Muhammad Shah of Brunei

Muhammad Shah, born Awang Alak Betatar, founded the Sultanate of Brunei and ruled as its first sultan from 1363 or 1368 until his death around 1402. Brunei royal genealogies divide over his origins: one tradition makes him a son of Sultan Ibrahim Shah of Kedah.

He ruled at Kota Batu as Raja Awang Alak Betatar until his conversion to Islam in the 14th century, when he took the name Muhammad Shah; tradition connects the conversion with his marriage to Princess Dayang Pingai, daughter of the ruler of Johor or Tumasik.

The Nagarakretagama lists Brunei among Majapahit's vassals in 1365, and in 1371 he sent envoys to the Ming dynasty, whose records name him Ma-ho-mo-sa. His daughter Princess Ratna Dewi married the Chinese settler Ong Sum Ping.