The Kedah Sultanate in the nineteenth century: some economic aspects

Abstract

In the context of the 10th century, it is generally true that the political power of the Sultan depended on the extent to which he controlled the economic resources of the country, which in fact meant the control of taxation. In theory the Sultan and other holders of royal offices could collect the taxes of the state, but because of practical difficulties, district chiefs were deputized for this job: in return for which they could keer a proportion ion for of the revenue. But in states like Feral and Selangor, the Sultans were unable to make district chiefs hand in what was due to them.