30 Kedah Sultanate cannons found in southern Thailand
ALOR STAR: Thirty cannons belonging to the Kedah Sultanate, believed to have been seized during the Siamese invasion more than 200 years ago, have been found in southern Thailand.
In southern Thailand, archaeologists have discovered 30 cannons that once belonged to the Kedah Sultanate, believed to have been looted during the Siamese invasion over 200 years ago. Kedah, Perlis, and Penang Historical Cultivation Association vice-chairman Mohd Herman Roslan revealed that most of the cannons, primarily 12-pounders, are now housed in temples and government buildings in neighboring Thailand.
The cannons originally belonged to the fort at Kota Kuala Kedah and were reportedly seized by Siamese forces from Ligor (now Nakhon Si Thammarat) during the Perang Musuh Bisik conflict, which lasted from 1821 to 1842. All 30 cannons have never been found before, as the majority of seized cannons from the same period are known to have been taken to Ligor.
Records estimate that 123 cannons defended Kota Kuala Kedah during the Siamese invasion, with only two remaining at the fort today. The majority of these cannons were likely acquired during the reigns of Sultan Muhammad Jiwa (1710-1778) and Sultan Abdullah (1778-1797) to protect the state. The invasion began when Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin refused to aid Siam in its war against Burma, perceived as a betrayal by the Siamese.
On November 12, 1821, Siamese forces stormed Kuala Kedah, initially invited under the guise of requesting rice and medical supplies. The conflict, known as Perang Musuh Bisik, translates to "whispered enemy," due to the covert tactic employed. To date, only 22 of the old Kedah cannons have been located, with the majority remaining in southern Thailand.
Herman's association believes between 50 and 60 more cannons from the Kedah Sultanate are still undiscovered. The presence of these heavy weapons demonstrates the Sultanate's significant military capabilities and a well-trained force capable of operating each cannon. Strategically placed around the fort for both sea and land defense, the cannons showcase Kedah's military knowledge and structure during the time.
Herman expressed hope that the government would support his association in further research and locating the remaining old cannons of the Kedah Sultanate in southern Thailand.
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