Jember’s Development from the Traditional Authority to Modern Government

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article examines the changes that occurred in the government system in Jember, East Java, in the period 1600-1945. The changes that took place in government in Jember region from the time of traditional rule to the modern era in the 20^th century will show a historical pattern, which can be seen as a form of power-rise and can give historical explanation for the remaining social phenomena in Jember. The findings show that Jember, as an unit of government, has a history that can be traced back to the time of the Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms. The collapse and rise of the Islamic-style kingdoms, and the influx of foreign influences, also gave the color to Jember nowadays. After the collapse of Blambangan, Jember region began to get foreign influence. Slowly but surely, it became the basis for the establishment of Jember as a unit of modern government. Jember's geographical condition, on the other hand, is a factor that inhibited the emergence of a governance in this region, up to the 18^th century. The development of Jember was also influenced by plantation economic factors and population migration from central Java and Madura of East Java. All of them combined to produce the known Jember as it is now. The most significant change was when the Dutch colonial government upgraded the status of Jember into a “regentschap” or district in 1929. The construction of various supporting facilities of the city was encouraged, and eventually all of this became capital in the administration of Jember's government in the independence period, since 1945 to date.

KEY WORDS: Jember; Government; Power; Traditional; Dutch Colonial Government.

  

About the Authors: Retno Winarni and Ratna Endang Widuatie are the Lecturers at the Department of History, Faculty of Humanities UNEJ (University of Jember), Jalan Kalimantan No.37 Tegalboto, Sumbersari, Jember, East Java, Indonesia. For academic interests, the authors are able to be contacted via e-mail address at: retnowinarni122@yahoo.com

Suggested Citation: Winarni, Retno & Ratna Endang Widuatie. (2018). “Jember’s Development from the Traditional Authority to Modern Government” in TAWARIKH: Journal of Historical Studies, Volume 10(1), October, pp.15-30. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Press owned by ASPENSI, ISSN 2085-0980 (print).

Article Timeline: Accepted (August 31, 2018); Revised (September 30, 2018); and Published (October 30, 2018).