On the Long Trail of Depok’s Existence

KOMPAS/AMANDA PUTRI

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The city of Depok is 18 years old, administratively. However, even before the establishment of its administration, an autonomous region had been formed in Depok towards the end of the 1800s. At that time, the descendants of Cornelis Chastelein’s former slaves, who were later freed, became an increasingly solid part of the indigenous people called Kaoem Depok.

Cornelis Chastelein was a Dutchman who worked for the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC/the Dutch East Indies Company). In 1696, he bought land in Depok, located between Batavia and Buitenzorg (Bogor), from Cirebon Resident Lucas van de Meur for 300 rijksdaalders (Dutch silver currency).