Badung Regency
Badung is a regency of Bali, Indonesia. Its regency seat is in Mangupura. It has an area of 418.52 km2 and population of 543,332 (2010 Census) and a density of 1,293.37 per square kilometer
It has undergone a population boom in the last decade, and has grown into the largest of the suburban regions of Greater Denpasar. It covers Bali's most heavy tourist regions, including Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Canggu, Uluwatu, Badung, and Mengwi. The northern part of the regency is relatively unpopulated, and the part near the coast and west of Denpasar from Jimbaran and up to Canggu is heavily populated. Ngurah Rai International Airport is located within the Regency.
Badung Regency, one of eight districts and one city in Bali, physically resembles a chip has a unique form of "dagger", which is a typical Balinese weapons.
Natural beauty and uniqueness of art and culture that inspired and breath Hindu religion, and supported by the many tourist attractions as well as various international standard accommodation facilities such as hotels, restaurants & bars, travel agency and a variety of tourist attractions located in this region, making tourism sector as a prima donna and the main source of income for the Badung Regency
Badung Regency covers the area of 418.52 square and is divided to 6 sub district such as Mengwi as its capital city, Petang, Abiansemal, Kuta, North Kuta, and South Kuta. Badung Regency has population up to 332.200 people, based on the statistic in 2001, with average population of 720 people per square km, mostly living in southern part as the center of tourism business.
Most of the people work as a part of tourism industry at southern part and as farmer at northern part. Agriculture is well developed in the northern part of Badung, but its primary income comes from the tourism industry around Kuta, Kerobokan, Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa and Jimbaran. These makes Badung to be the only regency in Bali which has the biggest income from tourism industry
Badung Regency History
Badung Regency was once called Nambangan. The name ‘Badung’ itself was given by I Gusti Ngurah Made Pemecutan in the late 18th century. Because of his powerful dagger (keris) and whip, he was able to conquer Mengwi and Jembrana in 1810. He was succeeded by two other kings and his demise seemed to have been arranged by his successor, King Kesiman who ruled from 1829 to 1863.
The Dutch was allowed to set up headquarters in Kuta in 1826, and the king received a handsome bounty in return. A Danish merchant, Mads Johannes Lange, who came to Bali at the age of 18, played a role as mediator between the Dutch and Bali Kingdom. Since then, Mads Johannes Lange had good relationship with all the kings in Bali. In 1856, Mads Johannes Lange was ill and decided to return to Denmark. He died before his ship left port and was buried in Kuta.
Kuta is also known as a place where Captain Cornelius de Houtman and his troops were hung to death in 1557, when 20.000 Balinese troops returned from their voyage in defending Blambangan from Mataram Moslem Kingdom.
In year 1904, a Chinese ship under the Dutch flag ‘Sri Komala’ stranded on Sanur Beach. The Dutch accused the villagers of destructing and robbing the ships contents and claimed the King for all the lost and damages of 3.000 silver dollars and to punish the culprits.
The King refused the accusation and refused to pay the compensation which caused the Dutch held its 6th military expedition to Bali on September 20, 1906. Three battalions of infantry and two battalions of artillery arrived off the coast and attacked Badung.
After bombarded, the Dutch attacked Denpasar City and faced no resistance until the city gate. Suddenly they were greeted by the crowd in white costume, who were willing to carry out ‘Puputan War’, die till the last blood.
Commanded by the king, the priests, men and women, decorated themselves with jewels and dress of warrior, set out amidst the battle. Based on the religion, the ultimate goal of warrior is to die in the battle, so the soul may ascend to heaven. Surrender and die in the alienation is disgraceful.
The King of Badung and his brave army chose to carry out the ‘Puputan’. They were killed for defending the dignity and sovereignty of the people of Badung.
A few days later, the Dutch attacked Tabanan, and in the year 1908, Klungkung Kingdom also carried out ‘Puputan’. As the fall of Klungkung Kingdom, the Dutch finally conquered the entire island of Bali.
In 1914, the Dutch replaced the army with the police force and reorganized the government. Although the remaining kings were deprived of their political power, they maintained their influence and importance as patron of the art.
Denpasar City, which consists of 3 sub-districts, used to be a part of Badung Regency before it was assigned to be municipality on February 27, 1993.