Trade Commodities and Economic Development in the Riau Islands (17th-19th Century)

Abstract

The opening of the State of Riau (now Tanjungpinang Riau Islands) was part of the defense strategy when the old Johor Kingdom, which was still based on the Peninsula, lost the war with Jambi in 1672.The opening of the State of Riau on Bintan Island was a very important historical point in relation to the stages of history’s journey. for a long time in the following years. From a fort area that slowly turned into a trading port. This research uses historical methods, namely through 4 (four) stages, namely collecting sources (heuristics), internal and external criticism, interpretation and ending with historiography. This research concludes that Riau State also produces a number of commodities, mainly gambier, forest products in the form of wood, processed marine products, copra and sago. All of this is the main attraction factor for people coming to Riau. One of the commodities, namely gambier, produced by Riau, is the main income for the Riau economy.