Many tourists dream of visiting this tropical paradise: plunge into the waters of the Indian or Pacific oceans, soak up the gentle sun, and get acquainted with the monuments of ancient culture. The history of Bali is quite long and interesting, there were many bright and black pages associated with unexpected guests. Today, the inhabitants of the island warmly welcome every traveler who has arrived for peaceful purposes.
From the beginnings to the present
Almost nothing is known about the first indigenous people. It is believed that the Chinese and Malays began to explore these territories even before our era. They introduced a specific irrigation system here, cultivated rice, hunted, and made tools of labor from bronze and iron.
In the 1st century (already AD), Indian merchants appeared on the island. Naturally, in addition to goods, they brought their own religion, customs, culture, traces of which can be found in the modern life of the island. In the 5th century, the Hindu kingdom appeared.
As part of the kingdom of Majapahit
Since the 11th century, a period of close relations with the neighboring island of Java begins in the history of Bali. Until 1284 Bali remained autonomous, although culturally influenced by Javanese Hindu culture. And then it becomes part of the most powerful kingdom of Majapahit. This period can be called stellar, since there is a rapid construction of temples and the economic development of the region.
By the 15th century, everything was changing for the worse: the desire of small princes to remain independent leads to fragmentation and weakening of the positions of the central government. Islam begins to penetrate the island of Bali, Majapahit as an independent state is in decline.
Dutch period
Not only close neighbors dreamed of seizing the blessed island territories, but also uninvited guests from faraway Europe. The Dutch were the first to appear here in the 19th century, their goal - the establishment of the East India Company. Naturally, the main thing was getting the maximum profit, none of the guests thought about spiritual and cultural development.
In the history of Bali, in short, the period of opposition to Holland begins, which brutally suppresses the actions of local residents. Late 19th - early 20th centuries are held in the struggle for independence, it comes to the ritual suicide of the inhabitants of the island.
The period of Dutch rule on the island lasted until World War II, during which Bali was occupied by the Japanese. At the end of the military events, Holland tried to return the colony, but the inhabitants managed to defend the right to an independent path of development.
