The Kedah Royal Museum (Muzium Diraja Kedah) is the old palace that was once occupied by the royal families of Kedah. The royal house of the State of Kedah Darul Aman is the oldest in Malaysia, founded in the 5th or 6th century A.D.
The photo above is the view from the lobby area as you cannot take photos once inside the museum. Many of the displays were similar to those we had seen in the Royal Museum in Kota Bharu, showing the lifestyle of the royals, and of course the obligatory displays of kris. You also learn here of the history of the Sultans of Kedah as well as the life story of Tunku Abdul Rahman, born in the Istana and destined to become the first Prime Minister of Malaysia.
In the photo below you can see the rear view of the Istana; note the small but grand staircase.
Right next door to the old palace is the beautiful Great Hall (Balai Besar), made from cengal wood and originally built in 1735. It was destroyed following an attack by Bugis forces in 1770 and a Thai attack in 1821, and eventually rebuilt in 1896. This hall is used for official ceremonies such as the inaugaration of a Sultan and the weddings of princes.
And you can see the strategic location of these buildings in relation to the State Mosque here….
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