History of Bandung City, 1945–1979

Ekajati, Edi S. et al. Sejarah Kota Bandung, 1945-1979. Jakarta: Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, Direktorat Sejarah dan Nilai Tradisional, Proyek Inventarisasi dan Dokumentasi Sejarah Nasional 1985, 128pp.

ABSTRACT

History of Bandung City, 1945-1979

Sejarah Kota Bandung, 1945-1979 

Bandung is the capital of West Java Province, and was put on the map after it hosted the Asian-African Conference in 1955 and inspired many developing countries to fight for independence. Its beautiful natural scenery has earned the city the name of “Kota Kembang” (City of Flowers); since it is a centre of fashion, Bandung is also called the Paris of Java. The city is also a centre of education and culture. 

This book describes the historical development of the city over 30 years. The author provides a geographical description of the city and mentions that it is situated over a dried out lake formed by the eruption of Tangkuban Prahu. Bandung was established after the construction of the Post Road, initiated by Governor General, H.W. Daendels, which linked the Dutch city of Anyer to Penarukan. Regent R.A.Wiranatakusumah II developed Bandung as a city. 

This book is the result of research undertaken in Indonesia and the Netherlands. It is a comprehensive work providing information on the architecture, population, transportation, and social problems of the city. It contains old city maps and photographs of the city buildings. 

Bandung still attracts many people due to its creative industries and is easily accessible by train, car, and airplane. The population of the city is diverse including people of non-Indonesian ethnic origins such as European, Chinese and Arab. The Indonesian population comes from West Java, Kebumen, Pekalongan, Madura and Surabaya. 

The information on the establishment of Bandung as a city has appeared in older publications. The strength of the book lies in its historical description of the city, and its in-depth documented research based on Indonesian and Dutch references.

Lathiful Khuluq