After a succession of rebellion that was crushed in 1927, an estimated 13,000 people were banished to Tanah Merah, Digul Atas, Irian Jaya. Many nationalist movements were later exiled here. Those who were exiled to this site were considered prisoners, and had to suffer the intense heat, malaria, psychological strain that caused them mental and physical anguish. Today, Digul Atas still serves as a symbol of sacrifice of Indonesian nationalist leaders in pre World War II.