Bantam

Bantam, a seaport, now decayed, about 61 miles W. of Batavia, in a residency of the same name, which forms the west end of Java. It occupies an unhealthy situation, on a low swampy beach. It was the first Dutch establishment in Java (1595), and the seat of government of the residency, until transferred to the more salubrious Serang, 6 miles distant, in 1816. The harbour is now much obstructed by coral-reefs and other deposits, and the trade has gone to Batavia. Pop. of residency, 560,000.