Includes bibliographical references (pages 281-305) and index.
The succession of the first female ruler of Aceh -- Sultanah Safiatuddin's early years : keeping afloat -- Sultanah Safiatuddin's maturing years : politics of consolidation -- Ties that bind? : Aceh's overlord-vassal relations -- Female rulers negotiating Islam and patriarchy -- The practice of queenship -- The end of female rule and its legacy.