Etymology and Dutch colonial rule Around 1700, Padangsidimpuan was a small hamlet frequently visited by traders as a resting place. It was called "Padang Na Dimpu" in the
Angkola language, where
Padang means "expanse" or "wide area,"
na means "in," and
dimpu means "high." Thus, the name can be interpreted as "a wide expanse in a high place." In ancient times, this area served as a stopover for traders from various regions, including fish and salt traders traveling the routes of
Sibolga–Padangsidempuan–
Panyabungan and Padang Bolak (North Padang Lawas)–Padangsidimpuan–Sibolga. As the city developed, the Dutch Colonial Government, through Staatsblad Regulation No. 563/1937, elevated Padangsidimpuan to city status. At that time, the city was administratively divided into six
Weks (
Wijk in Dutch), as follows: Wek I (Kampung Marancar), Wek II (Pasar Julu), Wek III (Kampung Teleng), Wek IV (Kampung Jawa), Wek V (Pasar Siborang and Sitamiang), and Wek VI (Kampung Darek). Over time, the city developed and became the economic center of the
Tapanoeli Residency. This growth was fueled by the development of plantation industries such as rubber and coffee, as well as the trade sector, including the trading of
salt (known as
Sira in Angkola), fish, and other commodities from the surrounding area.
Indonesia Revolution 1945–1949 After
President Sukarno proclaimed
Indonesia's independence on August 17, 1945, news of the proclamation was brought by fighters from the Sibolga area and
Bukittinggi. On July 15, 1947, Vice-president
Mohammad Hatta visited Padangsidimpuan as part of a working visit from Bukittinggi to Medan, during the Dutch Military Aggression, which aimed to defend the Republic of Indonesia against
Operation Kraai. After Mohammad Hatta visited Padangsidimpuan, President Sukarno visited the following year. He was warmly welcomed upon his arrival and delivered a speech at Pasar Batu and a square (now the Grand Mosque Al-Abror/New Grand Mosque). He then continued his journey to Sibolga and Tarutung. Several months after President Sukarno's visit to Padangsidimpuan, the Dutch violated the Renville Agreement and invaded
Tapanuli in the early hours of December 19, 1948. Dutch soldiers breached the status quo line in
Asahan by shooting and killing members of the Security Police who were performing their duties in the Republic's security area. On that day, the Dutch army also advanced from
Rantau Prapat to Wingfoot (now
Kotapinang). On September 23, 1948, the Dutch army crossed the status quo line in
Ajibata at 3:00 AM, and by 5:00 AM, their troops had landed in
Balige. By transporting troops via
Lake Toba, the Dutch army succeeded in breaking through the T.N.I.'s defenses. Meanwhile, the Dutch deployed paratroopers at
Silangit airport in
Siborong-borong. By midday, the Dutch army reached
Tarutung. On December 24, 1948, at 9:00 AM, the Dutch army landed troops in
Sibolga. All of these operations were carried out by the Dutch, including breaking the static line at Rakjat and Ajibata Islands, disembarking troops at Silangit, and landing troops in Sibolga, with support from airplanes that dropped bombs and fired machine guns. On January 2, 1949, Padangsidimpuan was occupied by Dutch troops. That night, the
Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), along with local youth, launched an attack on the Dutch troops in Padangsidimpuan. After the attack, they withdrew. Through Padangsidimpuan, the Dutch army was able to advance and occupy Pijorkoling.
Liberation Democracy (1950-1960) After the recognition of sovereignty in the
Dutch–Indonesian Round Table Conference, the South Tapanuli Regency People's Representative Council was formed on March 11, 1950. This was alongside the establishment of South Tapanuli Regency, which included Mandailing Natal Regency, Padang Bolak Regency, and Padangsidimpuan Regency. The formation was later reinforced by Law No. 7 of 1956, which established a 27-member People's Representative Council with its capital in Padangsidimpuan.
New Order until autonomous city (1982-2001) In 1982, through Government Regulation No. 32 of 1982, Padangsidimpuan's status was elevated to that of an administrative city, marking a step toward becoming an autonomous city. It consisted of two sub-districts: South Padangsidimpuan and North Padangsidimpuan. ==Geography==