Muhammad II of Kelantan

Muhammad II ascended the throne after a violent succession struggle. Early in his reign Kelantan was torn by a civil war among rival princes. In 1838 the British envoy Munshi Abdullah was recorded to deliver Governor Samuel George Bonham's letters to Kelantanese chiefs including the Sultan and other leading rajas to relieve boats containing valuable merchandise owned by Singaporean merchants, the letter confirmed that the boats were stranded due to an ongoing civil war there. The civil war drew Siamese intervention and in 1839 King Rama III's envoy Phraya Siphiphat who mediated peace between Sultan Muhammad II and his rival Tuan Besar, eventually relocating Tuan Besar to govern Pattani in 1842. Siam thereafter formally recognized Long Senik as ruler (conferring on him the noble title Phaya Wiset Baktiya in 1836) and in later years elevated his rank under King Rama V. == Reign ==

During Sultan Muhammad II's reign Kelantan's capital was moved to the new town of Kota Bharu. In 1840 he built the wooden Grand Hall Palace (Istana Balai Besar) on the east bank of the Kelantan River; with its completion the settlement was renamed Kota Bharu (“New Fort”) and became the state's administrative center. The old riverside palace (Istana Kota Lama) had frequently flooded, so the relocation marked a decisive reorientation of Kelantan's government. Sultan Muhammad II also promoted Islam and Malay culture. He founded the Muhammadi Mosque in Kota Bharu. The original timber mosque was built in 1867 during his rule (later rebuilt in brick in 1922–1931). He is credited with erecting other royal structures and supporting education and trade, helping to stabilize Kelantan under his dynasty. == References ==