The exemplary 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 future generations of TNI soldiers. He exemplified the principles of leading by example, leading from the front, and demonstrating patriotism through the ultimate sacrifice of one’s body and soul. I Gusti Ngurah Rai embodied the spirit of a true warrior, refusing to surrender to the enemy and choosing to fight until his last breath.
Following the proclamation of Indonesian Independence on August 17, 1945, I Gusti Ngurah Rai took the initiative to meet with General Sudirman in Yogyakarta. He sought a mandate to form an Army of the Republic of Indonesia (TRI) in Bali and Nusa Tenggara, also known as Lesser Sunda. Returning to Bali, he recruited troops and launched attacks on Dutch outposts established after World War II to reoccupy the region. Since the Japanese occupation in 1942, I Gusti Ngurah Rai had gathered Balinese youth under the Anti-Fascist Movement (GAF).
As the Dutch intensified their offensive in September 1946, they eventually surrounded I Gusti Ngurah Rai’s troops in Margarana Village near Ubud on November 19, 1946. Despite an offer from Dutch Infantry Captain JBT Konig to surrender and spare his army, I Gusti Ngurah Rai, out of loyalty to his principles and the people of Bali, refused to back down.
In a letter to Dutch Lieutenant Colonel Termeulen, I Gusti Ngurah Rai asserted Bali’s security as his responsibility, rejecting any diplomatic negotiations and declaring his unwavering commitment to driving out the Dutch invaders. This stance epitomized his unwavering patriotism and refusal to compromise in the face of colonial aggression.
The subsequent battle of Puputan in Margarana saw I Gusti Ngurah Rai and his TRI forces facing superior Dutch troops equipped with advanced weaponry and air support. Despite the overwhelming odds, they fought fiercely until the last Indonesian soldier fell, including I Gusti Ngurah Rai and his Chief of Staff, I Gusti Putu Wisnu.
The legacy of I Gusti Ngurah Rai’s leadership and sacrifice continues to inspire future generations of TNI soldiers, exemplifying the qualities of courage, patriotism, and selflessness in service to the nation.
