I Gusti Ngurah Rai Poem by Ahmad Shiddiqi

The struggle for the independence
The most famous patriot from Bali

After the defeat of Japan
In the World war Two

Indonesia’s former colonial, Netherlands
Attempted to take country back by military conquest

It was Bali in 1946
A young colonel

Organised Balinese soldiers
Into the People’s Military Force

Out-numbered and out-gunned
He used classic guerilla tactics

He based his forces
Only 97 fighters, to hound the Dutch
On slopes of Mount Agung

The Dutch assaulted their camp
And drove them to Marga, near Tabanan
Where they were wiped out in a battle