Imam Bonjol (1772-1864), was an Indonesian Muslim who led a war against the Dutch in Sumatra. In the 1600’s and 1700’s, the Dutch took control of trade in much of Indonesia, making large profits on such crops as coffee and indigo. The Dutch government gradually extended its control over Indonesia, sparking revolts in several regions.
Imam Bonjol was born in Minangkabau, in western Sumatra. In his youth, he studied Islam under a number of scholars. He became a teacher and was known as Malim Basa. He helped to spread Islam among the Minangkabau people of western Sumatra. He joined the Padri movement of Islamic reformers who pressed for Islam to be followed rather than the traditional Minangkabau practices. In 1807, he erected a fortress at Bonjol and was given the title Imam Bonjol. An imam is a Muslim leader. The Padri War against the Dutch lasted from 1821 to 1838. During this time, Imam Bonjol was the main leader of the Padri, and Bonjol was the main Padri base. In 1837, the fortress at Bonjol was finally overcome by the Dutch. Imam Bonjol was captured and exiled to Manado, where he died.
