# Accession of Sultan Ahmad (1408)

URL: https://allhistories.com/brunei/timeline/1408-accession-of-sultan-ahmad
Location: Kota Batu, Brunei
Themes: ruler-change

English Wikipedia lists Sultan Ahmad's reign as 1408 to 1425, beginning when his nephew Abdul Majid Hassan died. Before that he was known as Awang Pateh Berbai, the first Pengiran Bendahara. In 1408 he presented loyalty in person to the Yongle Emperor, described as the first southern ruler to do so. His daughter Puteri Ratna Kesuma later became consort to Sharif Ali, and when Ahmad died in 1425 without a male heir the throne passed to his son-in-law. The Maharaja Karna article records that the young successor Xiawang was about four years old in Nanjing, which is why Pateh Berbai ruled in his absence. The sources conflict on his place in the lineage. The Sisilah names his predecessor as his father-in-law, the first sultan, while the Batu Tarsilah says he was that sultan's brother. Bilcher Bala suggests Pateh Berbai took the throne as Sultan Ahmad. Brunei historians' official genealogy changed his position, which the page calls controversial. At this point in the timeline (1408), Sultan Ahmad (1408 – 1425) ruled the Sultanate of Brunei. Reign dates for this ruler are disputed between sources.

## Why it matters
Ahmad's reign carried Brunei through the period of Ming investiture, and his marriage alliance with Sharif Ali shaped the line of succession.

Ruler at the Time: [Ahmad (Awang Pateh Berbai)](https://allhistories.com/brunei/rulers/ahmad-awang-pateh-berbai-1408)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Ahmad of Brunei](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmad_of_Brunei)
- [Wikipedia — Maharaja Karna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharaja_Karna)