with municipality (stadsgemeente) of Bandoengnone
Residentie CheribonCirebonCheribon Residency2,069,690n/aCirebon and surroundings, consisting of regencies (regentschap) of Cheribon, Koeningan, Indramajoe and Madjalengka; and with the municipality (stadsgemeente) of Cheribonnone

Central Java

Under control of Governorate of Middle Java (Gouvernement Midden-Java):

NamePopulation
(1930)
Area
(km2)
Modern areaNative state(s)
Dutch nameLocal nameResidency
Residentie PekalonganPekalonganPekalongan Residency2,640,124n/aPekalongan, Tegal and surroundings, consisting of regencies (regentschap) of Pekalongan, Batang, Pemalang, Tegal and Brebes; and with the municipalities (stadsgemeente) of Pekalongan and Tegalnone
Residentie BanjoemasBanyumasBanjoemas Residency2,474,447n/aBanyumas, Purwokerto and surroundings, consist of the regencies (regentschap) of Banjoemas, Poerwokerto, Tjilatjap and Bandjarnegaranone
Residentie KedoeKeduKedoe Residency2,129,894n/a Magelang and surroundings, consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Magelang, Wonosobo, Temanggoeng, Poerworedjo and Keboemen; and with the municipality (stadsgemeente) of Magelangnone
Residentie SamarangSemarangSemarang Residency2,020,684n/aThe Semarang metropolitan area (Kedungsepur), consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Samarang, Kendal, Demak and Grobogan; and with the municipalities (stadsgemeente) of Samarang and Salatiganone
Residentie Djepara-RembangJepara-RembangDjepara-Rembang Residency1,876,480n/aJepara, Rembang and surroundings, consisting of regencies (regentschap) of Pati, Djepara, Rembang, Blora and Koedoesnone

East Java

Under control of Governorate of East Java (Gouvernement Oost-Java):

NamePopulation
(1930)
Area
(km2)
Modern areaNative state(s)
Dutch nameLocal nameResidency
Residentie MadioenMadiunMadioen Residency1,909,801n/aMadiun and surroundings, consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Madioen, Magetan, Ngawi, Ponorogo and Patjitan; and with the municipality (stadsgemeente) of Madioennone
Residentie BodjonegoroBojonegoroBodjonegoro Residency1,986,129n/aBojonegoro and surroundings, consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Bodjonegoro, Toeban and Lamongannone
Residentie KediriKediriKediri Residency2,469,955n/aKediri and surroundings, consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Kediri, Ngandjoek, Blitar and Toeloengagoeng; and with the municipalities (stadsgemeente) of Kediri and Blitarnone
Residentie SoerabajaSurabayaSoerabaja Residency1,902,953n/aThe Surabaya metropolitan area, consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Soerabaja, Sidoardjo, Modjokerto and Djombang; and with the municipalities (stadsgemeente) of Soerabaja and Modjokertonone
Residentie MalangMalangMalang Residency2,741,105n/aMalang, Probolinggo and surroundings, consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Malang, Pasoeroean, Probolinggo and Loemadjang; and with the municipalities (stadsgemeente) of Malang, Pasoeroean and Probolinggonone
Residentie BesoekiBesukiBesoeki Residency2,083,309n/aBanyuwangi and surroundings, consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Bondowoso, Panaroekan, Djember and Banjoewanginone
Residentie MadoeraMaduraMadoera Residency1,962,462n/aMadura, consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Bangkalan, Pamekasan and Soemenepnone

Borneo

In 1938 both of these Residencies were again united in a Governorate of Borneo (Gouvernement van Borneo) with its capital at Banjarmasin.

NamePopulation
(1930)
Area
(km2)
Modern areaNative state(s)
Dutch nameLocal nameResidency
Residentie Westerafdeeling van BorneoKalimantan BaratWestern Afdeelings of Borneo Residency802,447n/aWest Kalimantan, consisting of the Afdeelingen of Singkawang, Pontianak, Ketapang and SintangSambas Sultanate, Pontianak Sultanate, Lordship of Koeboe, Lordship of Landak, Lordship of Mampawa, Lordship of Matan, Lordship of Sanggau, Lordship of Sekadau, Lordship of Selimbau, Lordship of Simpang, Lordship of Sintang, Lordship of Soekadana and Lordship of Tajan
Residentie Zuider en Oosterafdeeling van BorneoKalimantan Selatan dan TimurSouthern and Eastern Afdeelings of Borneo Residency1,366,214n/aCentral Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan and North Kalimantan, consisting of the afdeelingen of Koeala Kapoeas, Bandjermasin, Hoeloe Soengei, Samarinda and Boeloengan en Berau; with the municipality (stadsgemeente) of BandjermasinKoetei Sultanate, Boeloengan Sultanate, Sambalioeng Sultanate, Goenoeng Taboer Sultanate, Principality of Kota Waringin and Principality of Pasir

The Great East

The governorate of the Great East (Dutch: 'Gouvernement Groote Oost') was created in 1938. It comprised the islands to the east of Borneo and Java, including the Lesser Sunda Islands, Sulawesi, Maluku and Western New Guinea.

Lesser Sunda Islands

NamePopulation
(1930)
Area
(km2)
Modern areaNative state(s)
Dutch nameLocal nameResidency
Residentie Bali en LombokBali dan LombokBali and Lombok Residency1,802,683n/aBali and Lombok, consisting of the divisions (afdeeling) of Singaradja, Zuid Bali and LombokKingdom of Kloengkoeng with primacy over several states in Bali and Lombok (Boeleleng, Tabanan, Djembrana, Karang Assam, Bangli, Badoeng, Gianyar)
Residentie Timor en OnderhoorighedenTimorTimor and Dependencies Residency1,657,376n/aWest Nusa Tenggara East of Lombok and East Nusa Tenggara, consisting of the divisions (afdeeling) of Soembawa, Soemba, Flores and Timor en eilandenKingdom of Larantuka, Kingdom of Sikka, Kingdom of Lio, Kingdom of Manggarai, Kingdom of Amarasi, Kingdom of Rote, Soembawa Sultanate, Bima Sultanate, and several small states

Sulawesi

NamePopulation
(1930)
Area
(km2)
Modern areaNative state(s)
Dutch nameLocal nameResidency
Residentie Celebes en OnderhoorighedenSulawesiCelebes and Dependencies Residency3,093,251n/aSouth Sulawesi, West Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi, consisting of the afdeelingen of Soenggoeminasa, Bonthain, Makassar, Bone, Paré-Paré, Mandar, and Loewoe, Boetoeng en Laiwoei and with the municipality (stadsgemeente) of MakassarGowa Sultanate, Boetoeng Sultanate Lordship of Banggai, Kedatuan of Sawitto, Lordship of Bone, Lordship of Loewoe, Lordship of Sidenreng, Lordship of Soppeng, Lordship of Wadjo, Lordship of Moena and other smaller states
Residentie MenadoManadoManado Residency1,138,665n/aCentral Sulawesi, Gorontalo, and North Sulawesi, consisting of the afdeelingen of Poso, Donggala, Gorontalo, Menado, and Sangihe en Talaud eiland with the municipality (stadsgemeente) of Menadonone

Maluku and Western New Guinea

In 1922 with the dissolution of Residentie Ternate to Residentie Amboina, Residentie Amboina was renamed to Residentie Molukken. In 1935, the residentie was renamed to Governorate of the Moluccas (Gouvernement Molukken) until the creation of Gouvernement Groote Oost in 1938, in which Gouvernement Molukken became residentie again.

NamePopulation
(1930)
Area
(km2)
Modern areaNative state(s)
Dutch nameLocal nameDepartment
Afdeeling TernateTernateTernate Afdeeling560,013n/aNorth MalukuTernate Sultanate, Tidore Sultanate and Batjan Sultanate
Afdeeling AmboinaAmbonAmboina Afdeeling560,013 (with Tual)n/aMalukusome small states, State of Amahusu and State of Soya
Afdeeling ToealTualAfdeeling of Tual0n/aSoutheast Malukunone
Afdeeling Nieuw-Guinea(Dutch) New GuineaNew Guinea Afdeeling333,387(with South New-Guinea)n/aWest Papua and Papuanone
Afdeeling Zuid Nieuw-Guinea(Dutch) Southern New GuineaSouth New Guinea Afdeeling0n/aSouthern part of West Papua and PapuaState of Kaimana and Fatagar

Malay Peninsula

Malacca

The governorate of Malacca (Gouvernement Malacca) was a part of the Dutch East Indies (1818-1825), before finally handing it to United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland based on Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824.

NamePopulation (1824)Area
(km2)
Modern areaNative state(s)
Dutch nameLocal nameResidency
Residentie MalaccaMelakaMalacca Residency~40,0001664Malacca City and surroundings, consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Melaka Tengah, Jasin and Alor GajahSultanate of Johor

Vorstenlanden

Vorstenlanden were four native states on the island of Java in the Netherlands Indies that were nominally self-governing under suzerainty of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Their political autonomy was however severely constrained by treaties and settlements. Two of them were the Governorate of Djokjakarta and the Governorate of Soerakarta, which controlled the Residentie Djokjakarta and the Residenties of Soerakarta and Klaten respectively.

NamePopulation
(1930)
Area
(km2)
Modern areaNative state(s)
Dutch nameLocal nameResidency
Residentie DjokjakartaYogyakartaDjokjakarta Residency1,559,027n/a Yogyakarta, consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Adikarto, Pakoealaman, Koelon-Progo, Jogjakarta, Bantoel and Goenoeng-KidulJogjakarta Sultanate and Duchy of Pakoe Alaman
Residentie SoerakartaSurakartaSoerakarta Residency2,564,848 (with Klaten)n/a Surakarta, consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Sragen, Soerakarta, Kota Mangkoenagaran and WonogiriSoerakarta Sunanate and Duchy of Mangkoe Negaran
Residentie KlatenKlatenKlaten Residency0n/a consisting of the regencies (regentschap) of Klaten and BojolaliSoerakarta Sunanate

References

  1. ↑ "Chapter 4: The Netherlands Indies, 1800-1942 | Digital Atlas of Indonesian History - by Robert Cribb". Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2012., sourced from Cribb, R. B (2010), Digital atlas of indonesian history, Nias, ISBN 978-87-91114-66-3 from the earlier volume Cribb, R. B; Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (2000), Historical atlas of Indonesia, Curzon; Singapore : New Asian Library, ISBN 978-0-7007-0985-4
  2. ↑ Cribb, R. B. (2000). Historical atlas of Indonesia. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. p. 128. ISBN 0-8248-2111-4.