Expansionist designs of the invaders from the north had relegated Kampung Raja to ashes in 1821. The village rice granary was put to the torch in what was akin to ancient Langkawi's scorched earth policy that was aimed at depriving the Siamese invaders of the grain.

Today Kampung Raja is no more. Modern developments such as the building of the Langkawi International Airport have taken away the glory of this ancient capital of old Langkawi. Now known as Padang Mat Sirat, this state of infamy was supposed to have begun when the Chief of Langkawi, Datuk Kerma Jaya unjustifiably put Mahsuri to death. Legend has it that with her dying breath, Mahsuri laid a curse on the islands for seven generations.

It was not long after this tragic episode that the Siamese attacked Langkawi, swiftly making their way to Kampung Raja to commandeer the rice stockpile. The invader's 'blitzkreig' was to come to nought upon reaching the place as what was left was the smouldering mound of scorched rice.

So huge was the rice reserves at Kampung Raja that it took a long time for the fire to burn out. The remains of the scorched rice and Kampung Raja was soon buried under the ashes of time and the whole episode immortalised in the tragedy of Mahsuri.