Royal Mausoleum (Brunei)

Royal Mausoleum
Kubah Makam Diraja (Malay) كوبه مقام دراج (Jawi)
The mausoleum in 2023
Religion
Affiliation	Islam
Branch/tradition	Sunni
Ownership	Government of Brunei
Location
Location	Batu Satu, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Geographic coordinates	4°53′08″N 114°56′04″E
Architecture
Type	mausoleum
Style	Islamic architecture

The Royal Mausoleum[1] (Malay: Kubah Makam Diraja)[2] in Batu Satu, Bandar Seri Begawan, is a significant historical and cultural landmark in Brunei.[3] Located along the Brunei River, it lies beyond Kampong Ayer and on the route from Bandar Seri Begawan to the Istana Nurul Iman.[4] This site serves as the final resting place for several Bruneian sultans and members of the royal family, with Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin I, who died in 1795, being the first monarch interred here.[5]

Although the mausoleum holds immense significance in Brunei's monarchical history—particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries—and in its interactions with the British, it remains relatively off the main tourist trail and is less visited by foreign tourists. Despite this, it is a notable destination for domestic visitors, offering a peaceful setting with ample parking and a refreshment shop for convenience.[4]

Notable burials

Tombs of Muhammad Tajuddin, Pengiran Anak Khadijah and Omar Ali Saifuddin II in 2024

The graves of several Brunei sultans are designated as ancient monuments and historical sites under the Antiquities and Treasure Trove (Ancient Monuments and Historical Sites) Order, 2007. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin I is among the earliest recognised rulers, buried at Makam Besar, Makam Diraja. Other sultans interred at Makam Damit, Makam Diraja include Sultan Muhammad Tajuddin, Sultan Muhammad Kanzul Alam, Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam I, and Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin II. Later monarchs are buried inside the mausoleum, such as Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin, Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam II, Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin, and Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III.[6] Meanwhile, the alleged tomb of Sultan Abdul Momin is not gazetted in the order.[7][8]

Inside the mausoleum

• Pengiran Anak Siti Fatimah (died 1947), consort to Muhammad Jamalul Alam II
• Pengiran Anak Damit (1924–1979), consort to Omar Ali Saifuddien III[9]

Outside the mausoleum

Outdoor burial ground in 2023

• Pengiran Chendera Kesuma (died 1862), consort to Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin
• Pengiran Anak Khadijah (died 1875), consort to Abdul Momin
• Pengiran Anak Safar (died 1964), member of Privy Council[10]
• Pengiran Anak Khamis (died 1986), Pengiran Di-Gadong from 1971 to 1986
• Pengiran Muhammad Salleh (1890–1969), Pengiran Di-Gadong from 1968 to 1969[11]
• Pengiran Mohammed Abdul Rahman Piut (1906–1976), Pengiran Temenggong from 1971 to 1976[12]
• Pengiran Muda Hashim Abdul Rahman (1907–1998), Pengiran Bendahara from 1952 to 1977
• Pengiran Abu Bakar Salleh (1907–1974), legislative speaker from 1959 to 1962[13]
• Ismail Omar Abdul Aziz (1911–1994), State Mufti of Brunei
• Besar Sagap (1914–1988), composer of Allah Peliharakan Sultan
• Pengiran Anak Mohamed Alam (1918–1982), legislative speaker from 1971 to 1974[14]
• Pengiran Muda Abdul Kahar (1922–1957), member of Tujuh Serangkai[15]
• Pengiran Jaya (1925–2009), commissioner of police from 1975 to 1983[16]
• Pengiran Anak Siti Saerah (1928–2013), daughter of Ahmad Tajuddin[17]
• Pengiran Anak Besar (1928–2016), Pengiran Babu Raja until 2016[18]
• Pengiran Anak Kemaludin (1929–2012), legislative speaker from 1971 to 1974[19]
• Pengiran Anak Abdul Wahab (1930–2017), member of Privy Council[20]
• Pengiran Anak Mohammad Yusof (1948–2004), chief of Adat Istiadat Negara from 1981 to 2000[21]
• Pengiran Anak Muhammad Bey Muntassir (1956–2009), Pengiran Sura Negara from 1981 to 2009[22]
• Pengiran Muda Abdul Azim (1982–2020), son of Hassanal Bolkiah[23]

Gallery

• 
  Layout of the burial ground
• 
  Mausoleum's jetty
• 
  Interior of the mausoleum
• 
  Exterior of block 3
• 
  Interior of block 3
• 
  Batu Tarsilah inside Block 3
• 
  Motifs on block 2

References

1. Kon, James (17 March 2024). "Ministry holds Tahlil at Royal Mausoleum". borneobulletin.com.bn. Borneo Bulletin Online. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
2. "Berkenan berangkat ke Kubah Makam Diraja". www.jpm.gov.bn (in Malay). Jabatan Perdana Menteri. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
3. Ledesma, Charles de; Lewis, Mark; Savage, Pauline (2003). The Rough Guide To Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Rough Guides. p. 590. ISBN 978-1-84353-094-7.
4. Porananond, Ploysri; King, Victor T., eds. (2016). Tourism and Monarchy in Southeast Asia. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-4438-1661-8.
5. Ain Bandial (24 October 2020). "A nation mourns as Prince Azim is laid to rest". The Scoop. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
6. "Antiquities And Treasure Trove Act (Chapter 31): Antiquities And Treasure Trove (Ancient Monuments And Historical Sites) Order, 2007" (PDF). www.agc.gov.bn. Attorney General's Chambers. 27 February 2007. p. 172. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
7. Awangku Muhammad Nabeel Pengiran Haji Kamarul Zaman (2019). "An Observation Of Ceremonial Procedures Of Sultan Abdul Momin's Funeral (1885) And Sultan Hashim's Accession To The Throne (1885) And Coronation (1895): Continuity And Change". Jurnal Darussalam (in Malay). 19. Bandar Seri Begawan: Brunei History Centre: 47–48.
8. Mardiah Haji Ramli (2019). "Makam Sultan 'Abdul Momin (1852–1885)". Majalah Pusaka (in Malay). 47. Bandar Seri Begawan: Brunei History Centre: 36–37.
9. "Tahlil and Yassin Ceremony at Kubah Makam Diraja". www.moe.gov.bn. Ministry of Education. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
10. "Mangkat Di-Brunei" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). Pelita Brunei. 1 July 1964. p. 1. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
11. "Kemangkatan Y.T.M. Seri Paduka Duli Pengiran Di-Gadong Sahibol Mal Haji Md. Salleh" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). Pelita Brunei. 26 February 1969. pp. 1 and 4-5. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
12. "Kemangkatan YTM Pengiran Temanggong Memeranjatkan Seluroh Negeri/HRH Pengiran Temenggong's passing shocks the entire nation" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). Pelita Brunei. 2 June 1976. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
13. Yus Sha (2018). "Tokoh: Al-Marhum Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Paduka Tuan Sahibul Karib Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar Ibni Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Mohammad Salleh (Speaker Pertama Brunei 1959-1962)". Majalah Pusaka (in Malay). 44. Bandar Seri Begawan: Brunei History Centre: 41.
14. Horton, A.V.M. (1 January 2007). "Negara Brunei Darussalam: obituary 2007". www.thefreelibrary.com. Borneo Research Bulletin. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
15. "KEMANGKATAN AL-MERHOM PENGIRAN MAHARAJA LAILA" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). Pelita Brunei. 1 May 1957. pp. 3–4. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
16. Ubaidillah Masli (19 October 2009). "HM pays last respects to late Cheteria". The Brunei Times. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
17. Horton, A.V.M. (1 January 2014). "Negara Brunei Darussalam: obituary 2014". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
18. "Royal Family Pay Last Respects to The Late Babu Raja". 17 October 2016.
19. Hakim Hayat; Siti Hajar (10 January 2012). "Ex-Speaker of LegCo passes away". www.sultanate.com. Borneo Bulletin. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
20. "Berangkat ziarahi jenazah YAM Pengiran Kerma Negara" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). Pelita Brunei. 2 September 2017. p. 3. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
21. "Berangkat menziarahi jenazah Allahyarham Pengiran Maharaja Lela" (PDF). www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn (in Malay). Pelita Brunei. 15 December 2004. pp. 1 and 3. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
22. Horton, A. V. M. (1 January 2009). "Negara Brunei Darussalam: obituary 2009". Borneo Research Bulletin. 40: 48–67.
23. "Nation Mourns Loss of a Prince". Borneo Bulletin. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.