The first woman admiral
Malahayati, Aceh's fleet commander.
Si Gam — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Si Gam — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Si Gam — CC BY-SA 3.0
The ruins of a fort on a hill above Lamreh bay, built in 1599 by Keumalahayati, or Malahayati, commander of the Aceh sultanate's fleet, remembered as the first woman in history to hold the rank of admiral. The fort's name means fort of the widows, as it was the base of an army of widows of fighters killed in battle, whom Malahayati trained and led. Malahayati led Aceh's fleet against the Portuguese and the Dutch, and sources say she killed the Dutch commander Cornelis de Houtman in a fight aboard his ship in 1599. Indonesia has declared her a national heroine, and warships and universities bear her name. What remains of the fort are low stone walls on the hilltop, with a superb view over the bay and the entrance to the Strait of Malacca. On a nearby hill is Malahayati's tomb, reached by a stair. The visit is free. Combine the fort and tomb with Indra Patra fortress on the same road in half a day on the east coast, and dress modestly.
Malahayati, Aceh's fleet commander.
Inong Balee.
Over the Malacca Strait's entrance.
Lamreh, Mesjid Raya district, Aceh Besar, about 30 km east of Banda Aceh
The daughter of an Acehnese naval family who trained at the sultanate's military academy; when her husband fell in a sea battle, she formed the widows' army and led the fleet, becoming a symbol of the courage of Aceh's Muslim women.