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Jambi is a province located in the eastern coast of central Sumatra. The port city Jambi city, is the capital of the province, situated at the head of navigation of the river Batanghari.
The Jambi city is positioned on the extremely busy sea route between India and China. Its position deems it ideal for maritime trade and commerce.
Well before the time when Indonesia was colonized by the Dutch, Jambi was the site of a well-developed and powerful Srivijayan kingdom, one which engaged in trade in and beyond the Strait of Malacca. Jambi is know to have sent ambassadors to China as early as the seventh century A.D.
Initially the Dutch influence was not very significant, they being just traders like those from other countries. Later, when the Dutch became firmly settled in Palembang, they waned to take over Jambi too.
They attacked the province in 1858, and took control of the lower region of Jambi, while the previous ruler, Sultan Taha, fled to the upriver kingdom and ruled there, slowly reasserting his power. In spite of his efforts, he was killed by the Dutch in 1904, and the Jambi province was under direct colonial management.
A notable place to see in Jambi is the Muaro Jambi, a large temple complex several kilometers downstream from the present capital. It is believed to have been a center of Buddhist learning.
The Jambi province is further divided into nine regencies. These are
Batang Hari
Bungo
Jambi (city)
Kerinci
Merangin
Muaro Jamb
i
Sarolangun
Tanjung Jabung Timur
Tanjung Jabung Barat
Tebo
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