Yes Pak Ganja, of course what I wrote is a simplification, moreover, it is a simplification from the point of view of a British soldier who was involved in that action in Jogja in 1812.
I did not set out to give our readers here a history lesson, my objective was to give an easy to read gloss that put the body of the story without the details. I wanted to do this because I believe it is necessary to understand the less attractive parts of any society's history in order to fully appreciate the beauty of the more attractive aspects of the society. Far too often we glorify a society and a culture and we have the ludicrous spectacle of half educated people falling in love with that society, but really not knowing much about it. If we can fully understand both the positives and negatives of a society and culture, and still love it, that is true love.Much the same as true love between people.
I will have accomplished my overall objective if I can encourage just one person to involve him or herself in an ongoing and intensive study of Javanese culture, society and history. Any person who does this cannot fail to become enthralled by what they will learn.
I am sick to the guts of listening to people with little knowledge telling us how wonderful Javanese, or Balinese culture is, and having no true knowledge nor experience upon which to base their opinions.Either that, or being overtly nationalistic.
Do the study. Gain the experience. Then, knowing both the beauty and the pimples make the comments.
Pak Ganja, I have probably read all the same books as you, whenever you quote this author, or that author, if I check my library, I find that I have him on my shelves. I've been reading Javanese history since I was 14 years old, and I am well aware that there is always more than one way to look at any situation.
However, when we strip the details from the Jogja story, there can be no denying that my gloss is accurate.
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