Fort de Kock

Fort de Kock

Fort de Kock is the Dutch fort which stands in the city of Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Indonesia.

This fort was founded by Captain Bouer in 1825 at the time of Baron Hendrik de Kock Merkus Der Troepen as a commander and Deputy Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, which is why the fort was known as Fort Fort de Kock.

The fortress is situated on top of Bukit Jirek was used by the Dutch Army as a stronghold of the onslaught of the Minangkabau people, especially since the outbreak of Padri War in 1821-1837. Around the fort there are cannons ancient period to the 19th century. In the following years, around this fort grew a city that is also named Fort de Kock, now Bukittinggi.

Fort de Kock was also built as a symbol that the Dutch Colonial has managed to occupy the area in West Sumatra. The fort is a sign of colonization and expansion of Dutch rule against Bukittinggi region, Agam, and Pasaman. Dutch was clever to occupy West Sumatra, they take advantage of the internal conflicts at the time, namely the conflict between indigenous groups and religious groups. Even the Dutch themselves helped indigenous groups, in order to suppress religious groups during the Padri War in 1821 which lasted until 1837.