Tuanku Rao
Tuanku Rao (1790-1833) was an Islamic cleric (
Biography
Early life
Rao was born to a Minangkabau family, hailed from Rao, Pasaman in West Sumatra. His father was from Tarung-Tarung, Rao, and his mother was from Padang Mantinggi, Rao.
Padri movement
Rao was one of the strongest Padri warlords, vigorously fighting against the Dutch East Indies colonial government in Pasaman, Kotanopan, Padang Lawas, and Padang Sidempuan areas. After the Dutch troops conquered Matur and Lubuk Sikaping in October 1832, Rao was finally surrounded. Lieutenant Bevervoorden, a commander of the Dutch forces, met Rao and persuaded him to surrender. During the meeting, Rao argued that he would go to Hajj and hand over the leadership of his government to his father-in-law, Yang Dipertuan Rao.[3]
After the meeting, Rao withdrew and hid in the forest. But inspired by Tuanku Tambusai who had just returned from Mecca, he was encouraged to continue fighting against the Dutch. To initiate the propagation of padri movement in Batak land, Rao attacked the Dutch defense in Air Bangis with the help of Tuanku Imam Bonjol.[4] On January 29, 1833, Rao was intercepted by Dutch troops. His resistance was pierced after he was severely injured by bullet wounds. He was then sent by the Dutch to exile, during which he died shortly after. His body was allegedly dumped into the sea by Dutch troops.[3]
Posthumous controversy
The association between the history of Tuanku Rao, padri movement and the Indonesian patriotism was briefly challenged by the so-called amateur historians who criticized the ideology of padris during the
References
- ^ Marjohan, Mempertimbangkan Kepahlawanan Tuanku Rao, Padang Today, 2-4-2009.
- ^ Hamka, Antara Fakta Dan Khayal :Tuanku Rao, 1974: pp.110-112,156-157.
- ^ a b Muhammad Radjab, Perang Paderi di Sumatera Barat (1803-1838), Balai Pusataka, 1964. pp.164-166.
- ^ Hadler, Jeffrey. A Historiography of Violence and the Secular State in Indonesia: Tuanku Imam Bondjol and the Uses of History. The Journal of Asian Studies, Vol. 67, No. 3 (August) 2008: 971–1010. pp.982
- ^ Rusli Amran and the Rewriting of Minangkabau History. Kyoto Review. Retrieved November 28, 2017.