Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta - home to over 10 million people with more than 30 million in its greater metropolitan area - stands as a testament to
resilience, reinvention and the enduring spirit of its inhabitants.
Inspired by the vibrant mix of people who have settled here over the centuries and by the labyrinthine kampung that crisscross the megacity, Herald van der Linde, bestselling author of Majapahit, explores the history of Jakarta through the eyes of individuals who have walked its streets through the ages, including his own ancestors. Jakarta traces the city's evolution from pre-colonial times to the bustling metropolis it is today, revealing how it has taken shape over 500 years.
Compelling reading for Jakartans and visitors alike, this is a celebration of the history and people of Jakarta - a heartfelt tribute from a long-time resident to his adopted home.
By:
Herald van der Linde
Imprint: MONSOON
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 198mm,
Width: 129mm,
Spine: 22mm
ISBN: 9781915310446
ISBN 10: 191531044X
Pages: 304
Publication Date: 01 July 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Map of the Region x Preface xiii A Note on Non-English Terms xix List of Illustrations xxi Timeline of Events xxiv Present-day Greater Jakarta xxvi A Word of Warning, a Fortuitous Meeting and a New Home 1 From Kelapa to Batavia 11 Trijntje and Souw Beng Kong 30 Beyond the City Walls 61 A Grisly Execution, an Outbreak of Malaria and a Massacre 82 The Travails of Slave Girls and Chinatown Reborn 104 Moving the Capital, British Invasion and the First Taste of Luxury 126 A Dutch Bestseller, Batavia’s Robin Hood and a New School 151 The Murder of a Housewife, Japanese Occupation and the Seeds of Independence 171 An Attempted Coup, Deep Purple’s Debacle and a Jakarta Love Story 194 Thinking Local: Why Jakarta’s Kampung Spirit Can Save the City 219 Notes 232 Further Reading 242 Reference List 244 Acknowledgements 264 Index 267
Herald van der Linde has travelled, lived and worked in Indonesia and Hong Kong since the 90s. Married to an Indonesian, he is passionate about the social and cultural history of Indonesia and is the author of Majapahit: Intrigue and Betrayal in Indonesia's Greatest Empire. Fluent in Dutch, Indonesian and English, he enjoys delving into local Indonesian archives to unearth intriguing narratives from the archipelago's past.
Reviews for Jakarta: Biography of a City
'A very readable account of Jakarta's history and geography, linking the past to the present and to the names of its component parts, kampungs, streets, and its several vital but often forgotten rivers and canals, a port city as well as the Jabodetabek megacity of today.' Philip Bowring, author, in Asia Sentinel
