The Role of Women in the Java War: A Case Study of Estri Soldier

Singgih Wiryono; Fauzia G Cempaka; Almuchalif Suryo

doi:10.55927/fjmr.v5i1.697

Authors

Singgih Wiryono Republic Indonesia Defense University
Fauzia G Cempaka Republic Indonesia Defense University
Almuchalif Suryo Republic Indonesia Defense University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/fjmr.v5i1.697

Keywords:

Java War, Estri Soldiers, Women in Warfare, Guerrilla Warfare, Women, Peace and Security (WPS)

Abstract

The Java War (1825–1830) was not only interpreted as a political and military conflict between Prince Diponegoro and Dutch colonialism, but also as a space that showed the active role of women in the struggle. One of the most prominent manifestations is the existence of the Estri Soldiers, a women's army formed since the era of Raden Mas Said (Mangkunegara I) and has a strategic role in the defense of the Kingdom of Mataram. This research aims to reveal the contribution of the female soldiers in the military, social, and political dimensions of the Java War through the framework of Carl von Clausewitz's guerrilla war theory, Hannah Arendt's whole society approach, the concept of Women, Peace and Security (WPS), and strategic feminism. The method used is qualitative with a literature study of the main works of Peter Carey & Vincent Houben (2016) as well as other archival and secondary sources. The results of the study show that Estri Soldiers are not only supporting actors, but also frontline combatants with combat skills, elite guards of the king, logistics managers, and agents of symbolic diplomacy. This role affirms that women are an integral part of the total war strategy, with significant political impact in maintaining the legitimacy of power. Through the lens of WPS, it was also found that Estri Warriors had realized gender-based participation, protection, and prevention long before the concept was formulated at the global level. This research emphasizes the importance of an inclusive reconstruction of historical narratives, in which women are placed not as objects of war, but as strategic subjects in national defense.

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