The first appearance of Semarang

1618

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Caption Bahasa Indonesia

Semarang at Old Map of Java in 1618

Source: Kaart van Midden-Java van Cheribon tot Rembang aan de noordkust en van Dirk de Vries-baai tot den hoek Tangala aan de zuidkust, met een reisroute van Samarang naar Soerakarta - Nationaal Archief (ca. 1700)

The name "Semarang" first appeared in a Dutch document as a letter addressed to Jan Pieterszoon Coen on 21 August 1618. The letter stated that the Dutch lodge in Jepara had been attacked by Javanese troops. In this incident, three VOC general officers were killed and three others were wounded. The remaining VOC troops were then taken to Semarang. After receiving the letter, Jan Pieterszoon Coen wrote to the Mataram Kingdom. He asked for clarification about the attack and demanded the release of the prisoners.

Related event:

1653 - In the following years after 1618, the name "Semarang" is no longer mentioned in VOC documents. It was only in 1653 that "Semarang" appeared again. According to the castle records in Batavia, on 18 January 1653, a delegation was sent from Batavia to Jepara to investigate the difficulties faced by the Company (VOC). The Raad van Indie or Council of the Dutch East Indies had to negotiate if the investigation showed that Mataram was obstructing the VOC. However, if the Javanese leaders were obstructed on their own will, the envoys were to take Sluys' ship to Semarang and travel from Semarang to Mataram to complain to the King of Mataram.

On 23 June, the Raad van Indie, or Council of the Dutch East Indies received a letter from Van Gent, an envoy from Batavia who had docked the Hulst at the Semarang docks. He reported that he intended to depart for Mataram the following day with gifts, including a mortar cannon. Van Gent departed on 26 June 1653 accompanied by 1,000 dragonders. He was welcomed in Mataram and returned to Jepara on 20 July 1653.