Langgam Nan Tujuah

From the Minangkabau main page, this page contains the original texts from the sections on Langgan Nan Tujuah. This allows the main page to be amended and made shorter.

Langgam Nan Tujuah : Political Structure

The Langgam Nan Tujuah, "System of the Seven", describes a political structure of shared rule spread out between 3 rulers and 4 ministers. The components of Langgam Nan Tujuah is told repeatedly in Minangkabau literature, like Cindua Mato. The political division was supposedly as follows:-

There were the Rajo Tigo Selo, "Principle Three Rulers":-

Raja Alam - the Maharaja; lord of the realm, which includes territories, military & diplomacy. He resides in the territory of Pagaruyung.
Raja Adat - the lord of customs and traditions which includes administration, law and taxation; the Chancellor. He resides in the territory of Buo.
Raja Ibadat - ruler of worship; the Cardinal. He resides in the territory of Sumpur Kudus (Lintau).

There were the Basa Ampek Balai, "Council Four Ministers":-

Tuan Bandaro (Putieh) - Lord Treasurer (also titled as Mangkubumi). He resides in Sungai Tarab. He is the head of the Council.
Tuan Indomo - chief advisor, Lord Steward (also titled as Laksamana). He resides in Saruaso.
Tuan Mangkudum - in charge of peace and order, Lord Prefect. He resides in Sumaniak.
Tuan Kadli - the Lord Magistrate. He resides in Padang Gantiang.

The legend showed the Rajo Tigo Selo were from royalty and the Basa Ampek Balai were commoners. Between them, an egalitarian system of rule would prevail.

Tuan Kadli of Padang Gantiang was a recent replacement to the Tuan Gadang of Batipuh, whom he ousted.

However, comparing the mythology of Langgam Nan Tujuah to the Istana Pagaruyung Records shows several misconceptions.

The Istana Pagaruyung Records shows the royal lineage and six of the Langgam-7 appear. Basically, apart from Tuan Kadli, who was a commoner, everybody else was from the royal line.

Every single one of those Langgam-7 titles (of rulers or ministers) did exist. But they did not exist at the same time. Raja Adat only appears intermittently. The 3 positions only appear after the death of Alif-1 which are Raja Ibadat, Mangkudum and Indomo.

It could be argued that a few gaps in the Indomo list may be due to a commoner being the Indomo. However, commoners would then have appeared as "Datuek".

Time-blocks -/- Langgam 7 - Compiled Summary

Ruler = Raja Alam @ Pagaruyung

AB = Raja Adat @ Buo

IS = Raja Ibadat @ Sumpur Kudus

TG = Tuwan Gadih

BP = Bandaro Putieh @ Sungei Tarab

Mk = Mangkudum @ Sumaniak

GS = Tuan Gadih Saruaso

Im = Indomo @ Saruaso

From the Timeline of Events above, the earliest appearance of these royal titles give clues of evolution of this Minangkabau ruling structure. Most of these titles follow the female descendants of Puti Reno Sudah, the sister-in-law of Adityawarman, and likely the Bundo Kanduang of her time. The appearance of the titles, in chronological order, are as follows:-

The rank of Bandaro Putieh existed circa 1360 in the reign of Adityavarman.

Inherited through the female descendants of Puti Reno Sudah, Bandaro Putieh-1 is awarded to her son. Thereafter given to a husband or brother or son of the female line.

The rank of Rajo diBuo [abode of Raja Adat] existed circa 1425 in reign of Widjayawarman.

Inherited through the female descendants of Puti Reno Sudah, Rajo diBuo-1 is awarded to her great grand son. Thereafter given to a husband or brother or son of the female line.

The ranks of Tuwan Bujang appears circa 1480.

Tuwan Bujang-I is given to Dewang Ramowano, son of Hyang Indojati (Sumaniak), and is inherited through the male lineage.

The rank of Tuwan Gadih (female) appears circa 1500 in the reign of Sati-II

Inherited through the female descendants of Puti Reno Sudah, Tuwan Gadih-1 (of Pagaruyung) is awarded to a daughter of Rajo diBuo-2.

After 1580, the 3 ranks of Indomo and Mangkudum as well as Rajo Sumpur [abode of Raja Ibadat] appear in the records.

The ranks of Tuwan Bujang and Tuwan Gadih are not part of the Langgam Nan Tujuah but are featured prominently in the Istana Pagaruyung Records which alludes to their high status in the royal court or council called Limbago.

In contrast to popular literature as per Cindua Mato, the Istana Records show the structured division of rule really only appears after the death of Rajo Alif-1 in 1580.

-Rank- . -Istana Title- . -Year Existing- Bandaro . Bandaro Putieh . c.1360Raja Adat . Rajo di-Buo . c.1425 -na- . Tuwan Bujang . c.1480 -na- . Tuwan Gadih [female] . c.1500Indomo . Datuek Indomo . after 1580Mangkudum . Datuek Mangkudum . after 1580R Ibadat . Rajo Sumpur . after 1580
The rank of Bandaro Putieh is the obvious senior-most title after the King. It has its own lineage system which may have been the dynasty of the local ruler before the arrival of Adityawarman.The status of Saruaso (hence, rank of Indomo) is the next most senior title as indicated by Marsden* "The district of Suruwasa, containing the site of the old capital, or Menañgkabau proper, seems to have been considered by the Dutch as entitled to a degree of pre-eminence;" - as well as Jack's Genealogy "Thereafter there was a vizir a great favorite of the king, who became Mancobumi, and was styled Bandahara, and the Laksamana received the title of Inder Mah." - {although, these titles probably did not yet exist during this journey to the highlands}.

Division of Political Power after 1580 CE

Marsden* : "In consequence of disturbances that ensued upon the death of a sultan Alif in the year 1680, without direct heirs, the government became divided amongst three chiefs, presumed to have been of the royal family and at the same time great officers of state, who resided at places named Suruwasa, Pagar-ruyong, and Suñgei-trap; and in that state it continues to the present time."

Marsden inadvertantly quoted the year of death as 1680; which has caused problems for some historians. In the Istana Pagaruyung Records, the year for the "division" event at 1580 (from the death of Alif-1) makes sense using the generations estimate in the Timeline. Anyway, according to Marsden, Alif-1 died without any heirs and the political rule was split among 3 chiefs residing at:-

Pagar Ruyung {abode of the Maharajo or Raja Alam},
Sungei Tarab {abode of Bandaro Putieh}
and Saruaso {abode of Indomo}

However, the Istana Pagaruyung Records show Alif-1 as having the following issue (heirs):-

Sultan Siput Aladin (YamTuan Pasambahan)
Rajo Gamuyang I (Bandaro Putieh VIII)
Rajo Kuaso I (Mangkudum, in Sumaniak)
Puti Reno Sadi (Gadih Saruaso-1) {married to Indomo}
Puti Reno Rampiang (Tuwan Gadih-V) {married to Rajo Samik (I) of Sumpur, abode of R Ibadat}
Puti Reno Awan Tasingik

Assuming Marsden's was referring to "male heirs", then we should reconcile the lineage of Siput Aladin {Raja Alam}, Gamuyang I {Bandaro Putieh} and Kuaso I {Mangkudum} after 1580.

I am proposing a likely scenario as follows:-

Closer inspection of the Istana Records for Alif-1's information seems to indicate 3 separate persons: (a) Alif-1, (b) Bandaro Putieh VII (Rajo Bagewang), and (c) Rajo Bakilap Alam (YamTuan Garo). After all, Bandaro Putieh has always been a separate power from the throne anyway with its own lineage system. My best guess is that this "three-in-one" is the time-stamp for the division of the crown's powers, as described by Marsden, representing Raja Alam, Raja Adat and Indomo: And this marks the beginning of Langgam Nan Tujuah, as popularised in the epic of Cindua Mato.

Marsden : "In distant parts the schism is either unknown, or the three who exercise the royal functions are regarded as co-existing members of the same family, and their government, in the abstract, however insignificant in itself, is there an object of veneration."

So who were Sultan Siput Aladin and Rajo Kuaso I? A quick check on geni.com {yes, I know they're not reliable} indicates that they were half-brothers. Was Rajo Bakilap Alam (YamTuan Garo) their father? If the Minangkabau royal lineage is to continue after Alif-1, how does Sultan Siput Aladin connect back to Tiang Panjang and Adityawarman? Ideally, the half-brothers should be their descendants:

As it happens, the story of Cindua Mato with Puti Rambuik Panjang II as Bundo Kanduang gives us the best answer: Her husband was Hyang Indojati of Sumaniak. One half-brother becomes the king; while another half-brother becomes Mangkudum of Sumaniak. Suddenly, the significance accorded to Cindua Mato may be more than meets the eye.

The Minangkabau kingdom was established as a union of the Malayo realm and the Srivijaya empire through Adityavarman. The actual land occupied by the Minangkabau was originally part of the Malayo realm. As such, the Rajo of Sungei Tarab, the Rajo of Saruaso and the Rajo of Sumaniak would have always been descendants of the Malayo realm. There would have been intermarriage between the noble houses but the Rajo would still be descendants nonetheless. After the fading of the First Dynasty, the political importance of three Rajo resurfaces.

Langgam 7 in the notes of Istana Pagaruyung Records

Istana Pagaruyung Records : Silsilah Keturunan dan Ahli Waris Daulat Yang diPertuwan Raja Pagaruyung -

Notes from these Annals are stated as follows:-

Usage of Titles of Rajo Tigo Selo by Locality● RAJA UNDANG/RAJA ALAM Raja di Malayu Kampuang Dalam Rantau Tigolareh (Malayapura di Darmansyraya).Raja Undang (kemudian disebut Raja Alam) di Ulak Tanjuang Bungo dan di Malayu Kampuang Dalam (Malayapura) Pagarruyung.Raja Alam di Balai Janggo Pagarruyong● RAJA PUSAKO/RAJA ADATRaja Pusaka (Rajo Pusako) di Ulak Tanjuang Bungo dan Melayu Kampuang Dalam (Malayapura) Pagarruyung.Raja Adat di Melayu Ujuang Kapalo Koto (Balai Janggo) Pagarruyung dan di Buo. ● RAJA UGAMO/RAJA IBADATRaja Agama (Rajo Ugamo)Raja di Sumpur (Swarnapura) kemudian menjadi Raja di Ulak Tanjuang Bungo dan di Malayu Kampuang Dalam (Malayapura) Pagarruyung.Raja Ibadat di Malayu Ujuang Kapalo Koto (Balai Janggo) Pagarruyung dan Sumpurkudus.

Document Full Title: Silsilah Keturunan dan Ahli Waris Daulat Yang diPertuwan Raja Pagaruyung - Adat Rajo turun tamurun, adat Puti sunduik basunduik.

Resolving some map locations

The Palace Records describe the usage of the titles (like Raja Adat & Ibadat) by locations. At the Balai Janggo, the Royal Seat headquarters, the Rajo Tigo Selo are referred to by the titles Raja Alam, Raja Adat and Raja Ibadat. Balai Janggo as the Royal Seat is credited to "Rajo Bakilap Alam", who is synonymous with Raja Alif-1.

Previously, the Royal Seat was at Ulak Tanjuang Bungo. Bungo Tanjong is 14km from Pagaruyung. It is beside Sumpur (the other one, not Sumpur Kudus) which overlooks the great Lake Singkarak.

Other places of Interest:Dharmasraya, Bungo Tanjong,

Note: Sumpur & Sumpur Kudus are 2 different places. They are 50km apart. The evidence points to Sumpur Kudus as being the original abode Rajo Ibadat.

Quoting an online version of Cindua Mato, [pg 21] "Berkaitan dengan susunan pemerintah yang memangku dan memeluk alam ini, raja bernama tiga orang, Tuanku Tigo Sajarangan, bagai tali berpilin tiga, itulah Raja Duo Selo. Pertama Raja Sumpur Kudus, kedua Raja Buo, ketiga Anak Kanduang, anak menjadi pucuk bulat, memegang menggengam keputusan."; [pg 23] "Tetapi sungguhpun begitu, jika tidak dapat kata selesai, tertumbuk pikiran Basa Ampek Balai, mereka tidak dapat memutuskan, bawalah ke Raja Dua Selo di Buo Sumpur Kudus, di sana tempurung yang datar, air yang jernih. Tidak ada ikan yang tidak habis, tidak ada kusut yang tidak selesai.";[pg 223] "Pihak kepada rakyat Imbang Jayo, seperti tidak ada ikatan, seperti ayam tidak punya induk, kacau balau waktu itu, setengah lari ke hutan, ada yang lari ke dalam lurah, dikejar rakyat Tuan Kadi, ada yang lari kembali pulang, pulang ke kampung Sungai Ngiang, dikabarkan raja sudah mati, mati dihukum Raja Duo Selo, ialah Raja nagari Buo, serta raja Sumpur Kuduih."

Langgam 7 in Map Analysis

Langgam 7 Titles & Fiefs within Tanah Datar Regency

Raja Alam [Raja Undang]; the Ruler; resides at Pagaruyung.

Raja Adat [Raja Pusako]; abode in Buo.

Rajo Ibadat [Raja Ugamo]; abode in Sumpur Kudus.

Tuwan Bandaro Putieh; abode in Sungei Tarab.

Tuwan Indomo; abode in Saruaso.

Tuwan Mangkudum; abode in Sumaniak.

In the topological map & terrain map, the Langgam 7 districts are shown as grey circles. The altitude of the highlands flat areas is between 400 to 900m. Specific districts altitudes are Pagaruyung 430m, Buo 287m, Sumpur Kudus 354m, Sumanik 700m, Sungei Tarab 650m & Saruaso 350m. Buo and Sumpur Kudus are in separate valleys with separate rivers and with hills running alongside. Separately, in the main highlands flat area are Saruaso, Pagaruyung, Sungei Tarab and Sumanik (moving upriver respectively).

From Cinduo Mato descriptions, the Palace Records and terrain/ topology, the more appropriate title-descriptions are:-

Raja Alam, the Supreme Ruler; resides at Pagaruyung.

Raja Adat; Lord Regent of Buo.

Rajo Ibadat; Lord Regent of Sumpur Kudus.

Tuwan Bandaro Putieh; Governor of Sungei Tarab.

Tuwan Indomo; Governor of Saruaso.

Tuwan Mangkudum; Governor of Sumaniak.

Langgam 7 analysed in Time-Blocks

Persons of Langgam nan Tujuah in Istana Pagaruyung Records

Using the Time-Blocks (from the King List, which is Raja Alam), I will separately list out every appearance of Raja Adat (at Buo), Raja Ibadat (at Sumpur), Bandaro Putieh (at Sungei Tarab), Mangkudum (at Sumaniek) and Indomo (at Saruaso). I will also include the appearances of the female titles Tuwan Gadih as well as Tuwan Gadih Saruaso. This is to show the timeline dispersions of these titles. Note that Istana Records may not include persons if they have no royal connection. For example, Tuan Kadli will not appear.

Abbreviations & markings used:s/o = son of ; d/o = daughter of ; h/o = husband of ; w/o = wife of ; s/t = sister to ; b/t = brother to ; ® = Ruler.Numberings will follow that of Istana Records. Letterings are made my myself.

Time-blocks -/- Raja Adat di Buo [AB.]

Raja Adat (in Buo)

AB-1 YdP mR Indo s/o Pr Indo Jani

AB-2 s/o AB-1

AB-3 s/o Ta R Tuo® & TG-2

Time-blocks -/- Raja Ibadat di Sumpur [IS.]

Raja Ibadat (in Sumpur Kudus)

IS-a YtR Samik-1 h/o TG-5

IS-b Yt Arif BadrunSyah h/o GS-2

IS-c YtR Sari Buano s/o YdP Sari®

IS-d YtR Dandang s/o Alif-2®

IS-e YdP Gunuang Hijau s/o IS-d

IS-i Sutan Simawang s/o Bagagar-3®

Time-blocks -/- Bandaro Putieh [BP.]

Bandaro Putieh (in Sungei Tarab)

BP-1 [t Titah-1] s/o Pr Sudah d/o P Indo Jalito

BP-2 [t Titah-2] s/o Pr Lenggo Tuwo d/o Pr Sudah

BP-3 [t Titah-3] s/o Pr Lenggobongsu d/o Pr Sudah

BP-4 [t Titah-4, R Bagewang1] h/o Pr Indo Mego2 d/o Pr Indo Pito d/o Pr Lenggobongsu

BP-5 Da RanggoWano [t Titah-5, R Bagewang2] s/o Da RamoWano®

BP-6 Da SanggoWano [t Titah-6, R Bagewang3] s/o Da RanggoWano

BP-7 S Alif-1 [t Titah-7, R Bagewang4] <-- split point

BP-8 YtR Gamuyang-1 [t Titah-8] s/o Alif-1®

BP-9 YtR Manguyang [t Titah-9, Ta mR Sati3] s/o BP-8

BP-10 YtR Pangkat-1 [t Titah-10] s/o BP-9

BP-11 YdP Bagewang [t Titah-11, R Bagewang4] s/0 BP-10

BP-12 YtR Gamuyang [t Titah-12] s/o BP-11

BP-13 & 14 are not shown

BP-15 Sutan Mangun [t Titah-15] s/o YdP S Bagagar-3®

Time-blocks -/- Tuwan Gadih [TG.]

Tuwan Gadih

TG-1 Pr Maharani w/o BP-5 & d/o AB-2

TG-2 Pr Nalo Nali w/o YdP Tuo® & d/o TG-1 & BP-5

TG-3 Pr Jalito w/o YdP Batu Hitam® & d/o TG-2 & Tuo®

TG-4 Pr Pomaisuri w/o Alif-1® & d/o TG-3 & Batu Hitam®

TG-5 Pr Rampiang w/o IS-a & d/o TG-4 & Alif-1®

TG-6 Pr Baruaci w/o YdP Ahmad® & d/o TG-5 & IS-a

TG-7 Pr Kuniang d/o TG-6 & Ahmad®

TG-8 Pr Janggo w/o Bagagar-1® & d/o TG-7

TG-9 Pr Suto w/o BP-12 & d/o TG-8 & Bagagar-1®

TG-10 Aluih w/o Mk-e & d/o TG-9 & BP12

TG-11 Reno Janji w/o Muning-2® & d/o TG-10 & Mk-e

TG-12 Reno Sori d/o TG-11 & Muning-2®

TG-13 Reno Sumpu w/o BP-15 & d/o TG-12

Time-blocks -/- Mangkudum [Mk.]

Mangkudum (in Sumaniak)

Mk-a YtR Kuaso-1 [d Mangkudum Sati] s/o Alif-1®

Mk-b YtR Kuaso-2 s/o Mk-a

Mk-c YtR Kuaso-3 s/o YtR Pingai & s/o Mk-b

Mk-d YtR Balambang-1 s/o Mk-c

Mk-e YtR Balambangan s/o Mk-d & b/t YdP Hitam®NS

Mk-f YtR Balambang-2 s/o Mk-e

Mk-g Sutan Abd Hadis s/o YdP S Bagagar-3®

Time-blocks -/- Tuan Gadih Saruaso [GS] & Indomo [Im]

Tuan Gadih Saruaso

GS-1 Pr Sadi Im-a (d Indomo) & d/o TG-4 & Alif-1®

GS-2 d/o GS-1 w/o IS-b Yt Arif BadrunSyah

GS-3 d/o GS-2 w/o Alif-2®

GS-4 d/o GS-3 w/o Mk-c

GS-5 d/o GS-4 s/t Im-e Yt R Saruaso (d Indomo)

GS-6 d/o GS-5

GS-7a s/t Mk-e & s/t YdP Hitam®NS

GS-7b d/0 GS-6 & w/o Muning-3®

GS-h w/o YdP Bagagar-3®

Indomo (in Saruaso)

Im-a h/o GS-1

Im-c YtR Putieh s/o YdP Sari®

Im-e YtR Saruaso s/o GS-4

Note that GS 5,6,7 are not shown with husbands. Mostly, husbands of GS are Indomo but will not be shown (on chart) if they are commoners.

Time-blocks -/- Langgam 7 - Compiled Summary

Ruler = Raja Alam @ Pagaruyung

AB = Raja Adat @ Buo

IS = Raja Ibadat @ Sumpur Kudus

TG = Tuwan Gadih

BP = Bandaro Putieh @ Sungei Tarab

Mk = Mangkudum @ Sumaniak

GS = Tuan Gadih Saruaso

Im = Indomo @ Saruaso

Abbreviations used for Titles:c = Che (f = female)p = Puan (f)P = Putri / Puti (f)R = Raja / RajomR = Maharaja / MaharajodR = di-RajamRdR = Maharajadiraja / Maharajadhirajot = Tuan / Tuwan (m =male)T = TunkuTa = Tuanku / TuwankuB = Baginda / BagindoS = Sultan / SulthanTp = Tunku Puan (f)Yt = Yam TuanYtR = Yam Tuan RajaPr = Putri Reno (f)YdP = Yang di-PertuantG = Tuan Gadis / Tuwan Gadih (f)tGr = Tuan Gadis Renod = Datok / DatuekD = Dewi (f) Da = Dewa (m) / DewangSy = Syah/ Shah

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