Four kingdoms, four beginnings
The Malay states of Kedah, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan and Perlis each began in a different way. Some are among the oldest kingdoms in the Malay World, while others were founded much later, yet all became important parts of the peninsula's story.
Kedah and Kelantan
Kedah is one of the oldest Malay kingdoms, with roots in Kedah Tua in the Bujang Valley, once a Hindu-Buddhist trading centre. Its ruler embraced Islam around 1136 and took the title Sultan Muzaffar Shah, beginning the Kedah Sultanate. Kelantan, also an ancient land, was united into a strong kingdom in the 1760s by Long Yunus.
Key idea
Kedah and Kelantan grew from very old kingdoms, Negeri Sembilan came from Minangkabau settlers, and Perlis broke away from Kedah in 1842.
Negeri Sembilan and Perlis
Negeri Sembilan was formed by Minangkabau settlers from Sumatra who practise Adat Perpatih, a matrilineal custom. Its first ruler, Yang di-Pertuan Besar Raja Melewar, was invited from Pagar Ruyung in 1773. Perlis was once part of Kedah; it became a separate state in 1842, ruled by a Raja, Syed Hussain Jamalullail, rather than a sultan.
Remember
- Kedah — ancient kingdom; sultanate from about 1136.
- Kelantan — united by Long Yunus in the 1760s.
- Negeri Sembilan — Minangkabau; Raja Melewar, 1773; Adat Perpatih.
- Perlis — split from Kedah in 1842, ruled by a Raja.