Simbol Kekuatan Wanita: Laksamana Malahayati dalam Konteks Perjuangan di Indonesia

Abstract

Admiral Malahayati is recognized as the world's first female admiral who not only led the Inong Balee troops in naval battles against the Portuguese and Dutch, but also played a critical role in strengthening Aceh's diplomatic relations with foreign powers. This research employs a qualitative descriptive method with a historical approach to understand the social, political, and military context during the reign of the Aceh Sultanate. Data were collected through literature studies, including historical books, scholarly article, and ancient documents that record Malahayati's legacy. The findings reveal that Admiral Malahayati achieved remarkable feats in the military field including the defeat of Cornelis de Houtman, the fortification of Aceh's maritime defenses and her significant role in diplomacy with colonial powers such as the Dutch. Through her leadership, Malahayati demonstrated that women can hold strategic roles in defending national sovereignty. This study concludes that Admiral Malahayati is a symbol of Indonesian women's strength, who transcended gender barriers of her time and made substantial contributions to safeguarding Aceh's sovereignty amidst colonial threats. This research is expected to broaden the understanding of women's roles in the nation's history and inspire the younger generation to learn more about often overlooked historical figures.