Railways, railman and revolution: Representations of railways in Indonesian propaganda during the Dutch-Indonesian War (1945–1948)

This study examines the significance of railway in Indonesian propaganda during Dutch–Indonesian war. By using historical method and media representations, it examines Indonesian propaganda materials. It argues that railways were vital in Indonesian nationalists’ efforts to shape public perceptions in accepting Indonesian authority. Indonesian propaganda depicted railways as indispensable transportation and anti-colonial weapon, and train workers as nationalist fighters. Trains were shown as a contested space, with the Indonesians lauded as heroes in transporting allied prisoners of war and internees, and as victims at the hands of various armed attacks and crimes targeting trains by Japanese, British and Dutch troops. The locomotive was visually presented as symbol of leadership and progress but also Dutch deception. This article reveals that Indonesian propaganda constantly emphasised that Indonesia's control of the railways was a major achievement, underscoring the efficacy of the Indonesian government amid British and Dutch encroachments in post-war decolonisation in Asia.