Ahmad Khen Sinar Shah, KBE, CD (3 July 1886 - 22 October 1957) was Raja of Kota Kambular in present-day Phaluhm Phoueck, de jure from 1921-1957, but de facto only until 1939.
The Raja was lover of thoroughbred horse racing, and owned prizewinning stables near Sint-Willemstad and competed frequently for the Johan II Cup, winning on two occasions.
Biography[]
Kota Kambular[]
Ahmad Khen Sinar Shah was born in the Royal Palace of Kota Kambular, second son of Mohammad Umar Ahmad Sinar Shah (1830-1921). At birth, he was not expected to become monarch as his brother Mohammad Umar Sinar was the heir to the throne, so Ahmad joined the British Army as an officer in the Kambular Guards in 1904, eventually rising to the rank of Colonel in 1927.
His eldest son Ahmad, who was very anti-British, deposed him in early 1939 as part of an anti-British coup, and he and his wife fled to Brunant along with significant funds and valuables. The British put down the revolt, but they did not restore Ahmad as Raja, instead installing his second son Anwar, which infuriated him.
Thoroughbred horse racing[]
In Brunant, Ahmad further devoted himself to his horses, where he won the Johan II Cup for a second time in 1951 with Belle Ines, and came a close second with her in the 1952 edition. His horse Black Surprise already won the 1931 championship.
He owned stables near Sint-Willemstad, which became the largest in Brunant.
Personal life[]
The Raja married in 1901 to Indah (1887-1902), a princess of Serdang (present-day Indonesia). They had one daughter, but his wife died during childbirth.
After the death of his first wife, Ahmad went to Brunant, where he studied history at the Grijzestad University. Here, he met his second wife. Ines Elteman (1891-1970), a daughter of the 6th Baron Elteman. The pair married lavishly in Kota Kambular in April 1911. They would have three sons and one daughter: