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Indonesia - princely states

Former Indigenous States of Indonesia (Dutch Protectorate)

Last modified: 2023-11-25 by ian macdonald
Keywords: princely states | bali | bandoeng | bantam | bartloming | batavia | batjan | bitjolie |
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See also:


Bacan

image by Rob Raeside, 8 June 2010
based on sketch by John McMeekin

Bali

by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 2:3.
Adopted: ?
Abolished: ?

Bali was temporarily subject to Kediri, Singhasari (1284-1293), and to Majapahit (1343). From 1343, it was a vassal kingdom of Majapahit. When the latter fell after c.1500, Bali was an independent kingdom, which itself disintegrated in the 17th century. The component parts were annexed piecemeal by the Dutch, although some survived intact until independence. Klungkung 1686-1908 (to Dutch East Indies); Mengwi c.1690-1891 (partitioned by neighbours), Tabanan c.1400-1906 (to DEI); Karangasem c.1600-1950 (to Indonesia), Jembrana 17th C.-1882 (to DEI); Buleleng c.1660-1882 (to DEI); Gianyar 18th C.-1950 (to Indonesia), Sukawati and Ubud early 18th C.-1950 (to Indonesia), Badung Pamecutan Dynasty 17th C.-1906 (to DEI); Badung Kasiman Dynasty 1813-1906 (to DEI); Badung Den Pasar Dynasty c.1780-1906 (to DEI); Bangli c.1800-1950 (to Indonesia). Alternative spellings: Bali, Bally, Little Java / Klein Java.

Sierksma includes a flag of five horizontal stripes, b/w/r/w/b, described as 'gevoerd door enkele vaartuigen van Bali', flown by some Balinese vessels.
Ian Sumner, 22 April 2011

Flag of Bandoeng by Jean-Marc Merklin, 10 October 2023

Five years ago, I found this photo titled "Flag of Bali Used before Indonesian Independence". Unfortunately I can't find the original website anymore but I just found the same and sharper photo on Flickr titled "Local people showing the old flag of Bali, this was Bali's flag before Indonesian Independence. Sanur, Bali, Indonesia. August 15, 2009" The flag is different from that generally shown on the net as well as [above].
Jean-Marc Merklin, 10 October 2023

See also:

Bandoeng

Flag of Bandoeng by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 4:5 ?.

Adopted: 19th century.

Abolished: 1942 ?.

Banggai

image by Rob Raeside, 2 June 2010

based on sketch by John McMeekin

Banggai Sultanate (East Central Sulawesi) - this flag dates before 1945.

Bangkalan

FLAG OF THE REGENT OF BANGKALAN

  by Jaume Ollé

Ratio c. 2:3.

Adopted: ? .

Abolished: ? .

Sierksma describes this flag as 'Panembahan regent van Bangkalan' [Panembahan, Regent of Bangkalan]. He describes the colour of the field as light yellow. This flag still survives in a Dutch collection, and is 1.26m wide and 2.02m long. It was flown below a light yellow swallow-tailed wimpel, 30cm wide x 10m long, the points ending in tassels.
Ian Sumner, 22 April 2011, Jan Mertens, 1 May 2011


Banjarmasin

drawing submitted by Janis Lasmanis, 29 April 2020

Drawing of Banjarmasin sultan's residence in 1843 suggests that then there was a plain yellow flag (before 1905).
Janis Lasmanis, 29 April 2020

Bantam/Bantem

Flag of Bantam by Jaume Ollé

See Banten


Bartloming

Standard of Bartloming by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 1:1.

Adopted: ?.

Abolished: ?.

Batavia

1.   by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 4:5.

Adopted: ?.

Abolished: ?.

2.   by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 2:3.

Adopted: ? .

Abolished: ? .

3.   by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 2:3.

Adopted: ?.

Abolished: ?.

4.   by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 2:3.

Adopted: 1938 ?.

Abolished: 1942 ?.

5.   by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 2:3.

Adopted: 1938 ?.

Abolished: 1942 ?.

Note: The word "Batavia" is only supposed.

Batjan

1.   by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 2:3.

Adopted: ? .

Abolished: ?.

2.   by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 1:1.

Adopted: ?.

Abolished: ?.

3.   by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 1:1.

Adopted: ? .

Abolished: ? .

4.   by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 2:3.

Adopted: ?.

Abolished: ?.

5.   by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 1:1.

Adopted: ?.

Abolished: ? .

Berau

Sultan's flag

image by Rob Raeside, 9 June 2010
based on sketch by John McMeekin

Bilah

BILAH, SULTAN

image by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 2:3.
Adopted: ?
Abolished: ?

Sierksma gives the flag of the Sultan as plain yellow. The dark grey flag is the next, but is unlabelled.
Ian Sumner, 22 April 2011

BILAH, GUARD 1

image by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 2:3
Adopted: ?
Abolished: ?

Sierksma gives this as 'garde, lijfwacht (met de naam:) ,De Trouw des vorsten', the Prince's Loyal Lifeguard.
Ian Sumner, 22 April 2011

BILAH, ORANG KAJA MOEDA

image by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 2:3.
Adopted: ?
Abolished: ?

Sierksma gives Orang kaia moeda as 'de jonge aanzienlijken' [Young distinguished persons, young persons of rank].
Ian Sumner, 22 April 2011, Jan Mertens, 1 May 2011

BILAH, GUARD 2

image by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 2:3.
Adopted: ?
Abolished: ?

Sierksma gives this as 'Satia lala bantar - garde, lijfwacht (met de naam:) ,De Trouw van de fiere achtehoede''.
Ian Sumner, 22 April 2011

De Trouw van de fiere achte[r]hoede needs the "r" but Dutch still not quite clear - let us say "Loyal and Proud Rearguard".
Jan Mertens, 1 May 2011

BILAH, ROYAL FLAG IN LAND

image by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 2:3.
Adopted: ?
Abolished: ?

Sierksma gives this as 'orang kaia moharadja mantri' but then doesn't give a translation. Using Google Translate, something like the maharaja's noble ministers.
Ian Sumner, 22 April 2011

Bima

Bendera Kesultan

image by Rob Raeside, 1 June 2010

based on sketch by John McMeekin

Bitjolie

  by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 1:2.

Adopted: ?.

Abolished: ?.

Rajah of Bitjolie

by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 4:5.

Adopted: ? .

Abolished: ? .


Bone

image by Rob Raeside, 2 June 2010
based on sketch by John McMeekin

Bone Sultanate (S.W. arm of Sulawesi)

image by John McMeekin, 29 September 2014

Original source :"Festival Keraton Nusantara (F.K.N.) ke- IX Bima" (The 9th Royal National Festival of Indonesia, 7th to 9th September 2014 in Bima Sultanate) photo.
John McMeekin, 29 September 2014

This flag is the state flag for cars, vehicles, etc.
John McMeekin, 5 February 2015

BONE KINGDOM (SULTANATE) FLAG
A white rectangular flag with the Garuda in the center, holding 3 snakes in it's claws, in each of the corner are tigers.
This flag is now on Google under "images", you can also see the Bone Coat of Arms (with canons etc.) to get it, type in "Lambang Kesultanan Bone" or "Lambang Kerajaan Bone"
John McMeekin, 29 September 2014

Sultan's Royal Flag

image by John McMeekin, 5 February 2015

White cloth, a black border “decorated with narrow lengths of white cloth”.
John McMeekin, 5 February 2015

Naval Flag

image by John McMeekin, 5 February 2015

Pale-blue field & yellow embroidery.
John McMeekin, 5 February 2015

State Flag

image by John McMeekin, 5 February 2015

A white flag is called “State Flag”.
John McMeekin, 5 February 2015

There is a change to the Bone Flag, which was previously described as white. The Bendera "Tjallae-ri-atau" and Bendera "Tjallae-ri-abeo" (modern spelling = "Callae-ri-atau & Callae-ri-abeo") is red with a green velvet top (that is 3/4 red (base) and 1/4 green, (top). The sleeve at the hoist is decorated with hair. Both these flags date from the 3rd King of Bone (ca. 1350).

The "Bendera Samparaja" is the Royal Ensign, (this is the "anchor" flag with the decorative border (shown in the scan above).
John McMeekin, 18 August 2015


Bulungan State Flag

image by Rob Raeside, 1 June 2010
based on sketch by John McMeekin

image by John McMeekin, 29 November 2010

Bulungun appears to be in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Through an e-mail friend of a friend, I obtained the photo of the Royal Standard of H.H. The Sultan of Bulungan 1931-1958. He also confirmed that the shield in the arms is orange. The letters below "S M M D X" probably stand for "Sultan Maulana, Muhammad Djalalluddin" 1931-1958.
John Duncan McMeekin, 29 November 2010

image located by WJH Schuurman, 18 February 2017

I found this flag Bulungan / Belungan / Boeloengan. Its source is: https://sultansinindonesieblog.wordpress.com/kalimantan-4/sultan-van-bulungan/. In March 2013 Sultan X, Muhammad Al-Mamun Ibni Muhammad Djalaludin was installed.
WJH Schuurman, 18 February 2017

It can be found in the Flickr collection https://www.flickr.com/photos/125605764@N04/sets/72157649076507071/, in particular https://www.flickr.com/photos/125605764@N04/20505922414/in/album-72157649076507071/.
Jonathan Dixon, 22 February 2017

Buton

New flag (2013)

image located by John D McMeekin, 11 December 2013

 The Buton flag is called LONGA LONGA BENDERA KESULTANAN BUTON.
John D McMeekin, 11 December 2013

Former flag

image by Rob Raeside, 9 June 2010
based on sketch by John McMeekin

Royal Standard

image by Rob Raeside, 9 June 2010
based on sketch by John McMeekin