One of the most popular tourist destination of the country, Kedah in Malaysia has a rich historical background. The long history of the state has played a major role in shaping the states cultural heritage and economy.


The history of Kedah goes back as early as 4th - 5th century AD. The Bujang Valley, the seat of Hindu Buddhist religion, was the oldest civilization of Peninsular Malaysia. Kedah was the seat of Hindu-Buddhist civilization and was founded by a Hindu king called Merong Mahawangsa. Records say, that Sultanate of Kedah started as early as 1136, when the Hindu king Phra Ong Mahawangsa converted to Islam and changed his name to sultan Muzdafar Shah. The king ruled the state from 1136 to 1179 AD.


Kedah was located on the main east-west trade route, because of which it experienced successive periods of forign influence and aggression.Its unique location made it the first palce in Peninsular malaysia that came in contact with Indian traders. Dring the 7th and 8th century, Kedah was under the control of the Srivijaya Empire of Sumatra and then under Siam. The rulers of these empires ruled for a considrable period of time before Kedah came under Thai dominance in the 15th century with the rise of Meleka.


In the 17th century the Portugues took over Kedah from the Thai rulers. In order to protect the sdate from further damage, the Sultan of Kedah handed over penang and the Province of Wellesley to the British riulers by the end of the 18th century. In 1821, the Siamese ruless conqured Kedah and it remained under their control until it was handed over to the british by virtue of the Anglo-Siamese treaty of 1909.


During the Second World war, Kedah was invaded by Japan. Hoewever, later one, it was again returned to the British towards the end of the war. Kedah was added to the Federation of Malaya in the year 1948.


Since 1958, Tunku Abdul halim Muzadam Shah has been the sultan of Kedah. The sultanate of Kedah started as early as 1136 and since then the state has had 27 rulers.


Today Kedah has emerged as one of the most important state and tiourist destination of the country. Langkawi islands is the most important tourist destination of this historical state.


Learn more about history of Malaysia from Travour.