In the early nineteenth century, the sultan's attempts to control trade evoked the discontent of the Acehnese merchants, chiefs, and the British who wanted free access to the ports.
Sayyid Husain became involved in a movement to depose Alauddin Jauhar ul-Alam Syah, formally because of his non-observance to Islamic norms.
To make things worse, Sayyid Husain was arrested by the colonial authorities for piratical activities in 1816 due to attacks against ships trading in areas which supported Alauddin Jauhar ul-Alam Syah.
[6] Meanwhile, the end of the Napoleonic Wars meant that the British became interested in finding a solution in Aceh that would favour the important pepper trade.
A mission under John Coombs visited Aceh in 1818 and found Syarif Saiful Alam to be the rightful claimant.
The sultan's claim to the throne was deemed spurious and Alauddin Jauhar ul-Alam Syah was considered the best alternative.
By this time Sayyid Husain had lost large sums on the adventure and his son saw no possibility to maintain his position without British support.
His father Sayyid Husain had lost all interest for the Acehnese throne and resumed his trading activities; he died in 1826 and was buried at the side of a mosque in Penang.