ABSTRACT
Since the middle of the 19th century the Dutch colonial administration of the East Indies required a specialised training for certain categories of civil servants. The most important group was formed by the higher echelons of the territorial administration. Throughout the colonial period these ranks remained the prerogative of Europeans. It should be kept in mind, however, that this was not a strictly racial category. People from mixed descent could also belong to this group (cf. Fasseur, 1994). In the 19th century training courses were established in Holland as well as at Batavia and in both countries the Senior Colonial Civil Service Examination (grootambtenaarsexamen) could be taken (at least from 1865). One third of the vacant positions were reserved for candidates who had passed their examination in the East Indies (Fasseur, 1993: 232-5).
