Long before the world acknowledged feminism and gender equality, the archipelago had already witnessed the rise of a powerful female leader?Keumalahayati, the first female admiral in history. While Europe hailed figures like Simone de Beauvoir, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Mary Astell as pioneers of women's rights, Keumalahayati had already commanded naval forces, leading thousands of warriors to defend her homeland against colonial invaders.

Educated in the elite military academy Ma'had Baitul Maqdis, she mastered the art of warfare and strategy. With a fleet of 2,000 troops and 100 warships, she successfully repelled Portuguese and Dutch forces, securing the maritime sovereignty of the Aceh Sultanate in the 16th century. More than just a warrior, she revolutionized naval warfare, introducing the legendary Inong Balee, a battalion of widowed female fighters who became an unbreakable shield against European expansion in Southeast Asia.

Her legacy extended beyond the battlefield. Under her command, women in Aceh played a pivotal role in military governance, a rare phenomenon in global history. Even Sultan Muda Ali Riayat Syah V (1604?1607) was protected by an elite female bodyguard unit known as Sukey Inong Kaway, a testament to the influence she had on military leadership.

This compelling eBook uncovers the life of an unsung heroine whose leadership, intelligence, and bravery shaped the course of Southeast Asian history. It is time for the world to recognize Keumalahayati?not just as Indonesia's national hero, but as one of Asia's greatest military figures.

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