Tarotoeng was a point of arrival for the Gajo Expedition of 1904, the final major military campaign of the Aceh War. The expedition, commanded by Van Daalen, reached Tarotoeng on 18 June 1904 after 163 days of travel through the Gajo and Alas highlands.
The Expedition
Van Daalen’s force departed in February 1904 with approximately 200 marechaussees. The expedition traversed the Gajo highlands, a territory larger than the Netherlands, crossing high mountain passes and fighting against fortified bentengs.
On 18 June 1904, Van Daalen’s force reached Tarotoeng in the Tapanoeli residency, completing its mission.
Significance
Tarotoeng marks the conclusion of the Aceh War’s final campaign. The highland regions of Aceh were brought under Dutch control, and organized Acehnese resistance came to an end.
See Also
Source
“Dispereert Niet: Twintig Eeuwen Historie van de Nederlanden”, Deel XI, by A. Algra and H. Algra (Franeker: T. Wever, 1946), pp. 66-67.