2nd COUNCIL MEETING
The Council met on the evening of 18 Feb 2013. Matters discussed were BLA’s participation
in the CONSAL library Boulevard at IFLA 2013, CONSAL projects, participation in IFLA 2013
and other activities.
EARLIER KINGS OF BRUNEI
One of the articles in Pusaka is about the Kings of Brunei prior to the coming of Islam. Our
history tended to begin from the conversion of Sultan Muhammad, the first Brunei Sultan into
Islam around 1376. We tended to forget the earlier kings of Brunei. I remembered when I
was in Nanjing, the exhibits had Brunei kings or their envoys visit China much much earlier.
This particular article written by Dato Muhammad and Haji Zainuddin outlined several kings
in
the
pre-Islamic
era:The Liang Dynasty (502-566) recorded the king named as Pinka and his family was known
as Kaundinya. He was a Hindu-Buddha. He was said to rule over 136 districts and his throne
made out of gold and his footrest silver. His crown had diamonds and was as high as 1 feet.
He sent an envoy to China in 518 among other things giving the Emperor a gold carpet. In
523,
he
sent
another
envoy
to
give
other
things.
The Sui Dynasty (581-617), the Brunei king was named Hu-lu-na-po and his family was
known as Chiari-ya-ka. In 616, he also sent many tributes to the Emperor.
The Tang Dynasty (618-906) stated that the king was very rich. In 669, he sent more tributes
to
china.
The Sung Dynasty (960-1279) records stated that king was called Raja Hiang-ta. He owned
as many as 100 ships and his soldiers wore armour made out of copper. During the reign of
T'ai Tsung in 977, Raja Hiang-Ta sent an envoy to China headed by Abu Ali, Syeikh Noh
and Kadhi Kasim. During the reign of Yuan Fong, the king sent an envoy to China in
February 1082, the King sent many tributes to China. According to legends, that king was
known as Seri Maharaja. After him was said to be Raja Makatunaw and Sang Aji
(grandfather to Sultan Muhammad Shah). Source. Bruneidailyresources.com.Posted by
Rozan Yunos at Saturday, 28 February, 2009
Wadah Perpustakaan Bil.3, Mac 2013
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