Bukit Puteri
Bukit Puteri is situated at the mouth of Terengganu River. It covers
an area of about 658 hectares and the height is about 200 meters from
the sea level. Bukit Puteri was built to defend the Rulers of Terengganu
from attacks by the enemies. Bukit Puteri is easily accessible as
there are steps leading to the top. Bukit Puteri was said to have
originated as a place of residence for Puteri Bunian. However, the
princess left Bukit Puteri when the local residents borrowed her cutlery
and did not return them to her. According to legend, this hill was
opened by a chieftain from Johor named Tuk Raja Menteri who came to
Terengganu to install Sultan Zainal Abidin I as the first Sultan of
Terengganu.
During the year 1830, there was a struggle for power among the
two royalty of Terengganu that is, Tengku Mansur, the Sultan of
Terengganu who was conferred the title of Sultan Mansur Shah II
and Tengku Umar, the Yang Di pertuan Besar. Tengku Umar had built
a fort at the top of Bukit Puteri for defence. This fort was built
of bricks and cemented with honey, lime and egg white. However Bukit
Puteri was captured by Sultan Mansur Shah II and Tengku Umar was
forced to flee to Besut. Bukit Puteri then came under the control
of Sultan Muhammad I who ascended to the throne when Sultan Mansur
Shah II passed away. However, Sultan Mahmmud was not able to defend
Bukit Puteri when it was attacked by Tengku Umar army. Finally,
Tengku Umar recaptured Bukit Puteri again.
A few historical artifacts still exists on Bukit Puteri till this
present day. Among them are a big bell, cannon, a flag pole, light
house, graves and a defence wall. However, long time ago there were
many cannons at Bukit Puteri. The cannons were believed to have
originated from Spain, Portugal and the Malay States and were given
names such as Seri Jamlor, Seri Buih, Seri Johor and Laila Majnun.
The bell that still exists today was built during the reign of Sultan
Zainal Abidin III in the year 1908. The bell was made from yellow
copper, the circumference and height of the bell were 228 centimeters
and the weight was 175 kilograms. The bell was sounded when there
were rampage, fire or enemies attacking the state. It was believed
that the bell was guarded by a boy from the royal family. The boy
job was to sound the bell if any emergency or natural disasters
occurred.
A cave known as Gua Puteri can also be found here. It was used
as a place to keep the gun powder, stone and iron bullets. The flag
pole that is on top of Bukit Puteri was used to raise the royal
flag when there were any royal ceremonies held. The weight of the
flag pole was around 18 meters high. The lighthouse on the peak
of Bukit Puteri functioned as a guide for fishermen and sailors
that siles into Kuala Sungai Terengganu. During the reign of Tengku
Umar, he built a palace called the Green Palace at the foot of Bukit
Puteri but was burned down in 1882. He built a new palace near the
site of the Green Palace and was named Istana Maziah which still
exit until today.
Nowadays, Bukit Puteri is used as a firing range for cannon when
royal ceremonies are held. Besides that, Bukit Puteri has been developed
into a tourist attraction. |
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