Paduka Pahala facts for kids
Paduka Pahala (died 1417) was an important king from the Kingdom of Sulu. Sulu is a group of islands that are now part of the Philippines. He is famous for being the first king from this region to be buried in China. He ruled one of the three kingdoms within Sulu.
Journey to China
In 1417, King Paduka Pahala traveled to China. He sailed with his family and about 300 other people. His goal was to meet the Yongle Emperor, Zhu Di, who was the ruler of China's Ming Dynasty. This journey was a way to show respect and build friendship between his kingdom and China.
The emperor welcomed King Paduka Pahala warmly when he arrived in China. However, on his way back home, the king became very sick. He sadly died in a place called Dezhou, which is in Shandong province, China.
King's Tomb
The Chinese emperor was very sad about the king's death. He ordered skilled workers to build a special tomb for Paduka Pahala. This tomb still stands in Dezhou today. It is a lasting sign of the friendship between the two rulers.
King Paduka Pahala's family members stayed in China after his death. They became part of the local community. Over time, they converted to the Islamic faith. They are now considered part of the Hui nationality in that area of China.
A movie called Hari sa Hari, Lahi sa Lahi tells the story of King Paduka Pahala's journey to China.
