House of Jamalullail (Perlis)

The House of Jamalullail is the ruling house of the State of Perlis in Malaysia. The dynasty traces its origins back to Sayyid Hussein Jamalullail, a Hadhrami Arab from Hadramaut (present-day Yemen) who migrated to Southeast Asia in the early 19th century. He established himself in Kedah before later consolidating his position in what is now Perlis.

The founder of the modern Sultanate of Perlis was Raja Syed Hussein Jamalullail, who was recognised as Raja of Perlis in 1843. Prior to this, Perlis was a dependency of Kedah. The Siamese government, which exerted significant influence over the region at the time, recognised Syed Hussein's authority, effectively separating Perlis from Kedah.

The head of the House of Jamalullail holds the title of Raja of Perlis. The Raja is the constitutional ruler of the state and plays a key role in the government and administration of Perlis. The current Raja is Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, who ascended the throne in 2000. He also served as the 12th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia from 2001 to 2006.

The House of Jamalullail represents a unique blend of Arab ancestry and Malay culture, contributing significantly to the cultural heritage and political landscape of Perlis and Malaysia. The family's history is intertwined with the history of the region, reflecting the complex interplay of local politics, regional powers, and international influences during the 19th and 20th centuries. The Istana Arau serves as the official residence of the Raja of Perlis.