Perak Once Had Two Sultans in the Mid-18th Century

The late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak), whose tomb is located in Bota Kanan (Jalan Ipoh - Lumut), ruled the state of Perak Darul Ridzuan from 1728 until 1754, following the passing of his elder brother, the late Sultan Alauddin Mughayat Shah (12th Sultan of Perak).

According to the Hikayat Misa Melayu recorded by Raja Chulan, the late Sultan Alauddin Mughayat Shah (12th Sultan of Perak) passed away at the age of 125, and he had no sons to inherit the title of Raja to ascend the throne as the Sultan of Perak. Consequently, the younger brother of the late Sultan Alauddin Mughayat Shah (12th Sultan of Perak), namely the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak), was appointed as the 13th Sultan of Perak after holding the title of Raja Muda during his reign. When the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak) ascended the throne as Sultan of Perak, the late Sultan Muhamad Shah (14th Sultan of Perak) originally held the title of Raja Muda and resided in Pulau Tiga. During the reign of the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak), the situation in Perak was described as chaotic because the Bugis, led by the 2nd Yam Tuan Riau, Daeng Chelak, came to attack Perak, causing the state to be divided into two administrations. At the same time, a misunderstanding occurred between the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak) and the late Sultan Muhamad Shah (14th Sultan of Perak), which caused the situation to become increasingly tense, leading to the division of Perak. This event took place around 1742 when Daeng Chelak, the Yamtuan Muda of Riau, was said to have interfered in the administration of Perak. They were also said to have appointed the younger brother of the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak), namely the late Sultan Muhamad Shah (14th Sultan of Perak), as the sultan in Perak. As we are all aware, the reign of the late Sultan Muhamad Shah (14th Sultan of Perak) lasted from 1744 until 1750.

• Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak) : 1728 until 1752
• Sultan Muhamad Shah (14th Sultan of Perak) : 1744 until 1750

If we look at the years of reign of both late Sultans of Perak mentioned, it is evident that there was an overlap in governance between the two sultans during their reign, specifically between 1744 and 1750, throughout the reign of the late Sultan Muhamad Shah (14th Sultan of Perak). For your information, the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak) ruled the northern part of Perak, while the late Sultan Muhamad Shah (14th Sultan of Perak) ruled the southern part of Perak, with the Pachat area (a location between Bota and Kuala Kangsar) serving as the divider for the administration of these two sultans in the state of Perak.

Old map showing the Pachat area

After Daeng Chelak returned to Riau in 1745, both Sultans of Perak reconciled and made peace. This story of reconciliation is also told in the Hikayat Misa Melayu, where the late Sultan Muhamad Shah (14th Sultan of Perak) once said to his followers: "What is the point of a state having two kings? In my heart, it is best that we invite His Majesty the Sultan Muzaffar Shah to return to his palace in Barhaman Indera so that the kingdom remains with him; let me step down, for he is my elder brother, and in my judgment, I have no desire to be above him." The words of the late Sultan Muhamad Shah (14th Sultan of Perak) clearly show that he possessed a very noble character, and despite the misunderstanding with his elder brother, the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak), he still had the heart to reconcile and restore their relationship. At that time, the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak) was residing in Kuala Kangsar temporarily because his palace in Barhaman Indera (now Bota) was severely damaged due to the war that had occurred. To appease the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak), the son of the late Sultan Muhamad Shah (14th Sultan of Perak), namely the late Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain (15th Sultan of Perak), suggested that the palace of the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak) in Barhaman Indera (now Bota) be repaired first before going to persuade the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak). After the palace of the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak) in Barhaman Indera (now Bota) was repaired from its severe damage, a delegation from the late Sultan Muhamad Shah (14th Sultan of Perak) traveled from Pulau Tiga to the residence of the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak) in Kuala Kangsar. "Blood is thicker than water." That is the perfect proverb for this story, which serves as a great lesson for all. When the delegation of the late Sultan Muhamad Shah (14th Sultan of Perak) arrived at the residence of the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak), the late Sultan Muhamad Shah (14th Sultan of Perak) went in to pay his respects, apologize, and express his desire to reconcile with his elder brother. Thankfully, the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak) responded positively and reconciled with his younger brother. Later, he moved back to his palace in Barhaman Indera (now Bota), which had been repaired by the son of the late Sultan Muhamad Shah (14th Sultan of Perak). Since then, they ruled Perak together until the late Sultan Muhamad Shah passed away in 1750. The late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak) continued his duties as the Sultan of Perak until he passed away in 1752.

Tomb of the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak) in Bota Kanan

After the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak) passed away, the nephew of the late Sultan Muzaffar Shah III (13th Sultan of Perak), namely the late Sultan Iskandar Zulkarnain (15th Sultan of Perak), was appointed as the Sultan of Perak. Sources and references:

• Hikayat Misa Melayu - Raja Chulan