The first evidence of human settlement in Indonesia dates back to around 43,000 BC when the islands were connected to Asia by a land bridge. Over time, rising sea levels isolated the peaks of the suboceanic mountains to form the archipelago we know today.

The original hunter-gatherers were then superseded by a people who practiced agriculture, with rice cultivation becoming popular by 700 BC. Around this time, the advancing society started to form new kingdoms, with the population thriving by 100 AD. These natives used their strategic position in order to form relations through trade with surrounding islands and other kingdoms – including those in India and China. These new links led to the introduction of Buddhism and Hinduism in Indonesia.

Over the years, as the population flourished, several kingdoms rose to prominence – including the Buddhist dynasty of Sailendra in Java and the Buddhist kingdom of Srivijaya in Sumatra. The latter continued to expand its territory, becoming a maritime empire controlling areas of Java and the Malay Peninsula. In the 13th century, this kingdom broke down into separate states, thus weakening its hold on the land. It was around this time that Sufi travellers from India or Persia arrived here and started spreading Islam, which, by the end of the 16th century, was the dominant religion in Java and Sumatra.

The advent of the first Europeans in 1512 eventually led to Indonesia’s long history of colonisation, with Dutch and British traders playing the most significant role. In 1602, the former established the Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) – otherwise known as the Dutch East India Company. This was chartered by the Netherlands to secure trade in Asia, exploiting the locals to maximise their profits. When the VOC fell into bankruptcy during the 18th century, the Dutch government appropriated all its assets – including the Indonesian territories which by then had become a nationalised colony that was renamed the Dutch East Indies.

This was followed by a period of unrest and conflict, with the Dutch going to war with the British and facing major revolts against the repressed natives, with the 30-year Aceh War being one of the main events in Indonesian history. Throughout this whole ordeal, the Dutch managed to expand their territorial claims and maintain their control over the land and its people. In the early 20th century, various ethical policies were introduced by the Dutch in order to assuage the locals’ unrest. This led to a number of them becoming highly educated, thus inspiring the first nationalist movements and their quest for independence.

During World War II, the Netherlands’ invasion by the Germans weakened its grip on the Dutch East Indies, making it easier for the Japanese to invade. While at first they were seen as knights in shining armour, it didn’t take long for the locals to notice their situation hadn’t quite changed as the Japanese too resorted to exploiting the Indonesians. After Japan’s surrender which effectively brought World War II to a close, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaimed the independence of their country, with them becoming the President and Vice President respectively. That said, it wasn’t until 1949 that the country could start enjoying its freedom, with the Dutch refusing to give up their territorial claims and instigating more attacks in the meantime.

Now completely in charge of the land, Sukarno introduced a new political system called Guided Democracy – a dictatorship under false pretences. An economic crisis in the 1960s resulted in a failed coup, culminating with the President losing the support of his people and having to pass the torch to General Suharto – another dictator. Under his regime, Indonesia’s economy started to prosper, until another financial crisis in 1997 led to further riots, Suharto’s resignation, and the return of democracy to Indonesia.