Jakarta history

Jakarta’s growth really began in the 16th century when the Portuguese arrived to find an established port, which they soon made use of to expand their colonial aims. Over the next few centuries, the Portuguese vied for control with the British and the Dutch (who named the city Batavia) and it was not until the 20th century that Indonesia finally broke free from the shackles of colonial meddling with Jakarta, which translates fittingly as the ‘Victorious City', its proud capital.