Background
Tuanku Imam Bonjol was born in Bonjol, Pasaman, West Sumatra. He was immersed in Islamic studies as he grew up, studying first from his father and later under various other Muslim theologians.
Tuanku Imam Bonjol was born in Bonjol, Pasaman, West Sumatra. He was immersed in Islamic studies as he grew up, studying first from his father and later under various other Muslim theologians.
He was declared a National Hero of Indonesia. His family came from Sungai Rimbang, Suliki, Limapuluh Koto. After founding the state of Bonjol, Syarif became involved in the Adat-Paderi controversy as a Paderi leader.
lieutenant also opposed the powerful role of women in the matrilineal Minangkabau culture.
Feeling their leadership position threatened, the traditionalists appealed to the Dutch for help in their struggle against the Paderis. In 1824, the Dutch signed the Masang Agreement ending hostilities with the state of Bonjol.
Subsequently, however, once the Diponegoro resistance was suppressed, the Dutch attacked the state of Pandai Sikat in a renewed effort to gain control of West Sumatra. Despite valiant fighting by the Indonesians (by this time the traditionalists had realised they didn"t want to be ruled by the Dutch either and had joined forces with the Paderis in their resistance), the overwhelming power of the Dutch military eventually prevailed.
Syarif was captured in 1832 but escaped after three months to continue the struggle from his tiny fortress in Bonjol.
After three years of siege, the Dutch finally managed to sack Bonjol on 16 August 1837. Through a negotiation ruse, the Dutch again captured Syarif and exiled him, first to Cianjur in West Java, then to Ambon, and later to Manado in Sulawesi. He died on 6 November 1864, at the age of 92 and is buried in Sulawesi.
The site of his grave is marked by a Minangkabau (West Sumatran) house.
