Subsequently, the Dutch conquest of the neighbouring island of Lombok led to the surrender of its Balinese ruling house, the kingdom of Karangasem.

[3] The Netherlands Indies government applied pressure to the independent kingdoms, including through disputes of trade and access rights to port areas.

[4] One point of dispute was the practice of masatia termed suttee by Europeans, the ritual self-sacrifice of relatives upon the death of a ruler.

[6] There were recurrent disputes between the Dutch and Balinese kings regarding the right to plunder ships that foundered off the reefs surrounding Bali.

[2] On 14 September 1906, the Sixth Military Expedition of the Dutch colonial army, landed at the northern part of Sanur beach.

There, the local king, a member of the extended royal family of Badung, had already been killed by his own priest, as he had refused to lead an armed resistance against the Dutch.

The Raja was dressed in traditional white cremation garments, wore magnificent jewellery, and carried a ceremonial kris.

The other people in the procession consisted of the Raja's officials, guards, priests, wives, children and retainers, all of whom were similarly attired.

[10] The same afternoon, similar events occurred in the nearby palace of Pemecutan, where the co-ruler Gusti Gede Ngurah resided.

A huge bronze monument was elevated on the central square of Denpasar, where the royal palace used to stand, glorifying Balinese resistance in the Puputan.

[12] The Dutch also moved troops to Klungkung and considered an attack on king Dewa Agung, the nominal ruler of all Bali, but eventually held off as Dewa Agung refrained from military action against the Dutch and signed agreements to destroy his fortifications, deliver his firearms and renounce import and export taxes.

The Dutch invasion however was followed closely by media coverage, and reports of the bloody conquest of the southern part of the island filtered to the West.

[14] The harshness of these and other military actions contrasted with the "Ethical policy" announced the Queen of the Netherlands in 1901 that emphasised benevolent rule.