Bukittinggi

History

The city has its origins in five villages that served as the basis for a marketplace. It was known as Fort de Kock in colonial times in reference to the Dutch outpost established here in 1825 during the Padri War.

The fort was founded by Captain Bauer at the top of Jirek hill and later named after the then Lieutenant Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, Hendrik Merkus de Kock. The first road connecting the region with the west coast was built between 1833 and 1841 via the Anai Gorge, easing troop movements, cutting the costs of transportation and providing an economic stimulus for the agricultural economy.

In 1856 a teacher-training college (Kweekschool) was founded in the city, the first in Sumatra, as part of a policy to provide education opportunities to the indigenous population. A rail line connecting the city with Payakumbuh and Padang was constructed between 1891 and 1894.

During the Japanese occupation of West Sumatra in World War II, the city was the headquarters for the Japanese 25th Army, the force that occupied Sumatra. The headquarters was moved to the city in April 1943 from Singapore and remained until the Japanese surrender in August 1945.

During the Indonesian National Revolution, the city saw a failed coup attempt by Islamist militias against the Indonesian republican government in 1947. During the second 'Police Action' Dutch forces invaded and occupied the city on 22 December 1948, having earlier bombed it in preparation. The city was surrendered to Republican officials in December 1949 after the Dutch government recognised Indonesian sovereignty.

The city was officially renamed Bukittinggi in 1949, replacing its colonial name. From 1950 until 1957, Bukittinggi was the capital city of a province called Central Sumatra, which encompassed West Sumatra, Riau and Jambi. In February 1958, during a revolt in Sumatra against the Indonesian government, rebels proclaimed the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PRRI) in Bukittinggi. The Indonesian government had recaptured the town by May the same year.

A group of Muslim men had planned to bomb a cafe in the city frequented by foreign tourists in October 2007, but the plot was aborted due to the risk of killing Muslim individuals in the vicinity. Since 2008, the city administration has banned Valentine's Day and New Year's celebrations as they consider them not in line with Minangkabau traditions or Islam that can lead to "immoral acts" such as young couples hugging and kissing.

Administrative districts

Bukittinggi is divided into three districts (kecamatan), which are further divided into 24 urban subdistricts (kelurahan). The districts are tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census and the 2020 Census, together with the official estimates as at mid 2023. The table also includes the numbers of subdistricts within each district.

Transportation

Bukittinggi is connected to Padang by road. Up until early 1980s, there was a railway service from Padang Panjang that used to serve the city. For inner-city transport, Bukittinggi employs a public transportation system known as "Mersi" (Merapi Singgalang) and "IKABE" that connect locations within the city. The city preserves the traditional horse-cart widely known in the area as Bendi, although the use is limited and more popular with tourists, both domestic and foreign.

Tourism

It is a city popular with tourists due to the climate and central location. Bukittinggi is also a popular shopping destination due to cheap textile and fashion products, especially for Malaysian. Best way to see Bukittinggi is by motorbike, car or by foot (trekkings). Attractions within the city include:

• Ngarai Sianok (Sianok Canyon)
• Lubang Jepang (Japanese Caves) — a network of underground bunkers and tunnels built by the Japanese during World War II
• Jam Gadang — a large clock tower built by the Dutch in 1926.
• Pasar Atas and Pasar Aur Kuning are traditional markets downtown.
• Taman Bundo Kanduang park. The park includes a replica Rumah Gadang (literally: big house) with the distinctive Minangkabau roof architecture) used as a museum of Minangkabau culture and a zoo. The Dutch hilltop outpost Fort de Kock is connected to the zoo by the Limpapeh Bridge pedestrian overpass.
• Museum Rumah Kelahiran Bung Hatta (Museum of Bung Hatta Birthplace), the house where Indonesian founding father Mohammad Hatta was born, now a museum.
• Janjang Koto Gadang also known as Great Wall of Koto Gadang. It is like a miniature of Chinese great wall, with hundred-step stairs connects Taman Panorama and Koto Gadang village.

Notable nearby destinations include Lake Maninjau, Lake Tarusan, Kamang Cave, and Tarang Cave.

Sister cities

• Malaysia Seremban, Malaysia

References

References

1. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, ''Kota Bukittinggi Dalam Angka 2024'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.1375)
2. Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
3. Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
4. [https://bukittinggikota.bps.go.id/publikasi.html BPS Kota Bukittinggi]
5. Nas, Peter J. M.. (2002). "The Indonesian Town Revisited". LIT Verlag.
6. Domenig, Gaudenz. (2004). "Indonesian Houses". National University of Singapore Press.
7. Colombijn, Freek. (2005). "A Moving History of Middle Sumatra, 1600–1870". Modern Asian Studies.
8. Aritonang, Jan S.. (1994). "Mission Schools in Batakland (Indonesia), 1861-1940". BRILL.
9. Krishnamurti, Indra. (9 December 2004). "History of Railways in Indonesia".
10. Kahin, Audrey. (1974). "Some preliminary observations on West Sumatra during the revolution". Indonesia.
11. "Kronik revolusi Indonesia". Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia.
12. Kahin, Audrey. (1999). "Rebellion to Integration: West Sumatra and the Indonesian Polity". Amsterdam University Press.
13. (21 January 2009). "S'porean admits terror plot".
14. Syofiardi Bachyul Jb. (14 February 2008). "Valentine's celebrations banned in Bukittinggi".
15. (March 19, 2009). "Jam Gadang, Gengsi Kota Bukittinggi". Kompas.
16. "Museum Rumah Kelahiran Bung Hatta".
17. "Bukittinggi: Jabaran Rencana Kota Kembar". Bukittinggi Department.