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An Introduction to Indonesian Historiography

Written by Soedjatmoko

3.01 rating

464 pages, about 9 hours of reading

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About this book

In the first major work on Indonesian historiography to have appeared in any language, twenty-two outstanding scholars survey available source materials in Asia and Europe and discuss the current state of Indonesian historical scholarship, the approaches and methods that might be fruitful for future research, and the problems that confront Indonesian historians today. The contributions which can be made to historical studies by other disciplines - such as economics, sociology, anthropology, and international law - are discussed by specialists in these fields. Problems of Indonesian historiography are presented not only from points of view of the diff erent social sciences, but also from those of historians who differ in approach and interpretation from one another. This unique work, now brought back to life in Equinox Publishing's Classic Indonesia series, proves to be great value to historians and social scientists as an introduction to both sources for and diff erent approaches to the history of an important part of the world. Edited by one of Indonesia's leading scholars, Soedjatmoko, as well as Mohamad Ali, G.J. Resnik and George McT. Kahin, An Introduction to Indonesian Historiography features contributions from John Bastin, C.C. Berg, Buchari, J.C. Bottoms, C.R. Boxer, L. Ch. Damais, Hoesein Djajadiningrat, H.J. de Graf, Graham Irwan, Koichi Kishi, Koentjaraningrat, Ruth T. McVey, J. Noorduyn, J.M. Romein, R. Soekmono, Tjan Tjoe Som, F.J.E. Tan, W.F. Wertheim and P.J. Zoetmulder.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in An Introduction to Indonesian Historiography, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 30 hours
  • advanced
  • Scholarly
  • Analytical
  • Comprehensive

An Introduction to Indonesian Historiography is a groundbreaking and comprehensive anthology, serving as the first major work in any language to survey the field of Indonesian historical scholarship. Edited by Soedjatmoko and a team of distinguished scholars, it brings together twenty-two experts who explore available source materials from Asia and Europe, discuss the contemporary state of research, and propose fruitful methods for future study. The collection also delves into the multifaceted problems facing Indonesian historians and examines the crucial contributions of other disciplines like economics, sociology, anthropology, and international law. This essential volume, now part of Equinox Publishing's Classic Indonesia series, remains an invaluable resource for historians and social scientists seeking to understand both the sources and diverse approaches to Indonesian history.

"The task of the historian is not merely to recount the past, but to interpret it in a way that illuminates the present and guides the future."

Key themes

The Nature of Indonesian Historiography
This theme explores the foundational questions surrounding the writing of Indonesian history: its purpose, its challenges, and its unique characteristics given the colonial past and diverse cultural heritage. It delves into the shift from colonial perspectives to more indigenous and nuanced interpretations.
Interdisciplinary Approaches to History
A core argument of the book is the necessity of integrating insights and methodologies from various social sciences—economics, sociology, anthropology, political science, and law—to achieve a more comprehensive and robust understanding of history. It highlights how different disciplinary lenses can illuminate aspects otherwise overlooked by purely historical methods.
Source Materials and Methodological Challenges
This theme focuses on the practical and theoretical problems associated with historical research in Indonesia. It covers the identification, access, critical evaluation, and interpretation of diverse source materials, including European archives, indigenous texts, archaeological findings, and oral traditions. It also addresses the methodological debates around how to best utilize these sources and address their inherent limitations or biases.

Worth discussing

How does the book challenge or reinforce traditional Western approaches to history, particularly concerning non-Western societies?

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