 History of Langkawi
The name Langkawi is believed to have been derived from the name of the ancient kingdom of Langkasuka, which was centred in modern-day Kedah. According to ancient Chinese chronicles (ca. 500AD), a kingdom called Langgasu existed in the 1st century AD.
Langkawi eventually came under the control of the Sultanate of Kedah. When Kedah was conquered by Siam in 1821, Langkawi came under Siamese control. The 1909 Anglo-Siamese Treaty transferred control of Kedah to the British, which administered the state until independence, except for a brief period during the World War II Japanese occupation when the rule reverted to the Thais.
The present development of Langkawi began in 1987, when the island was granted tax-free status to propel tourism. The island's airport was upgraded to international status while ferry links were also increased.
The Legend of Mahsuri
Langkawi is famous for the legend of Mahsuri. According to the legend, Princess Mahsuri uttered a curse on Langkawi shortly before she was wrongly put to death for adultery. The curse is said to have taken effect, because shortly after her death, Langkawi was conquered by Siam. It remained a forlorn place for seven generations, the term of the curse, before blossoming today as a major tourist destination.
|
