In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Besar Abdullah is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Nasruddin. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.
Nasruddin ibni Besar Abdullah (Jawi: نصر الدين ابن بسر عبد الله; reign 1690–1710), sometimes spelled Nassaruddin[1] and posthumously named Marhum di Kianggeh,[2] was the self-proclaimed 16th Sultan of Brunei and the grandson of Sultan Abdul Jalilul Akbar. It was under his reign that the first gold coins or pitis (umbrella coins) were introduced,[3] with the name Nasiruddin Malik al Zahir.[4][5]
Reign (1690–1710)
Background
Upon the death of his uncle, Sultan Muhyiddin, Pengiran Anak Chucu Nasruddin proclaimed himself as the Sultan of Brunei.[6] This sparked a rivalry between him and Pengiran Temenggong Pengiran Muda Besar Muhammad Shamsuddin.[7] Throughout his reign, he managed to maintain trade relations with Manila since its establishment by Sultan Bolkiah.[1]
Brunei-Pagaruyung relations
The Pagaruyung Kingdom's son, Dato Godam, also known as Raja Umar bin Bendahara Harun, immigrated to Brunei under Sultan Nasruddin. Due to his fidelity and knowledge, Dato Godam became one of the Sultan's trusted advisors, and as a result, the title "Awang-Awang Damit" was conferred onto his successors. In 2019, 28 Pagaruyung Association representatives were in Brunei on a goodwill mission to foster the brotherhood that has existed between the two countries since Dato Godam first arrived there in the 17th century.[8] Now living in Kampong Ayer and Sarawak are his descendants who became Bruneians and Sarawakians respectively.[9]
Death
Sultan Nasruddin died in 1710, and was succeeded by his cousin Husin Kamaluddin.[10] It was said to have been killed and buried at Kianggeh, thus given the name Marhum di Kianggeh. The grave's uncertainty was due to there being four burial sites in the area.[11]