First of all, what is Bujang Valley? and what is Old Kedah?

RESOURCE: HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY OF BUJANG VALLEY

1. "Bujang Valley", is a modern term, which was only created in the mid-1970s by the Department of Museums and Antiquity to refer to the area in Central Kedah where numerous discoveries which include monuments, ceramics, sculptures, and inscriptions were made. The physical boundary for Bujang Valley is vaguely defined based on the locations and distributions of various archaeological discoveries related to the port-polity of Old Kedah. Prior to 2009, Bujang Valley is defined as a landmass covering the valleys of the Muda and Merbok river, up to the northern slope of the Jerai peak. However, with the discovery of Jeniang sites, the area could have included the upper reaches of the Muda river.

2. and what is Old Kedah? Old Kedah is a port-polity, city-state, or ancient settlement LOCATED in the area which is known as the Bujang Valley today. The economy of Old Kedah totally depended on trade. Based on historical record, it could have begun as a port in the 2nd Century B.C. However, early studies in the Sungai Batu Complex shows that the date can be pushed way earlier. Based on the present archaeological study, the trade of Old Kedah started to decline after the 14th Century C.E.

3. What was the relation between the Old Kedah which existed between the 2nd Century B.C. to the 14th Century C.E. with the present day Sultanate of Kedah? This question can be approached from two perspectives:

3a. First, as a state, the Sultanate of Kedah could have been the continuation of the Port-Polity of Old Kedah. After the decline of trade in Old Kedah in the 14th Century C.E. (will be discussed later), the local population gradually shifted to agriculture to sustain themselves. The Sultanate of Kedah appears to be the successor of Old Kedah with a different socio-economic formation, which is agriculture instead of trade.

3b. Secondly, regarding the ruling dynasty. Aside from the accounts of Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa and Al-Tarikh Salasilah Negeri Kedah, we have no other affirmative evidences to show that the rulers of the Sultanate of Kedah really descended from the rulers of Old Kedah. In fact, we dont even know for sure who are the rulers of Old Kedah. Until more conclusive evidences, especially inscriptions, which can confirm the informations retrieved from these dubious texts, this matter will remain as an open question.

C&P : 10/3/2021 @ 26 REJAB 1442H: 4.59 PM