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Sovereign Women in a Muslim Kingdom: The Sultanahs of Aceh, 1641–1699
In Sovereign Women in a Muslim Kingdom, Sher Banu A. L. Khan provides a fresh perspective on the women who ruled in succession in Aceh for half the seventeenth century. Khan draws fresh evidence about the lives and reigns of the sultanahs from contemporary indigenous texts and the archives of the Dutch East India Company.
The long reign of the sultanahs of Aceh is striking in a society where women rulers are usually seen as unnatural calamities, a violation of nature, or even forbidden in the name of religion. Sovereign Women in a Muslim Kingdom demonstrates how the sultanahs' rule was legitimized by both Islam and adat (indigenous customary laws). Khan provides original insights on the women's style of leadership and their unique relations with the male elite and foreign European envoys who visited their court. This book calls into question received views on kingship in the Malay world and shows how an indigenous polity responded to European companies in the age of early East-West encounters during Southeast Asia's age of commerce.
The long reign of the sultanahs of Aceh is striking in a society where women rulers are usually seen as unnatural calamities, a violation of nature, or even forbidden in the name of religion. Sovereign Women in a Muslim Kingdom demonstrates how the sultanahs' rule was legitimized by both Islam and adat (indigenous customary laws). Khan provides original insights on the women's style of leadership and their unique relations with the male elite and foreign European envoys who visited their court. This book calls into question received views on kingship in the Malay world and shows how an indigenous polity responded to European companies in the age of early East-West encounters during Southeast Asia's age of commerce.
312 pages, Hardcover
Published May 23, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 12, 2022
"Sovereign Women, Muslim Kingdom: The Sultanahs of Aceh, 1641-1699" by Sher Banu A. L. Khan is an incredible book that examines the 59-year rule of the Islamic kingdom of Aceh by Muslim women rulers.
The author translates both Indigenous Malay & Dutch historical documents to understand the political, social, & religious background & context of Aceh that led to this remarkable era of female rule.
Most of the information was about the first Sultanah, Safiatuddin Shah. We learn about how & why local 'ulama believed that female rule was permissible, local conceptions of leadership, the challenges she faced during her rule, her unique qualities as a sultanah, & the peace & prosperity that arose during her time & continued until the deposing of the final sultanah.
Some fun facts: her male predecessors were characterized by their materialism, capriciousness, & brutality; she was recognized as the Khalifah of the East while the Ottoman empire ruled as Khilaafah of the West; she removed several shirky phrases from her royal titles; she was a strong patron of Islamic scholarship; she was a clever stateswoman; & she was known for her piety and generosity.
Less fun facts: female rule was ended because of Arabs bringing a fatwah from Makkah that female rule is haram (although the author points out that it was really more about politics than religion)... the succeeding sultan immediately carried on the tradition of the prior male sultans of being materialistic & selfish.
Refreshingly free of proggie garbage, the author's approach is balanced, doesn't come to any particularly dramatic or damning conclusions, & is thoughtful throughout. (I would have been less charitable towards certain elements tbh).
For too long, Muslims (esp in the West) have remained ignorant of our Ummah's diverse history, especially when it comes to Muslim women. This book is just one glimpse at a far richer, deeper, & sadly hidden history of female influence.
The author translates both Indigenous Malay & Dutch historical documents to understand the political, social, & religious background & context of Aceh that led to this remarkable era of female rule.
Most of the information was about the first Sultanah, Safiatuddin Shah. We learn about how & why local 'ulama believed that female rule was permissible, local conceptions of leadership, the challenges she faced during her rule, her unique qualities as a sultanah, & the peace & prosperity that arose during her time & continued until the deposing of the final sultanah.
Some fun facts: her male predecessors were characterized by their materialism, capriciousness, & brutality; she was recognized as the Khalifah of the East while the Ottoman empire ruled as Khilaafah of the West; she removed several shirky phrases from her royal titles; she was a strong patron of Islamic scholarship; she was a clever stateswoman; & she was known for her piety and generosity.
Less fun facts: female rule was ended because of Arabs bringing a fatwah from Makkah that female rule is haram (although the author points out that it was really more about politics than religion)... the succeeding sultan immediately carried on the tradition of the prior male sultans of being materialistic & selfish.
Refreshingly free of proggie garbage, the author's approach is balanced, doesn't come to any particularly dramatic or damning conclusions, & is thoughtful throughout. (I would have been less charitable towards certain elements tbh).
For too long, Muslims (esp in the West) have remained ignorant of our Ummah's diverse history, especially when it comes to Muslim women. This book is just one glimpse at a far richer, deeper, & sadly hidden history of female influence.
September 13, 2018
"Ratu Safiatuddin Tajul Alam, Ratu Nurul Alam Naqiatuddin Syah, Ratu Inayat Zaqiatuddin Syah, Ratu Kamalat Syah."
These were the names of the Aceh’s four queens who ruled for almost 60 years. Islam today still struggles with female leadership, sometimes even considered an anathema. Yet Aceh - a staunchly Islamic Kingdom - was able to be ruled under the female leadership for 60 years in the 17th century. Aceh was considered the major trading port for pepper, elephants and even jewels for the region. It was during this time that Aceh saw the ascension of 4 female monarchs, in succession. Considering it was the 17th century, female rule seems like an anomaly, or perhaps even impossible.
Sher Banu examines and illuminates us with a history in a specific moment of time and shows how these females integrated new elements and features into a largely masculine concept of traditional monarch. The coronation of the first Queen saw diplomats from around the region and Netherlands to a spectacle that was beyond her times. During Safiatuddian’s rule, she made diplomatic, just and fair dealings with the Dutch, while still maintaining autonomy and protecting her local traders. Sher describes how diplomatic the queens carried out their duties, while still abiding to Islamic traditions and adapting royal duties to fit her gender.
How timely it is that this book was published, with the current intense and often regressive debates on the role of women in Islam. The increased policing of women’s acctions, and the expansion of the spheres forbidden to women in the name of Islam by some groups. This book reminds us that this should not be the dominant narrative among Muslims and the pervasive perception of Non-Muslims. It serves as a heartening example of the diversity and richness of Muslim women’s experiences.
These were the names of the Aceh’s four queens who ruled for almost 60 years. Islam today still struggles with female leadership, sometimes even considered an anathema. Yet Aceh - a staunchly Islamic Kingdom - was able to be ruled under the female leadership for 60 years in the 17th century. Aceh was considered the major trading port for pepper, elephants and even jewels for the region. It was during this time that Aceh saw the ascension of 4 female monarchs, in succession. Considering it was the 17th century, female rule seems like an anomaly, or perhaps even impossible.
Sher Banu examines and illuminates us with a history in a specific moment of time and shows how these females integrated new elements and features into a largely masculine concept of traditional monarch. The coronation of the first Queen saw diplomats from around the region and Netherlands to a spectacle that was beyond her times. During Safiatuddian’s rule, she made diplomatic, just and fair dealings with the Dutch, while still maintaining autonomy and protecting her local traders. Sher describes how diplomatic the queens carried out their duties, while still abiding to Islamic traditions and adapting royal duties to fit her gender.
How timely it is that this book was published, with the current intense and often regressive debates on the role of women in Islam. The increased policing of women’s acctions, and the expansion of the spheres forbidden to women in the name of Islam by some groups. This book reminds us that this should not be the dominant narrative among Muslims and the pervasive perception of Non-Muslims. It serves as a heartening example of the diversity and richness of Muslim women’s experiences.
June 28, 2020
This is a gorgeous, well-researched book about the Sultanahs of Aceh. Due to the dearth of material, the book mainly focuses on Sultanah Tajul Alam Safiatuddin Syah (r. 1641-75) and not her three successor sultanahs: Sultanah Nur Alam Naqiatuddin Syar (r. 1675-78), Sultanah Inayat Zakiatuddin Syah (r. 1678-88), and Sultanah Kamalat Zainatuddin Syah (r. 1688-99).
A lot of the book focuses on the interaction between the Sultanahs and the Dutch (due to the preponderance of Dutch material), but I loved the commentary on the general political situation, in particular, how the Dutch tried to exert more influence in South East Asia and take over more of the trade. I thought the difference in culture was also well-highlighted: the Dutch think of contracts and law a more similar way we do now: binding and static; while the Acehenese seemed to think of it as more flexible and against the person. I also enjoyed how the book showed the political agency of the Acehenese as well as their sphere of influence over their vassal states, as well as the Dutch tried to side-step it.
Another facet is the use of religion and the influence from (what is now) the Middle East / Arabs - I've read other books that describe how Islam in Southeast Asia was syncretic, and the ascendance of queens in Aceh does show how different interpretations of Islam were adopted, adapted and contested.
It's a rather short book, but gives a good insight into that period of history.
5/5 stars
A lot of the book focuses on the interaction between the Sultanahs and the Dutch (due to the preponderance of Dutch material), but I loved the commentary on the general political situation, in particular, how the Dutch tried to exert more influence in South East Asia and take over more of the trade. I thought the difference in culture was also well-highlighted: the Dutch think of contracts and law a more similar way we do now: binding and static; while the Acehenese seemed to think of it as more flexible and against the person. I also enjoyed how the book showed the political agency of the Acehenese as well as their sphere of influence over their vassal states, as well as the Dutch tried to side-step it.
Another facet is the use of religion and the influence from (what is now) the Middle East / Arabs - I've read other books that describe how Islam in Southeast Asia was syncretic, and the ascendance of queens in Aceh does show how different interpretations of Islam were adopted, adapted and contested.
It's a rather short book, but gives a good insight into that period of history.
5/5 stars
April 18, 2024
I just learned that "Lebai Kita Kali" is a thing. It's a group of selected individuals who act as advisors to the sultanah. Quite funny slang words if we use these words now.
This book helped me understand how, in Aceh, there was a queendom or Sultanah time ruled by not only one but four Sultanah, and reigned for 59 years peacefully. During that time, one Sultana, Safiatuddin, thrived and was praised as an excellent ruler for their compassion and elegance. Compared to his late father, Iskandar Muda was coercive, somewhat a conqueror, and rather ruthless, ruling by fear and force.
This book helped me understand how, in Aceh, there was a queendom or Sultanah time ruled by not only one but four Sultanah, and reigned for 59 years peacefully. During that time, one Sultana, Safiatuddin, thrived and was praised as an excellent ruler for their compassion and elegance. Compared to his late father, Iskandar Muda was coercive, somewhat a conqueror, and rather ruthless, ruling by fear and force.
June 29, 2025
This is a fascinating and unique book. As many Indonesians know, Aceh is a special region in Indonesia where Islamic law plays a central role in governance. But what’s surprising is that in the 17th century, Aceh was ruled by women, not just once, but four times in a row. That alone sparks curiosity. What made that possible?
How could this happen under Islamic law? Was it something unique to local customs in the region? This book digs deep into those questions with solid historical research and an objective approach. It’s packed with references, including primary sources like VOC records, which help paint a fuller picture.
Beyond the curiosity factor, the reign of the Sultanahs, especially in the earlier years, was actually a golden era for the Aceh Sultanate. Their diplomatic skills, their ability to manage conflicts both with nearby kingdoms and with foreign powers like the VOC are truly impressive. You don't even need to read far before you start wondering just how challenging it must have been for a woman to lead during such a tough and male-dominated period.
I learned a lot from this book. What started as simple curiosity turned into a deeper understanding of the political and social life in Aceh and its surrounding areas. It also offers insight into how their government worked, and of course, includes some really compelling stories about the history of the Aceh Sultanate.
How could this happen under Islamic law? Was it something unique to local customs in the region? This book digs deep into those questions with solid historical research and an objective approach. It’s packed with references, including primary sources like VOC records, which help paint a fuller picture.
Beyond the curiosity factor, the reign of the Sultanahs, especially in the earlier years, was actually a golden era for the Aceh Sultanate. Their diplomatic skills, their ability to manage conflicts both with nearby kingdoms and with foreign powers like the VOC are truly impressive. You don't even need to read far before you start wondering just how challenging it must have been for a woman to lead during such a tough and male-dominated period.
I learned a lot from this book. What started as simple curiosity turned into a deeper understanding of the political and social life in Aceh and its surrounding areas. It also offers insight into how their government worked, and of course, includes some really compelling stories about the history of the Aceh Sultanate.
December 25, 2024
Well researched and informative with a great amount of detail.
April 4, 2023
Shivers everywhere
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews