Biography
Sukarno (born Koesno Sosrodihardjo; 6 June 1901 – 21 June 1970) was an Indonesian leader and revolutionary who founded modern Indonesia and was its first president from 1945 to 1967. Born in Surabaya during the Dutch colonial period, he became the leading figure of Indonesia's independence movement and later shaped the nation's early politics with his charismatic leadership and nationalist ideas.
Educated at the Technische Hoogeschool te Bandoeng (now Bandung Institute of Technology), Sukarno became a vocal critic of Dutch rule in the 1920s. His activism led to multiple imprisonments and exiles by the Dutch. During World War II, he worked with Japanese occupation forces, seeing it as a chance to further Indonesian nationalist goals and gain experience for future independence.
On 17 August 1945, right after Japan's surrender, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declared Indonesian independence, with Sukarno becoming the first president. He successfully guided Indonesia through the National Revolution (1945-1949), using both diplomacy and military efforts to gain international recognition of independence from the Dutch. His leadership during this time earned him the honorary title 'Father of Proclamation' (Bapak Proklamator).
After a period of political instability and regional rebellions during parliamentary democracy, Sukarno established 'Guided Democracy' in 1959, placing more power in the presidency. In the 1960s, he adopted a bold foreign policy, making Indonesia a leader in the Non-Aligned Movement and strengthening ties with communist countries like the Soviet Union and China. His anti-Western position led to ambitious projects like CONEFO, an alternative to the United Nations. However, after the failed 30 September Movement in 1965, General Suharto gradually took control of the government, officially removing Sukarno from power in 1967. Sukarno spent his last years under house arrest and died in Jakarta in 1970.
Before Fame
Sukarno was born into a middle-class Javanese family during the peak of Dutch colonial rule. Raised in a setting where Indonesian nationalism was starting to take shape politically, his father worked as a school teacher and his mother was from a Hindu-Balinese noble family. This exposure to Indonesia's cultural mix influenced his later vision of uniting the country across different ethnic and religious groups.
Sukarno's rise in politics started during his engineering studies at Technische Hoogeschool te Bandoeng, where he got involved in nationalist student groups. The early 20th-century awakening among Indonesian intellectuals, alongside his exposure to European political ideas and the declining colonial power after World War I, laid the groundwork for his later revolutionary work. His engineering education also influenced his systematic approach to building the nation and his belief in using technology and modernization to change Indonesian society.
Key Achievements
- Proclaimed Indonesian independence alongside Mohammad Hatta on 17 August 1945
- Successfully led Indonesia through the National Revolution (1945-1949) to secure international recognition
- Founded and led the Non-Aligned Movement, positioning Indonesia as a major voice for developing nations
- Established the political foundations of modern Indonesia as its first president (1945-1967)
- Created the Pancasila ideology as Indonesia's philosophical foundation, promoting unity among diverse ethnic and religious groups
Did You Know?
- 01.Despite his political prominence, Sukarno maintained a passionate interest in art collecting throughout his life, amassing one of Southeast Asia's most significant collections of paintings and cultural artifacts
- 02.He was married twelve times to women from various backgrounds, including Indonesian nobility, Japanese citizens, and American socialites, reflecting his belief in international solidarity
- 03.Sukarno was fluent in multiple languages including Dutch, German, French, Arabic, and Japanese, which he used effectively in diplomatic negotiations
- 04.He received the Lenin Peace Prize in 1960 and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Sofia University the same year, highlighting his international recognition among socialist nations
- 05.The name 'Sukarno' was adopted later in life; he was originally named Koesno Sosrodihardjo, following Javanese naming conventions
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Order of Lenin | — | — |
| National Hero of Indonesia | 2012 | — |
| Lenin Peace Prize | — | — |
| Grand Cross of the Order of the Condor of the Andes | 1955 | — |
| Order of Georgi Dimitrov | 1960 | — |
| honorary doctor of Sofia University | 1960 | — |
| Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany | — | — |
| Grand Cross of the Order of Chula Chom Klao | — | — |