Tjoet Nja Dhien
(Tjoet Nja Dhien)

In March 1873, when Sumatra was still under Dutch rule, Holland declared war on the rebellions northern kingdom of Aceh. The pious Muslim people of Aceh, a city that had flourished since ancient times as a trade port, gathered together under the leadership of Tueku Umar and his wife Tjoet Nja’ Dhien and entered into a fierce war. But in the course of the war, the information passed on to the enemy by a spy caused the death of Tueku Umar. Tjoet Nja’ Dhien took his place and led the people under the proud banner of independence and the spirit of Islam. The war continued for thirty years until Tjoet Nja’ Dhien was so bowed down with age and sickness that Pang Laot turned her over to the Dutch army on the condition that they would give her medical care. As a result, Tjoet Nja’ Dhien was banished to Sumedan where she ended her tempestuous life, lauded as a people’s heroine in the struggle for national independence.