Goodbye Köhler Tree

(Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/roel_en_roel/2763898067)

There was a tree in Banda Aceh which is believed as a legend tree. it planted in the grand mosque of Baiturrahman Mosque. The tree is called Köhler Tree. While in Acehnese language it is named as Bak Geulumpang and in Latin word the tree is known as Sterculia Foetida Linn. However the tree was chopped down at the end of 2015 for a reason of renovating the Baiturahman Mosque itself. In this case, some of Acehnese regretted to the government decision of cutting down the tree since the tree provided a massive of great history instead. Especially during Aceh War in 14 April 1873.

Johan Harmen Rudolf Köhler Was Dead Under Köhler Tree

(Source: http://acehstories.blogspot.co.id/2010/11/aceh-dutch-war-in-pictures.html)

In March 26, 1873, Johan Harmen Rudolf Köhler who is born in Groningen, July 03 1818 was a Dutch General Major with 2000 troops landed safely in Ulee Lhee Harbor with the intention of dominating Aceh at the moment. He along with his troops successfully defeated Acehnese defence kingdom at Ulee Lhee Harbor. Moreover, they went to Koetaraja (now Banda Aceh) and tried to dominate the region but got a strike from Acehnese Soldier. In addition, Acehnese troops backed out since Dutch troops weapons were more sophisticated rather than Acehnese weapons. As a result, Dutch succeed to dominate Baiturahman Mosque which located in Koetaraja.

A month after that, the General Major Johan Harmen Rudolf Köhler was shot right in the chest when he was inspecting his troops under Köhler Tree or Bak Geulumpang near to Baiturahman Mosque entrance where the tree was planted by an Acehnese sniper. The sniper was a 19 years old boy, hide under the ruins of Baiturahman Mosque. Furthermore, the Dutch troops backed out to Ulee Lhee harbour and went back to their country because their general mayor has already dead.

(Source: auliahack87.wordpress.com)

(Source: IloveAceh.Tumblr.com)

That is why the tree is named Köhler tree, it because Johan Harmen Rudolf Köhler who as Dutch General Major was shoot under the the tree. The Köhler word itself was adopted from the general major name in a way to remember that tragedy.