Abdul Majid Hassan

Last updated

Abdul Majid Hassan
عبدالمجيد حسن
Sultan of Brunei
Reign1402–1408 [1]
Predecessor Muhammad Shah
Successor Ahmad
Born1379/80
Died19 October 1408 (aged 29–30) [2]
Huitong Pavilion, Nanjing, Ming dynasty
Burial
Tomb of the King of Boni, Nanjing, China
Names
Abdul Majid Hassan ibni Muhammad Shah
Regnal name
Sultan Abdul Majid Hassan ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Shah
Father Sultan Muhammad Shah
Religion Sunni Islam

Abdul Majid Hassan ibni Muhammad Shah (Jawi: عبدالمجيد حسن ابن محمد شاه‎), also known as Maharaja Karna (Chinese :麻那惹加那), was the second Sultan of Brunei, albeit allegedly. He became one of the only two foreign rulers to be buried in China. Despite not being mentioned in the Salasilah Raja-Raja Brunei, a discovery on Jalan Residency in Brunei mentioned the name Rokyah binti Sultan Abdul Majid Hassan ibnu Muhammad Shah Al-Sultan, indicating this person was a children of Sultan Abdul Majid Hassan. [3]

Contents

Reign

Succession

He may have ascended the Brunei throne in 1402, following the death of his father, Sultan Muhammad Shah. He dispatched envoys to China in 1405 to present homage to the Yongle Emperor. He received an imperial mandate and seal in exchange from the Emperor. He, who was ecstatic, made the decision to personally thank everyone. Additionally that same year, Admiral Zheng He visited Brunei. [4]

To attend the imperial court, the Sultan Abdul Majid and his friends travelled to Nanjing, on 20 August 1408. [5] Following the ascension of Emperor Zhu Di, this was the first foreign king to visit China. When he learned about it, he was elated. The Emperor requested a high-level reception for the Sultan from members of the court's Ministry of Rites in order to increase his power. The imperial court dispatched officials to meet and greet the Sultan together with his family, including his wife, sons, and other relatives when he arrived in Fujian Province via boat, and the central government's deputies along the road accorded one another with respect. [6] [7] [5] [8]

When the Sultan entered the court, he paid respect with gifts such as belts, tortoise shells, rhinoceros horns, gold and silver utensils, and other items. He also delivered an etching in gold to Emperor Zhu Di. The acts made by the Sultan impressed the Emperor. He even praised the Sultan, remarking that the heads of southern nations were not as wise as him. The gifts given by the Ministry of Rites of the imperial court to the Sultan include silver ceremonial guards, water tanks, water basins, umbrellas and fans, as well as gold weaving, as per the orders of Emperor Zhu Di. The princess and the Sultan's entourage were also showered with lavish presents. The Sultan enjoyed the guard of honor supplied by the palace and the priceless everyday requirements used by the court while residing in China in the Huitong Pavilion for foreign visitors. [8]

Death

Tomb of Sultan Abdul Majid at the Tomb of the King of Boni, Nanjing, China Tomb of the Sultan of Brunei - stele - P1060767.JPG
Tomb of Sultan Abdul Majid at the Tomb of the King of Boni, Nanjing, China

After spending more than a month in Nanjing, he became unwell. The Emperor gave the doctor orders to administer medication and to dispatch one by one each day the palace ministers to serve him. [8] He passed away at home on 19 October 1408, in the ninth lunar month of that year at the age of 28. He expressed a desire to be interred in China in his testament. The Sultan was given the posthumous title of Gongshun (恭順) by the Emperor, who also ordered the suspension of court for three days. According to the norms of Chinese vassals, he was interred after his death outside of Andemen in Shizigang, which was in the southern section of Nanjing. The Emperor also mandated that the king's son take the throne in place of his father. [6] [9] [10]

Before passing away, he begged his son to see the emperor and make a solemn vow that he would never forget the Emperor's hospitality. Remember the generosity of the emperor, who asked his concubine to bury his body in China. The prince sent tribute-paying visitors and, in accordance with their final wishes, directed the Ministry of Industry to have a coffin made. They also ordered the construction of a gods' stele and instructed the people to guard it and erect a shrine inside the tomb. When Zhang Qian (张谦) and Zhou Hang returned to China in 1410, Sultan Xiawang, sent 180 individuals, including his uncle Lihalu, to pay tribute to and thank the Emperor for his generosity. Sultan Xiawang personally visited China with his mother and wife in the 1412. They were likewise welcomed by the Emperor with the utmost politeness. The following year, Sultan Xiawang abdicated after paying respects to his father's tomb in Nanjing. [11]

Burial

The late Sultan Abdul Majid Hassan was buried at the Tomb of the King of Boni in Nanjing. The grave was abandoned up until 1958, when it was rediscovered during an archeological survey. [12] It has now opened as a tourist attraction and designated as a historical site in China. [13] [14] [15]

Arguments

In a paper titled "Notes on Some Controversial Issues in Brunei History" in 1980, Robert Nicholl, a former curator of the Brunei Museum, stated that the word Ma-ho-mo-sa may be pronounced as Maha Moksha, which means Great Eternity. A Buddhist name would be Maha Mokhsa. Nicholl continues by claiming that not even Sultan Abdul Majid Hassan was a Muslim. Majarajah Gyana (nai) was rebuilt as Ma-na-jo-kia-nai-nai by another European historian, Pelliot. The absence of Sultan Abdul Majid Hassan from the various translations of Brunei's Salasilah Raja-Raja Brunei leads history professor, Bilcher Bala to believe that Pateh Berbai took the throne and declared himself Sultan Ahmad. [16]

Personal life

Sultan Abdul Majid Hassan apparently had a 4 years old son named Xiawang (遐旺) at the time of his death. According to Chinese sources, Prince Xiawang became the successor in Nanjing. The Emperor gave out the royal garb, jade belts, ceremonial guards, pommel horses, robes, utensils, gold and silver, brocade, and coins while conducting the canonization ceremony. [8] It was also noted during Zheng He's first trip to the West, he stopped in Brunei, where he installed his son as the new king and gave him seals and directives in 1408. [17] Despite that, it was also noted that he had a daughter. [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

The history of Brunei concerns the settlements and societies located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, which has been under the influence of Indianised kingdoms and empires for much of its history. Local scholars assume that the Islamisation of Brunei started in the fifteenth century with the formation of the Bruneian Empire, a thalassocracy that covered the northern part of Borneo and the southern Philippines. At the end of the 17th century, Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by the Brunei Civil War, piracy, and European colonial expansion. Later, there was a brief war with Spain, in which Brunei lost Manila and evacuated its capital for a brief period until the Spanish withdrew. The empire lost much of its territory with the arrival of the Western powers, such as the Spanish in the Philippines and the British in Labuan, Sarawak, and North Borneo. The decline of the Bruneian Empire accelerated in the nineteenth century when Brunei gave much of its territory to the White Rajahs of Sarawak, resulting in its current small landmass and separation into two parts. Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin later appealed to the British to stop further annexation in 1888. In the same year, the British signed a "Treaty of Protection" and made Brunei a British protectorate until 1984 when it gained independence and prospered due to the discovery of oil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bendahara</span> Head of the Malay nobility

Bendahara is an administrative position within classical Malay kingdoms comparable to a vizier before the intervention of European powers during the 19th century. A bendahara was appointed by a sultan and was a hereditary post. The bendahara and the sultan shared the same lineage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdul Momin</span> Sultan of Brunei from 1852 to 1885

Sultan 'Abdul Momin was the 24th Sultan of Brunei from 1852 until his death in 1885.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hong Bao</span>

Hong Bao was a Chinese eunuch sent on overseas diplomatic missions during the reigns of the Yongle Emperor and Xuande Emperor in the Ming dynasty. He is best known as the commander of one of the detached squadrons of Zheng He's fleet during the Seventh Voyage of this fleet to the Indian Ocean (1431–1433).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruneian Sultanate (1368–1888)</span> Malay sultanate centred in Brunei from 1368 to 1888

The Sultanate of Brunei or simply Brunei, also known as the Brunei Empire, was a Malay sultanate, centered around Brunei on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Brunei became a sovereign state around the 15th century, when it substantially expanded after the fall of Malacca to the Portuguese, extending throughout coastal areas of Borneo and the Philippines, before it declined in the 17th and 18th centuries. It became a British protectorate in the 19th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess Masna Bolkiah</span> Bruneian princess (born 1948)

Masna Bolkiah binti Omar Ali Saifuddien III is the sister of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Princess Masna Bolkiah is considered the third most important living woman in Brunei Darussalam after Queen Saleha and Crown Princess Sarah.

Abdul Jalilul Jabbar ibni Abdul Jalilul Akbar was briefly the twelfth Sultan of Brunei. He was renowned for his justice, harmony, and peace before the breakout of the Brunei Civil War in the late 17th century, which caused the territories of Brunei to fragment in many places.

Muhyiddin ibni Abdul Jalilul Akbar was the 15th Sultan of Brunei and the fourth son of Sultan Abdul Jalilul Akbar. He took the throne after defeating his opponent, Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin during the Brunei Civil War. Notably, he also attempted to return the throne back to the origin bloodline via Sultan Muhammad Ali's family.

Muhammad Hasan ibni Saiful Rijal Nurul Alam, also known as Marhum di Tanjung, was the tenth Sultan of Brunei from 1582 to 1598. Under him, the Bruneian Empire had apparently full control of the island of Borneo and Northern Philippines, including Sulu.


Ong Sum Ping is a legendary figure. Identified as Pengiran Maharaja Lela of Brunei. The Hokkien name implies that Ong Sum Ping was a native of Fujian, China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sacred way</span> Ornate road leading to a Chinese tomb of a major dignitary

A sacred way, spirit way, spirit road, spirit path, etc. is the ornate road leading to a Chinese tomb of a major dignitary. The sacred way is lined on both sides by a succession of statues, pillars, and stelae. The statues along the spirit way depict real and mythical animals, as well as civilian and military officials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomb of the King of Boni</span> Tomb of Abdul Majid Hassan, in Nanjing, China

The Tomb of the King of Boni is the tomb of Abdul Majid Hassan, the ruler of Boni, a medieval state on the island of Borneo sometimes considered to be the predecessor of modern Brunei. It and its associated statuary are located in a park at the southern foothills of Tortoise Mountain (Guishan), about 3km south of the southern gate of the walled city of Nanjing.

Ahmad, also known as Pateh Berbai, was the third Sultan of Brunei from 1408 until 1425. He was the eldest son of Dewa Amas Kayangan and the brother of Awang Alak Betatar. It was under him that the kingdom adopted the name Brunei, this ascribed him as the founder of Brunei in the Syair Awang Semaun. Islamic education is thought to have begun in the country during the rule of his predecessor and continued under him.

Muhammad Ali ibni Muhammad Hasan, also known as Marhum Tumbang Di Rumput, was the 13th Sultan of Brunei. His murder would later go on to spark the beginning of the Brunei Civil War between his killer and Sultan Muhyiddin, which a protracted civil war of succession that broke out and lasted for several years.

Abdul Hakkul Mubin ibni Muhammad Panjang, also known as Abdul Mubin or Al-Marhum di Pulau, was the 14th Sultan of Brunei. He was involved in the Brunei Civil War and ruled the sultanate from 1661 to 1673, after killing his uncle, Sultan Muhammad Ali.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hassanal Bolkiah</span> Sultan of Brunei since 1967

Hassanal Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III is the Sultan of Brunei since 1967 and the prime minister of Brunei since independence from the United Kingdom in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei</span> Order of Brunei

The Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei is an order of Brunei. It was established on 15 August 1982 by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The order carries the post-nominal letters "DKMB".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Chong Wan Oon</span> Brunei chief justice

Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong Wan Oon is a Brunei magistrate who was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen Damit of Brunei</span> Queen of Brunei from 1950 to 1967

Pengiran Anak Damit was the Queen of Brunei as the wife of the 28th Sultan of Brunei, Omar Ali Saifuddien III.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruneian Navy (1368-1888)</span> Historic maritime warfare of Brunei

The Bruneian Navy also known as the Bruneian Fleet and the Royal Bruneian Navy. The Bruneian Navy, was the naval counterpart of the Bruneian Army, the main force of the Sultanate of Brunei. It lasted from 1408 to 1888.

References

  1. ↑ Sidhu, Jatswan S. (22 December 2009). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Scarecrow Press. p. 7. ISBN   978-0-8108-7078-9.
  2. ↑ Hiebert, Murray (15 August 2020). Under Beijing's Shadow: Southeast Asia's China Challenge. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 525. ISBN   978-1-4422-8140-0.
  3. ↑ Bap Pertama: Latar Belakang Kesultanan Melayu Brunei (PDF). p. 29. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  4. ↑ Sidhu, Jatswan S. (22 December 2009). Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam. Scarecrow Press. pp. xxviii. ISBN   978-0-8108-7078-9.
  5. 1 2 "Brunei's Sultan Abdul Majid and Chinese Emperor Yongle". Brunei's Sultan Abdul Majid and Chinese Emperor Yongle. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  6. 1 2 (Qing) Zhang Tingyu (張廷玉); et al. (1974). 明史 ( History of Ming ) (in Chinese). revised by Zhonghua Book Company. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company. ISBN   7101003273.
  7. ↑ Johannes L. Kurz (July 2011). "Boni in Chinese Sources: Translations of Relevant Texts from the Song to the Qing Dynasties" (PDF). Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre Working Paper Series. Singapore: The Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "麻那惹加那乃_中国名人 - 名人简历". www.rc929.com. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  9. ↑ (Ming) Yan Congjian (严从简), ed. (1993). 殊域周咨錄 (The Record of General Condition of Various Foreign Countries for Consultation) (in Chinese). revised by Yu Sili (余思黎). Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company. ISBN   7101006078.
  10. ↑ Cheng Minzheng (程敏政), ed. (1400s). "Chapter 11". 皇明文衡 (Exemplary Documents of the Ming Dynasty) (PDF). Tokyo: Chinese Materials and Rare Book Full -text-and-image Database, The Institute of Oriental Culture, University of Tokyo.
  11. ↑ "海上丝绸之路的重要历史见证——浡泥国王墓". sinowh.org.cn. 29 August 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  12. ↑ "南京纪念浡泥国王墓重新发现４７周年(Nanjing Commemorates the 47th Anniversary of Rediscovery of Tomb of the King of Boni))". 新华网江苏频道. Archived from the original on 3 September 2006. Retrieved 12 May 2005.
  13. ↑ "文莱玛斯娜公主参加"文莱风情园"揭幕仪式 (Princess Masnah attended the inauguration of the Brunei Style Park)". njyhly.cn (in Chinese). 雨花旅游网. 23 October 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
  14. ↑ "文莱公主南京拜谒古浡泥国王墓 (The Princess of Brunei Paid Her Respect to the Ancient Tomb of the King of Boni)" (in Chinese). Jiangsu China Net (中国江苏网). 6 April 2006. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  15. ↑ "Bruneian Princess pays homage to tomb of ancient Bruneian king in China". People's Daily Online. 7 April 2006. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  16. ↑ Bala, Bilcher (2005). Thalassocracy: A History of the Medieval Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam. School of Social Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. p. 178. ISBN   978-983-2643-74-6.
  17. ↑ "麻那惹加那乃". Baidu .
  18. ↑ Brunei, Muzium (1981). Brunei Museum journal. Brunei Museum. p. 3.
Regnal titles
Preceded by Sultan of Brunei
1402–1408		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.