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Sultan Idris Murshidul'adzam Shah, The 28th Sultan Of Perak
The first photograph, from Abdur-Razzaq Lubis and Khoo Salma Nasution's collection, shows Sultan Idris of Perak.
Born on 19 June 1849 at Kampong Kuala Keboi, Perak, he was the third son of Bendahara Raja Alang Iskandar ibni Raja Ahmad Tengah and Che' Ken Uda Sari binti Abdul Rahman. He was educated privately.
As Raja Idris he was appointed Magistrate and Penghulu, Kuala Kangsar in 1875 and held the post until 1885 when he was appointed Chief Justice, a position he held until 1887. During this appointment, in 1886, he was given the title Raja Muda which carried with it the honour of being the next Sultan of Perak, taking over the role on the death of his father-in-law on 26 July 1887. He was proclaimed the 28th Sultan of Perak on 29 July 1887 and his coronation took place at Kuala Kangsar on 5 April 1889.
An Honorary Colonel of the 1st (Perak) Battalion Malay States Volunteer Infantry, he had a total of seven wives although one passed away and three were divorced, but between them they produced 16 children.
While convalescing from an illness in Port Dickson, he made a vow to build a mosque at Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar, when he fully recuperated and true to his word he achieved that, the Ubudiah Mosque, but not without some difficulties.
Sultan Idris who was groomed and backed by the British to take over the throne of Perak was also a great supporter of the idea of the formation of the Malay College, Kuala Kangsar, as were all the rulers of the Federated Malay States. Well liked and recognized by the British he received four major awards GCMG (20 March 1901). KCMG, CMG (1884), GCVO from the British Monarch.
He passed away on 14 January 1916. He is buried at Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar, Perak.
The second photograph comes from Ipoh Remembered.
To read more about the Ubudiah Mosque, Kuala Kangsar, click here.
To read about the book of Raja Bilah and the Mandailings of Perak, click here.