Sukarno was born on 6 June 1901 in Blitar; eastern Java; to a Javanese schoolteacher and a Balinese mother. His name was Kusno Sosrodihardjo; but he was renamed; as per Javanese custom; after surviving a childhood illness. His name is frequently spelled Soekarno after the Dutch spelling.

Graduating with a degree in engineering in 1926; Sukarno became an accomplished architect in Bandung; western Java. His peers considered him modern and highly intelligent鈥攔eputedly endowed with a photographic memory鈥攁nd he was fluent in nine languages. On 4 July; 1927; Sukarno and some friends founded the Partai Nasional Indonesia (PNI) with a view to fighting for Indonesian independence. Sentenced as a political prisoner in 1930; Sukarno's cause was widely reported in the Dutch East Indies and abroad; and; as a result; he was freed in 1931.

Forever a thorn in the Dutch side; Sukarno continued to agitate. In 1942; the invading Japanese drove the Europeans from the islands; and turned to Sukarno and other former nationalists. Two days after the Japanese surrender to the Allies; on August 17; 1945; Sukarno declared Indonesian independence. Although the Dutch returned to reclaim their colony and Sukarno was arrested; Indonesian independence was ultimately recognised.

Sukarno established a parliamentary democracy; but maintained strong personal control. He courted relations with the West; the Soviets and China. He was appointed President for Life in 1963; and his latter years were marked by a rule of personality cult. Sukarno was ousted from office by Gen Suharto in 1967 and held under house arrest until his death on 21 June 1970.