Behind the hustle and bustle of 17th century Batavia, one man stood between the currents of history, defying an oppressive system. Cornelis Chastelein, today probably few people still remember his name. As an employee of the VOC, he was not just a profit-making merchant; he was a visionary who saw people not as commodities, but as souls to be respected. For the mardijkers (descendants of freed Dutch East Indies slaves) in Depok, Chastelein was known as a true Protestant. His views and attitudes to life were based on the principle of love for fellow human beings. He himself had the motto "Er is geen leven zonder liefde" or "There is no life without love".
In a world still trapped in the chains of slavery, Chastelein chose to free his slaves, giving them new hope in the land he built as a model community. Not only that, long before environmental issues became a global concern, he had planted the idea of urban forests as a bulwark against the exploitation of nature. His figure is like a trail of light in the darkness of the times.
His birth
Amsterdam, August 1657. In a house on the banks of the Rokin River, a child was born who would one day shake up the established system. Cornelis Chastelein, the son of Anthoine Chasteleine and Maria Cruydenier, grew up in a harsh and intriguing environment. His father, a great merchant who made his fortune from salt and wine, was forced to leave Nantes, France due to the jealousy of local merchants. Amsterdam became the family's new home port. And the move to Amsterdam was like preparing the way for greater things to come for Cornelis Chastelein in the future.
Cornelis Chastelein began his journey to the Dutch East Indies at the age of 17 with his family in hopes of building a better future. After arriving in Batavia on August 16, 1675, he immediately went to work at De Heeren Zeventien as a VOC bookkeeper. His skills in recording financial transactions saw him quickly rise through the ranks, from bookkeeper to merchant's assistant. Within 16 years, he reached the position of second-rate merchant, a prestigious career path within the trading giant. However, what set him apart from other VOC officials was not only his promotion, but his more advanced and humane way of thinking.
Exit the VOC
While other VOC officials focused on economic exploitation, Chastelein thought about the long-term impact of colonization. He opposed the VOC's trade monopoly policy and proposed a more sustainable system. This contradicted Governor-General Willem van Outhoorn's policy, which prioritized instant profits for the Netherlands. As a result of this difference of opinion, Chastelein slowly resigned from his position at the age of 34. During this time, he began to assist the research of Georg Eberhard Rumphius, a botanical scientist whose work was only published after his death. Chastelein was entrusted with carrying out Rumphius' will, ensuring his works in zoology, botany, geography and history were not lost.
Although his career continued to climb, Chastelein felt increasingly uncomfortable with the VOC's policies that went against human values. As a form of protest, he bought land in Srengseng (which is now known as Lenteng Agung) in 1695 and wrote a book entitled “Invallende Gedagaten”(Fruit of Thought) criticizing the VOC. In his thoughts, he asserted that the goal of colonization should not be oppression, but building a civilized and humanizing community. He promoted the idea that trade and colonization should be in line with the teachings of the Gospel, bringing enlightenment and prosperity to all, not just a means of exploitation.
Many people refer to Chastelein as a Christian missionary, but he had bigger ambitions than that. He was a scientist who was friendly with the VOC governor-general before van Outhoorn, Johannes Camphuys, who also had an interest in science. He wrote his critiques in a very civilized manner, even for the standards of his day.
Develop Depok
After leaving the VOC, Cornelis Chastelein could be said to be a citizen without a job and position. He then devoted his time to managing the land he bought in 1696 from Lucas van der Meur. On the fertile river-fed land, he built pepper plantations, orchards and rice fields, assisted by slaves mostly from Bali and Makassar.
Chastelein was convinced that agriculture was the key to the prosperity of his community. He developed Depok as a model of a self-sufficient agrarian society. The region included Mampang, Depok, and Karang Anyar (Cinere), which later developed into an ideal agricultural community. But more than just agriculture, Chastelein also instilled values of pluralism and multiculturalism. He did not force his Muslim slaves to convert, and once they were freed (mardijkers), he ensured they had equal rights.
The autonomous government he established lasted longer than Dutch colonial rule. It was only between 1949 & 1952 that Depok was taken over by the Republic of Indonesia. However, ironically, this long history is often forgotten by its own citizens. Instead of honoring Chastelein's legacy, people remember Depok as an autonomous city without looking at its historical roots. Colonialism sentiment makes many people reluctant to recognize Chastelein's contribution. In fact, Chastelein opposed the exploitation and racism that characterized colonialism at the time.
Today, Depok is often thought of as a city without merit, despite its rich history. Pondok Cina, one of the oldest villages, holds traces of an extraordinary civilization. However, ironically, its historical buildings are increasingly threatened by modern development. The symbol of Depok City, in the form of a book and a pen, should be a reminder that this city values thought and contemplation. Unfortunately, its meaning is slowly fading.
Chastelein was a man ahead of his time. He pioneered ideas about urban forests, equality, and slave liberation. However, his legacy is largely forgotten in modern Depok. If we want to build a better future, we must learn from history.
On June 28, 1714, Chastelein breathed his last as the sun began to lean over the western horizon. He left a will that freed 150 of his slaves and their descendants. In his will he left his plantation in Depok to be taken care of by his former slaves. Cornelis Chastelein is gone, but his footsteps remain in the rivers that flow, in the land he built, and in the stories that wait to be retold.(pp)
