Nuku or Amiruddin was born in Soa Siu, Tidore, in about 1738.^[2] His father was Sultan Jamaluddin, a ruler of the Sultanate of Tidore, who was arrested and exiled to Batavia by the Dutch colonials in 1779.^[3] His junior kinsman was Kamaluddin who later became sultan and a rival of Nuku.^[4][5]

After the exile of his father, the Dutch appointed Kaicil Gay Jira as regent of the sultanate, who was later replaced by his son, Patra Alam; Amiruddin opposed this replacement. Amiruddin then built a kora-kora armada around Seram Island and Papua, while Patra Alam ruled as Dutch-appointed sultan in 1780–1783.^[4][5]

In 1781, Amiruddin declared that he bore the title "Sri Maha Tuan Sultan Amir Muhammad Saifuddin Syah" ("The Great Overlord Sultan Amir Muhammad Saifuddin, the Shah"). Responding to this, the Dutch attacked and defeated Amiruddin's army; however, Amiruddin was not caught. In 1783, the Dutch attacked Amiruddin's army again. The Dutch commander and most of his men were killed, and the survivors were captured.^[6]

In October 1783, the Dutch post on Tidore was attacked by Amiruddin's force, and all the Europeans were killed. This was heating up the rivalry between the kingdom of Ternate and Tidore. In November of the same year, Ternate helped the Dutch attack Tidore. The Dutch then, in December, enforced an agreement and appointed Sultan Hairul Alam Kamaluddin Kaicili Asgar, a prince exiled to Ceylon, as the new puppet sultan.^[6]

In 1787, Amiruddin's base in eastern Seram was attacked and seized by the Dutch forces; however, Amiruddin managed to escape. Amiruddin then built a new base in Gorong island. He also entered a friendly relationship with Britain.^[5] After receiving some armaments from Britain, Amiruddin's army attacked the Dutch and won the battle.^[7] The Dutch then offered Amiruddin a position, if he would negotiate with Sultan Kamaluddin; however, Amiruddin refused the proposition. Instead, he increased the frequency of his attacks against the Dutch, who were assisted by Sultan Kamaluddin's forces.^[8] In 1794, Jamaluddin's son Zainal Abidin, who had returned from exile, supported Amiruddin's effort. Several rulers of Papua also sided with him. In February 1795, Abdulgafur, Amiruddin's son, led a force to Tidore.^[9]

Early Conflict (1780-1781) edit

Records show that Prince Nuku did not need long to gather troops in the outskirts of Tidore. Papuans from Raja Ampat, Gamrange people from Southeast Halmahera (Maba, Weda and Patani), Gebe and East Seram people are very ready to support his struggle. They have been connected with Tidore for more than a century through one day in November or December 1780 Prince Nuku 1781 to the Governor of Ambon, Van Pleuren, he called himself Sultan Muhammad Saifudin Sah, King of Papua. Since the attack on Toloa, relations between Tidore and the three governments, especially Ternate, have revolved around Prince Nuku's rebellion. Prince Nuku repeatedly attacked Dutch subjects. In response, the Dutch invaded areas whose residents were considered supporters of Prince Nuku. The newly appointed Sultan of Patra Alam became powerless, almost completely overshadowed by the power of the Nuku prince over the outskirts of Tidore.^[10]

Attack on Toloa (1780) edit

On July 14, 1780, Toloa was finally attacked. In his efforts to expel the rebels, the Governor of Ternate used the help of four kora-kora who brought 100 Europeans and the native Alifuru militia. This fierce battle took place between the rebels and the native Alfuru militia from Ternate. About 30 Tidoreans were killed and the survivors fled inland. Only one Alifuru or European was injured. Even though the Dutch won this battle they finally had a crisis of confidence in Sultan Jamaludin and appointed Patra Alam as Sultan.^[11]

Campaign of Halmahera and Sulawesi (1780) edit

In 1780 rebel troops attacked and looted Amblau, Haia, Haitiling as well as Sula and Besi as far as Bacan. They even attacked Selayar, Buton and Talaud at the northern tip of Sulawesi. During these attacks, more than 300 people were arrested. Such a large and spread area and hundreds of people arrested could never be handled if only a small number of ships and crew were involved. ^[12]

Sack of Nusatelu (1780) edit

In the following months in 1780 Prince Nuku's troops attacked and plundered the Nusatelu Islands (Drie Gebroeders), Amblau, Haia, and Luhu, capturing and enslaving 134 residents.^[13]

Two European soldiers and eight native soldiers were injured in clashes near Kramat Di Buru. Many residents in Hatileng were massacred or fled ^[14]

Battle of Amahai (1781) edit

In December 1781, together with a combined fleet of 160 ships they attacked and looted Amahai, one of the villages under Saparua's rule. Even though one of Prince Nuku's captains was beheaded, the rebels managed to kill Sergeant Cornelis Stephanus and a European soldier who dared to attack them in Itawaka.^[15]

Saparua Campaign (1782) edit

The attackers then looted other countries in Saparua and attacked Hatuana in the northern part of the island. In early February 1782 the attackers again attacked the inland of Saparua and invaded Nusa Laut Island, burning Negeri Amet and killing a Dutch officer.^[16]

Battle of Kilmuri (1782) edit

The first major battle in East Seram occurred in Kilmuri where Governor Van Pleuren's Hongi fleet was involved in armed contact with Prince Nuku's fleet led by King Lukman of Kelihulu. After five hours of fighting, many of the Nuku prince's troops finally fled. Governor Van Pleuren's fleet was able to burn 80 Kora-Kora and cause significant damage to 44 other Kora-Kora. Governor Van Pleuren's troops also burned the village. ^[17]

Ambush at Babi Island (1782) edit

Before the fleet could unite, 64 rebel ships ambushed them on Babi Island. a ship belonging to the king of Nusa Laut and three other ships along with all their weapons were captured. Gnatahoedij Mardika drowned, Raja Soya and 29 of his men also drowned, were killed or captured by the rebels.^[18]

Raid on Haruku Island (1782) edit

In May 1782, at night the attackers again surprised the residents of Haruku Island and burned Helaliu, Kariu and Pelau. A number of Dutch subjects were captured or executed. They then moved to Negeri Liang under Hila rule and destroyed settlements there including a VOC post in Loki and a Sago Factory^[19]

Expedition to South Seram (1782-1783) edit

In 1782 the Dutch stepped up their military campaign to crush the rebellion. In this year. The Ambon government launched at least 3 expeditions to various places in the region. In February, under the command of Officer Johan Sigbrand Borgguits, a number of ships were sent to sail around the South Seram sea. Unfortunately, when the fleet arrived there, the rebels had already fled. Villages supporting the rebels were destroyed.

A second expedition launched in May proved a failure. During the Third Expedition which took place between (October 1782-January 1783) Hongi visited most of the important settlements in Seram. Ambon Governor Van Pleuren promised assistance to his subjects and pardoned those who chose to surrender. However, the orangkaya and kings who were known as rebels were still detained and replaced by loyalists. Once again a number of villages were burned as an example.^[20]

Expedition to Gamrange (1783) edit

Translator Coenraad Van Dijk was assigned to send an expedition to Gamrange and Raja Ampat Papua. Boarding Tempel, he departed on 25 May 1783. On 25 September the Governor received information that the Papuans had welcomed the Tidore fleet under Van Dijk's command. This immediately raised hopes that this apparent cooperation would lead to greater submission among the Papuans, ultimately abandoning Prince Nuku. Later, on October 3, 1783, the Governor of Ternate received news from the expedition fleet itself.

At the end of September 1783 Van Dijk and European soldiers and a number of native burghers were massacred by rebels on the island of Batanta. This situation was made worse by information that all the artillery on board the ship was distributed among Prince Nuku's followers. Papuans who previously formally declared their submission and were assumed to support the VOC fleet proved to be defectors. One hundred and twenty ships from Maba, Patani and Papua appeared at Gane and Saketa. Captain Hairun who was appointed by the VOC and other sangaji on board the ship had defected to the rebel side. Two hundred Ternate people were arrested. This was a total disaster and failure for the Sultan of Ternate and the Dutch Government of Ternate.^[21]

Battle of Gorong (1791) edit

The 'Battle of Gorong' (Dutch: Gorong Oorlog) or also called the Battle of Gorom, was a series of the 30 year war of Sultan Nuku from the Sultanate of Tidore. More than half of the Nuku war took place in East Seram. The people of East Seram are known to be the most loyal in protecting Nuku from VOC and Ternate pursuit.^{[22] [23]} On May 23, 1791, the peak of the battle occurred on Kataloka beach. Two VOC flagships were burned. Captain Gobius was trapped in a small river between Ondor and Kataloka. Nuku and King Bessy's troops from two opposite directions attacked Gobius' troops. The captain, who had experience in European wars, fell with a gunshot wound to the left thigh and a spear in the left stomach. Unfortunately, he died on the spot. Hundreds of Gobius troops died on the coast of Gorom. Captain Walterbek followed to help but it was too late, Admiral Straring withdrew his troops and returned to Banda.^[24]

Sack of Taliabu (1792) edit

On October 1792 the Sula's reported that 10 kora-kora from Tobelo under Kapiten Laut Kitabi and cobu command was destroyed village,including his house, near Taliabu Island. Many people get killed and another people get captured. Eight Kora-Kora from Tobelo fleet's was sailed to Coastal Sulu and the two Kora-Kora from Tobelo fleet's was stayed in Taliabu.^[25]

Ambush At Gane (1792) edit

a Makassar named Rasit who was in Jerongo di Gane in October 1792 also saw a fleet of 10 kora-kora manned by people from Haruwe. Rasit and his friends were ambushed by rebels while crossing the rattan on the beach. One of his colleagues' paduakang was seized. Anakoda and the slaves fled into the forest. after that Gane was burned to the ground, 68 of its inhabitants were killed and captured. ^[26]

Reconquest Of Tidore (1796-1797) edit

In 1796, British forces seized Banda Island. They also gave limited assistance to Amiruddin to take control of Tidore Island on 12 April 1797, after surrounding the island with 79 of Kora-Kora and one British Ships. Nuku Forces plundered and fired the dutch village and Bacan people betrayed dutch and joined Nuku Forces to attack the Dutch. However On a few month Nuku's get his Victory on 1797 in this Military Campaign.^[27]

Conquest of Bacan (1797) edit

in 1780 Nuku want to conquered Bacan the small island in Maluku Utara to unite Maluku Utara in his authority. In his strategy,Bacan Island is played the crucial role. On voyage to Tidore in 1797 Prince Nuku's fleet, accompanied by British ships, did not rush straight to Tidore, but took the time to conquer Bacan. Indeed, Bacan was a small kingdom and was only able to gather insignificant power compared to Tidore and Ternate. However, reading is an important foundation from Maluku's point of view. According to Prince Nuku, conquering Bacan was an integral part of unifying Maluku. The cost of such a conquest was relatively inexpensive because Bacan was halfway from Halmahera to Tidore and Ternate. The political situation in Bacan during Prince Nuku's rebellion is unclear. In sources, there is no evidence of communication between Prince Nuku and the Sultan of Bacan or vice versa. During the reign of Prince Nuku's father, Sultan Jamaludin, the Sultan of Bacan collaborated with Sultan Jamaludin. The result of this collaboration was none other than the two of them being exiled to Batavia. On 1797 Nuku forces was landed in Bacan they also plundered the village and firing the dutch fort and Dutch Forces was landed and occured the battle against Nuku Forces but Nuku Forces succeded to make Dutch Forces Withdrawn from they position and after that many dutch supporter get massacred by Nuku Forces.^[28]

Conquest Of Ternate (1798-1801) edit

The idea of conquering Ternate has become increasingly clear since the British occupation began in 1796. Ambon and Banda have fallen into the hands of this lurking enemy, but the Dutch in Ternate are still determined to fight back. After the Siege of Ternate, Sultan Nuku and his Forces was conquered the Ternate.^[29]

First Siege of Ternate 22,January 1801 edit

In the first Siege of Ternate on January 22 1801, British troops under the command of Colonel Daniel Burr on the orders of Resident Farquhar, rejected the offer of assistance from Sultan Nuku even though a large fleet of prahu and Kora-Kora had appeared at the anchorage under the command of Prince Mayor.^[30]

The prince remained a short distance away during the failed attack.^[31]

Second Siege of Ternate, 21 June 1801 edit

In the second siege a stronger force was placed in the vanguard after Resident Farquhar concluded that he had no choice but to accept the help of the prince of Tidore.^[32]

A traveling salesman named Captain Lynch was ordered to organize the Tidore troops, teaching them to fire 9-pound cannons.

The siege lasted for two months before the Ternate government finally surrendered on June 21, 1801. However, Governor Cranssen refused to admit defeat.^[33]

^[8][9] Sultan Kamaluddin escaped to Ternate Island, and Amiruddin was unanimously elected as the new sultan of Tidore. In 1801, Amiruddin and the allied British freed Ternate from the Dutch. This marked the climax of Nuku's movement, and was one of the few victories of indigenous forces over Dutch colonial rule. However, Britain withdrew from Maluku in 1803, leaving Amiruddin to fend for himself. Amiruddin died in 1805.^[8] His brother and successor Zainal Abidin was driven out of Tidore by a renewed Dutch attack in 1806 and finally died in 1810 after a largely unsuccessful resistance.

Amiruddin was awarded the title National Hero of Indonesia 1995 through Presidential Decree number 071/TK/1995.^[34][35]

• Battle of Gorong
• Invasion of the Spice Islands

Notes

Bibliography