Strategic Position of the Port of Bima on Trading and Shipping in the 19th to 20th Century

摘要

Bima port is a commercial port which has its own role in trade and sailing at Eastern Part of Indonesia in 19–20th century. Bima port is located in the middle of maritime sailing lane across Indonesian archipelago, therefore it becomes an important transit in trading network at19–20th century. Bima served as the bridge among Western (Malaka, Java), Nortern (Kalimantan, Makasar), and Eastern (Maluku) of Nusantara. Besides, Bima potential commodity were salt, rice, livestock product whict at that time was the main trading commodity. Hence, it made the port ofBima as the center of hustle and trade of surrounding area. During the colonial period, Bima considered as one of the most important trade center, therefore Dutch always tried to monopolize the trade by holding a contract with Bima. In colonial sailing route, Bima frequently appears as oneof the area which oftenly visited by the Ducth vessel. The management of Bima port was regulated in law of speech which contained in BO (Book of State) Bima Kingdom that include about Hadat Law of Bima starting from management till the rate charged in the port. This law was intended to regulatethe management of Bima port, but when the Dutch was dominating Bima, the port management was taken over by the Ducth.