The legendary Princess Saadong and the relics

Picture above: An artist impression of Puteri Saadong (Princess Saadong)

Her Origin

Adopted daughter of Cik Siti Wan Kembang (Queen who ruled Kelantan from 1610 onwards), Princess Saadong had ruled from 1667 – 1671. In Malay she is called Puteri Saadong. The time Puteri Saadong ruled was at the same time King Charles II ruled England or Louis XIV the Great, the Sun King ruled France. The word about her immense beauty soon spread to the neighboring country, Siam (now known as Thailand). King Narai of Siam who ruled Siam from 1656 – 1688 was infatuated upon hearing about her beauty. Thus, he sent out his troops to propose to the princess. But the princess was then married to Raja Abdullah, and gently refused the idea. King Narai was still adamant on marrying her and so sent his troops under the able commandership of General Phraya Decho to attack Kelantan and abduct the princess to his palace. This was duly done and Princess Saadong had to leave to Siam, but prior to leaving, she requested her husband to wait for her return.

Her abduction and the likes of 1001 nights…

So each night went by, just like the story of Aladdin and the 1001 nights but only in this one with a different twist of fate. Each time the King Narai wants be with her, he is mysteriously struck by skin disease that is difficult to be cured. This went by for thirteen years until finally the royal Shaman advised the King to return her to Kelantan. His lust never found its way to her and he sadly sends her back to where she came from. Thus her chastity was preserved and her loyalty to her husband was unshakeable. No amount of property promised by the King could change her mind to return the favor to sleep with him.

Meanwhile King Abdullah was lonely without her presence

After waiting for 7 years, Prince Abdullah was convinced that he was never ever going to see his wife again. And thus, he marries another woman and makes her his queen. After the return of Princess Saadong to her husband’s palace, she was disappointed that the King did not keep up to his words. Some commotion ensued in the palace which resulted in the death of King Abdullah. It is still unsure as some say that the Princess Saadong killed her husband out of a fit of rage using her golden hairpin. She then left the state and proceeded to Aceh by boat, joined the Islamic missionaries and later married to a Bugis King. She vowed not to ever step foot again in this land until her seventh generation descendant.

Two Images above: Princess Saadong, the 7th generation claims her throne (Tengku Puteri Anis Tengku Razali)

Relics were recently found believed to date back to the days of Puteri Saadong…

 Image above: Puteri Saadong came in his dream (Wan Mohd Yusof) to reveal the location of relic.

A Malay resident from Kelantan state, claims that he had dreamed of a beautiful woman who repeatedly came to his dreams for three consecutive nights. It was the same dream that was repeated. He narrates that there was this beautiful woman who taps on the river water twice and results with a bright sparkling light. He could not make out what it meant. He could not recall the colour or the type of attire she was wearing. Out of curiosity, he soon goes to the river to find out more which is located at a river bank in Kasar Village (Kampong Kasar), Pasir Mas, Kelantan. He soon finds out many old coins with Jawi inscription that has been washed to the shore along with plates, bowls made of porcelain materials. 

Images below: Depicts the findings at the Kampung Kasar village river bank, Pasir Mas, Kelantan, Malaysia.

 

 Image above: Wan Mohammad leading to the site and pulling out a coin

 Image above: Coins found with Jawi inscription.

Image above: Coin pulled out in between rocks at the river bank.

Image above: Jar with a dragon head

Image above: More coins with Jawi inscription. Note how the right side coin already eroded due to time lapse.

Image above: Coins everywhere!!!

Image above: No rocks unturned translates into more coins located.

Image above: More Jawi inscription coins. Note that the sizes are not similar.

Image above: A broken jar piece made of fragile material washed to the shore of river bank.

The villagers claim that at Hampar Island, (Pulau Hampar) there once lived a generous Princess (Princess Saadong) who borrowed these utensils to the villagers when they want to conduct weddings.

Image above: A close up of another jar piece appears to have dark greenish colour.

Image above: Plate made of fragile material washed to the shore. Were these disposed after it broke?

Image above: Another broken jar piece that is light green from the bottom side.

 Image above: Mud laden side view of a broken jar piece at the top side with bottom part broken.

Image above: The panoramic view at the side of river bank with Wan Mohammad who is seen here pretty engrossed in his search for ancient materials.

 

 

 Meanwhile, the State Museum Director, Wan Muhammad Suhaimi has historical values and requested the general public not to take these artifacts for keeps. Furthermore, the Director had warned the general public not to take these relics as it tantamount to crime and one caught can be fined as much as RM5000 if caught taking these away. He instead encourages the general public to assist in the search and help to provide them to the museum. Image below.

Here are more videos in this subject:

 

 

Some of the coins found dates back to early 20^th Century belonging to British settlement, King George v which makes me want to think twice about speculating these things belonging to the era of Princess Saadong. Meanwhile, it was also reported that the coins were brought to a Chinese goldsmith shop where the goldsmith was willing to pay a price of RM300 for each piece. It is believed that the coins were made of pure Silver. I think by now, many coins would have already made it to the homes of antique collectors because the place was not quarantined for prevention against illegal scavengers to facilitate further search and studies at the relic area. This is truly another site worth the time spent for studies by archaeologists. 

CONTRIBUTION:
1. Herusupanji
2. N. A. Halim (Muzium Negara)
3. Mingguan Malaysia: 28th October 1979
4. Azley Abdullah
5. TV9