Sultan Ahmad of Brunei

Ahmad (Jawi: أحمد; born Awang Pateh Berbai; died 1425), also known as Pateh Berbai, was the third Sultan of Brunei. He was the eldest son of Dewa Amas of Kayangan and the brother of the first sultan, Muhammad Shah of Brunei. It was under Sultan Ahmad that the kingdom adopted the name Brunei. Islamic education is thought to have begun in the country during the rule of his predecessor and continued under him.

Succession

Prior to his reign, he was called Awang Pateh Berbai or Pateh Berbai in short. He became the first Pengiran Bendahara (Vizier) in Brunei, and to be given the title Pengiran Bendahara. Pateh Berbai ascended the throne following the death of his nephew, Sultan Abdul Majid Hassan in 1408. However the Sisilah Sultan-Sultan Brunei mentioned his predecessor as his father-in-law, Sultan Muhammad Shah. Adding to the confusion, another source (Batu Bersilah) claimed that Sultan Ahmad was the brother of the mentioned Sultan. Moreover, Brunei historians have created a genealogy outlining the history of the Brunei royal family, beginning with the first Sultan, who was the country's first Muslim king. But in doing so, they controversially changed Sultan Ahmad's place in the lineage.

Relations with China

Under the leadership of the Muslim eunuch Zheng He, Ming China displayed its maritime might during the first three decades of the fifteenth century by sending ships through the South China Sea, the Strait of Malacca, the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, and all the way to the eastern shores of Africa. Although it is unknown if the fleet ever visited Brunei, the politically adept Sultan Ahmad went on a tribute mission to the Ming court. In 1408, he presented his loyalty to Emperor Yongle by giving a tribute in person, making him the first southern ruler to do such acts. The act would be well received by the Emperor.

Death

Sultan Ahmad died in 1425, thus he was succeeded by his son-in-law, Sultan Sharif Ali.

Sultan Ahmad married the younger sister of Ong Sum Ping, also known as Pengiran Maharaja Lela. Together they had two daughters;including Puteri Ratna Kesemua, whom would later be the consort to Sultan Sharif Ali.

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  Jambatan Patih Berbai, a pedestrian bridge in Kampong Ayer.