History of the Kingdom of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam

Hello everyone. Today I want to share a story about the history of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam with all of you. I wrote that we will not forget this history later. The Aceh region, which is located in the westernmost part of the archipelago, occupies a strategic position as a gateway to trade and commerce that has been linked East and West for centuries. Aceh is often touted as a haven for Chinese, European, Indian, and Arab traders, making Aceh the first cultural and religious entry in the archipelago. In the 7th century, Indian traders introduced Hinduism and Buddhism. But Aceh's role was prominent in line with the entry and development of Islam in this area, which was introduced by Gujarat traders from the Arab ranks towards the 9th century.

According to historical records, Aceh was the first place for the entry of Islam in Indonesia and as the place for the emergence of the first Islamic empire in Indonesia, namely Peureulak and Pasai. The kingdom that was built by Sultan Ali Mughayatsyah with his capital in Bandar Aceh Darussalam (Banda Aceh now) gradually expanded in size, covering most of the West and East coast of Sumatra to the Malacca Peninsula. The presence of this area became even stronger with the formation of the Aceh Sultanate which united all the small kingdoms contained in the area. Thus the Sultanate of Aceh reached its peak at the beginning of the 17th century, during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda. At that time the influence of Islam's religion and culture was so great in the daily life of the Acehnese people so that this area earned the nickname "Seuramo Mecca" (Veranda of Mecca). This situation did not last long, because, after the death of Sultan Iskandar Muda, his successors were unable to maintain the greatness of the kingdom. So that the position of this region as one of the major kingdoms in Southeast Asia weakened. This causes the authority of the kingdom to decline and begin to be entered by outside influences.

The Sultanate of Aceh became the target of the West which was marked by the signing of the London Treaty and the Sumatra Treaty between the British and the Dutch regarding the regulation of their interests in Sumatra. The attitude of the West to control the Aceh region came true on March 26, 1873, when the Dutch declared war on the Sultan of Aceh. The challenge, called the 'Sabi War', lasted for 30 years with a large soul that forced the last Sultan of Aceh, Tgk. Muhd. Daud to recognize Dutch sovereignty in the land of Aceh. With this recognition of sovereignty, the Aceh region was formally administered administratively into the Dutch East Indies (Nederlansch Oost-Indie) in the form of a province which since 1937 turned into a residency until the Dutch colonial rule in Indonesia ended. Rebellions against Dutch colonialism still continued to the corners of Aceh.

Then the war turned against the Japanese who came in 1942. This war ended with the surrender of Japan to the Allies in 1945. In the era of the independence war, the contribution and participation of the people of Aceh in the struggle were very large, so that the First President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Sukarno gave the nickname as "Capital Region" in the Aceh region. Since the Indonesian people declared independence on August 17, 1945, as an independent and sovereign nation and state, Aceh is one of the regions or parts of the Republic of Indonesia as a residency of Sumatra Province. Along with the formation of the Aceh residency, based on the Governor of North Sumatra Decree Number 1 / X dated October 3, 1945, Teuku Nyak Arief was appointed as Resident. The position of the Aceh region as part of the territory of the Republic of Indonesia has changed its status several times. During the independence revolution, the Aceh Residency in early 1947 was under the administrative area of ​​North Sumatra. In connection with the Dutch military aggression against the Republic of Indonesia, the Residency of Aceh, Langkat and Tanah Karo was determined to be a military area based in Kutaradja (Banda Aceh now) with Military Governor Tengku Muhammad Daud Beureueh.

Although at that time the Military Region was formed, the residency was still maintained. Furthermore, on April 5, 1948, Law No. 10 of 1948 was enacted which divided Sumatra into 3 Autonomous Provinces, namely: North Sumatra, Central Sumatra, and South Sumatra. The Province of North Sumatra includes the residencies of Aceh, East Sumatra, and South Tapanuli, with the leadership of the Governor Mr. S.M. Amen In the face of the second military aggression launched by the Dutch to control the Republic of Indonesia, the Government intends to strengthen defense and security by issuing the Emergency Government Decree No. 21 / Pem / PDRI on May 16, 1949, which concentrated Civil and Military forces on the Military Governor.

At the end of 1949, the Aceh Residency was expelled from the Province of North Sumatra and subsequently upgraded to the Province of Aceh. Tengku Muhammad Daud Beureueh who was previously the Military Governor of Aceh, Langkat, and Tanah Karo was appointed Governor of Aceh Province. sometime later, based on the Government Regulation in lieu of Law No. 5 of 1950 the Aceh province returned to the Residency as it was at the beginning of independence. This change in status has caused political turmoil which has disturbed the stability of security, order, and peace of society. The wishes of the leaders and people of Aceh were responded to by the Government so that Law No. 24 of 1956 was issued concerning the re-establishment of the province of Aceh which covered the entire territory of the former Aceh residency.

With the issuance of Law Number 1 of 1957, the status of Aceh Province became a Level I Autonomous Region, and on January 27, 1957, A. Hasjmy was appointed Governor of Aceh Province. But the political turmoil in Aceh is not entirely over. To maintain national stability for the unity and integrity of the nation, through the mission of Prime Minister Hardi, known as MISSI HARDI in 1959, discussions were held relating to political turmoil, governance, and regional development in Aceh. The results of the mission were followed up with the decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1 / MISSI / 1959. Then since May 26, 1959, the Level 1 Self-Defense Organization or the Province of Aceh was given the status of "Special Region" as the Province of Aceh Special Region. With this title, Aceh has broad autonomy rights in the fields of religion, adat, and education. this status is confirmed by Law Number 18 of 1965.

Various policies in the administration of government in the past that have focused on a centralized system are seen as a source for the emergence of injustice in the life of the nation and state, such conditions have led to upheaval. This was responded by the central government by granting Special Autonomy with the passing of Law no. 18 of 2002 and the Province of the Special Region of Aceh changed to the Province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. Then based on the Governor of Aceh Regulation No. 46/2009 concerning the Use of Aceh Name Names and the Title of the Official Government of the Official Script Code in the Aceh Government Environment dated April 7, 2009, it was confirmed that the designation of the Autonomous Region, Regional Government, Regional Head / Deputy Regional Head, People's Representative Council Regions, Nomenclature and Nameplate of the Aceh Government Work Unit (SKPA), Signatory Titles, Position Stamps and Agency Stamps in Service Manuscripts within the Government of Aceh, amended and uniformed from the designation/nomenclature "Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam" ("NAD") to designation/nomenclature "Aceh". This is done pending the provisions in Article 251 of the Law on the Governing of Aceh which states that the name of Aceh as a province in the NKRI system, will be determined by the DPRA resulting from the 2009 elections

The photo above is a photo worn by Acehnese customs, which clothing is worn during major events (important), at weddings, and others.