This is a list of the rulers of the Sulu Sultanate

Sulu Sultanate

The Sultanate of Sulu Dar al-IslamSometimes known as the Royal Sultanate of Sulu or Sultanate of Sulu Darul Islam. was an Islamic Tausūgstate that ruled over many of the islands of the Sulu Sea, in the southern Philippines and several places in northern Borneo. The sultanate was founded in 1457...

. The Royal House of Sulu

Royal House of Sulu

The current ruling royal house of Sulu is the Royal House of Kiram. The Royal House of Kiram.descends from Sultan Jamalul Kiram I, who was the Sultan of Sulu from 1823–1844.Members of the royal house of Sulu....

 is a Muslim

Muslim

A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...

 royal house that governs over most Muslims in the Sulu Archipelago

Sulu Archipelago

The Sulu Archipelago is a chain of islands in the southwestern Philippines. This archipelago is considered to be part of the Moroland by the local rebel independence movement. This island group forms the northern limit of the Celebes Sea....

 in the Philippines

Philippines

The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

. The current ruling Royal House of Sulu is the Royal House of Kiram.

History

Under a Treaty of 1851 between the Sultan of Sulu an Spain, Sulu Sultanate status resembled that of a Spanish Protectorate. The internal administration of Sulu, its customs, laws, and religion were fully respected and were not subject to Spanish jurisdiction.

The Sultanate of Sulu also claim sovereignty over certain territories which now is part of the Sabah

Sabah

Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...

 in Malaysia. While the sultanate is not an internationally recognized entity it enjoys some autonomy and influence in the Philippines, particularly among the Muslim population of the country.

In 1878 Gustavus Baron de Overbeck obtained a grant of these territories in Borneo from Sultan Jamalul A'Lam. The deed of cession dated 22 January, 1878, grants in perpetuity all the rights and powers belonging to the Sultan over the territories named in consideration of the payment to the grantor and its heirs and or successors of the sum of 5,000 dollars a year. The confirmatory deed dated 22 April, 1903, relates only to certain islands which had not been specifically named in the main deed. The consideration was a further payment of 300 dollars a year. Under that grant Sultan of Sulu remained his sovereignty rights over the territory of North Borneo

By the treaty of 1851 the Sultan of Sulu had acknowledged the sovereignty of the Spanish Government over Sulu, but any question of his power to make a valid cession of the territories named in the main deed of Cession was set at rest by a Protocol of 1885 signed on behalf of the British, Spanish and German Governments at Mardik on 7 March, 1885.

Article III of that Protocol reads:-
"The Spanish Government renounces, as far as regards the British Government, all claims of sovereignty over the territories of the Continent of Borneo, which belong, or which have been belonged in the past to the Sultan of Sulu (Jolo), and which comprise the neighbouring islands of Balambangan, banguey and Malawali, as well as all those comprised within a zone of three maritime leagues from the coast, and which form part of the territories administered by a company styled the British North Bonreo Company". Under that Protocol Sultan of Sulu remained his sovereignty rights over the territory of North Borneo.

In the Treaty of Paris (1898) whereby the Spanish surrendered their territory, ther boundary was stipulated to be nine miles off the coast of North Bonreo. In May 1899, Spain evacuated Sulu, and on 26th August, 1899, General Bates, of the United States army, concluded a treaty with Sultan Jamalul Kiram and the sovereignty of Sulu (excluding North Borneo) passed from Spain to the United States of America. Under that Treaty Sultan of Sulu remained his sovereignty rights over the territory of North Borneo.

The status of Sulu entirely changed in 1915. The Sultan had by then been shorn of all temporal power and retained only the empty title of Sultan and certain religious jurisdiction exercisable only by the consent of the parties. As United States of America was not interested about territory of North Borneo, de jure Sultan of Sulu remained his sovereignty rights over the territory of North Borneo.

After the death of Sultan Jamalul Kiram in 1936 the Philippine Government, the successors in sovereignty of the United States of America, decided not to recognise the continued existence of the Sulu Sultanate, according to a letter to the Governor of North Bonreo dated 28th July, 1936, from His Britannic Majesty's Consul General in Manila.

The abolition of the Sulu Sultanate did not abolish the Sultan nor his line of succession.

On 12 September 1962 Vice President and concurrently Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Philippines, Mr. Emmanuel Pelaez together with Sultan Moh. Esmail E. Kiram signed a "Instrument of cession of the territory of North Borneo by His Highness Sultan Moh. Esmail E. Kiram , Sultan of Sulu", under what Philippine Government again officially recognised the continued existence of the Sulu Sultanate and the office of Sultan of Sulu.

In 1974 President of the Republic of Philippines, His Excellency Ferdinand Marcos issued a Memo Order 427 under what on 24 May 1974 Datu Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram, the eldest son of Sultan Moh. Esmail E. Kiram, was crowned in the public coronation as Sultan of Sulu. This Memo Order states: "Whereas, the Government has always recognised the Sultanate of Sulu as the legitimate claimant to the historical territories of the Republic of Philippines".

List of Sultans of Sulu 1450-1936

The following list details the holders of the title Sultan

Sultan

Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...

 between 1450 and 1936.

Sultan	Details
1	Sultan Sharif ul-Hashim 1450–1480	The founder of the Sulu Sultanate whose proper name was Abu Bakr. He founded The Royal Sultanate of Sulu in 1457 and renamed himself Paduka Mahasari Maulana al-Sultan Sharif ul-Hashim. The "maulana" meaning protector (Arabic Arabic language Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book... ), "paduka" being a local term for "master", and "mahasari" for "His Majesty". The Sharif is reported to have lived about thirty years in Buansa, the first seat of the sultanate, and his tomb is located in one of the slopes of nearby Mount Tumantangis.
2	Sultan Kamalud-Din 1480-1505	The son of the Sharif ul-Hashim who succeeded his father as sultan.
3	Sultan Alaud-Din ?	Sulu Genealogy suggests that he was a brother of Kamalud-Din. A son of Sultan Shariful-Hashim, but believed not to be proclaimed the "Sultan of Sulu."
4	Sultan Amirul-Umara 1505-1527	His title is believed to be the Arabic translation of Maharajah-di-rajah found as the fourth sultan in some tarsilas. Some Sulu genealogy Genealogy Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...  do not mention him. Believed to be the Sultan Bolkiah
5	Sultan Muizzul-Mutawadi-in 1527-1548	He is the Maharaja Maharaja Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata... h Upo (grandchild) of Sharif ul-Hashim. Some genealogy states that he succeeded to the sultanate upon the death of Kamalud-Din.
6	Sultan Nasirud-Din I 1548-1568	The son of Sultan Muizz ul-Mutawadi-in. His surname was Digunung or Habud, suggesting that he grew up in or ruled from the interior of Sulu.
7	Sultan Muhammad ul-Halim 1568-1596	The son of Sultan Nasirud-Din I. His other name was Pangiran Buddiman which was the name by which he was probably known.
8	Sultan Batara Shah Tengah 1596-1608	The son of Sultan Muhammad ul-Halim. "Batara" was a title used by Sulu rulers as early as the beginning of the fifteenth century, and Brunei Brunei Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...  annals always referred to Sulu rulers by this term. Died without heir.
9	Sultan Muwallil Wasit I 1610-1650	The nephew of Sultan Batara Shah Tengah (the son of his sister who married Sultan Hassan of Brunei). He was known to Spaniards as Raja Bungsu. One of his daughters married Sultan Qudarat of Maguindanao Maguindanao Maguindanao is a province of the Philippines located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Its capital is Shariff Aguak. It borders Lanao del Sur to the north, Cotabato to the east, and Sultan Kudarat to the south....  while another daughter married Balatamay (Baratamay), the ruler of Buayan Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao Rajah Buayan is a municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines.The municipality of Rajah Buayan was created under Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 166 dated October 28, 2002 and was ratified through plebiscite on September 4, 2004. It was carved out of the town of Sultan sa...  in 1657. Around 1650, his son Bachtiar took over the sultanate.
10	Sultan Nasir ud-Din II 1645–1648	Son of Sultan Muwallil Wasit who reigned during the lifetime of his father following his father's defeat by the Spaniards. The throne reverted to his father after his brother, Sarikula, died in 1648.
11	Sultan Salahud-Din Bakhtiar 1649/50-1680	Known to Spanish authorities as Pangiran Bactial and to Dutch officials as Pangiran Batticale. After his death, he was called Marhum Karamat. Due to his father's old age as well as the number of his followers, he did not become sultan until around 1650, if not a year earlier. He installed the "3 Temporary Sultans of Sulu" to sit on the Sulu throne from 1680-1685 due to the very young age of his son.
12	Sultan Ali Shah	Not mentioned in the Sulu Genealogy but produced a permanent heir in Shahabud-Din (No. 15). His reign was short and peaceful.
13	Sultan Nur ul-Azam	Daughter of Sultan Nasirud-Din II who was also known as Pangyan Ampay or Sitti Kabil (Arabic, meaning grand mistress) and ruled for four or five years. Some Sulus did not look with favor on her regime, being ruled under a woman.
14	Sultan Al Haqunu Ibn Wali ul-Ahad	The name "Ibn Wali ul-Ahad" is Arabic for "son of the rajah muda" (heir apparent). Is speculated to be the son of Sarikula and helped govern with his cousin Sultan Salah ud-Din.
15	Sultan Shahabud-Din 1685-1710	The son of Salah ud-Din. It was he who killed Sultan Kahar ud-Din Kuda of Maguindanao in 1702 and "ceded" Palawan Palawan Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region or Region 4. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the...  to the Spanish government in 1705.
16	Sultan Mustafa Shafi ud-Din 1710-1718	The younger brother of Shahab ud-Din he was also known as Juhan Pahalawan. He abdicated the thrown in favor of his younger brother Badar ud-Din to avoid future dynastic troubles.
17	Sultan Badarud-Din I 1718-1732	The younger brother of the two previous sultans, he was known to different Spanish authors as "Bigotillos" or "Barbillas,"" or as "el Rey Viejo de Tawi-Tawi." His mother as a Tirun lady from the North East coast of Borneo. In 1732, a nephew (or grand nephew) contested his rule which led to his retirement to Tawi-Tawi Tawi-Tawi Tawi-Tawi is an island province of the Philippines located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . The capital of Tawi-Tawi is Bongao. The province is the southernmost of the country sharing sea borders with the Malaysian State of Sabah and the Indonesian East Kalimantan province. To the...  where he was then known as Sultan Dungun. He died around 1740 in Dungun during the reign of his son Azimud-Din I.
18	Sultan Nasarud-Din 1732-1735	He was either a son or grandson (by a daughter) of Shahab ud-Din and was known to the Spaniards as Datu Datu Datu is the title for tribal chiefs, sovereign princes, and monarchs in the Visayas and Mindanao Regions of the Philippines. Together with Lakan , Apo in Central and Northern Luzon, Sultan and Rajah, they are titles used for native royalty, and are still currently used in the Philippines...  Sabdula (Arabic, Abdullah). In 1731, he challenged the rule of Badar ud-Din, forcing the latter to take leave and retire in 1732. The intrigues of Badar ud-Din led to the proclamation of Azim ud-Din (a son of Badar ud-Din) as sultan in 1735. After a series of desultory skirmishes between the factions of Nasar ud-Din and Azim ud-Din, the former left for Maimbung where he generally remained till he died around 1735. He was also referred to as Dipatuan.
19	Sultan Alimud-Din I 1735-1748 1764–1773	Son of Badarud-Din. His father proclaimed him ruler in Tawi-Tawi in 1735. In 1736, after a few intrigues had paved the way, a number of Datus asked Alimud-Din to transfer his court from Dungun to Bauang (Jolo). But a political struggle in 1748 forced him to leave Jolo for Basilan and then Zamboanga. His younger brother, Datu Bantilan, was then proclaimed sultan. In the meantime, he went to Manila where he remained for sometime, including a few years of imprisonment. He returned an old man to Jolo in 1764. In the same year, on June 8, he was formally reinstated to the throne. In 1773, tired of affairs of state, he formally handed over the affairs of state to his son Muhammad Israil. He had two periods of reign; 1735–1748 and 1764-1773.
20	Sultan Bantilan Muizzud-Din 1748-1763	Known to Spanish officials and priests as Datu or Pangiran Bantilan. He was a younger brother of Alimud-Din-I.
21	Sultan Mohammad Israel 1773-1778	One of the sons of Alimud-Din I who abdicated his power to his son in November 1773, but did not formally assumed the reign early the next year. He was believed to have been poisoned by either the partisans of his cousin or the cousin, himself, Alimud-Din II(a son of Sultan Bantilan Muizzud-Din I), in 1778.
22	Sultan Alimud-Din II 1763–1764 1778-1789	The son of Muizzud-Din I who governed Sulu with his brother after the death of their father around the middle of 1763. By the end of that year, he had become, for all practical purposes, the Sultan. With the arrival of his uncle Alimud-Din I from Manila in 1764, whom he received well, Alimud-Din II left his followers for Parang. In 1778, he succeeded Muhammad Israil. He reigned up to his death in 1789.
23	Sultan Sharapud-Din 1789-1808	Another son of Alimud-Din I and lived a venerable old age. Ten years earlier the Spaniards were expecting him to die at any moment and were thus worried that a successor antagonistic to them might ascend the throne.
24	Sultan Alimud-Din III 1808	The son of Sharapud-Din. He died the same year as his father. According to a report, he reigned only for forty days. Most likely he died a smallpox Smallpox Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...  epidemic that raged through Jolo that year.
25	Sultan Aliyud-Din I 1808-1821	The younger brother of Alimud-Din III.
26	Sultan Shakirul-Lah 1821-1823	The brother of Aliyud-Din I.
27	Sultan Jamalul-Kiram I 1823-1844	By some source his real name was Muwalil Wasit, he was the son of Alimuddin-III. Current ruling Royal House of Sulu Royal House of Sulu The current ruling royal house of Sulu is the Royal House of Kiram. The Royal House of Kiram.descends from Sultan Jamalul Kiram I, who was the Sultan of Sulu from 1823–1844.Members of the royal house of Sulu.... , Royal House of Kiram descends from him.
28	Sultan Moh. Pulalun Kiram 1844-1862	The son of Jamalul-Kiram I.
29	Sultan Jamalul A'Lam 1862-1881	On 22 January, 1878, he signed a treaty under what, the territory of North Borneo was leased to the British North Borneo Company. He was the son of Moh. Pulalun Kiram.
30	Sultan Badarud-Din II 1881-1884	The son of Jamalul-A'Lam, died in 1884 without leaving any male heir.
31	Sultan Harun Ar-Rashid 1886-1894	A descendant of Alimud-Din I, through Datu Putong. Spanish intrigues led to his proclamation as sultan by a few Datus in 1886, although earlier in 1884, Jamalul Kiram, a younger brother of Badarud-Din II, had already been proclaimed as Sultan of Sulu. He never had support of the majority of the Sulu people neither Ruma Bichara. When it became apparent that he no longer served any purpose to Spanish officials, Harun ar-Rashid was persuaded to abdicate in 1894. This was a tacit admission on the part of Spanish authorities that Jamalul Kiram was the real Sultan of Sulu. Harun ar-Rashid retired to Palawan where he died in April 1899.
32	Sultan Jamalul-Kiram II 1894-1936	The younger brother of Badarud-Din II. He was proclaimed Sultan of Sulu by his direct followers in 1884 as the son of Jamalul A'Lam. By some source his real name was Amirul Kiram Awal-II. His proclamation as sultan was contested by Datu Aliud-Din, a grandson of Sultan Shakirullah, but without any success. Aliud-Din was forced to fly to Basilan. It was Harun ar-Rashid who tried to mediate between Amirul Kiram and Aliud-Din until the Spaniards thought it expedient to have Harun ar-Rashid to Sultan himself. The Spaniards were led eventually to deal with Jamalul-Kiram II as the Sultan of Sulu in spite of his repeated refusal to go to Manila on a state visit. Jamalul-Kiram II died on June 7, 1936. In 1915, he virtually surrendered his political powers to the United States government under the 1915 Carpenter Agreement. Jamalul Kiram II died without leaving any children.

Sultans from 1936-1950

After the death of Sultan Jamalul Kiram in 1936 the Philippine Government, the successors in sovereignty of the United States of America, decided not to recognise the continued existence of the Sulu Sultanate, according to a letter to the Governor of North Bonreo dated 28th July, 1936, from His Britannic Majesty's Consul General in Manila. After that decision there appeared several legitimate claimants and pretenders to the throne of Sulu. During WWII, the Japanese and American forces took influence in the Sultanates affairs, each recognizing a pretender supportive of their agenda.

Sultans	Details
1	Muwallil Wasit II 1936	He was the younger brother of Sultan Jamalul Kiram II and crown prince of the Sultanate. He was lawfully elected by the Ruma Bechara, the Datus and Sharifs as the new Sultan. Six months later and before the formal coronation ceremony took place, he was murdered. His legitimacy as the heir to the throne and his püosition as crown prince of Jamalul Kiram II was confirmed again by the Cession Court of North Borneo`s so-called McKaskie court rule in 1939, identifying his heirs as the owners of the territory of North Borneo.
2	Amirul Umara I 1937-1950	Husband of Dayang Dayang Piandao and recognised Sultan of Sulu by Japanese Government. Dayang Dayang Piandao was the daughter of Sultan Badarud-Din II and after death of his father she was adopted by Sultan Jamalul Kiram II. After death of Sultan Jamalul Kiram II, on 16 August 1937 Sessions Court of North Borneo granted her administration rights over the property and credits of Sultan Jamalul Kiram II, deceased.
3	Jainal Abirin 1937-1950	Born as Datu Tambuyong. Supported by the American Forces.

List of Sultans of Sulu 1950-1986

The following list details the holders of the title Sultan

Sultan

Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...

 between 1950 to 1986, who are officially recognised by Philippine Government.

Sultan	Details
33	Sultan Moh. Esmail E. Kiram I 1950-1974	He was the eldest son of Raja Muda Muwallil Wasit II and the legitimate successor of the Sultan of Sulu. Sultan Moh. Esmail E. Kiram granted authority to Philippine government under the administration of President Diosdado Macapagal on 12th of September 1962 and of President Ferdinand Marcos in 1972. Under above mentioned documents Philippine Government again officially recognised the continued existence of the Sulu Sultanate and the office of Sultan of Sulu. Datu Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram, Sultan Moh. Esmail E. Kiram's son was his Raja Muda.
34	Sultan Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram 1974-1986	He was the eldest son of Sultan Moh. Esmail E. Kiram and the legitimate successor to the throne. He is the last officially recognized Sultan of Sulu by the Ruma Bichara and by the Philippine government. Datu Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram was crowned as Sultan of Sulu on 24th of May 1974 through a presidential Memo Order 427, which was issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Ferdinand Marcos Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate... . At the same time, Datu Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram, being 8 years old, was crowned beside his father as Raja Muda of Sulu. Under Memo Order 427, Philippine Government officially recognised the continued existence of the Sulu Sultanate and the office of Sultan of Sulu.

Sultans of Sulu from 1980 - present

After the death of Sultan Mahakutta Kiram, the Philippine government failed to formally recognize a new Sultan. Mahakutta`s Crown Prince Muedzul Lail Kiram, the heir to the throne according to the line of succession as recognized by the Philippine governments from 1915-1986, was 20 years old upon his father`s death. Due to his young age, he failed to claim the throne in a time of political instability in the Philippines that led to the peaceful revolution and removal of President Marcos. The gap in the leadership was filled by pretenders of rival branches. Therefore, the following Sultans were not crowned with the support of the Philippine government nor did receive a formal recognition from the federal government like their predecessors, until 1986. However, the Philippine government decided to deal with one or more of these pretenders regarding issues concerning the Sultanates affairs, appointed them into positions in the government or received them on a case to case basis and granted therefore a de facto recognition to their reign.

Sultans	Details
1	Moh. Punjungan Kiram 1980-1983	Younger brother of Sultan Esmail E. Kiram I. On 11 October 1939, Sessions Court of North Borneo granted him administration rights over the property and credits of Raja Muda Muwallil Wasit II, deceased. Father of Jamalul Kiram III. and Ismael Kiram II. Punjungan was the Crown Prince regent of Sultan Esmail Kiram I. under the condition to transfer his rights to the son of the Sultan, when he is of legal age. Instead of resigning from his position, Punjungan exiled himself in Malaysia and later returned to contest the reign of Mahakutta Kiram, who had lawfully replaced him as Crown Prince.
2	Abirin, Aguimuddin 1983
3	Jamal ul-Kiram III 1983-1990	"Interim Sultan of Sulu" from 1974- 1981 (not recognized by the government). In 1986, he was crowned as the Sultan of Sulu. Eldest son of Punjungan Kiram, elder brother of Ismael Kiram II.
4	Mohammad Akijal Atti 1990-1999
5	Ismael Kiram II 1999-	Due to different regional spellings, as can be found on government and newspaper sites, his name appears as Esmail, Esmael, Ismail or Ismael. Second son of Punjungan Kiram and younger brother of Jamalul Kiram III.

Legitimate successor to the Sultan of Sulu from 1986-present

Raja Muda	Details
1	Raja Muda Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram 1986-present	He is the eldest son, successor and heir of His Majesty late Sultan Moh. Mahakuttah A. Kiram, Sultan in the State of Sulu and all its districts and dependencies. On 24 May, 1974 he was crowned as Raja Muda beside his father in public coronation held in Sulu. This coronation took place under Memo Order 427, which was issued by His Excellency President Ferdinand Marcos, President of Philippines.

External links

• Official links

The official website of Royal House of Sulu under the guidance of Raja Muda Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram of Sulu

Philippine Provincial Government of Sulu - The Official list of Sultans

Philippine National Historical Institute - Coronation of the current Sultan

The former official website of Ismael D. Kiram

The new official website of Ismael D. Kiram

• News links

Sulu sultan’s ‘heirs’ drop Sabah claim - 2008-07-17

Who is the Real Sultan? - 2008-07-13