Said, Mohammad, Aceh Sepanjang Abad,1^st volume (Medan 1981), 832 pages, figures and index.

Aceh Sepanjang Abad is a prominent book about Aceh which was presented the entire history of Aceh from pre-historic times until the Indonesian independence in 1945. The book offers a different point of view than the other Aceh history books as it was written by the Indonesian, Mohammad Said (1905-1995). He is one of the foremost Indonesian press figures who became the leader of the establishment of the Indonesian News Agency ‘ANTARA’ for the Sumatra region in 1946-1948. He is also the founder of the WASPADA newspapers in Medan, North Sumatra which was initially launched on 11 January 1947.

The book which was firstly published 60 years ago on 17 August 1961 was reprinted two times in 1981 and 2007. It was comprised of two volumes. The first is volume mainly focused on the history of Aceh under the rule of its dynasties in sequential order starting from Sultan Ali Mughayatsyah (1513-1530) until Sultan Mahmudsyah (1873). The discussion also includes the description and analysis of the polemics when Aceh was ruled by the Queen’s Dynasty in four consecutive periods for about 34 years. The first Queen was Taj’al-‘Alam Tsafiatud’ddin, the daughter of Iskandar Muda, followed by Nurul Alam. Although she ruled the Kingdom only for two years, but this short-term period has recorded two important events in Aceh history. First, when the Baiturrahman Great Mosque which was built by Iskandar Muda was burned down. Second, the emergence time of Aceh Lhè Sagoë[1]where the leadership of Aceh administration was controlled by the Panglimas Sagi[2] and Ulèëbalangs[3]also occurred under her tenure. The third Queen was Inayat Syah, the daughter of Nurul Alam and the last Queen was Kamalat Syah.

The first chapters of the first volume also expose the description of the early history of Aceh. Starting from the discussion of the archaeological period, the ethnicity of Aceh, the coming of the foreign nations, the early kingdoms established in Aceh, the beginning of the Aceh Kingdom, and the coming of Islam to the Aceh region. It also discusses how the Aceh dealt with international trade with foreign states such as the Portuguese, the British, and the Dutch. The discussion also includes the research on the political intrigue and conspiracy which was ended with the physical disputes and wars among those parties.

In this book, the author argues that the strategic location of Aceh between the Indian Oceans and the Malacca Strait becomes the most significant advantage for Aceh in international voyages (page 17). It does not only promote the international trade for Aceh but also for the exchange of culture, and the coming of Islam which was then spread out all around the Indonesian archipelago (page 57). The discussion on the coming of Islam to Aceh was examined through the analysis of theories that have been proposed by some experts. Some argued that Islam initially entered Aceh in the 10^th century but the influences were starting to emerge around the 14^th century (page 58). The other argument said that Islam first came to Aceh around the 7^th century through the Arab traders, not by the Arab preachers (page 60). Those arguments were objectively examined by the author in his book by providing facts and evidence.

Meanwhile, the establishment of the early kingdoms in Aceh before the Aceh Kingdom period was also analyzed in this book. Among them were Lamuri, Samudra Pasai, and Pidir or Pidie. The history of these kingdoms was elaborated one by one in the first chapters. It is continued with the discussion on the visiting of some voyagers like Marcopolo, Ibnu Batutah and followed by the analysis of the origin of the term ‘Aceh’ (page 139-140). Furthermore, the most important history of Aceh during the glory of the Aceh Kingdom under the rule of Sultan Iskandar Muda was also provided in this book. The period when Aceh reached its glory in international tradings through its seaports. During this era, Aceh was also succeeded to expand its supremacy until the Malaysia peninsular covering Johor, Pahang, and Melaka through its maritime military power. When discussing this section, the author used Beaulieu’s note[4] as the main source, similar to the discussion on Witnesses to Sumatra[5].

To provide a deep understanding to the readers on the subjects discussed, the book is also supported with illustrations such as photographs, pictures, as well as imaginary sketches made by the Dutch artist C, Jetses, showing the ceremonies held around the Sultan’s palace compound. Moreover, the book offers the discussion on the foremost Islam religious figures such as Hamzah Fansuri and Ar-Raniri, which also become part of the important history of Aceh especially on its relation to the history of the spreading of Islam through literary works.  

The last chapters of Aceh Sepanjang Abad mainly discuss the disputes and polemics of the last dynasties of the Aceh Kingdom with the British and the Dutch in controlling over the Malacca Straits for economic interest. Starting from Ibrahim Mansyursyah (1857-1870) until Mahmud Syah (1873). This contest was ended with physical war when the Dutch invaded and occupied Aceh in 1873, the same period of the end of the Aceh Kingdom in the early 19^th century.

The main sources used in this book came from both local and foreign sources. The HikayatAceh, Hikayat Raja-Raja Aceh, and Bustanul Salatin were among the local sources used in this book. Besides, the author also did some analyses through the remains of the physical evidence such as the old historical tombstones (page 159). In analyzing the subjects, the author provides the facts in the first place which come from many different sources, then he put his position by raising his arguments whether those theories, facts or argument are wrong, can be trusted or still be doubted.  Balance analysis makes the subject discussions are easier to understand. In general, this book covers all the important subjects and events of the history of Aceh ranging from the kingdom administration, political and economical aspects as well as the religious and cultural issues.

Aceh Sepanjang Abad is recorded as the main literature and reference of the history of Aceh using by Indonesian as well as international researchers. It becomes an inspiration source and was quoted by historians and scholars until present times. Considering many of the history books of Aceh were written by non-Indonesian, Aceh Sepanjang Abad has been proposed a different perspective since it was written by Indonesian.  In short, it offers the thought of how the locals look at their history by their viewpoint rather than the ideas proposed by the outsiders look at the local history.#