Depok Lama Area (History of Cornelis Chastelein)

Historical Traces of Depok Lama Area: The Legacy of Cornelis Chastelein and the Original Depok People

Depok Lama Area is a historical anomaly amidst the modernity of Depok City, West Java. Unlike its surrounding areas that developed as Jakarta's satellite cities, Depok Lama has a very specific historical root, beginning with the ambition of a high-ranking official of the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) named Cornelis Chastelein in the late 17th century. This area is not just an old settlement, but a symbol of a unique social, economic, and religious experiment on Javanese soil.

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Origins and Founding: The Ambition of Cornelis Chastelein

The history of Depok Lama began when Cornelis Chastelein, a member of the Council of the Indies (Raad van Indie) known for his progressive and religious views, purchased land in the Depok area (an abbreviation for De Eerste Protestantsche Organisatie van Kristenen according to local legend, although etymologically it originates from the Sundanese word "Padepokan") on May 18, 1696. Chastelein bought this land from the colonial authorities to be used as a coffee, pepper, and cocoa plantation.

However, what distinguished Chastelein from other Dutch landowners was his vision for labor. He did not use the cruel system of forced labor, but instead brought 150 slaves from various regions in the Nusantara, such as Bali, Makassar, Ambon, and Timor. These workers were later freed and converted to Protestant Christianity. Before his death on June 28, 1714, Chastelein wrote a revolutionary will: he freed all his workers and collectively bequeathed his land, covering 1,244 hectares, to them. This group later became known as "Belanda Depok" or the 12 Clans of Depok (Jonathans, Laurens, Bacas, Loen, Soedira, Isakh, Samuel, Leander, Joseph, Tholense, Jacob, and Zadokh).

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Architectural Style and Construction Details

Depok Lama Area features the Indische Empire Style of architecture, a blend of European aesthetics with adaptations to the tropical climate. The characteristic features of buildings in this area are thick brick walls, high ceilings for air circulation, large windows with louvers (jalusi), and spacious verandas at the front.

One of the most iconic buildings is the Immanuel Church of Depok. Although the original wooden building was destroyed by an earthquake in 1834, the church was rebuilt with a sturdy stone structure in 1854. Its architecture reflects Protestant simplicity yet remains grand with its distinctive bell tower. Additionally, there is the Gemeente Bestuur building (old Depok City Hall), which is currently used as Harapan Hospital, showcasing the functional structure of colonial government buildings with large pillars. Jalan Pemuda, the heart of this area, still retains several old houses with large yards, reflecting the 19th-century plantation town planning.

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Historical Significance and Important Events

Depok Lama holds a unique status in Indonesian history because it once stood as a small, autonomous "Republic" during the colonial period. Based on Chastelein's will, the people of Depok had their own government led by a President elected from among the 12 clans. This autonomy lasted until the era of Indonesian independence.

The darkest event in the history of this area occurred during the War of Independence, known as the "Gedoran Depok" incident in October 1945. Due to their cultural and historical proximity to the Dutch, the people of Depok Lama were suspected of being collaborators by the independence fighters. The area was raided, property was looted, and many residents of Depok Lama were taken captive. This event marked the end of the exclusive isolation of the Depok community and their full integration into the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia in 1952, after their private lands were released to the Indonesian government with compensation.

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Figures and Cultural Influence

The central figure is, of course, Cornelis Chastelein, whose tomb (though its location is still debated between Jakarta and Depok) remains revered as the founding father. Besides the 12 clans, figures like the administrators of the Cornelis Chastelein Foundation (LCC) play an important role in maintaining the continuity of this community.

Culturally, Depok Lama is a meeting point of various Nusantara ethnicities united by religion and the Dutch language as the lingua franca in the past. This created a unique identity: they were not biologically Dutch, but had a strong Westernized lifestyle in their time. Celebration traditions like "June 28" (the day Chastelein passed away) are still commemorated by the descendants of the 12 clans as a day of liberation and thanksgiving.

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Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

Currently, Depok Lama Area faces significant challenges due to urbanization pressure. Many historical buildings have been repurposed or demolished for the construction of modern shophouses and housing. However, awareness of the importance of preservation is growing. The Depok City Government has designated several buildings along Jalan Pemuda and Jalan Kenanga as cultural heritage buildings.

The Cornelis Chastelein Foundation (LCC) plays a vital role in independent restoration. They manage inherited assets such as school buildings and churches to keep them in their original form. Local communities and historians continue to advocate for this area to be designated as an integrated "Old City of Depok," similar to Jakarta's Old City area, to attract history and education-based tourism.

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Importance of Religious and Social Values

The Immanuel Church is more than just a building; it is a spiritual center that has shaped the morality of the original Depok community for three centuries. The values taught by Chastelein about independence and inter-ethnic brotherhood (through the 12 clans) became a strong social foundation. Depok Lama is a tangible proof of early social experiments in the Dutch East Indies on how a multi-ethnic community could coexist under the same legal framework and beliefs, long before the concept of modern pluralism was proclaimed.

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Unique Historical Facts

One unique fact is that Depok had its own legal system and courts before 1942. Furthermore, the bell in the current Immanuel Church is a historical artifact whose sound has been heard in the area for over 150 years. Another little-known fact is that Chastelein prohibited rice cultivation on Depok land in the early days of its establishment, as he wanted to focus on export commodity crops and maintain soil drainage to prevent it from becoming a swamp that carried malaria.

Depok Lama Area continues to stand as a reminder of a lost piece of history; a story of liberation, faith, and the resilience of a small community amidst the great currents of change in Indonesia.