The endurance of female leadership in Islamic Southeast Asia: a study of Sultanah Safiatuddin (R. 1641-1675)

Abstract

The Kingdom of Aceh Darussalam experienced its heyday in the first half of the 17th century. Throughout its history, Aceh Darussalam has been inextricably linked to the role of women. Acehnese women played a multitude of roles in political affairs, serving as court officials and even assuming the role of state leader. The emergence of women as royal leaders was not entirely unexpected, given that Acehnese women had been actively involved in court affairs during the reign of previous kings. Sultanah Safiatuddin, the first queen of Aceh, was able to maintain her reign for almost 35 years without any coups or assassination attempts. This study aims to discuss the factors that enabled Sultanah Safiatuddin to maintain her rule for so long. Although Sultanah Safiatuddin was the first queen of the Kingdom of Aceh Darussalam, she had the same legal sovereignty as her male predecessors. This sovereignty is evidenced by the use of titles, coins, and the royal seal. During her tenure as ruler of Aceh, Sultanah Safiatuddin's reputation for wisdom, the support of court officials, and the influence of scholars contributed to her position as the leader of the Kingdom of Aceh Darussalam. Accounts of Safiatuddin's wisdom are documented in both Acehnese and Western manuscripts and archived. Her effective leadership earned the loyalty of the nobles, who provided invaluable assistance in governance. The scholars who supported her also had a significant impact on the challenges posed by scholars who rejected the leadership of a woman.