Istana Darussalam

Istana Darussalam is located on the banks of the Kedayan River,{{Cite book |last=Thiessen |first=Tamara |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g9sj_FMSMu8C&dq=istana+darussalam&pg=PA135 |title=Bradt Travel Guide - Borneo |date=2008 |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |isbn=978-1-84162-252-1 |pages=135 |language=en}} is an illustration of the finest indigenous Malay structure of the time. It was first constructed from wood in 1947, and later, concrete was used to replace certain wooden pillars and beams. The structure is green and brown and has a distinctive Malay home architecture. The royal structure still stands in stunning contrast to the neighbourhood's collection of village homes.{{Cite web |title=Pusat Sejarah Brunei - Peristiwa dan Tempat Bersejarah |url=http://www.history-centre.gov.bn/Info%20Sejarah/Peristiwa%20dan%20Tempat%20Bersejarah.aspx |access-date=2023-01-01 |website=www.history-centre.gov.bn}} It covers an estimated area of {{Convert|0.76|acre}} and cost approximately B$7,000 to build.{{Cite web |last=Abdul Latif |first=Adanan |date=2008 |title=Istana-Istana Di Brunei |url=http://www.history-centre.gov.bn/Download/Istana%20istana%20Brunei.pdf |website=Brunei History Centre |page=23}}

The royal entry from the Kedayan River to Istana Darussalam doorway is the Darussalam Jetty. It serves as a historical space to display and honour the history of the palace, one of the city's most significant landmarks and the site of the monarchy's past.{{Cite web |date=2015 |title=Regeneration of the Kedayan River |url=https://www.townland.com/portfolio-item/regeneration-of-the-kedayan-river-brunei/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Townland |language=en-US}}

The palace began construction in the 1940s. Several national festivities have taken place at this palace, including notably when Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was born there on 15 July 1946,{{Cite book |last=Leifer |first=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7UCl7VE4VMIC&q=sultan+of+brunei+1967+sandhurst&pg=PA76 |title=Dictionary of the Modern Politics of Southeast Asia |date=2013-05-13 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-12945-3 |pages=76 |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=USA |first=IBP |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q22yDwAAQBAJ&dq=istana+darussalam&pg=PA99 |title=Brunei Ecology and Nature Protection Handbook |date=2009-03-20 |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-1-4387-0633-7 |pages=99 |language=en}} Prince Mohamed Bolkiah on 29 August 1948,{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BMvsAAAAMAAJ&q=Mohamed+Bolkiah+Istana |title=ASEAN Forecast |date=1985 |publisher=Executive Publication Pte |pages=60 |language=en}} and Princess Masna Bolkiah on 6 September 1948.{{Cite book |last=Sidhu |first=Jatswan S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bry0sOwstIMC&dq=princess+masna+bolkiah+1948&pg=PA143 |title=Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam |date=2009-12-22 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-7078-9 |pages=148 |language=en}} In 1947, the lower part of the building was used as a private office by then Sultan Omar Ali. The royal family no longer uses the building, although every Friday, representatives of the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque hold the tahlil ritual there. When the royal family relocated from Istana Darussalam to Istana Darul Hana in 1951, Omar Ali's guests were temporarily housed there while he attended Malay College in Malaysia.

Pengiran Anak Damit, who was 55 years old, died at the Istana Darussalam on 13 September 1979, at 13:20.{{Cite news |date=1979-09-19 |title=Jenazah Almarhumah DYTM Paduka Suri Seri Begawan Raja selamat di-makamkan di-Kubah Makam Diraja |url=https://www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn/Arkib%20Dokumen/1979/PB%2019%20Sept%201979.pdf |access-date=2023-08-20 |work=Pelita Brunei |pages=1, 16}} On 7 September 1986, Omar Ali died at the palace and later buried at Royal Mausoleum.{{Cite news |last=Ap |date=1986-09-11 |title=Omar Ali Saifuddin; Former Brunei Sultan |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/11/obituaries/omar-ali-saifuddin-former-brunei-sultan.html |access-date=2022-10-04 |issn=0362-4331}} The Public Works Department of the Ministry of Development currently maintains the palace, including several others with significant historical and cultural value.{{Cite web |title=Public Works Department - Mechanical and Electrical Services |url=http://www.mod.gov.bn/pwd/SitePages/Mechanical%20and%20Electrical%20Services.aspx |access-date=2023-01-01 |website=www.mod.gov.bn}}

• Politics of Brunei
• Bandar Seri Begawan
• Istana Nurul Iman

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Istana Darussalam}}

• [http://www.gov.bn Government of Brunei]

{{Bandar Seri Begawan landmarks}}

Category:Residential buildings completed in 1947

Darussalam

Darussalam

Category:Official residences in Brunei

Category:Buildings and structures in Bandar Seri Begawan

Category:Historic sites in Brunei

Category:Vernacular architecture