SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This study examines the kapitan Cina institution in Batavia, its place in the Dutch East Indies administration, and the role played by the Chinese officers in their own community. The Chinese inhabitants of Batavia and the Dutch practice of segregation are considered in chapter 1, devoted to describing the plurality of Batavia's population under the VOC. Chapter 2 traces the original concept of the kapitan system, dating back to the pre-colonial indigenous kingdoms of the archipelago. It indicates that the kapitan institution was an indigenous arrangement, later adopted by western colonists to rule the non-indigenous inhabitants of the colony. The main focus of this study is in the last five chapters. Chapter 3 examines the establishment of the kapitan Gina, or Chinese officers, its nature, structure and relationships with the local authority of Batavia. The Chinese officers were members of the Chinese Council through which the local Chinese administration was performed. This is considered in chapter 4, on the Chinese Council. Chapter 5 considers the role of the Chinese officers in the context of the Chinese movement from the early twentieth century, and the changing attitude of the Dutch towards the Chinese. Given that Chinese officers were wealthy members of their community, given the significant role played by the Chinese in the colonial economy, the economy aspect of the Chinese officership is discussed in chapter 6, which also examines the peculiar position of Batavia in Dutch economic policy and practice. The last chapter discusses the Dutch plan to abolish the institution of the Chinese officers in Java and Madura, except the Batavian Chinese officers.