The core of this collection contains the surviving correspondence of Terengganu’s ruler, Tengku Omar Ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah I, Sultan Terengganu Darul Iman IX, (1839-1876) also known as Baginda Omar.

It consists of 55 original letters and one official proclamation written in Jawi in the collection, with the core documents comprising both official and private correspondence. Documenting five turbulent decades (1844-1893) in Terengganu’s history, the letters range from diplomatic missives (from Siam, Kelantan, Pahang, Johor, Riau, Dutch and British) and family memoranda to business instructions and political intelligences. This collection offers a vivid glimpse into this significant chapter of Terengganu’s and Malaysia’s history while providing an illuminating look at the political intrigues of the various Malay courts during the advent of Western influence and dominance in the region. From a philological perspective, the importance of this collection cannot be overstated. The wealth of calligraphic styles, linguistic features, and seal imprints found in such concentration enables us to fill major gaps in our knowledge of 19^th -century Malay epistolography and codicology. Besides, they enable us to understand Terengganu’s history during Baginda Omar’s reign as well as amplifying the history of the growth of Malay scribal activity in the region.

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This manuscript concerns the origin of the kings and the formation of the state of Kedah, Malaysia, providing valuable insight into the evolution of historiographical works by palace writers of the Kedah Malay Sultanate in the early 20^th century. It was written by Enche’ Muhammad Hassan bin Dato’ Kerani Muhammad Arshad, the Secret Secretary of the then Sultan, on 5 January 1927. This manuscript has 146 pages and is in the custody of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. The original manuscript belonged to the author’s son, Enche’ Soda bin Mohd. Hassan, who presented it to the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.

The manuscript begins with the first king of Kedah, Maharaja Derbar Raja who hailed from Persia (the date of his arrival was not stated by Muhammad Hassan). However, the earliest date clearly stated in the manuscriptis 531 A.H., correspond ing  to 1136 C.E. when Sheikh Abdullah from Yemen converted Seri Paduka Maharaja Derbar Raja to Islam and renamed him Sultan al-Muzaffar Shah. The last part of the manuscript covers two important topics: the relationship and conflicts between the governments of Kedah and Siam and British interference until the signing of the Bangkok Treaty in 1909. Its historical value is not only in the written accounts of events depicting the sociocultural development of Kedah, but also in the inclusion of rules of governance.being one of the most important sources of information on the socio-cultural history of the Malay World that exists today.

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Kitab Ilmu Bedil is an early manuscript on Malay traditional weaponry. It documents how Malay society adapted the use of weaponry technology and knowledge from other civilisations, particularly Europe and Islam. Such manuscripts on firearms and ammunitions are part of Malay traditional literature and provide an understanding of the merging of Malay traditional systems and beliefs with new knowledge.

The manuscript was written in 1863 and presented by Ismail to “AlMarhum Mangkat di Pahang” who, later owned the original manuscript. The manuscript shows that the earliest weaponry technology came from the Portuguese in the early 16th century. The Portuguese introduced the technology for the production and manufacture of ‘matchlock’, an early type of firearm, which resulted in its wide use in the Malay
Peninsula. It also provides evidence of how the Islamic world contributed to the development of science and technology in the Malay world.

The ways that Malays used firearms are documented and include the application of both technical and mystical elements such as Sufism. For example, the basics of shooting and aiming. They also include mathematical elements such as for the measurement of ammunition and the use of rituals and mantras.

The manuscript consists of eight pages folded in the form of an accordion and is written on cream European laid paper in Jawi script. Such folds are rare in Malay manuscripts. The cover is made of leather and illustrated in gold ink in the arabesque Malay style. It also has a watermark of a man’s face on a crescent moon.

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