Kedah Royal Museum

The Kedah Royal Museum, known as Muzium Diraja Kedah, is housed in the former Istana Kota Setar palace in Alor Setar, Kota Setar District, Kedah. Built in 1735, it served as the official residence of the Kedah Sultanate until 1932. Now a museum, it displays royal regalia, artifacts, photographs and furnishings illustrating the history and heritage of the Kedah royal institution.

Visitors can expect to explore a restored traditional Malay palace with timber architecture, elevated floors and ornate interiors. Inside are galleries displaying royal costumes, regalia, weapons, photographs, furniture and gifts to the Sultanate. The grounds include landscaped gardens and the palace exterior. The setting is in central Alor Setar near other heritage buildings, offering a quiet, educational walk-through of Kedah's royal history.

The building was constructed in 1735 as Istana Kota Setar by Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin II, the 19th Sultan of Kedah, to serve as the royal palace and administrative centre. It remained the official palace until 1932 when Istana Anak Bukit was built. It was later converted into the Kedah Royal Museum to preserve and display the history of the Kedah Sultanate, one of the oldest sultanates in Malaysia.

The museum preserves the heritage and traditions of the Kedah Sultanate, showcasing royal customs, regalia and historical documents. It reflects traditional Malay palace architecture and serves as an important cultural institution for understanding Kedah's royal lineage and Malay heritage in northern Malaysia.