The Acquisition of Dutch Bali (25 May-18 December 1858) was a short imperial conflict between the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Bali. The Netherlands acquired Bali as a colonial protectorate after a conflict that lasted less than half a year. The Dutch conquered Bali and made it their own territory, starting their conquest of Indonesia.
Background[]
The Dutch expanded their empire in Asia during the course of the mid-19th century, annexing Johore to their empire. On 25 May 1858, they decided to annex the weak Kingdom of Bali, ruled by the Sultans of Lombok. The 42,000-strong Dutch 4th Army under Simon van Assendelft was prepared for the conquest of Bali from the indigenous Balinese sultans. On 25 May 1858, the Netherlands declared war on Bali, and the Dutch invaded.
War[]
The war was very quick, with the Dutch destroying the 9,000-strong Balinese Army of the Sultan of Lombok at the 13 June Battle of Bali. The Dutch crossed the Coast of Surabaya from Probolinggo to Bali, where they eliminated the Balinese, inflicting 6,570 losses with 1,233 casualties. The Dutch proceeded to occupy the island, a task that was completed on 15 September. By 18 December, Lombok was also subdued, and the Sultan of Lombok was forced to accept Dutch colonial rule over his islands.