Khojah Sultan Ahmad bin Zainal 'Abidin, was a king who ruled during the Samudra Pasai Kingdom in Sumatra, according to the epitaph on his tomb. The monument marking his tomb (cenotaph) is made of andesite stone and is decorated with Arabic calligraphy and floral ornaments.
◈ Khojah Sultan Ahmad's tomb is on the left side.
Taqiyuddin Muhammad (@Keuudeip), an expert on Arabic script inscriptions in Indonesia, explained that his name is carved on her daughter's tombstone which is inscribed "Khojah Sultan Ahmad bin Zainal 'Abidin", while the date of his death is carved on his own tombstone on Tuesday, 11 Rajab 868 Hijri" (conversion: 1464 AD).
◈ The south tombstone begins the first sentence describing the personality of the buried figure. Graphic redraw by @Keuudeip.
The tomb, which is located in the cemetery complex known as the "Sultanah Narisyah Mausoleum Complex", is associated with a queen who was buried there. On the nameplate is written: "Situs Cagar Budaya Makam Sultanah Nahrisyah."
The queen's memorial cenotaph, made of white marble, and engraved in Arabic script using Tsuluts and Khufi khat calligraphy, is decorated with ornaments typical of Gujarat, South Asia. This type of marble tombstone is commonly referred to by researchers as the "Cambay Marble Tombstone" typology.
◈ The north side of Queen Nahrisyah's tomb is the part that tells the features and name.
◈ The south side of Queen Nahrisyah's tomb is the part decorated with floral ornaments.
Other characters etched on tombstones as king are Zainal Abidin (died in 808 H or 1406 AD), Zainal Abidin Ra-Ubabdar (died in 841 H or 1438 AD), and Queen Narisyah (died in 841 H or 1438 AD). There are over a hundred tombstones of various designs in that cemetery complex, practically all of them are embellished with carved embellishments and Arabic writing.
◈ Queen Nahrisyah's tomb is on the left side, and her father King Zainal Abidin's is next to it, both made of marble.
The cemetery complex is designated as an Acehnese cultural heritage site. Many visitors travel on holidays, and pilgrims flock to visit on the days of Islamic celebrations. On a normal day, the location is deserted. At times, students are escorted by their teacher to the location to study history in the field. That is the statement of the caretaker, who is in charge of the cultural heritage site's location.
I often visit there. On this occasion, I went there two days in a row, on March 5 and 6,2023, accompanied by my colleague @Anzirpasai, for the special purpose of taking detailed pictures of Khojah Sultan Ahmad's tomb, ignoring the other tombs for the time being. Why is that? I want to focus on that one tomb first, not that the others aren't interesting! I think all the tombstones there are works of art that date from the 15th century.
◈ Thanks to @Anzirpasai for capturing my moment in action.
If you're interested in visiting?
It takes around 27 minutes and travels roughly 19 kilometers by motorized car from downtown Lhokseumawe through Medan-Banda Aceh national road route. Located at coordinates 5.14037, 97.21564, in Gampong Kuta Krueng, Samudera District, North Aceh Regency, Aceh, Indonesia.
The location is in a coastal residential area. To the north of this complex is the fish/shrimp pond area of the local community, and from the coastline, the complex is the only existing cement building. If an imaginary straight line is drawn to the north, this complex is 500 meters from the shoreline of the Malacca Strait, the shortest distance from the Pasai River in the southeast is 530 meters, from the Tomb of Sultan Al-Malik Ash-Shalih in the southwest is 1.6 kilometers.
The cemetery complex area is free to enter, and your vehicle can be parked straight at the designated place. The local people are very friendly with the guests who come.
So what about the narrative of the figures buried there?
There is no need to be concerned because government-appointed caretakers are always present in the cemetery area. He is always friendly, accompanying guests who come. His name is Ramlan, and he is familiarly called Dek Gam by residents. He was able to explain the Arabic text engraved on the tombstone.
◈ I had a discussion with Ramlan (Dek Gam) who served as caretaker, about the development of the Queen Nahrisyah cultural heritage site which may benefit local residents. Thanks to @AnzirPasai for this cool pic.
If somebody asks about the experience of being there, I will respond by recommending visiting. It's like you're entering a 15th-century art gallery.
Who is Khojah Sultan Ahmad bin Zainal 'Abidin?
There is no collective record that talks of his figure and activities while he was alive, for now, we only know from what is etched on his tomb. This cenotaph was built with andesite stone, has two tombstones on the head and feet, is decorated with floral ornate carvings with local patterns, and scripts are carved in Arabic with a calligraphy style typical of the Samudra Pasai era. It is a pity that there is a missing part of the top of the tombstone, which we call of the tombstone crown.
Following that, I'll show you detailed photographs of the artwork carved at Khojah Sultan Ahmad bin Zainal 'Abidin's tomb.
If you want to know more about the history of Samudra Pasai, Taqiyuddin Muhammad (@keudeip) is the go-to person. He published a book "DAULAH SHALIHIYYAH DI SUMATERA - Ke Arah Penyusunan Kerangka Baru Historiografi Samudra Pasai." The first printing was in December 2011, and I assisted him in redesigning the book's cover for the second printing.
According to the author, the book must be rewritten because new data has been found on the history of Samudra Pasai. Therefore, I come there and have to come back again with the goal of compiling a work, a special guidebook for cemetery complexes. I don't think this project will be too expensive because I will share the role with @Keuudeip. I can do some tasks that I can handle myself thanks to the skills I have, in photography, graphic design, and layout.
Hopefully, the dream can come true!
Thank You
by Irfan M Nur (@vannour)
Amateur historian
Awesome, @vannour! You have shown what the world traveler and the Prince of Travelers Ibn Battuta did not find when he visited this place. It's only been around for more than half a century since his arrival. Thank you very much and congratulations!
You're welcome
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The carvings are beautiful and very fine. Both the calligraphy and decorations.
You can see and touch it, I will be happy to accompany you, if one day you go there.
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salam'alaikum wr.wb, bereh that gamba nyan ! di pat nyan bang ?
If the narration is read in its entirety, you will definitely know its location.Tapi tak apalah saya akan menjawab, Gampong Kuta Krueng, Kec. Samudera, Aceh Utara. Kompleks Pemakaman Sultanah Nahrisyah/Nahrasyiah.
I am very grateful for your understanding brother, tapi bang payah that lon baca suwah trep lon terjemah lom 😅