Urduja

Urduja (ca. 1350 – ca. 1400 AD), is a legendary warrior princess latter on became queen who is recognized as a heroine of either Pangasinan, Philippines or Champa, today located in Southern Vietnam. The name Urduja appears to be Sanskrit in origin, and a variation of the name "Udaya", meaning "arise" or "rising sun", or the name "Urja", meaning "breath". A historical reference to Urduja can be found in the travel account of Ibn Battuta (1304 – possibly 1368 or 1377 AD), a traveler from Morocco.

Urduja has been depicted as the only daughter of a Rajah Talawisi whose sons lost their lives defending their agricultural settlements in the Agno River valley and sea trade routes to their Srivijaya and Champa allies. Urduja became the prominent leader of her kingdom after her father died trained in the art of war since she was a child and became an expert with various of weapon such as swords, daggers and bows. She was also a skilled navigator. Commanded a flotilla of proas to protect her country's maritime trade networks against pirates and threats from Mongol ruled China. With her beauty and charm, she attracted many suitors.