The story of the struggle of Pangeran Diponegoro in his resistance to Dutch colonialism is a history that the Indonesian people cannot forget. One of the historic locations that became a silent witness to his struggle is Sukosewu Hamlet, Sukorejo Village, Sukorejo District, Ponorogo Regency.
At that time, Pangeran Diponegoro and his troops arrived at Sukosewu Park to take a short break. In this momentum, his troops made this park a place to tether their horses before entering the battlefield.
At this location there is one of the biggest trees right in the middle which is said to be Pangeran Diponegoro’s resting place. While at war with the Dutch.
It is not surprising that Sukosewu Park is considered an important landmark that represents the resistance spirit of Pangeran Diponegoro and his soldiers.
The name “Sukosewu Park” itself has a meaning that contains an important story in the course of this struggle. Traces of history in Sukosewu, the many ashoka trees that grow in the park are silent witnesses of Pangeran Diponegoro’s troop tethering his horse.
It is estimated that Sukosewu Park has existed since 1825-1830, capturing historic moments in the past.
Pangeran Diponegoro himself is a national hero who played an important role in the fight against colonialism in Java. He is the son of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono III and has the real name Raden Mas Ontowiryo, born on 11 November 1785 in Yogyakarta.
The Diponegoro War or the Java War, which he led, became an important chapter in the history of Indonesian struggle. This war was a major war experienced by the Dutch during their occupation of the archipelago.
The war arose as a result of Dutch interference in royal affairs, as well as the suffering of peasants due to misuse of land by foreigners in 1821.
Pangeran Diponegoro decided to fight colonialism, namely one of his steps was to impose the Puwasa tax on farmers in Tegalrejo so that they could buy weapons and food to support the resistance.
His anger escalated when the Dutch installed bollards for the railroad that passed through his ancestral graves.
This historical story inspires the spirit of nationalism and patriotism, reminds us of the sacrifice of Pangeran Diponegoro and his struggle to liberate the homeland from colonialism.
Sukosewu Park in Ponorogo is a silent witness that reminds us of Pangeran Diponegoro’s great footprints in the struggle against oppression and arbitrariness.(*Ptr)
