Modern military intrusions in Indonesia began around…

Modern military intrusions in Indonesia began around the same time as the Java War (1825–1830) and continued well into the early twentieth century. However, the circumstances of these interventions varied.

In some cases, such as the Padri Wars (1821–1837) in Minangkabau, western Sumatra, indigenous factions themselves sought colonial military assistance. Here, aristocrats and village clan leaders, threatened by Wahhabi-influenced Muslim reformers, turned to the Dutch colonial government for support. Though the reformers were ultimately defeated, the aristocracy and clan leaders eventually lost their authority as power shifted to the colonial state.

In other instances, such as the Banjarmasin War (southern Kalimantan, 1857–1859) and the Palembang conflicts (southern Sumatra, 1823–1829), the colonial government imposed, then deposed rulers without invitation, but with similarly far-reaching consequences—increasing Dutch control over local governance.