KELANTAN  .—ThiS

state on the east coast, bounded N. and N.E. by the China Sea, E. by Trengganu, S. by Pahang and W. by Perak and Ra-nge, lies between 40 48' and 6° 20' N. and 1010 33' and 102° 45' E . The greatest length from north to south is 115 M. and the greatest breadth from east to west 6o m . The area is about 5000 sq. m . The northern part of the state is flat and fertile, but the southern district which comprises more than half the total area, is mountainous and uncultivated . Next to the Pahang, the Kelantan River is the largest on the east coast . It is 120 miles long and is navigable for shallow-draft launches and big country boats for about 8o miles, and for vessels of 8 ft. draft for about six miles . Its principal tributaries are the Galas, Pergau and Lebir . The Golok and Semarak rivers water the west and east parts of the state, falling into the sea a few miles on either side of the mouth of the Kelantan River . The climate of Kelantan is mild and singularly healthy in the open cultivated regions . The population is about 300,000 of which 10,000 are aboriginal tribes (Sakeis and Jakuns), Io,000 Siamese and Chinese and the rest Malays . The Chinese are increasing and natives of different parts of India are resorting to the state for purposes of trade . Kota Bharu (pop .

Io,000) is the only

town in the state . It lies on the right bank of the river, about six miles from the sea . Since 1904 it has been laid out with metalled roads and many public and private buildings have been erected . The town is the commercial as well as the administrative centre of the state . Tumpat and Tabar on the coast, with population 4000 and 3000 respectively, are the places next in importance after Kota Bharu . A network of creeks render communication easy in the northern districts, the river and its tributaries afford means of access to all parts of the south; 20 miles of road have been made in the neighbourhood of Kota Bharu . Kelantan is connected by telegraph with Bangkok and Singapore, and maintains regular postal communication with those places . Rice cultivation is the principal industry and is increasing rapidly . Coco-nut and betel-nut growing are also largely practised . Much livestock is raised . About 400,000 acres of land are under cultivation . Though reputed rich in minerals, past misrule prevented mining enterprise in Kelantan until, in 1900, a large concession was given to an Englishman and the country was opened to foreigners .

In 1909 three mining syndicates were at

work, and several others were in process of formation . Gold, tin and galena have been found in several localities and during the years 1006–1909 28,000 ounces of gold were dredged from the Kelantan River . The Kelantanese are expert fishermen, some 30,000 finding employment in fishing and fish-drying . Silk-weaving is a growing industry . Foreign trade, which in 1909 reached the value of two and a half million dollars, is chiefly with Singapore . Principal exports are copra, rice, fish, cattle and gold; chief imports are cotton goods, hardware and specie . The currency is the Straits Settlements dollar and small silver coin, supplemented by a locally made tin coin of low value . By virtue of a mutual agreement made in 1902 Siam appointed a resident commissioner to Kelantan and consented, so long as the advice of that officer should be followed, to leave internal affairs to be conducted locally . Under this arrangement a, council of state was appointed, departments of government were organized, penal, civil and revenue laws were passed and enforced, courts were established and a police force was raised . Though formerly of an evil reputation, the people were found to be naturally peaceful and law-abiding, and serious crime is rare . The state revenue, which was practically nothing in 1902, amounted to $320,000 in 1907 . Islam-ism was adopted about 300 years ago but the old animistic superstitions are still strong .

The state is divided into mukim or parishes, but the

imam no longer exercise temporal authority . There are three schools at Kota Bharu, education in the interior being in the hands of the imam assisted with government grants . No historical records of Kelantan exist, and the state was not noticed by the European merchants of the 16th and 17th centuries . Consequently little is known of its early history beyond what is to be gathered from brief references in the Malay annals and the old chronicles of Siam . The sites of ancient towns and the remains of former gold diggings are visible here and there, but all knowledge of the men who made these marks has been lost . The present ruling family dates from about 1790 . Siam was frequently called upon to maintain internal peace and in 1892 a royal prince was sent to reside in Kelantan as commissioner . Complications brought about by the incapacity of the ruler led to the making of the agreement of 1902 above mentioned, to the fixing of a regular tribute in money to Siam, and ultimately to the merging of the state from chaotic lawlessness into the path of reform . On the 15th of July 1909 the state came under British suzerainty and thecommissionerof Siam was replaced by a British adviser, from which date the liability to payment of tribute ceased, though in all other respects the administrative arrangements of Siam remained unaltered .