Born on July 15, 1946, he received his education in Brunei, Malaysia, and the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst before ascending to the throne at the young age of 21. Published: October 30, 2024 10:08 AM IST By Edited by In September, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Istana Nurul Iman, the world’s largest residential palace, during Modi’s historic bilateral visit. This marked the first time an Indian Prime Minister visited the Southeast Asian nation for bilateral discussions.
At the palace, which serves as both the Sultan’s official residence and the seat of Brunei’s government, Modi was received by Sultan Bolkiah and his close family members. The opulence of Istana Nurul Iman is remarkable, covering 2 million square feet and featuring 1,700 rooms, along with a stunning 22-carat gold dome. Despite its small size—smaller than Indian states like Sikkim and Tripura—Brunei’s strategic location on the island of Borneo, combined with the Sultan’s immense wealth and extravagant lifestyle, continues to draw international attention.
Who is Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah? Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, known for his extravagant lifestyle, is the second-longest reigning monarch in the world, following the late Queen Elizabeth II of the UK, according to an NDTV report. He became the 29th Sultan of Brunei on August 1, 1968, and his full title is His Majesty The Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. The Sultan is mar.
