Brief History

Jakarta the city of history mention the earlier phase emanates from the diverse ancient inscriptions found in the nearby port, begin at least the 14th century with the development of a small port of Hindu Padjajaran Kingdom which known as Sunda Kelapa at the mouth of Ciliwung River. Searching for the fabled “Spice Island”, the Portuguese were the first Europeans which arrive and establish a fortress on the site in the early 16th century. Neighboring sultanate under leadership of Prince Fatahillah defended the Old Port. Fatahillah changed the name of the Sunda Kelapa port to Jayakarta, meaning “Great Victory”, commemorating the defeat of the European allies. According to some historians, this event took place on June 22, 1527 which later was officially recognized as the birth of the city of Jakarta.

Dutch spice merchants came in the late 16th century and began a trading association with Europe for nearly 350 years. Under the aggressive leadership of Jan Pieterzoon Coen, the Dutch East Indie Company (VOC) proceeded forcibly to Jayakarta possession, renaming it Batavia in 1619. Afterward the Japanese invasion and rule the country from 1942-1945, on August 17, 1945, Indonesia’s first President Soekarno proclaimed Indonesia Independence and Jakarta became the accepted nation’s capital.