Cut Nyak Dien

A resistance leader against Dutch colonialism in Indonesia, symbolizing indigenous resistance.

Cut Nyak Dien (1848–1918) was a Minangkabau warrior queen who led anti-Dutch rebellions in Aceh, Indonesia. Born in West Sumatra, she married Teuku Umar, a prominent resistance leader, and became a key strategist in the 19th-century Bersatuan movement. After Umar's death in 1863, she continued fighting using guerrilla warfare, including the 1873–1874 'Holy War' against Dutch forces.

Her tactics included ambushing troops, sabotaging infrastructure, and uniting Acehnese tribes. Though the Dutch eventually captured Aceh in 1903, her defiance inspired later nationalist movements. Nicknamed 'The Red Queen' for her fiery resistance, she is celebrated in Aceh's folklore and history. Visit Aceh Government History Portal for primary sources. Her story parallels that of other Southeast Asian resistance figures like Tuanku Umuh.