For ages Perlis portrayed itself as a progressive state on the historical scene. Its existence since pre-historic times can be proven from ancient remnants at Tegun Lembu (Tengku Lembu) in Beseri.
The period after pre history marked ideological influences and different faiths of the people in the area. Islam replaced Hinduism and Buddhism in the 12th century and became the way of life for the locals. However, the influence of the Kedah Sultanate overshadowed the true image of Perlis in history.
Historians differed in their theories concerning the origin of Perlis because of the scarcity of data available. However, theories offered by 2 local historians En Ahmad Ismail and YB Dato' Yazid Mat in their book "Negeri Perlis Indera Kayangan; Sejarah Pembentukan Sebuah Negeri Berdaulat", somehow logically showed that "Perlis" derived from the name of a tree "Perlis Tree".
At that time, Kedah's frontier included the border of Setul province and Kuala Bara in the north; Pattani province in the northeast; the straits of Malacca in the west and Seberang Prai in the south.
Perlis province bordered Setul province in the southeast; Kubang Pasu district in the northwest and north; facing the straits of Malacca in the west; and Songkla province in the northeast. Based on historical facts, the area of Perlis was bigger than now.
ADMINISTRATIVE
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| Raja Syed Alwi Jamalullail |
The location of Perlis made it so special that the Kedah Sultanate established its administrative center in the state for several generations. There were two administrative centers in Perlis territory ever since Islamic teaching spread in Kedah in the 12th century until the separation of Perlis from Kedah. It began when Kota Si Puteh in the district of Kubang Pasu, 3 miles from Perlis territory was attacked by Acheh which nearly destroyed the Kedah Sultanate. Owing to this tragedy, the Kedah Sultanate searched for a new site to establish a new administrative center, which was strategic in defence, economy and social development.
Kota Naga in the district of Kubang Pasu was temporarily made the administrative center until 1654. Finally the Kedah Sultanate established Kota Sena near the present Kangar town as the administrative center until 1664. under the 14th Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Muhyiddin Mansor Shah (1651-1661). From 1661 to 1687, the Kedah Sultanate administrative center was moved to Kota Indera Kayangan, which was situated on the bank of the river between the towns of Kayang and Kuala Perlis.
Kota Sena and Kota Indera Kayangan proved to be a secure administrative center for the Kedah Sultanate, which catered for defence, economic and social growth. Historical facts during the Kota Sena administration proved that a mixture of silver and copper and double sided coins, weighing 0.77 grams each were used as currency. Meanwhile, during the Kota Indera Kayangan administration, the attacks on Kedah in 1674 by the Siamese were repulsed. In the year 1687, the Bugis attacks also failed.
A project to dredge the Kota Indera Kayangan river south of Kedah River at Anak Bukit was also successfully carried out. This benefited the public economically. It was the first such man-made canal constructed in the Malay state. The administration area 'Kota Indera Kayangan I' ended upon the death of Sultan Dhiaudin Mukarram Shah in 1687. after that, the Kedah Sultanate's administrative center moved to Kota Bukit Penang until 1735. Finally Kota Setar now known as Alor Setar was chosen as the Kedah Sultanate's Administrative Center.
