There is not much literature about Negeri Idi which is now the center of the capital of East Aceh District. HM Zainuddin's writing in the Book of Tarick Aceh and the Islands gives little answer.

According to H. M Zainuddin, the history of the country of Idi in ancient times is very dark. In the past the possibility of Idi entered the area of ​​the Kingdom of Peureulak. The inhabitants of the Idi area were only fishermen.

Then in the book, Singa Atjeh, which is also the work of H. M. Zainuddin (1957), it is mentioned that the name Idi originated from the word "Ma ie dhiet" which was then only called Idi in institutionalization.

In addition, said H. M Zainuddin, in the history of Marco Polo's journey in the XIII century between Peureulak and Pasai, there was a city called Basma. But it is not known which country it is now.

After opening the airport of Pulau Pinang by Raffles in the nineteenth century, around 1805, Idi became crowded because of the position of Kuala Idi in the Straits of Melaka, opposite the islands of Pulau Pinang and Seberang Perai, the progress of sea traffic relations took place. Crowds increased after the Suez Canal (Suez Kanal) in 1869, the port of Pulau Pinang had become the center of the commercial market between small cities in Tanah Atjeh (Sumatra). Pepper products are exported from ports along the coast of Aceh to Pulau Pinang and Singapore by ships from the British and Dutch companies.

In this shipping development, the country of Idi and its surroundings which were not so well-known then became a haven for ships to transport pepper, so that the port of Kuala Idi became developed.

Those Who Build Idi
Still according to H. M Zainuddin, a source that he was given, namely the tale of the Syahbandar T Syahbandar Suleiman, there were several people who fought to build Kuala Idi into a developed port.

When the spice trade had been carried out through Kuala Idi to the Malay peninsula, several people came to coordinate the trade, including: Commander of the Nyak Sim War from Blang Me, Teuku Itam, known as the Young Commander of Sikeling, and Tok Nale from Gampong Blang.

Initially they came by boat carrying trawlers to fish in the waters of Idi. But from the effort to search for fish is not enough, they then open Seuneubok to plant various types of plants that are sold abroad.

War Commander Njak Sim became the leader of the group, he initially held the position of Commander in Chief of T. Muda Njak Beueng Uleebalang Blang Me. Tok Nale, cleared the land by cutting down forests in the Kuta Batee area which is in the area of ​​T Chik Idi Daudsjah's house now.

After that then came Said Idrus who brought people from Aceh Besar to Idi also to open a garden. Also followed by people from Pidie brought by T Bukit Batee, and people from Pasai brought by T Itam who opened fields in Blang Seukuci.

Panglima Muda Sikeling, cleared land in the Rambung area in the eastern part of the current Idi stadium. While T Itam from the Kuta Baroh Negeri Muereudu area opened land in Blang Seukuci. Then T Buket Batee, who came from Pidie, cleared the land in Keude Dua by appointing Peutua Nyak Se as Seuneubok Elder who took care of the cultivation.

Named after Blang Seukuci because when it began to cut down the forest to open fields, T Itam dreamed of seeing an urn in a field. The jar was later found buried in the earth, but when it was taken the jar was lost went into the ground.

When busy opening the plantation, Commander Nyak Sim was once struck by lightning, but he was fine. Later it was discovered that he had invulnerable knowledge. After not being struck by lightning, his name began to be discussed, until he became famous and respected by many people. The opening of plantations and fields has made the Idi area more crowded. Especially after people from the countries of Pidie, Pasai, Peusangan and Aceh Besar returned.

While Tgk Di Buket, descendants of Said Idrus opened fields in Baro Village near the current stadium. The fields were also opened from the Pala Bouquet to the Idi Cut border. The land was cleared by T Cut Lambo, father of T Usman Idi Cut. Then in the north, the plantation was opened by T Digureb, father of Banta Giureb. Then to Selayan Pulo, the land was cleared by Thk Paya Raman.

After many people opened plantations, the Seuneubok conference was held, namely the agreement of the cultivators to determine what types of plants should be planted simultaneously with high selling value abroad. At that time it was decided to plant pepper. Because there were no pepper seeds in Idi, several people were sent to go to the land of Pidie and Aceh Besar in search of pepper seeds.

A few years later, Idi became one of the pepper producing regions in Aceh. More and more people are coming from outside Idi, thus making the area crowded. Especially after the pepper from Idi was exported to Penang, Malaysia.

As Idi progressed, Uleebalang Peureulak became angry because Kuala Idi was the left boundary of entering the country of Peureulak and the right part became the entrance to Julok, so war broke out. Uleebalang Julok and Peureulak are both eager to master Idi who has advanced in the plantation sector.

But at that time T Commander Prang Nyak Sim already had many followers, so he was able to fight the attack from Julok and Peureulak. After the war Keude Idi was established as a trading center, which is now the City of Idi, the capital of East Aceh Regency.

While other people such as Blang Kabu Commander of Blang Me, T mlaim Suloe who came from Pidie, was appointed as an advisor to Commander T Prang Nyak Sim because of his abilities.

Establish Relationships with Sulthan Aceh
When T Commander Prang Nyak Sim died, he was succeeded by his son T Ben Guci, then his younger brother, T Panglima Banta, was appointed as the warlord. To guarantee security in Idi from the surrounding ulebalang attacks, they agreed to establish a direct relationship with Sulthan Aceh.

Some were sent to meet the Sultan of Aceh. The delegation from Idi consisted of T Panglima Blang Kabu, T Malim Suloe, T Itam Blang Seukuci, Tihi Ben Guci and his mother H Ma Rampang from Buloh. This delegation was escorted by the Great War Commander T Muda Cut from Meureudu until he was met with the Aceh Sultanate, Sulthan Ibrahim Mansur Syah (1841 - 1870 AD).

Oelh Sulth Aceh then appointed T Chik Ben Guci to become Uleebalang Idi and was given a sikureung stamp, as the legal seal of the kingdom. When they returned to Idi and it was found out by Ulebalang Julok and Simpang Ulim, the two uleebalangs became even more angry, because Idi had become a separate ulebalang area. Then the war ensued.

To deal with the attacks of the two uleebalangs, T Chik Ben Guci formed a relationship with Uleebalang Blang Me, T Muda Angkasah. At the suggestion of T Muda Angkasah at the end of 1871, several people were sent to Riau to establish cooperation with the Dutch Colonial Government which was already in power there. The messenger sent to Riau was Tok Pang Kabu, T Malim Suloe, T Itam. T Muda Angkasah himself became the leader of the group.

In Riau they tied the cord of friendship with the Dutch Government. Some time after that the Dutch came to Idi and built a fort in Kuala on May 17, 1875 using the Dutch flag. At that time Idi became more crowded, because there was too much pepper income, with ships: Pigu, Hok Kwaton and those carrying pepper to Pinang Island.

At one time there was the Gureb war or the T. War on the Hill, which began as a small dispute between the Pasai people and Aceh Besar. The people of Aceh Besar say the same as the Pasai people: Pasai sikin brok: and because of that the Pasai people got angry and then went into the shops, whoever they were told was told to call breueh, if they could not call breueh then beaten and consequently ban.

At one time there was the Gureb war or the T. War on the Hill, which began as a small dispute between the Pasai people and Aceh Besar. The people of Aceh Besar say the same as the Pasai people: Pasai sikin brok: and because of that the Pasai people got angry and then went into the shops, whoever they met were told to call breueh, if they could not call breueh then beaten and consequently many Greater Aceh people died, because the accent of speaking of Aceh Besar people is easily marked.

That made T. Paya Uleebalang Tanjung Seumanto angry and demanded revenge, so there was a war between T Paya and T. Chik Idi. T Chik Idi made Kota on the hill of Leusong. The boat (seukuna) T. Paja Raman named Djikasi and Seukana Djambi, was seized by the Idi, therefore T. Paya Raman lost and fled to Aceh Besar.

At first T. Paja Raman was helped by Keujruen Julok, but because he later saw Idi was stronger, Julok turned to supporting Idi. After losing to T. Paya Raman, the Tandjung country "Seumanto" was given to T. Muda Angkasah. Then the Dutch fort in Kuala was moved to Arun Fortress and also placed the home and office of the Controleur.

Bandar Idi is getting more and more crowded because of the many results of pepper and Dutch Gouvernemnt, giving a lot of help to T. Chik Ben Guci, so that he is given a mark of respect for Nederlandsche Leeauw. The results of the harbor at that time were divided in half with T. Chik Idi.

The death of T. Chik Ben Gutji, his eldest son was appointed T. Chik Hasan Ibrahim and during T. Chik Hasan Ibrahim became Uleebalang Idi, pepper production increased to 5,000 kojan, (± 200,000 piculs), because T. Mat Said came from Meulaboh has included many people, namely 186 Elders with their own debts while still alive T. Chik Ben Gutji. After T. Hasan Brahim moved to Penang Island, his brother T. Chik Muhammad Hanafiah was appointed as his replacement.

By:@princessbalqis