Ngurah Rai was born in Carangsari, Badung Regency, Bali on 30 January 1917. He studied at a Dutch elementary school named HIS Denpasar,[3] then went to MULO Junior High School in Malang, East Java.[3] He then received Dutch military training at the Military Cadet School in Gianyar, Bali, and Magelang, Central Java. After graduating, he joined the Dutch-sponsored military as a second lieutenant in Bali.[2][4] After that he studied at Corps Opleiding Voor Reserve Officieren (CORO), Magelang and pendidikan artileri,Malang.[3]
Ngurah Rai found that the republican forces were divided and he worked hard to reunite them. He then organized the first attack against the headquarters of the Dutch force at Tabanan. The Dutch then attempted to locate Ngurah Rai's base and offered negotiations, which he refused.
On 20 November 1946, the Dutch launched a large attack on Marga with the assistance of troops from Lombok and supported by aircraft. Lieutenant Colonel Ngurah Rai ordered a Puputan, or fight to the last man. He died along with all of his troops. The battle is now known as the Battle of Margarana.[2] However, because Ngurah Rai's entire force was wiped out, including the military leadership, the Dutch forces were subsequently unopposed and were able to regain control of Bali. This may not have been possible had Ngurah Rai adopted a guerrilla strategy.[5]
Burial and national hero status
Ngurah Rai was buried in Marga. On 9 August 1975, he was made a national hero via Presidential Decision No. 063/TK/TH 1975.[2]Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali is named for him and he appears on the IDR 50,000 note.
Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung (1996) [1995]. From the Formation of the State of East Indonesia Towards the Establishment of the United States of Indonesia. Translated by Owens, Linda. Yayasan Obor. ISBN979-461-216-2.
Mutiara Sumber Widya (publisher) (1999) Album Pahlawan Bangsa (Album of National Heroes), Jakarta (Indonesian)
Pringle, Robert (2004). Bali: Indonesia's Hindu Realm; A short history of. Short History of Asia Series. Allen & Unwin. ISBN1-86508-863-3.
Sudarmanto, Y.B. (1996) Jejak-Jejak Pahlawan dari Sultan Agung hingga Syekh Yusuf (The Footsteps of Heroes from Sultan Agung to Syekh Yusuf), Penerbit Grasindo, Jakarta ISBN979-553-111-5 (Indonesian)