Kedah Sightseeing | Kota Kuala Kedah ( Kuala Kedah Fort )

Kota Kuala Kedah (Fort Kuala Kedah )
Kota Kuala Kedah ( Fort Kuala Kedah ) is the oldest Malay fort in northern Malaysia and dates from the 17th century. It is located near the mouth of Kedah River at about 12 km from Kedah's capital, Alor Setar. It was destroyed and rebuilt in 19th century and was occupied by Japanese troops during Japanese occupation of Malaya in World War II. Sultan Sulaiman Shah who ruled from 1602 to 1620 built the original fort from clay, bakau timber and bamboo with assistance of his allies, the Portuguese who had estasblished a presence in the area. The Sultan ruled from his base at Fort Siputeh, which was destroyed by the Acheh Armada in 1619 (an event which resulted in the Portuguese being ousted from the area. In 1780 to 1782, Sultan Mukarram Syah, the 20th Sultan of Kedah who ruled from 1778 to 1797, rebuilt and strengthened Fort Kuala Kedah. Hafiz Sab, and architect who was also the 'Maharaja Kadhi', or religious head, directed the rebuilding of the fort with labour imported from India and gave it its present look. Cannons purchased from the British and Dutch were placed around the fort and a palace was also built inside the fort. The fort was attacked and destroyed in November 1821 by the powerful Siamese Armada. It occurred during the reign of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Syah II, the 22nd Sultan of Kedah who ruled from 1804 to 1845. The fort was his administrative centre. The fort which was also known as Kota Kuala Bahang ( Fort Kuala Bahang ). It was designated as historical monument and a historic site under Antiquities Act 1976 in August 1978.



Gallery Preview of Kuala Kedah Fort : ( 18 Photos)	Location MAP: View Kuala Kedah Fort in a larger map

Sungai Petani Homepage