Batavia (now Jakarta)

Batavia was the name given to the city now known as Jakarta during Dutch colonial rule from the 17th to 19th centuries. It served as the administrative and commercial center of the Dutch East India Company, facilitating trade in spices, textiles, and other goods between Asia and Europe. The city was planned with European-style architecture, forts, and trade facilities, reflecting its strategic importance. After Indonesia gained independence in 1945, the city was renamed Jakarta, becoming the capital of the modern nation. Today, Jakarta is a bustling metropolis and Indonesia’s political, economic, and cultural hub.