SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA
SULTAN Iskandar Muda was the greatest sultan in the time of the Sultanate of Aceh, ruling from 1607 to 1636. Aceh reached its former glory during Iskandar Muda's leadership, in which his growing dominions and international reputation were central to trade and learning about Islam. His name is now immortalized at Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport in Aceh.
Origin
From the ancestral side of the mother, Iskandar Muda is a descendant of King Darul-Kamal, and from the ancestral side the father is descended from Raja Makota Alam's family. Darul-Kamal and Makota Alam are said to have been two neighboring settlements (which are separated by the river) and whose combination is the origin of Aceh Darussalam. Iskandar Muda alone represents the two branches, which entitled completely to the throne.
His mother, Princess Indra Bangsa, also named Paduka Shah Alam, is the son of Sultan Alauddin Riayat Syah, the 10th Sultan of Aceh; where this sultan is the son of Sultan Firman Syah, and Sultan Firman Shah is the son or grandchild (according to Djajadiningrat) Sultan Inayat Shah, King Darul-Kamal.
Putri Raja Indra Bangsa married a massive ceremony with Sultan Mansur Syah, son of Sultan Abdul-Jalil, where Abdul-Jalil is the son of Sultan Alauddin Riayat Syah Al-Kahhar, the 3rd Sultan of Aceh.
Wedding
Sri Sultan Iskandar Muda later married a Princess of the Pahang Sultanate. This princess is known by the name of Putroe Phang. It is said, because too much love of the Sultan with his wife, Sultan ordered the construction of Gunongan in the middle of the Khayali Field (Taman Istana) as a sign of his love. Reportedly, the princess is always sad because it harbor a very longing homesick hometown. Therefore the Sultan built Gunongan to treat the princess miss. Until now Gunongan still can be witnessed and visited.
Power Period
The period of Sultan Iskandar Muda's rule, which began in 1607 to 1636, was the most glorious period for the Sultanate of Aceh, although on the other side the tight control of Iskandar Muda, led to many rebellions later in life after the Sultan's death.
Aceh is a very rich and prosperous country in its heyday. According to a French explorer who arrived during the heyday of Aceh during the time of Sultan Iskandar Muda Meukuta Perkasa Alam, Aceh's power reached the west coast of Minangkabau. The power of Aceh also covers up to Perak.
When Iskandar Muda came to power in 1607, he immediately made a naval expedition which caused him to gain effective control in the northwestern part of Indonesia. The royal control performed smoothly at all important ports on the west coast of Sumatra and on the east coast, to Asahan in the south. The voyage of his conquest was waged far to Penang, on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula, and foreign merchants were forced to submit to him. His empire was rich, and became a center of knowledge.