1945 - 1962 M
The Proclamation of Independence on 17 August 1945 did not immediately bring stability to Tatar Sunda. This region became one of the important battlefields in the struggle to defend the Republic of Indonesia against Dutch attempts to return to power. In addition to military conflict, Tatar Sunda also faced complex political and ideological struggles.
One significant episode was the establishment of the State of Pasundan on 24 April 1948. This state was part of the Dutch federal strategy to weaken the Republic of Indonesia. However, its political dynamics did not entirely proceed according to Dutch expectations. The Head of State, R.A.A. Wiranatakusumah V, instead demonstrated pro-republican tendencies and became a bridge in the process of Pasundan’s return to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
The State of Pasundan was eventually dissolved and rejoined the Republic of Indonesia on 11 March 1950. Nevertheless, stability in Tatar Sunda had not yet fully recovered. The DI/TII rebellion under the leadership of S.M. Kartosuwiryo became a prolonged conflict that lasted from 1949 to 1962. This movement proclaimed the Islamic State of Indonesia in the Tasikmalaya region and spread insecurity across rural West Java.
The DI/TII conflict had a major impact on community life. Economic activities were disrupted, villages came under pressure, and the state had to carry out major military operations such as Operation Pagar Betis. This chapter shows that the post-independence period in Tatar Sunda was a turbulent era before the region eventually entered a phase of administrative consolidation.