Puncak Pass, 1880

Image: Carl E. Lang/National Gallery of Australia

The Puncak route in West Java was part of Governor General Daendels' ambitious project to build the Jalan Raya Pos (Grote Post Weg) from Anyer, Banten to Panarukan, East Java, which was started in 1808.

The highway that runs along the northern region of Java Island was built to connect postal lines throughout Java. Thus the flow of information, as well as the flow of goods and people will become smoother.

This Puncak pass was special and costs a lot of money because of the difficult terrain. Imagine, having to open a road through the mountains with minimal technology. But thanks to that, the journey from Batavia to Cipanas became faster. A trip that usually takes a week, could be taken in just one day.

The photo above is the Puncak pass circa 1880 published by Carl E. Lang. We can see checkpoints and doors to control the horse-drawn carriage that can pass through the road.