Muhammad Alauddin

Muhammad Alauddin was the 17th Sultan of Brunei who ruled from 1730 until his death in 1737.^[1] He was the father of Omar Ali Saifuddin I, the 18th Sultan of Brunei.

Background

Muhammad Alauddin was the son of Pengiran Di-Gadong Shahmubin, the son of Sultan Muhyiddin and Pengiran Anak Besar, the daughter of Pengiran Muda Besar Abdullah (eldest son of Abdul Jalilul Akbar).^[2]

Reign

• The Sultan was known in Brunei history for ordering Datu Imam Yaakub to create the 'Salasilah Sultan-Sultan Brunei' or Genealogy of the Sultans of Brunei.^[1] The genealogical framework would serve as a guide for Khatib Haji Abdul Latif to craft and write the Batu Tarsilah. Khatib Haji Abdul Latif continued the craft during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Tajuddin. Until today, the Batu Tarsilah serves as a historical source for local and foreign academics to study the history of Brunei.
• His Highness continued the implementation of pitis currency. The first pitis or coinage was firstly introduced to the sultanate by Sultan Nasruddin.^[1]
• During his reign, he had improved his sultanate's relations with the Spanish who were based in the Philippines.^[3]

Spanish account

According to the Spanish records, the Spanish made a contact with the Sultan of Brunei, Muhammad Alauddin, in 1682 who were attempting to conclude a treaty. The Spanish-Brunei treaty was finally signed in 1685 which bears the name of the Sultan 'Sultan Mahamat Alaodin Rey de la isla de Borney'.^[3] The treaty permitted the Spanish to send Chinese merchants to Brunei.^[3] In return, Brunei vowed to lend assistance to the Spanish in quelling the Sama-Bajau who were harassing the Spanish controlled parts of the Philippines.^[4]

The Spanish sources mention that Sultan Muhammad Alauddin had no legitimate heir to succeed him. The sources clarify that the Spaniards were amazed at Pengiran Bendahara whom the Spanish viewed as an able and energetic man.^[4] Pengiran Bendahara was the first in line to the throne. This seems to suggest that Pengiran Bendahara eventually succeeded Muhammad Alauddin.

Uncertainties

Sultan Muhammad Alauddin was mentioned in the Spanish records which described that he ruled Brunei around the mid 17th century. However, the Spanish sources are not identical to those of Brunei's sources which are the 'Silsilah' and Batu Tarsilah. The Spanish sources describe the monarch had no legitimate heir. The Spanish assumed that the Pengiran Bendahara might be the one who eventually succeeds him.

In contrast, according to Brunei's tradition, Sultan Muhammad Alauddin was succeeded by his cousin, Hussin Kamaluddin, who ascended to the throne for the second time in 1737, and later his eldest son, Omar Ali Saifuddin I in 1740 after Hussin Kamaluddin abdicated.

Death

Muhammad Alauddin died in 1737. He was succeeded by Hussin Kamaluddin who ascended to the throne for the second time. His son, Omar Ali Saifuddin I finally succeeded him after Hussin Kamaluddin abdicated in 1740.

References