Bantam (city)

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The city of Bantam near the western end of Java was a strategically important site and formerly a major trading city, with a secure harbor on the Strait of Sunda through which all ocean-going traffic passed, at the mouth of Cibantam River that provided a navigable passage for light craft into the island's interior. which itself provides a good access to the hinterland.

As a trading city Bantam received an early influx of Islamic influence in the early 16th century. Bantam was the seat of a powerful sultanate.

Later, the Portuguese and Dutch fought for control of Bantam in the 17th century.

The English, who started to sail to the East Indies from around 1600, established a permanent trading post in Bantam in 1603.

The Dutch found that they could control Batavia more thoroughly than Bantam, which contributed to its decline. South-Bantam or Bantan-Kidoel or Lebak was also the place where the main character Max Havelaar in Multatuli's novel Max Havelaar acted as the assistant-resident.

Today, Bantam is a small local seaport, economically overpowered by the neighbouring port of Merak. In Bantam, the Chinese are an important component of the community.

Referred to as Banten in Indonesian and is now a capital of Banten Province, as "Bantam" in Indonesian referred to Bantamweight.