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Bengkulu (city)

Capital and largest city of Bengkulu, Indonesia

  • 9 min read
  • 12 chapters
Front gate of Fort Marlborough, Bengkulu 2015-04-19
Crisco 1492 · CC BY-SA 4.0

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History

Pre-Colonial Era and Local Kingdoms

The Bengkulu region was historically inhabited by various ethnic communities and small local chiefdoms (kedatuan), including settlements in Sungai Serut, Sungai Lemau, Selebar, and surrounding coastal areas. The region was influenced by broader maritime trading networks across western Sumatra and the Indian Ocean. Historical records suggest that the area was connected to the sphere of influence of the Srivijaya during the early medieval period, although direct control over Bengkulu is not well documented.

From around the 15th century, Bengkulu became associated with the Banten Sultanate through trade and political relations. Pepper from the west coast of Sumatra became an important commodity in regional trade networks. During the 17th century, the region was also influenced by the Inderapura Kingdom, a Minangkabau-linked coastal kingdom centered in present-day West Sumatra.

British and Dutch Colonial Era

The British East India Company established Bengkulu, known to the British as Bencoolen, in 1685 as a trading center for pepper and other commodities, after losing access to Banten following the expansion of Dutch East India Company influence in the region.

In 1714, the British constructed Fort Marlborough, one of the largest British forts in Southeast Asia. Despite its strategic role, Bencoolen was considered economically difficult due to its remote location, challenging climate, and limited commercial success.

Under the terms of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824, the British ceded Bencoolen to the Dutch in exchange for Malacca. Bengkulu subsequently became part of the Dutch East Indies until the Japanese occupation during World War II.


Indonesian Independence and Modern Era

During the 1930s, Sukarno was exiled to Bengkulu by the Dutch colonial government. During his stay, he met Fatmawati, who later became his wife and Indonesia’s first First Lady.

After Indonesian independence, Bengkulu initially became part of South Sumatra Province before officially becoming the capital of the newly established Bengkulu Province in 1968 under Law No. 9 of 1967. Since then, the city has developed as the administrative, economic, and educational center of the province.

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