Born: 1848 (Aceh Besar, Indonesia)
Biography:
Cut Nyak Dhien, also known as Tjoet Nja’ Dhien, was a remarkable leader of the Acehnese guerrilla forces during the Aceh War. She bravely fought against the Dutch for 25 years, following the death of her husband, Teuku Umar. Cut Nyak Dhien’s resilience and determination made her a prominent figure in Indonesian history and a symbol of resistance.
Born in 1848 into a Muslim aristocratic family in Aceh Besar, Cut Nyak Dhien was raised in VI mukim district. Her father, Teuku Nanta Setia, belonged to the ruling Ulèë Balang aristocratic class, and her mother also came from an aristocratic family. Cut Nyak Dhien received education in religion and household matters, and she was known for her exceptional beauty.
At the age of twelve, Cut Nyak Dhien was married to Teuku Cek Ibrahim Lamnga, the son of an aristocratic family. However, their peaceful life was shattered when the Dutch declared war on Aceh on March 26, 1873, initiating the brutal Aceh War. In the early stages of the war, Aceh was led by Panglima Polem and Sultan Alauddin Mahmud Syah II. The Dutch army, commanded by Johan Harmen Rudolf Köhler, aimed to capture the Sultan’s palace with 3,000 soldiers. Despite military aid from Italy and the United Kingdom, the Aceh army, with its strength multiplied from 10,000 to 100,000 soldiers, successfully repelled the Dutch forces, resulting in the death of Köhler.
Cut Nyak Dhien’s life took a tragic turn when the Dutch managed to capture VI mukim in 1873 during the Second Aceh Expedition. The Sultan’s Palace was subsequently seized in 1874. In 1875, Cut Nyak Dhien, along with her baby and other mothers, were forced to evacuate to a safer location while her husband fought to reclaim VI mukim. Unfortunately, Teuku Ibrahim Lamnga lost his life in Gle Tarum on June 29, 1878. Devastated by the loss of her husband, Cut Nyak Dhien swore vengeance against the Dutch.
It was during this time that another brave Acehnese hero, Teuku Umar, proposed to Cut Nyak Dhien. Although she initially rejected him, Cut Nyak Dhien eventually accepted his proposal when Umar granted her permission to fight. They were married in 1880, and this union greatly boosted the morale of the Aceh armies in their ongoing battle against the Dutch infidels, known as the Kaphé Blanda.
Together with Teuku Umar, Cut Nyak Dhien had a daughter named Cut Gambang. She was determined to fight and brought her daughter with her into the war. The Acehnese declared a holy war against the Dutch, engaging in guerrilla warfare and employing ambushes and traps. Undersupplied but fueled by their unwavering spirit, Teuku Umar and Cut Nyak Dhien led the resistance against the Dutch forces.
However, the war took a toll on the Acehnese forces. Over time, they became undersupplied and faced great difficulties. Eventually, Teuku Umar made the difficult decision to surrender. Cut Nyak Dhien continued her struggle, but the odds were heavily against her. She was eventually captured by Dutch East Indies officials.
Despite her capture and the ending of the war, Cut Nyak Dhien’s legacy lived on. Her bravery and unwavering spirit inspired generations of Indonesians. She fought fiercely for the independence of her people and became a symbol of resistance against colonial rule. Her contributions were recognized posthumously when she was awarded the title of National Hero of Indonesia on May 2, 1964, by the Indonesian government.
Awards:
– National Hero of Indonesia (1964)