This book investigates the profound societal, economic, and political transformations in Java during a century of escalating European influence. It details how the Dutch East India Company's assumption of authority in the 1740s initiated a process of increasing control over Javanese society, initially through traditional tribute systems. The narrative explores the challenges posed by the introduction of European Enlightenment ideals concerning freedom and governance, which clashed with Javanese societal structures and impacted colonial profits. Ultimately, the book examines the compromise reached between old and new systems, which re-established profitability at the cost of greater colonial dominance.

The book examines a century of colonial encroachment and dominance on Java's northeast coast, focusing on the Dutch East India Company's evolving control. The narrative traces the shift from traditional tribute systems to the imposition of European administrative and economic reforms. It highlights the resulting societal and economic impacts on Java, culminating in a greater degree of colonial dominance. The inclusion of a CD-ROM and appendices suggests a comprehensive scholarly approach to the subject matter.