tri harmaji- religion and colonialism

Tri Harmaji
History of Religions in Indonesia Part II: from c. 1900 to the Present
Religion and colonialism: Sartono Kartodirdjo, the peasant revolt of Banten in 1888; Muhammad Hisyam, Caught between Three Fires: The Javanese Penghulu Under the Dutch Colonial Administration 1662-1842
It is always being a question about what is actually the main cause of people rebellion against the colonial government: religion or more economic. The reading try to prove that religion is the main cause of the rebellion. I think from the factors that the author explains it is believable that religion has played an important role at the event. But my question here is: is it makes sense that the sentiment of Islamic people to the infidel ruler has become the main course? If we compare with the later development in the Indonesian struggle for independence we find that actually not only the Muslim who fights against the Dutch but also the Christian in Java as well as in other part of Indonesia where Christianity is the majority like in Moluccas and North Sumatra. So, if we consider the fact I think we cannot burden the rebellion only on the shoulder of religion alone.
Another cause that usually addressed to this event is economic difficulty. The common people that continually suffered from the government economic burdens such as tax could not bring the heavy burden any longer. They were waiting for liberation from the oppressing ruler. When finally a leader emerges to promise and lead them to liberation they eagerly give their life in the rebellion struggle. But my question here is: is it right that the economic condition at that time is really bad? What is worse between the economic condition of sultanate era and colonial era? Considering that many people could do pilgrimage to Mecca and become hajj is a sign that for many people the colonial era is so bad economically. And from the case of Cilegon rebellion that mostly initiated by the hajjes economic factor is doubtful.
If two factors above are not the really cause of the rebellion, is there any factor that can be addressed as the cause of it? To know deeper the characteristic of war and rebellion in especially Javanese society we have to consider also the war and rebellion in the time of the kingdoms. At this time a rebellion was not mainly motivated by religion or economic distress. It is why the war and rebellion can happen between the kingdoms that embrace the same religion, and it can also happen in the prosperous kingdoms.
If we consider those all events then we can turn to another important factor that is the thirsty for power. What had happened in Cilegon rebellion, but also in many other rebellion, is the rebellion of the hajjes than the rebellion of the peasant like what Kartodirdjo understood. What I perceive here is not the interest of the peasant that was struggled but more the interest of the leaders: the hajjes. It is why the religious sentiment and motivation is more apparent than economic problem that actually is the real problem of the poor peasant. But how the hajjes can drive the people to their cause? It was clear from the reading that many people gave blind obedience to their religious teacher. And actually this blind obedience was one of the requirements to be accepted in the tarekat. I think from the ancient time until this modern time the poor and ignorant people can always be used by some charismatic leader to pursue their own cause. And in many events the poor ignorant people are always becoming the most suffered victims in the struggles of those who always thirsty of power and wealth.