Pintu Ketjil, Chinese Quarter, Batavia (Jakarta)

Tan Tjie Lan was one of many Cantonese speaking immigrants to Indonesia who became members of the Peranakan Chinese community. The studio made portraits for Dutch, Javanese and Chinese clients and produced street scenes like this photograph to be sold commercially. Most likely taken from the bridge that operated as the Pintu ketjil or small gate, it is significant because it illustrates the point where Chinese residents were separated from the interior of the city.

In 1740 Chinese merchants protested the rise in sugar prices and the treatment of Chinese sugar mill workers. In the ensuing riots more than 1000 Chinese merchants living within the walled city were killed and the remaining Chinese residents ordered to relocate outside the city. Chinese populations continued to live in this area known as Glodok until 1998 when once again, riots broke out and Chinese shop owners were the targets of violent attacks.