Thread: Memory Lane (In my own language)

Riau-Lingga Sultanate was a Malay sultanate that existed from 1824 to 1911, before being dissolved following Dutch intervention.

The sultanate came into existence as a result of the partition of the Johor-Riau Sultanate that separated Peninsular Johor, together with the island of Singapore, from the Riau Archipelago.

This partition followed the succession dispute following the death of Mahmud III of Johor, when Abdul Rahman was crowned as the first Sultan of Riau-Lingga. The maritime kingdom was recognised by both the British and the Dutch following the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824.


(The dominion of Riau-Lingga Sultanate in red, consisting of many islands in the South China Sea and enclave in Kateman, Sumatra)



“Tengku (= princess) Supia (cannot find the right spelling)” was a Princess, a daughter of Muhammad II Muazzam Shah, the 2^nd Sultan of Riau-Lingga. For a politic reason, she was submitted to be King Rama IV’s Royal Concubine.

Chakri kings used to have Muslim as royal concubines since King Rama I but this one was a princess so her life in the Siamese Royal Court was not quite smooth (Same case as Princess Dara Rasami of Chiengmai in the reign of King Rama V, King Rama IV's son - her story can be read on page 29/706).

When King Rama IV died in 1868, the Princess resigned from her royal position and went back home.

She later married a prince (= tengku) from Kelantan. She used to receive King Rama V during his royal visit to her hometown.

The Princess died in 1895.

This computer colored photo of her was taken in Siamese Court by Carl Bismarck in 1861.