According to local historical texts, Buleleng rose to prominence
in the second half of the 17th century under Ki Gusti Ngurah Panji
Sakti, founder of the Buleleng dynasty. During his reign Buleleng
conquered territory both in Bali and in east Java and became a
major power broker in the region. But its glory soon waned under
the reign of Panji Sakti's great-grand children, whose rivalry
enabled the ruler of Karangasem to usurp the throne. In 1823 Buleleng
successfully revolted against Karangasern, although its independence
was to be short-lived.
The Dutch, eager to establish a foothold in Bali, subjugated Buleleng
in 1849, but only after suffering two military defeats at the
hands of determined defenders. Even so, sporadic uprisings against
the Dutch took place over the next two decades. Ironically, Dutch
control of Buleleng brought the region into a position of great
power once again, for Singaraja became the center of the Dutch
administrative presence in Bali.
Dutch control of north Bali predated their conquest of the south
by more than 50 years consequently the Dutch presence is more
in evidence here. Dutch architecture has influenced many buildings
constructed during the colonial period, while the character of
Buleleng's inhabitants tends to be more egalitarian and direct
than that of their southern counterparts.
Culturally, as well, Buleleng has always been a leader. Famed
in the traditional arts, Buleleng's dancers, musicians and singers
have made a dramatic impact on south Bali in this century. The
fast and furious kebyar style of music and dance, perfected in
the south by Mario, originated in Buleleng. Following the Japanese
occupation and the struggle for Indonesian independence, Buleleng's
hegemony in the traditional arts began to wane. But as always,
Buleleng has succeeded in reemerging as a leading force, this
time in modern expressions of Balinese culture such as the drama
gong and creative gamelan compositions.
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