In the early years of Indonesian independence, the study of Indonesia's recent history tended to be dominated by scholars who emphasized political and cultural themes in their studies. There was a need to explain those developments of the colonial period which underlay some of the most important features of newly independent Indonesia. About two decades ago a new dimension began be opened up in the Indonesia social sciences when a group of historians and social scientists carried out studies of socioeconomic history of certain localities on Indonesia. The development of the social sciences in Indonesia was also leading to a better understanding of rural society. This new focus on Indonesian historical and socio-economic studies, directed especially at agricultural and socialaspects, was very appropriate.