In historical record, the Dutch had once explored Indonesia, they combed almost all corners of Indonesia including Aceh, especially Banda Aceh included one of the places they had explored. However, the Acehnese did not just submit of the occupation by the Dutch against them. The Acehnese wholeheartedly defended their independence with body and soul and proved that Aceh was the only place in Indonesia when other territories had been occupied, Aceh was still not conquered.
The Acehnese never stopped carrying out resistance against the Dutch, all the people took part in what they called "fisabilillah war", the king, soldiers, the people and even the ulama had a major influence in maintaining Aceh's independence..
The process of maintaining independence against Dutch colonialism claimed many lives of syahid fighters on the battleground. It's not only the Acehnese become victims, there were certainly many Dutch soldiers who died on the battlefield and this was the one that claimed the Dutch soldiers most and almost bankrupted the Dutch state treasury because of the persistence of the Acehnese in fighting for independence.
After the dark days passed and now Aceh is free, we can see history's evidence of Acehnese story against the Dutch colonialism in Kerkhof Cemetery, which is a burial complex of Dutch soldiers who died during war.
Kerkhof should be a favorite tourist spot for both local and international residents (especially for Dutch citizens) which is certainly very interesting to visit.
foto:sianakdesa|photography
In the Kerkhof Cemetery complex there were about 2200 Dutch soldiers including Javanese, Batak, Ambonese and several other tribal soldiers who were members of the Dutch East Indies Armed Forces since 1873 until 1942 buried in the "tanoh Kape".
One of the most attracted the attention in the kerkhof cemetery is the tomb of Major General J.H.R Kohler, who at first after his death in Aceh was buried in the Tanah Abang area, Jakarta. However, due to the development of the city, the tomb was evicted and the Aceh government at that time requested to return its ash and tombstones to the Land of Aceh.
Not only that, in the kerkhof complex there was also the Meurah Pupok tomb which is the son of Sultan Iskandar Muda (one of the kings who had ruled in Aceh). Reputedly Merah pupok was punished by his father because he was said to have committed immoral acts. It also shows the king's wisdom at that time in upholding Shari'a law.
Kerkhof cemetery complex is a must-visit place to see, remember, and learn from history. It is not difficult to find such a place in Banda Aceh because it is located on Jalan Tuku Umar, Sukaramai Village, Blower, between the Tsunami Museum and the Budi Dharma Catholic College. Usually visitors coming to Banda Aceh to visit the Tsunami Museum and Kerkhof are only about 5 minutes by motorbike /ojek from the museum.