The leadership displayed by Brigadier General TNI (Posthumous) I Gusti Ngurah Rai and his soldiers during the Puputan Margarana battle of 1946 has established a standard for exemplary leadership for future generations of TNI soldiers: Lead through example, lead from the front, and demonstrate patriotism by being willing to sacrifice yourself completely. I Gusti Ngurah Rai exemplified the spirit of a true warrior, choosing to die rather than surrender to the enemy. His commitment to all-out war (puputan tradition) inspired his troops to fight the Dutch forces relentlessly until the very end. I Gusti Ngurah Rai fought on the battlefield until his last breath.
Following the declaration of Indonesian Independence on August 17, 1945, I Gusti Ngurah Rai traveled to Yogyakarta to meet General Sudirman. He requested authorization from General Sudirman to establish an Army of the Republic of Indonesia (TRI) in Bali and Nusa Tenggara, also known as Lesser Sunda. He returned to Bali, recruited troops, and initiated attacks on Dutch outposts established post-World War II to reoccupy Bali. Since the Japanese occupation in 1942, I Gusti Ngurah Rai had been gathering Balinese youths under the Anti-Fascist Movement (GAF). By September 1946, the Dutch forces were becoming aggressive, culminating in a significant attack on November 19, 1946, which resulted in the encirclement of I Gusti Ngurah Rai’s troops in Margarana Village near Ubud.
Despite a personal appeal from Dutch Infantry Captain JBT Konig, offering I Gusti Ngurah Rai and his troops safety if they surrendered, I Gusti Ngurah Rai chose to reject the offer. This decision was made to maintain the morale of his Indonesian troops and preserve their fighting spirit. His refusal, despite a prior connection with Konig as his former boss, reflected his unwavering dedication to defending Bali from the Dutch colonialists.
I Gusti Ngurah Rai’s firm response to the Dutch emphasized his commitment to Bali’s security and independence, rejecting any negotiation and expressing his determination to fight until the Dutch forces left the island. This steadfastness and patriotic fervor led to the all-out battle of Puputan in Margarana on November 19, 1946, where I Gusti Ngurah Rai, alongside his TRI forces, fought bravely against the Dutch troops, despite being outnumbered and outmatched in terms of weaponry.
The intense battle lasted from morning until no shots were left fired from the Indonesian side in the afternoon. Every TRI soldier, including I Gusti Ngurah Rai and his Chief of Staff I Gusti Putu Wisnu, sacrificed their lives in the fight against the Dutch forces. Their actions and dedication have inspired future generations of TNI soldiers with a legacy of extraordinary military leadership, characterized by leading by example, leading from the front, and showing unwavering patriotism through selfless sacrifice.
