Name the community skilled in forest cutting in Java. why did this community and the Dutch come into conflict with each other
Solution:
- The Kalangs of Java were experts in shifting cultivation and renowned for forest cutting skills.
- They were sought after by the Dutch, but this community rebelled against them in 1770.
- They were valuable for their kingdoms as without their expertise, harvesting teak and build palaces for the Kings would have been impossible.
- But in the 18th century the Dutch began to gain control over the forests and they tried to make the Kalangs work under them without any form of compensation.
- The Kalangs were not ready to work under anyone except for their own kings and so started resisting the Dutch.
- In 1770, the Kalangs resisted by attacking a Dutch fort at Joana, but their revolt was brutally suppressed.