
1803-1821 & 1842-1845 H.H. al-Azizzu ul-Mulk al-Qadir al-Ghalib Ghahr al-Maghlub, us-Sultan Khalifatu’llah ‘Ala Da’irah Kedah, Paduka Sri Sultan Ahmad Taj ud-din Halim Shah II ibni al-Marhum Sultan ‘Abdu’llah al-Mukarram Shah [al-Marhum Melaka], Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Kedah Dar ul-Aman. b. before 20th September 1757 (if aged 90 at his death), second son of H.H. Sultan ‘Abdu’llah al-Mukarram Shah ibni Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zain al-’Adilan Mu’azzam Shah, Sultan of Kedah Dar ul-Aman, by his fifth wife, Y.M. Tuan Mas, educ. privately. Appointed as Heir Apparent (Uparaja) by the King of Siam and invested with the title of Chao Pangeran 1799. Succeeded on the forced abdication of his paternal uncle, September 1803. Recognised as ruler of Kedah by the King of Siam, and installed at the Balai Besar, Kota star Palace, Alor Star, with the title of Phaya Ratna Sangrama Ramabhakti Sri Sultan Muhammad Ratna Raja Varman, 19th September 1804. Promoted to the rank of Chao Phya Ratna Sangrama Ramabhakti Sri Sultan Muhammad Ratna Raja “Bodin Tersurin Terwerei” Varman Chao Phya Seraipuri, 2nd August 1811. On hearing about a planned invasion of Siam by Burma in 1820, he refused to dispatch the annual Bunga Mas tribute to Bangkok and opened negotiations for a Burmese alliance. The Governor of Ligor then invaded the state on 12th November 1821, and conquered Kedah Fort on the 18th of the same month. The Sultan fled to British territory, the Governor of Ligor appointing his son as acting Governor. The British authorities granted the Sultan asylum and a pension, allowing him to live in exile, first at Penang, and later at Malacca. After several failed attempts at regaining his throne by force of arms, he sent his sons to Bangkok to negotiate his restoration in 1842. The Siamese had divided Kedah into four petty states in 1841, from which they offered him the southern, largest and most prosperous portion. He agreed to this offer and was permitted to return as nominal ruler over the much reduced realm in June1842. Expanded his territory by sieizing Krian from Perak 20th December 1842. Established his capital at Kota Kuala Muda as Alor Star was overgrown with forest and vegitation. m. (first) Y.M. Wan Fatima. m. (second) Y.M. Che’ Alraseh. m. (third) a Siamese lady form Ligor. He d. after a short illness, at Kota Kuala Muda, 3rd January 1845 (bur. Royal Cemetery, Langgar), having had issue, seven sons and three daughters:
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