Onderafdeeling Asahan (1904-1942)

Abstract

This research, titled "Onderafdeeling Asahan (1904-1942)," is a historical study of the colonial period. The study aims to describe the condition of Onderafdeeling Asahan before 1904, the background of its establishment, and the development of Onderafdeeling Asahan from 1904 to 1942. This research uses a qualitative approach with a historical method. The historical method consists of four stages: heuristics, verification, interpretation, and historiography. In the heuristic stage, the data used is divided into two types, namely primary data and secondary data. Primary data includes Staatsblad, Encyclopedie van Nederlandsch Indië, Volkstelling, Memorie van Overgave (MVO), Binnenlandsch Bestuur (BB), Burgerlijke Openbare Werken (BOW), Algemene Secretarie, Deli Gids, reports, notes, and several books published in the same era. Secondary data includes the newspaper De Sumatra Post, journals, theses or dissertations, and books that describe the condition of Onderafdeeling Asahan. After collecting the data, it is verified, followed by interpretation, and finally, the last stage, which is writing or historiography. The results of this research show that Onderafdeeling Asahan was formed in 1904 based on Staatsblad 1904 No. 309, Section II. Before its establishment, Onderafdeeling Asahan was under the authority of the Sultanate of Asahan. Several reasons underlie the establishment of Onderafdeeling Asahan, including its geographical position, economic potential, and the availability of land in Onderafdeeling Asahan, as well as the reorganization of the East Coast of Sumatra, which led to the formation of Onderafdeeling Asahan. From 1904 to 1942, Onderafdeeling Asahan experienced various developments in its territory, population, governance, plantations, and infrastructure, including education, transportation routes, healthcare facilities, ports, water systems, and housing.