Editing Alor Setar (section)

===Recovery and growth===
[[File:Alor Setar (29100830826).jpg|thumb|left|The Balai Besar of Kedah]]
In October 1883, James F. Agustin, an Englishmen arrived in Kuala Sungai Kedah (now known as [[Kuala Kedah]]) about 10&nbsp;km from the capital. He and a few other English explorers embarked their journey towards inland areas of Kedah where he met several Malay settlement on the riverbanks of the Kedah river.<ref>{{cite web |title= Alor Setar : Ibu Negeri Tertua di Malaysia/The Oldest State Capital|url=https://library.uum.edu.my/blog-post/alor-setar-ibu-negeri-tertua-di-malaysia-the-oldest-state-capital/|website= [[Universiti Utara Malaysia]]}}</ref>

Upon his arrival in Kampung Kota Setar, he befriended several local Malays and they invited him to the sultan's palatial residence. Agustin remarked on the beauty of the palatial architecture and its landscape covered with the stalk trees. He was well received by the sultan and both parties exchanged goods between one another.

The visit by Agustin spurred a growth for a more active and direct [[Trade|trade relations]] between the area and outside commercial powerhouse. The city attracted various cosmopolitan trading activities from the British, Indian, Chinese together with other local and regional merchants. The town prospered from a small settlement into a bustling town designated to accommodate further population growth, commerce and administration. The British especially, was quite drawn to the potential of Kota Setar (as it was then known).

Gradually, Kota Setar thrived and further evolved into a commercial, transportation and communication hub of Kedah. The name was then changed from Kota Setar into Alor Setar, a reflection of its geographical features located in a small stream (known as "Alor" in Malay) which was frequented by the Malay traders from the neighbouring states. However, the name Kota Setar was retained as sub-district under Alor Setar.