Benteng Bukit Kursi Penyengat

Tempat bertahan dan pengintaian dari musuh, tempat beraejarah kesultanan riau

Benteng Bukit Kursi, located on Penyengat Island, is a testament to the history of the Malay Kingdom in preserving and defending its sovereignty from enemy attacks. The name of the fort was taken from the name of the place where the fort was built, namely Bukit Kursi. Bukit Kursi is a strategic location for a fortress. Besides being on a plateau on Penyengat Island, this hill also directly faces the open sea.nnConsidering the important role of Penyengat Island as the center of government, the idea came to build a fortress. The idea was approved by Raja Haji Fisabillahyang who was then serving as Raja of the Malay Kingdom of Riau. A fort was then built on Bukit Kursi in 4 years or around 1782-1784 AD. To perfect the existence of the fort as a defense base for the kingdom, 80 cannons from Europe were installed at each strategic angle to make it easier for the royal soldiers to dispel the army enemy.nnThanks to the Fort Bukit Kursi, palaces and other royal buildings contained within the royal complex can be protected from enemy attacks for quite a long time. In fact, it has been recorded in the history of the struggle of the Malay Kingdom of Riau, this fort was able to become a formidable shield to keep the Dutch invaders from entering Penyengat Island. It took a mature strategy and a long time for the Dutch Colonial Government to control the royal base and fortress.nnThe design of the fort building is quite interesting. The fortress located on the hill was built in the form of moats. This design is made to avoid enemy attacks that come in large numbers and have a complete arsenal. In addition, the trenches also function as a pathway to supply gunpowder for cannon weaponry. Until now, the trenches are still stretching at Benteng Bukit Kursi. These trenches were dug with a depth of 1 m and connected each location the cannon stood. But the condition of the ditches is currently poorly maintained and seems to be slum.nnAbove the Bukit Bukit Fortress, there are some ancient cannon remains. However, the number of cannons on the hill was far less than the original number of about 90 cannons. Some of these cannons, by the Dutch East Indies colonial government, were sold to Singapore at fairly cheap prices as junk. Meanwhile, some others were lost due to lack of maintenance and care from the local government.nnNot far from Benteng Bukit Kursi, there is a building which in ancient times was used to store gunpowder. By the local community this building was called the Bedil Drug Building (gunpowder warehouse). The existence of this gunpowder warehouse is closely related to Benteng Bukit Kursi. When the battle was raging, this warehouse became a supplier of gunpowder for cannon weapons to ward off enemies. The Bedil Medicine Building is still standing strong despite its age.nnBentang Bukit Kursi is located on Penyengat Island, Penyengat Village, Tanjung Pinang District, Tanjung Pinang City, Riau Islands Province, Indonesia.

the castle is brimming out facing the sea ...

Chair Hill FortnnLack of maintenance

beautiful scenery