Pintu Malim

Muzium Negara Outdoor Exhibits

This arch is a replica of the Pintu Malim or the Malim Gate, one of the arches of the Kuala Kedah Fort. It is situated at the Kedah River estuary. This is the only Malay fort made of bricks and has survived till this day.

Photo E06 - Pintu Malim
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The Kota Kuala Kedah Arch

It was built during the reign of Sultan Abdullah Mukarram Shah who ascended the throne in 1760. It was designed and built for the defence of Kedah against the Siamese army. Datok Maharaja Kadhi and his nephew, Maulana Ibrahim Sabab from India, drew up the plans for the fort. They brought along stonemasons from India to build the fort. Construction began in 1771 and completed in 1780.

The fort covered an area of 2 acres. On the side facing the river and sea, double walls were built and packed with earth while those at the back were single walled. Heavy cannons of British manufacture were purchased and installed facing the sea; two of them were nicknamed Badak Berendam or the Wallowing Rhinoceros) and Katak Paru or The Toad.

When the British first moved into Kedah, they used the fort as an administrative center. To suit their needs, they built a larger gateway, called the Pintu Inggeris or the English Gate.

This replica of the Malim Gate has been set up to serve as a permanent reminder of the power and sovereignty of the ancient Malay Sultanate of Malaysia.

Pintu Malim