Kuta Trieng or Kuta Tengkuruk is an ancient fortress located in Aceh Province, Indonesia. Kuta Trieng is believed to have been built in the 17th century by the Sultanate of Aceh as a stronghold to protect the area from Dutch and Portuguese attacks.
This fort has a rectangular shape with a length of about 45 meters and a width of about 28 meters. The walls are made of bricks arranged in such a way that they are very sturdy and difficult to destroy. Inside the fort there are several buildings used as soldiers’ quarters and weapons storage.
Kuta Trieng was once a silent witness to the struggle of the Acehnese people against Dutch colonialism. In 1904, the fort was surrounded by Dutch troops led by General Van Heutz. However, even though the Dutch troops were equipped with modern and sophisticated weapons, they were unable to take Kuta Trieng for 4 months. In the end, the Dutch troops managed to seize the fort after digging a tunnel under the wall and blowing up the fort with dynamite.
Today, Kuta Trieng can still be found in Pidie District, Aceh Province. Even though this fort is no longer used as a defense fortress, Kuta Trieng remains one of the important historical sites for the people of Aceh and Indonesia. Kuta Trieng is also one of the popular historical tourist destinations in Aceh.
General Van Heutz
General Van Heutsz was a Dutch general famous for his role in the conquest and colonization of Indonesia in the early 20th century. He was born on February 3, 1851 in Coevorden, Netherlands and died on July 11, 1924 in Montreux, Switzerland.
Van Heutsz began his career as a soldier in the Dutch East Indies in 1873. For several years, he served in various positions in Aceh and was involved in the Aceh war which lasted for decades. Van Heutsz is famous for his brutality and wisdom in leading Dutch troops against the persistent resistance of the Acehnese people.
After retiring from the military in 1903, Van Heutsz returned to the Dutch East Indies as Governor-General in 1904. He continued to expand Dutch power in Indonesia, including suppressing popular resistance such as rebellions in Aceh, Banten and Bali.
During his reign, Van Heutsz was noted for the development projects he undertook, such as building roads, ports and bridges. However, on the other hand, he was also famous for his cruelty and repression against native people who opposed Dutch rule.
Van Heutsz left Indonesia in 1909, but his legacy of wisdom and brutality in commanding Dutch troops during the Indonesian conquest and colonization remains fondly remembered by history and remains controversial among Indonesians to this day.
