As blogged before, I went for a short trip to Istana Iskandariah, Kuala Kangsar a few days back. We had about 30 students from Gujarat, India visiting and one of the highlights of their trip to town was a short tour around the Istana compound. Normally outsiders are not allowed to enter palace grounds except for official functions but we manage to get consent from the palace authorities.
Kuala Kangsar is the royal town of Perak. This is where the Istana Iskandariah is situated.
Istana Iskandariah is the official residence of all the Sultans of Perak who have been installed since its completion in 1933.The palace is named after Sultan Iskandar Shah (1918-1938) who initiated its construction.
Istana Iskandariah is located at Bukit Chandan on the left bank of Sungai Perak upstream from Hilir Perak on the site of the former Istana Negara which was built in 1895 by Almarhum Sultan Idris Murshidul'adzam Shah (the late Sultan (in 1887-1916). It occupies an area of 10,435 square meters.
The design of the palace is based on the architecture of West Asia which is famous for its pointed arches and onion-shaped domes. The building is rectangular in shape and faces the sunrise and the river.
The roof is designed with one main dome in the centre and four subsidiary domes, one on each of the palace.
The palace is of there storey. The ground floor houses The Royal Dining Room, two Audience Halls, Reception Area, the Royal Rest Chambers, Ladies' Cloak Room, Aide-de-Camp's Office, Music Hall and the Royal Council Chamber.
Next time your on your way up to Penang, you might want to just drop into Kuala Kangsar for a half day trip.
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