Dirk Aedsge Buiskool (PhD 2019) was lecturer at the University of North Sumatra and founder of Hotel Deli River in Medan. He contributed several books and journal articles about the history of Medan. He is the author of The journey of Harm Kamerlingh Onnes, published in 1999 and received the Linschoten Award. (Verloren, Netherlands)

• AcknowledgementsList of IllustrationsNotes on the AuthorIntroduction1 Research Questions2 The Thesis3 Studies about Colonial Towns4 Studies about Chinese Communities and Plural Societies5 East Sumatra’s Conflict Model6 Outline of This Study7 Explanation, Sources and Interviews8 Spelling1 East Sumatra: the Formation of a Plantation Economy1 East Sumatra: Historical Overview1.1 East Sumatra until Circa 18701.2 From Tobacco to Oil and Rubber1.3 Migrant Workers1.4 Frontier Society1.5 Labour Conditions on the Plantations1.6 Van den Brand’s Manifesto1.7 Labour InspectionSummary2 The City of Medan: the Emergence of an Urban Centre1 Colonial Character, Layout and Urban Symbols1.1 Layout1.2 Urban Symbols and Demography2 Town Quarters3 Medan as a Regional Infrastructural Centre4 Town Planning, Health, Housing and Land Rights4.1 Hygiene and Housing4.2 Land Rights5 Security and JusticeSummary3 Chinese Business in Medan 1890–19421 General Characteristics of Chinese Business in Medan2 Monopolies and Revenue Farms2.1 Opium2.2 Other Tax Farms: Gambling, Liquor and Pawn Houses2.3 Bagan Si Api Api and the Salt Monopoly3 The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Medan 1910–1942Summary4 The Prominent Chinese of Medan 1890–19421 Leadership Categories1.1 Comparisons with Chinese Leadership in Singapore and Java2 Prominent Chinese: the Chinese Majors2.1 Tjong Yong Hian (1850-1911)2.2 Tjong A Fie (1860–1921)2.3 Khoe Tjin Tek (1876–1969)3 Other Prominent Chinese3.1 Tjong Hau Liong (Chang Pu Ching) (1885–1963)3.2 Tan Tang Ho (circa 1860–1918)3.3 Tan Boen An (ca. 1890–1950)3.4 Gan Hoat Soei (circa 1890–1967)3.5 Hiu Ngi Fen (1902–1977)3.6 Thio Siong Soe (1889–1967)Summary5 Social Life of the Chinese in Medan1 Family Life1.1 The Chinese Women of Medan2 Religion2.1 Chinese Beliefs: Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism2.2 Christian Religion among the Chinese of Medan3 Chinese Non-Religious Organizations3.1 Clan and Professional Associations3.2 Political, Cultural, and Other Associations4 Chinese Education in Medan4.1 Tiong Hoa Hwe Koan Schools4.2 The School of Khoe Tjin Tek4.3 Education, Clan, Language and Politics4.4 The Su Tung School5 Public Health Care in Medan5.1 The Chinese Hospital5.2 Epidemics and Hygiene6 Entertainment: Sport, Music, Theatre and Cinemas6.1 Soccer6.2 Other Sports6.3 Music on the Esplanade6.4 Chinese Theatre6.5 CinemasSummary6 Politics, Press and Perceptions1 Political Developments in the Netherlands Indies1.1 Ethical Policy1.2 Chinese Nationalism2 Local Politics: Medan Councils2.1 The Town Council2.2 Town Council Meetings2.3 Chinese in Politics2.4 Polarisation in the Netherlands Indies and in Medan3 The Press in Medan 1890–19423.1 Dutch Newspapers in Medan3.2 Chinese and Malay Language Newspapers in the Netherlands Indies and in Medan3.3 Anti-Japanese Sentiments in the Press4 Censorship and Press Violations4.1 Articles against the Colonial Government4.2 Moesa against the Chinese Officers4.3 Sumatra News against Japan4.4 Press Violations in the 1930s5 Europeans and Chinese in the Press: Mutual Perceptions5.1 Western Perceptions about the Chinese5.2 Chinese Perceptions of EuropeansSummaryConclusionsMedan as a Colonial TownProminent Chinese in Medan 1890–1942Chinese Business in MedanSocial LifePolitics, Press and PerceptionsThe Prominent Chinese in Medan Compared to the Chinese in Singapore, Malaya and in JavaConflict and Harmony in MedanAppendicesOld and New Streetnames in MedanGlossaryReferencesIndex