I Gusti Ngurah Rai
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Colonel I Gusti Ngurah Rai (Desa
Carangsari, Kabupaten Badung Bali
, 30 January 1917–Marga
, Tabanan, 20 November 1946) is an Indonesian National Hero who commanded Indonesian forces in Bali
against the Dutch
during the Indonesian War of Independence. He was killed in the Battle of Margarana.
Carangsari, Kabupaten Badung Bali
on 30 January 1917. He studied at a Dutch elementary school, then went to high school in Malang
, East Java
. He then received Dutch military training at the Military Cadet School in Gianyar, Bali and Magelang
, Central Java
. After graduating, he joined the Dutch-sponsored military as a second lieutenant in Bali.
After the Indonesian Declaration of Independence
. he established the People's Security Army, the forerunner of the Military of Indonesia
for the Lesser Sunda Islands
. He then left for the republican capital, Yogyakarta to receive orders before returning to Bali to oppose the approximately 2,000 Dutch troops who had landed on 2 and 3 March 1946.
Ngurah Rai found that the republican forces were divided and he worked hard to reunite them. He then organized the first attack against the Dutch forces headquarters at Tabanan. The Dutch then attempted to locate Nguraha Rai's base and offered negotiations, which he refused.
On 20 November 1946, the Dutch launched a large scale attack on Marga with the assistance of troops from Lombok
and supported by aircraft. Lt. Col Ngurah Rai ordered a Puputan
, or fight to the death. He died along with all of his troops. The battle is now known as the Battle of Margarana.
is named for him and he appears on the IDR
50,000 note.
Desa
Desa can refer to:*Desa , an American rock band*Desaparecidos, American punk band*desa , a village in Indonesia*DESA diesel, diesel manufacturing co...
Carangsari, Kabupaten Badung Bali
Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...
, 30 January 1917–Marga
Marga
-Religion:*Marga in Hinduism refers to a way of accomplishing something such as yoga or sadhana*Marga , "path," the Buddhist path to enlightenment-Places:*Marga, Estonia, a village in Estonia...
, Tabanan, 20 November 1946) is an Indonesian National Hero who commanded Indonesian forces in Bali
Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...
against the Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
during the Indonesian War of Independence. He was killed in the Battle of Margarana.
Early life
Ngurah Rai was born in DesaDesa
Desa can refer to:*Desa , an American rock band*Desaparecidos, American punk band*desa , a village in Indonesia*DESA diesel, diesel manufacturing co...
Carangsari, Kabupaten Badung Bali
Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...
on 30 January 1917. He studied at a Dutch elementary school, then went to high school in Malang
Malang
Malang is the second largest city in East Java province, Indonesia. It has an ancient history dating back to the Mataram Kingdom. The city population at the 2010 Census was 819,708. During the period of Dutch colonization, it was a popular destination for European residents. The city is famous for...
, East Java
East Java
East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and islands to its east and to its north East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and...
. He then received Dutch military training at the Military Cadet School in Gianyar, Bali and Magelang
Magelang
Magelang is one of the largest cities of the 1,130 km² Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. It is also the largest town in the Kedu Plain between Mount Merbabu and Mount Sumbing in Central Java, Indonesia...
, Central Java
Central Java
Central Java is a province of Indonesia. The administrative capital is Semarang. It is one of six provinces on the island of Java.This province is the province of high Human Development in Indonesia and its Points Development Index countries is equivalent to Lebanon. The province of Central Java...
. After graduating, he joined the Dutch-sponsored military as a second lieutenant in Bali.
Military career
Indonesian Declaration of Independence
The Proclamation of Indonesian Independence was read at 10.00 a.m. on Friday, August 17, 1945. The declaration marked the start of the diplomatic and armed-resistance of the Indonesian National Revolution, fighting against the forces of the Netherlands until the latter officially acknowledged...
. he established the People's Security Army, the forerunner of the Military of Indonesia
Military of Indonesia
The Indonesian National Armed Forces in 2009 comprises approximately 432,129 personnel including the Army , Navy including the Indonesian Marine Corps and the Air Force ....
for the Lesser Sunda Islands
Lesser Sunda Islands
The Lesser Sunda Islands or Nusa Tenggara are a group of islands in the southern Maritime Southeast Asia, north of Australia. Together with the Greater Sunda Islands to the west they make up the Sunda Islands...
. He then left for the republican capital, Yogyakarta to receive orders before returning to Bali to oppose the approximately 2,000 Dutch troops who had landed on 2 and 3 March 1946.
Ngurah Rai found that the republican forces were divided and he worked hard to reunite them. He then organized the first attack against the Dutch forces headquarters at Tabanan. The Dutch then attempted to locate Nguraha Rai's base and offered negotiations, which he refused.
On 20 November 1946, the Dutch launched a large scale attack on Marga with the assistance of troops from Lombok
Lombok
Lombok is an island in West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia. It forms part of the chain of the Lesser Sunda Islands, with the Lombok Strait separating it from Bali to the west and the Alas Strait between it and Sumbawa to the east...
and supported by aircraft. Lt. Col Ngurah Rai ordered a Puputan
Puputan
Puputan is a Balinese term that refers to a mass ritual suicide in preference to facing the humiliation of surrender. Notable puputans occurred in 1906 and 1908 when the Balinese were being subjugated by the Dutch.- 1906 Badung puputan :...
, or fight to the death. He died along with all of his troops. The battle is now known as the Battle of Margarana.
Burial and national hero status
Ngurah Rai was buried in Marga. On 9 August 1975, he was made a national hero via Presidential Decision No. 063/TK/TH 1975. Ngurah Rai International Airport, in BaliBali
Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...
is named for him and he appears on the IDR
Indonesian rupiah
The rupiah is the official currency of Indonesia. Issued and controlled by the Bank of Indonesia, the ISO 4217 currency code for the Indonesian rupiah is IDR. Informally, Indonesians also use the word "perak" in referring to rupiah...
50,000 note.