Aceh - A History: Sumatra, Indonesia
The province of Aceh sits on the northern end of Sumatra. It is steeped in history
and culture, and is a steadfast stronghold of Islam within the archipelago of
Indonesia. Its history is as diverse as its culture.

The History of Aceh
Ibrahim Alfian (jp)
Aceh has long played a special and vital role in Indonesia. The area now enjoys
special status under Indonesian rule, yet it remains one of the most rebellious
provinces in the country.
From time to time throughout the history of the county, the Acehnese have
challenged Jakarta's rule, trying to establish an independent Aceh, separate from
Indonesia.
At a glance, the reasons behind the Acehnese struggle for independence are not
evident. Unlike Irian Jaya or East Timor, Aceh is, after all, overwhelmingly
Muslim, like the rest of Indonesia. And the Acehnese make no claim to a distinct
ethnicity or, necessarily, political ideology. However, a brief exploration of Aceh's
history explains the mix of factors that have led the Acehnese to challenge
Jakarta's rule.

Peureulak, Pasai and Aceh Darussalam
According to some historians, Aceh played an important role in Islamizing many
parts of Indonesia, including Java, the most populous island. Islam came to
Indonesia, and possibly all of Southeast Asia, through Aceh sometime around the
eighth century.
The first Islamic kingdom in Aceh, Peureulak, was established in the early years
of the ninth century, with Bandar Kalifah as its capital. Bandar Kalifah was
described by some historians as a prosperous trading port in what is now Aceh.
Peureulak's prominent role in the Malaka Straits was carried on by the Samudra
Pasai kingdom in the 13th century. According to historians, Pasai was formed
through the merger of the Peureulak and Pase kingdoms.
The influence of Samudera Pasai, sometimes called Samudera Darussalam, was
also felt on the Malaka Peninsula. Some historians say it was Pasai that
Islamized the kingdom of Patani in southern Thailand.
Beside being the center of trade and Islamic studies in Southeast Asia, Pasai also
exported its culture, and most importantly its language -- Jawi Pasai, more
commonly known as Classic Malay -- to ports on a number of islands.
Later, this language became the lingua franca among traders in what is now
Indonesia and Malaysia. But in its development the language in Aceh grew
differently, becoming more and more distinct from the common Malay.
In the middle of the 14th century, Pasai was invaded by Majapahit soldiers from
Java. Pasai was defeated after three days of battle. Sultan Ahmad of Pasai left
the palace, and many Acehnese were transported to Java as prisoners of war.
These people later played an important role in the Islamization of Java.
Historian Teuku Haji Ibrahim Alfian from Gadjah Mada University said a special
relation between Majapahit and Pasai was formed after the Majapahit king
married a daughter of the Pasai sultan. When his wife's brother paid a visit to
Majapahit's capital in East Java, the king of Majapahit awarded his brother-in-law