Makam Sultan Ali, Umbai, Malacca

Makam Sultan Ali, Malacca (16 September 2016)


Makam Sultan Ali (GPS: 2.1551, 102.34745) is a mausoleum to Sultan Ali Iskandar Shah I in Merlimau, Malacca. The mausoleum is within the grounds of Masjid Al Kauthar in Kampung Umbai.

Sultan Ali is the 19th Sultan of Johor. He succeeded his father Sultan Hussein when the latter died of natural causes in 1835. Like his father, Sultan Ali's role was that of a puppet ruler, with real power resting in the hands of the British and the powerful Temenggong. His power was further diminished in 1855, when he relinquished the sovereignty over Johor to Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim, in exchange for a monthly stipend and formal recognition as the Sultan of Johor - in name only. His area of sovereignty was reduced to Kesang in Muar, and as such, he was effectively the ruler of Muar. Until his death in 1877, he was often styled Sultan of Muar.¹

During his reign, Sultan repeated tried to regain control of Johor from the Temenggong, but the British was in favour of the Temenggong taking on the administration of the sultanate, arguing that even during his father's time, never pursued active claim of his sovereignty rights over Johor. It was further pointed out to Sultan Ali, that if Johor were to be under the control of a monarch, the de jure sovereignty would go to the Sultan of Lingga, not to him.

Sultan Ali's father was Sultan Hussein Muazzam Shah, who was enthroned as the 18th ruler of Johor-Riau with the title of Sultan Hussein Muazzam Shah ibni Mahmud Shah Alam. Sultan Hussein succeeded to the throne in 1812 with support from the British, after his father Sultan Mahmud Shah II died in that year. He is the older of Sultan Mahmud Shah's two sons. Hussein was in Pahang getting married to Tuan Encik Puan Bulang, and his father Sultan Mahmud Shah died when he was away. His younger half brother, Abdul Rahman, who was also eyeing the throne hastily organised a coronation ceremony for himself. Due to the monsoon, Hussein was stuck in Pahang, unaware that his half-brother had installed himself as the next sultan.

When Hussein was finally able to depart Pahang, he sailed to Lingga, where he was received by his half brother Sultan Abdul Rahman, who offered to abdicate in his favour, but the offer was quickly rescinded when Raja Jaafar made threats against him (against Sultan Abdul Rahman).

The British proclaimed Hussein as the Sultan of Johor and Singapore, in a move to diminish Dutch political influence, a move that was not recognised by the Malay rulers. In fact, actual power was in the hands of the Temenggong. In response, the Dutch forcefully took the royal regalia of Johor and installed Sultan Abdul Rahman as Sultan of Lingga with the royal regalia.

As time passed, Sultan Abdul Rahman became contented to the position as Sultan of Lingga. He would throw himself to religious studies over political matters. By then, growing British influence pursuaded Malay nobles to recognise Sultan Hussein Shah as the legitimate ruler. Sultan Hussein Shah did not actively seek sovereignty over Johor, even after Temenggong Abdul Rahman died and was succeeded by Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim who was still in his youth. It was only in the subsequent generation that Sultan Ali revisited the sovereignty claim with Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim. Sultan Hussein Shah lived at Istana Kampng Glam until 1834, when he moved to Malacca. He died in 1835 and was buried at the Tranquerah Mosque. His son Sultan Ali however was buried in Kampung Umbai in Merlimau, Malacca.

Makam Sultan Ali is on the Map of Mausoleums in Malacca

Makam Sultan Ali is on the Map of Merlimau, Malacca

Makam Sultan Ali is on the Map of Malacca

Makam Sultan Ali, Malacca (16 September 2016)

Makam Sultan Ali on Google Street View

Makam Sultan Ali (Oct 2019)

References

List of mausoleums in Malacca and mausoleums in Malaysia; back to Discover Malacca

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