Keumalahayati, The first women admiral. Her name Keumala means "a beautiful glowing stone that has many efficacy". Keumalahayati nicknamed the Lion of the Sea From Aceh Darussalam Sultanate.
Keumalahayati was the first woman in the world has ever become an admiral. She was born in the heyday of Aceh, precisely at the end of XV century. Based on historical evidence (manuscripts) that are stored at the University Kebangsaan Malaysia and dated 1254 H or around the year 1875 AD, Keumalahayati came from a noble family in Aceh. Historical records have not found the mention exactly when the year of birth and death year. It is estimated that her life around the end of XV century and the beginning of the sixteenth century.
Keumalahayati is the daughter of Admiral Mahmud Syah. Her grandfather, Admiral Muhammad Said Syah, son of the Sultan Salahuddin Syah who ruled the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam circa 1530-1539 AD Sultan Salahuddin Syah is the son of Sultan Ibrahim Ali Mughayat Syah (1513-1530) who was the founder of the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam.
If seen from the pedigree, Keumalahayati is a noble descendant of aristocratic family. Her father and grandfather had been a navy admiral. Maritime spirit father and grandfather owned the later influence on his personality. Although as a woman, she still wanted to be a brave sailor like his father and grandfather.
The story of her fight started from a war in Malacca strait, between Portuguese forces versus the fleet of the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam led by Sultan Alauddin Shah al-Riayat Mukammil and assisted by two admirals. The battle happened in the Haru gulf and won by Aceh, although they had to lose two admirals and thousands of troops who died in battle. One of the admiral who died was Keumalahayati own husband who served as Commander of the Palace Protocol Darud-Dunia. After her husband died in the war, she promised revenge and determined to continue the struggle despite her husband alone.
To meet these objectives, Keumalahayati asked Sultan al-Mukammil to form a fleet of Aceh which all soldiers are women, widows whose husbands died in the Haru Gulf War. Keumalahayati's request finally granted. She was entrusted with the task of leading the fleet Inong Balee appointed as the Admiral. She is the first Acehnese woman reach admiral rank (admiral) in the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam. Fleet strength was originally only 1000 people, but then strengthened again to 2000 people. Lamreh Krueng Raya Gulf used as military bases. Around this bay, She built Fort Inong Balee located in the hills.
After assuming the post of admiral, coordinate Keumlahayati troops on the sea, watching the various ports under the control port, and watch the Aceh Darussalam Galley. A Dutch ship captain who was a British, John Davis, said that during Admiral Keumalahayati's military leadership, the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam has a fleet of equipment of which consists of 100 ships (galley) with a capacity of 400-500 passengers.
The story of her fight does not stop here. He has been involved in a battle against Dutch colonialism. The story, on June 22, 1586, Cornelis de Houtman led the first voyage with four Dutch ships anchored in the harbor and Banten. After returning to the Netherlands, on the second voyage, he led the Dutch merchant fleet is also equipped with warships. This was done to face contact with the weapon Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam on June 21, 1599. Two Dutch ship named de Leeuw and de Leeuwin, led by two brothers, Cornelis de Houtman and Frederick de Houtman, anchored in the capital of the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam. At first, their arrival got good treatment from the empire because of the importance of trade relations.
However, in the further development of Sultan al-Mukammil not happy with the presence of the group and ordered to attack the Dutch. There were allegations that the sultan was heavily influenced by one's instigation Portuguese who became his translator. The attack was led by Admiral Keumalahayati. As a result, Cornelis de Houtman, and some of his men were killed, while Frederick de Houtman was captured and put in jail (for 2 years). Admiral Keumalahayati success is an achievement of truly extraordinary.
Keumalahayati was not only an admiral and the Navy Commander of the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam, but he also has served as Commander of the Uleebalang (Royal Palace Guard). This position is an imperial task in the field of diplomacy and he acted as a negotiator in the affairs of foreign countries. She himself has shown his talent and carry out their duties well. He has the nature and character of firm and brave in facing various negotiations, both the Dutch and English. Even so, as a smart diplomat, she could be friendly and flexible in doing a lot of negotiations.
On November 21, 1600, a Dutch group led by Paul van Caerden come to the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam. Before entering the harbor, this group sank a merchant ship in Aceh by first taking all of the pepper in it to their ship. After it came back the second Dutch national party led by Admiral Van Neck Yacob. They landed at the port of Aceh on June 31, 1601. They introduced themselves as a Dutch who came to Aceh to buy pepper. After knowing that they were the Dutch, directly Keumalahayati ordered his men to arrest them. The act was approved by Sultan al-Mukammil due as compensation for the actions of the previous Dutch group.
On August 23, 1601, reached the third Dutch group led by Commissioner Gerard de Roy and Admiral Laurens Bicker with four ships (Zeelandia, Middelborg, Langhe Bracke, and Sonne) in the Port of Aceh. Their arrival had been deliberate and on the orders of Prince Maurits. Both the leadership of the group received orders to provide a letter and some gifts to the Sultan al-Mukammil. Before the letter was given, in fact has happened between Admiral Keumalahayati negotiations with the Dutch two group leaders. The contents of these negotiations is to achieve peace between the Dutch and the Sultanate of Aceh, Frederick de Houtman, Dutch, and in return have to pay any losses due to Hijacked Aceh ship by Paul van Caerden (Dutch finally going to pay damages for 50.000 Golden).
After that the relationship between the Netherlands and the Sultanate of Aceh going pretty well. The presence of the Dutch nation is well accepted in the imperial palace, and they are allowed to trade in Aceh. As a continuation of good relations between the Netherlands and the Sultanate of Aceh, sent three people to meet Prince Maurits and Dutch Representatives Assembly. The third man was Abdul Hamid, Sri Muhammad (one of the naval officer under Admiral Keumalahayati), and Mir Hasan (nobility of the empire). Despite being at war against Spanish, the Dutch envoys were accepted by a state ceremony.
Admiral Keumalahayati diplomatic role continues. This stems from the British wanted to establish trade relations with the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam. Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603 AD) sent a messenger to bring a letter to Sultan al-Mukammil. The delegation, led by James Lancaster, an officer of the British Navy, arrived at Aceh port on June 6, 1602. Before meeting with Sultan al-Mukammil, Lancaster hold negotiations with Admiral Keumalahayati. Lancaster told the British wanted to establish cooperation with the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam. He also advised that Admiral Keumalahayati against the Portuguese and nice to British. Admiral Keumalahayati requested that this desire is made in text and on behalf of the Queen of England. After the letter was made, Lancaster was permitted to meet Sultan al-Mukammil.
Admiral Keumalahayati also plays a major role in completing the imperial intrigue. This stems from an important event concerning the succession of leadership in the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam. In 1603, Sultan al-Mukammil put his eldest son as his companion. However, apparently the son of the betrayed his father and claimed the throne of Aceh with title Sultan Ali Riayat Shah (1604-1607 AD).
In the early days of his leadership, various kinds of disasters struck the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam, such as prolonged drought, family bloody conflict, and the threat from the Portuguese. There is no strong desire of the Sultan Ali Riayat Shah to resolve the issue seriously. So much sense of disappointment arising from the courtiers, one of which is Darmawangsa Tun Pangkat, his own nephew. Darmawangsa was arrested and imprisoned on the orders of the Sultan.
In June 1606, the Portuguese attacked the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam, led by Alfonso de Castro. When it Darmawangsa still in jail. He appealed to the Sultan Ali Riayat Shah so he can be released and can be fought against the Portuguese. With the support of Admiral Keumalahayati, Darmawangsa was finally released. They both fought with and eventually can destroy the Portuguese army.
Because of Sultan Ali Shah Riayat widely considered incompetent again lead the empire, the Admiral Keumalahayati maneuver by lowering Sultan Ali Riayat Shah from the throne of power. Darmawangsa finally selected as the title of Sultan of Aceh, Sultan Iskandar Muda (1607-1636 AD). At the time, the Sultanate of Aceh Darussalam reached the golden age.
Admiral Keumalahayati work is not in the form of books or various forms of writing. However, her struggle against colonialism may also be regarded as real work. Among the works referred to are as follows:
He has built Inong Balee Fortress with 100 meters high above sea level. Walls of the fort facing the sea with a width of 3 meters with holes muzzle cannon bay door leads to.
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As promised
