Bima history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Bima is rooted in deep antiquity, intertwined with myths and actual historical events. According to local chronicles (the "Bo" Sangaji Kai), a state entity existed in the east of Sumbawa Island long before the colonial era. The first reliable written mentions of Bima are found in the 14th-century Javanese poem "Nagarakretagama", where it is described as a territory within the sphere of influence of the powerful Majapahit Empire. Legendary tradition connects the founding of the ruling dynasty and the city's name with a hero of the Mahabharata epic — Prince Bima (Bhima).

Key Factors of Formation

The development of Bima from a small settlement into an influential regional center was driven by a combination of geographical and economic advantages:

• Ideal Harbour: The city is located deep within the vast Bima Bay. This natural cove provided ships with reliable protection from storms and currents, making the port one of the safest anchorages in the region.
• Strategic Trade: Bima was situated on the busy maritime route to the Moluccas (the "Spice Islands"). The port served as a vital transit point for replenishing supplies and exchanging goods between traders from Java, Makassar, and Europe.
• Valuable Resources: The city's economic power was bolstered by the export of unique local goods, primarily sappanwood (used for dyes) and the famous hardy horses, which were highly valued throughout Southeast Asia.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the early period, Bima's culture was formed under the influence of the Hindu-Buddhist traditions of Java and local animistic beliefs. However, a key stage was the adoption of Islam in the first half of the 17th century (around 1620), transforming the kingdom into the Sultanate of Bima. This event radically changed the cultural landscape, bringing the city closer to the Sultanate of Gowa in Sulawesi.

Economically, the early Sultanate was a maritime power. Bima not only conducted active foreign trade but also extended its political influence to neighboring territories, including the western part of Flores Island (the Manggarai region), creating a unique multicultural environment that united various ethnic groups under the authority of the Sultan.

Major Historical Milestones

The history of Bima is rich in events that transformed the ancient kingdom into a modern city. Below are the key dates that shaped the appearance of this region.

• 1365 — First written mention of Bima in the Javanese poem "Nagarakretagama" as a territory under the influence of the Majapahit Empire.
• 1621 — Ruler La Kai embraces Islam and becomes the first Sultan of Bima under the name Abdul Kahir I.
• 1669 — The Sultanate signs a treaty with the Dutch East India Company (VOC), strengthening European control over maritime trade in the region.
• April 1815 — The catastrophic eruption of Mount Tambora on Sumbawa Island, which destroyed local agriculture and the merchant fleet.
• 1927 — Completion of the current Sultan's palace (Asi Mbojo), which is today the city's main architectural landmark.
• 1942 — Beginning of the Japanese occupation of the region during World War II.
• November 22, 1945 — Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin announces that the Sultanate of Bima is becoming part of the independent Republic of Indonesia.
• 1958 — Bima officially becomes part of the newly formed province of West Nusa Tenggara.
• April 10, 2002 — Bima receives the status of an autonomous city (Kota), administratively separating from the Bima Regency.

Key Stages of Bima's Development

The evolution of Bima from a feudal sultanate to a modern administrative center represents a series of important transformations. Highlighted below are the main milestones that defined the city's current economic and cultural character.

• Islamization and Alliance with Makassar (17th Century)
  The adoption of Islam was not just a change of religion, but a fundamental cultural transformation. This event strengthened political ties with the powerful Sultanate of Gowa (in Sulawesi), introduced new legal norms, and opened the port to a wide network of Muslim traders, turning Bima into a key hub of maritime commerce.
• Entry into the VOC Trade Network (17th–18th Centuries)
  Signing contracts with the Dutch East India Company (VOC) defined the region's economic profile for centuries. Bima became a monopoly supplier of valuable sappanwood and hardy horses. This stimulated the development of port infrastructure, although it limited the Sultans' freedom in foreign policy.
• Demographic Reset after 1815
  The eruption of Mount Tambora was a catastrophe of planetary scale that destroyed a large part of Bima's population and fleet. The subsequent recovery was driven by an influx of migrants from other islands, which significantly changed the ethnic map and social structure of the city, making the society more diverse and adaptive.
• Architectural Modernization (Early 20th Century)
  The construction of the new Sultan's palace (Asi Mbojo), completed in 1927, marked an urban transition to modernity. The building, combining European style with local traditions, consolidated the city center's structure, where administrative power is concentrated around the main square (alun-alun).
• Integration into the Republic of Indonesia (1945–1950)
  The Sultan's decision to join independent Indonesia ensured a peaceful transition from monarchy to democracy. This preserved Bima's status as the cultural capital of the Mbojo region, allowing it to avoid conflict and focus on social development within a unified state.
• Gaining Urban Autonomy (2002)
  The administrative separation of Bima City (Kota Bima) from the regency of the same name became a powerful driver of urbanization. Obtaining its own budget and management allowed for a focus on developing the urban environment, services, education, and healthcare, highlighting Bima as the main commercial and transit hub of the eastern part of Sumbawa Island.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Bima represents a unique fusion of local Sumbawa traditions, colonial influence, and modern Indonesian aesthetics. The urban development of the city was historically dictated by its location in a deep bay: the settlement grew from the port inland, forming around the center of power — the Sultan's palace and the grand mosque.

Main Architectural Eras and Styles

Three key layers corresponding to different historical periods can be distinguished in the city's appearance:

• Traditional Era (Pre-20th Century) — Vernacular Architecture
  Initially, the development consisted of wooden houses on stilts (rumah panggung). This style, characteristic of the entire archipelago, was adapted to the tropical climate and seismic activity. Traditional structures provided ventilation and protection from floods. Elements of this style (for example, peaked roofs resembling the structure of Uma Lengge rice barns) are still cited in the modern decor of government buildings.
• Colonial Period (Early 20th Century) — Indisch Style
  With the strengthening of the Dutch presence, European features penetrated the architecture. The brightest example is the transition from completely wooden palaces to stone structures combining the monumentality of European classicism with local elements (wide verandas, high ceilings).
• Modern Period (Late 20th Century onwards) — Modernism and Islamic Style
  Modern Bima is characterized by functional concrete developments. In religious architecture, a Middle Eastern style with domes and minarets dominates, having replaced the old mosques with multi-tiered roofs. Commercial districts are built up with multi-functional shop-houses (ruko), typical for Indonesia.

Landmark Buildings and Urban Focal Points

The appearance of the central part of the city is formed by several key objects reflecting its history and status:

• Asi Mbojo (Sultan's Palace)
  The city's main architectural dominant feature, built in 1927. The building is executed in a mixed style, uniting European architecture of the early 20th century and traditional symbols of Bima. Today, it houses a museum preserving the relics of the Sultanate.
• Al-Muwahidin Mosque (Masjid Raya Al-Muwahidin)
  An example of modern Islamic architecture. This monumental structure with a majestic dome and minarets symbolizes the role of Islam as the foundation of the culture of the Mbojo region.
• Serasuba Park (Alun-Alun)
  A classic element of Javanese and Indonesian urban planning — the central square (alun-alun), located in front of the palace. This open space serves as a venue for city festivals and connects the historical center with modern quarters.
• Ama Hami Mosque (Terapung)
  A picturesque "floating" mosque located by the coastline in the Ama Hami beach area. It represents an example of modern tourism-religious architecture, harmoniously blended into the seascape of Bima Bay.

Distinguished Historical Figures

The history of Bima is inextricably linked with rulers and thinkers who not only shaped the fate of the region but also influenced the culture of the entire Malay Archipelago.

• Sultan Abdul Kahir I (La Kai)
  First Sultan of Bima (reigned 1621–1640)
  A key figure in the region's history. It was he who officially adopted Islam and transformed the ancient Hindu kingdom into a Sultanate, establishing close diplomatic and religious ties with the Sultanate of Gowa in Sulawesi. His reign marked the beginning of Bima's "golden age" as a center of Islamic culture in the Lesser Sunda Islands.
• Sheikh Abdul Gani al-Bimawi
  Islamic Scholar and Theologian (19th Century)
  An outstanding religious figure who gained recognition far beyond Indonesia. He taught in Mecca and served as an Imam at the Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram). Sheikh Abdul Gani was a mentor to many famous Ulama of the Nusantara, strengthening spiritual ties between Bima and the Middle East.
• Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin
  The Last Ruling Sultan (reigned 1915–1951)
  A reformist ruler who played a decisive role in the integration of Bima into independent Indonesia. In 1945, he was among the first to support the Republic, ensuring a peaceful transfer of power. He is also known for developing secular education and modernizing the Sultanate's administrative system.

Figures of Culture and Modernity

In the 20th and 21st centuries, natives of Bima continue to make significant contributions to science, culture, and state administration in Indonesia.

• Siti Maryam Salahuddin (Ina Kau Mari)
  Philologist, Historian, and Guardian of Traditions (1927–2017)
  Daughter of Sultan Salahuddin, who dedicated her life to preserving the cultural heritage of Mbojo. She deciphered and published the court chronicles "Bo Sangaji Kai", saving unique historical documents from oblivion. She was an authoritative expert on the geology and culture of the region.
• Hamdan Zoelva
  Statesman and Lawyer
  A native of Bima City who reached the pinnacle of the country's legal system. He served as the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of Indonesia (2013–2015). His career serves as an example of success for the region's younger generation, demonstrating the influence of people from Bima at the national level.
• Anwar Usman
  Judge and Statesman
  Another prominent representative of the legal elite hailing from the Bima region (Rasabou village). A long career in the Supreme and Constitutional Courts of Indonesia has secured his status as one of the most influential jurists in the country in the early 21st century.