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NEGERI KEDAH DARUL AMAN

Kedah, also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Aman (Abode of Peace) is situated in the North-Western part of Peninsular Malaysia. Kedah shares boundaries with Perlis to the North, Perak to the South, and Penang to the SouthWest. It also shares international boundaries with Thailand.

The capital and royal seat of Kedah is Alor Setar. It is also the government administration and commercial centre.

Traditionally, Kedah is known as "The Rice Bowl of Malaysia". This is due to the fact that Kedah is a rice depot where more than half of the rice in Malaysia is produced. When you're here in Kedah, you would definitely be fascinated by the vast seas of paddy fields, the lush green tropical rain forests and the amazing scenic mountains.

Before I introduce you to some of the most amazing Kedah Attractions, let me give you a brief introduction to the history of Kedah.

Kedah history and its royalty can be traced as far back as to the 4th century with its origins at Lembah Bujang (Bujang Valley). The Bujang Valley is home to the remains of a Hindu-Buddhist kingdom and is said to be the oldest civilization of Peninsular Malaysia. Here, at this archaeological site, are remnants of shrines that bear testimony to the existence of the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism in the state.

According to Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa (or the "Kedah Annals" in English), Kedah was founded by a Hindu King named Merong Mahawangsa. According to the text, the Sultanate of Kedah started in year 1136 when the 9th King of Kedah converted to Islam and adopted the name Sultan Mudzafar Shah.

Between the 7th and 8th centuries, Kedah became part of the Srivijaya Kingdom which was based in Sumatera. After the collapse of Srivijaya, Kedah came under the rule of Siam (Thailand) until the 15th century when it became part of the Melaka Sultanate.

In the 17th century, Kedah faced numerous attacks from the Portuguese and the Acehnese. Hoping that Great Britain would protect what remained of Kedah from Siam, the Sultan handed over Penang and the Province Wellesley to the British at the end of the 18th century. The Siamese nevertheless conquered Kedah in 1821 and it remained under Siamese control until 1909, when Kedah was handed over to the British.

During World War 2, Kedah along with Kelantan was the first part of the then Malaya to be invaded by Japan. The Japanese returned Kedah to their Thai allies who had it renamed Syburi, but it returned to British rule after the end of the war. Kedah joined the Federation of Malaya in 1948.

Kedah Song