In 1808, the PagarRuyung kings approved prince Lenggang Laut to be the YamTuan of Nĕgri Sĕmbilan (a distant component of the Minangkabau federation). Little did they know that this would be their final act in preserving their dynasty. In 1815, the PagarRuyung royalty in West Sumatra were massacred by islamic fundamentalists.
Human civilisations begin with the organised settlement of agricultural lands. However, Maritime South-East Asia consists of so many scattered islands and land masses such that mastery of the seas was also necessary, especially for trade. The calm waters of the breezy Straits of Malacca guaranteed it an important midpoint transit location in the Maritime Silk Route; between China and Arabia.
Austronesian-speaking peoples refers to the group of peoples of Maritime SouthEast Asia including Oceania, Taiwan and Madagascar. The dominant common language in the region is the Malay language, and its popularity is traced to the prominence of the Malayo & Srivijaya empires.
The Minangkabau kingdom was a union of the remnants of 2 empires:-
Melayu realm (bhumi), and
Both empires were based side-by-side on the east coast of Sumatra.
Malayo from Jambi
The Malayo realm was based at the coastal city of Dharmasraya (now Jambi city) on the Batang Hari river (east-by-south-east of Sumatra).
Srivijaya from Palembang
The Srivijaya empire was based at the coastal city of Palembang on the Musi river (south-east of Sumatra).
The two territories would vie for political power against each other; especially when one became too powerful. But they also had shared interests and would unite in helping each other; especially when foreign armies appeared.
The Malayo realm was also known as the Mauli dynasty or Jambi kingdom or the Dharmasraya kingdom. Not much is known about the beginnings of the Malayo realm except that they appeared after the end of the Sailendra dynasty.
The earliest records are from the chinese monk Yijing's visit in 671 CE. He recorded that Malayo realm was absorbed by the Srivijaya in 692 CE. Later, chinese historian Zhao Rukuo records that the Malayo realm had broken away from the Srivijaya in 1183 CE and had taken over a large section of East Sumatra.
Their capital city was at Dharmasraya. As listed in the Istana Records*, the rulers of the Malayo realm were as follows:-
Tuwanku Kalokamo (Suryanarayana Malayapura)
Tuwanku Ratu 1183 CE (Trilokyaraja Maulibusanawarmadewa)
Tuwanku Tianso
Tuwanku Tiang Panjang 1286 CE (Tribuanaraja Mauliwarmadewa)
The Padang Roco Inscription from 1286 CE was a gift to Tuwanku Tiang Panjang from Maharaja Kertanegara of Singhasari. Inscribed on it are the words "bhūmi Mālayu" ^1.
The daughter of Tuwanku Tiang Panjang, Puti Reno Marak Dara Jingga, was married to the javanese Majapahit prince Adawayavarman. This union would beget a new beginning with their child, prince Adityavarman.
The Srivijaya empire was based in Palembang, Sumatra. Srivijaya were known for their maritime trade prowess, their seafaring explorations as well as the cultural spread of Mahayana Buddhism throughout South-East Asia. Their influence of the Srivijaya is still highly visible within the cultures of Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. They also promoted diplomatic and trade relations with China, the Coromandel kingdoms and Arabia.
The Srivijaya empire expanded by conquests in Sumatra with the Malayo realm (Jambi); in Java with Taruma and Kalingga; in Malay Peninsula with Langkasuka, Pan Pan and Tambralinga; in the Mekong with Indrapura. They also set-up the principalities of Sailendra and Mataram kingdoms in Java. Srivijaya established trade routes from the Philippine Islands (in Tondo) to Madagascar.
Yet, despite its major impact on the development of South-East Asia, relatively little is known about the Srivijaya empire. Stone Inscriptions credit the Srivijaya founder as Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa on a holy quest for wealth, power and mystical sorcery.
The relationship of Srivijaya with Malayo realm seems to be of a brotherly nature with power-sharing to rule the empire together. Srivijaya also coexisted peacefully to the Sailendra, the dominant empire in Java.
The Srivijaya began their decline after their imperial territories were attacked by the Cholas from South India 1025 AD. In 1183, Malayo realm broke away. In 1222, the Singhasari kingdom in took control of Java. In 1293, Java's new superpower, the Majapahit empire, took over the entire region. With the Malayo realm re-established (although lesser), the remnants of the Srivijaya re-grouped into two main directions; the Minangkabau federation and the Singapura kingdom.
Jack's Genealogy* chronicles the journey of the remnants of Srivijaya people to their future homelands in West Sumatra.
Starting from the area between Palembang and Jambi, they travel westward and cross over the mountain range to first settle at Ayer Etam. With the constant risk of attack by the Javanese Majapahit empire, they move to Indrapura on the west coast and then later to Tanjong Bunga. More clashes with the Javanese force them to move northward and eventually they settle at BukitTinggi (Highlands).
It is during this journey that the stories of the "buffalo contest" and the "bamboo cup massacre" supposedly took place in Tanjong Bunga & ending at Padang Si-Busuk [see Jack's Genealogy* pp 8-10].
BukitTinggi (the highlands) are part of the Barisan ridge of mountains, most of which are volcanic. BukitTinggi was the ideal location as its steep access was defensible, there was water for agriculture, and there was gold to be mined. The core of the homelands, is basically the great plateau between Mount Talakmau and Mount Talang with 2 great lakes of Maninjau and Singkarak in between them. Mount Talakmau is referred to as Mount Ophir, due to the presence of gold in that area.
Malayapura - refers to the capital city. Previously, Malayapura was located in Dharmasraya (Jambi) under the Malayo kingdom. In 1347, Adityavarman proclaimed Pagaruyung to be the new Malayapura.
Pagaruyung - Originally, the name Pagar-Ruyung referred to the fence (pagar) made of ruyong (or nibong) protecting their base camp at Tanjong Bunga and the name stayed in use as they migrated onward to the next base camps (Jack's Genealogy p.7). The Minangkabau maintained the word Pagaruyung to refer to the Istana (palace). During the establishment of Minangkabau (c.1347), Pagaruyung was located in Ulak Tanjuang Bungo (Bungo Tanjong). Rajo Bakilap Alam is credited with moving (c.1550) Pagaruyung to its location in Tanjung Emas.
Balai Janggo - refers to the Royal Seat & Council headquarters (located within the palace).
Loeb's Sumatra* describes the Minangkabau territory as comprising of 3 Luhak, 3 Rantau & 8 Bab. The Luhak heartlands comprise the entire highlands region. The Rantau borderlands are all on the eastern flatlands from the rivers to the sea. The Bab access entrepôt are 4 ports on the narrow west coast and 4 ports spread out on the coasts of the sprawling eastern plains.
Arriving at BukitTinggi (in Malayo territory), the remnants of the Srivijaya unite with the Malayo and are ruled by prince Adityavarman. He is credited with the founding of Pagaruyung (c. 1347 -1375) and the beginning of the Minangkabau empire.
Adityavarman's father was a Majapahit prince. His mother was a prominent Malayo princess. He then marries a prominent princess of the Srivijaya new arrivals. Not only does Adityavarman unite the Malayo and Srivijaya, this is also implicitly blessed by the Majapahit. This begins the first Minangkabau dynasty.
Dewang Palokamo Rajo Indo Deowano -or- Sri Maharajadhiraja Kenakamedinidra -or- Pratapaprakrama Rajendra Maulimaliwarmadewa -or- Adityavarman was born c.1294 to a princess of the Malayo and a prince of the Majapahit. His father was prince Adawayavarman which made Adityavarman a cousin to Maharaja Jayanegara of Majapahit. His mother was Puti Reno Marak Dara Jingga, whose father was Tuwanku Tiang Panjang (of the Padang Roco Inscription fame).
Adityavarman is regarded as the first ruler of the Minangkabau. He is credited as the ruler who defined and secured the sovereignty of the Minangkabau kingdom; politically independent from the Majapahit; and a separate identity from the Malayo. However, from the Majapahit point of view, the Minangkabau kingdom was regarded as one of their vassal states which was now ruled by one of their princes.
Either way, Adityavarman was highly exalted with many inscription stones found in his honour.
This list of Rulers was created using the Pagaruyung Istana Records. Please see sub-pages King List for more details.
Minangkabau Rulers in Pagaruyung (incl. Year of death)
1 Adityawarman d.1375 2 Ananggawarman d.1417 3 Widjayawarman d.1440 4 Duato DeoWano 5 Panjang Rambuik-II 6 Pandan RaiWano 7 RamoWano 8 Sati-II 9 Tuo10 Batu Hitam11 Alif-I d.158012 Siput Aladin13 Ahmad Sy d.167014 Sari15 Alif-II16 Bagagar-117 Bagagar-2 d.173018 Muning-1 19 Malenggang20 Muning-2 d.178021 Muning-3 d.178922 Muning-4 d.180323 Bagagar-3 d.1849During the first dynasty of the Minangkabau, the religion being practiced by them was Mahayana Buddhism. While traditional Buddhism (Sutra influenced) is based on abstinence, Mahayana (Tantra influenced) uses indulgence.
Adityavarman was said to be highly dedicated to particular rituals of Tantra in Mahayana Buddhism. Although popular Tantric indulgences include ritual sex or intoxication, it is insinuated that Adityavarman's specialty was trance-like dancing at funeral pyres.
Beyond this, Adityavarman also had a fearsome reputation as a powerful sorcerer; and considered to be an incarnation of a Bhairava (terror deity from Hinduism).
The first dynasty of the Minangkabau rulers lasted from 1347 to 1580. This period of 233 years was represented by 11 rulers.
Compiled from Istana Records, Minangkabau Rulers in Pagaruyung (incl. Yr. of death):-
1 Adityawarman d.1375 2 Ananggawarman d.1417 3 Widjayawarman d.1440 4 Duato DeoWano 5 Panjang Rambuik-II 6 Pandan RaiWano 7 RamoWano 8 Sati-II 9 Tuo10 Batu Hitam11 Alif-I d.1580Marsden's Sumatra* : "upon the death of a Sultan Alif in the year 1680, without direct heirs". Marsden misquoted the year which should have been 1580; the year Alif-1 died.
Due to the practice of royal members intermarrying between close relatives, this was an incestuous DNA accident waiting to happen. See the sub-page 1st Dynasty for more details.
The Minangkabau (presumably from the Srivijaya heritage) have a long established matrilineal Adat (tradition) and is one of the largest matrilineal societies in the world. Things like which clan-house you belong to, line of descent and inheritance follow the female line; or as they say, "follow the umbilical cord". Children belong to the clan-house, which in reality means they belong to the mother.
In Minangkabau society, the women control the household, its monies and they are usually the trade merchants. The men are expected to work or to go seek fortune and adventure.
This ancient matrilineal Adat became "popular culture" and is attributed to the marriage of Maharaja Adityavarman and Puti Reno Jalito (Juwita). Her mother was Puti Indo Jalito, a prominent descendant of the royal Srivijaya line. Her lineage from the Istana Pagaruyung Records is shown below.
Puti Jatojati-1 --+-- Guo Duato (Dingalau) | Puti Jatojati-2 --+-- Hyang Indojati (Dingalau) | Puti Sari Mayang --+-- Datuek Saribijayo | +-------+------------+Datuek Sibijayo Puti Sariputi --+-- Datuek Sari Maharajo | Puti Indo Jalito | PUTI RENO JALITO --+-- ADITYAVARMANPuti Indo Jalito had 2 husbands:
(i) Rajo Natan Sang Seto Sangkalo (Datuek Sari Maharajo Dirajo of Malayo-Dharmasraya), and
(ii) Hyang Indojati Cati Bilang Pandai {apparently a Chettiar}.
Puti Reno Jalito had 1 child by Rajo Natan and 6 children by Hyang Indojati.
Rajo P Indo Hyang Indojati Natan -+- Jalito -+- Cati Bilang Pandai | | | +-----------+-----------+-------+-+-+Ketumangguangan Parpatih PUTI RENO Puti Reno 3 others Nan Sabatang JALITO SudahFour of her children greatly define the history and legend of the Minangkabau:
(a) Puti Reno Jalito - married Adityavarman the Great.
(b) Puti Reno Sudah - the beginning of the Tuwan Gadih lineage.
(c) Parpateh Nan Sabatang - legendary originator of the lareh of the suku of Bodi Caniago.
(d) Katumangguangan - legendary originator of the lareh of the suku of Koto Piliang.
Adityavarman & Reno Jalito had a son and daughter, named Ananggawarman, and Dewi Sanggowani respectively. Rajo Annanggawarman married the daughter of Katumangguangan, Puti Reno Dewi.
Adawayavarman -+- P Dara Jingga |ADITYAVARMAN --+-- P RENO JALITO | +--------+--------+Ananggawarman Dewi Sanggowani | | P Bongsu -+- Wijayawarman | P Panjang Rambuik IITwo of Adityavarman's grandchildren, Puti Bongsu and Wijayawarman (Maharajo Sati-1), married each other (They were cousins). They had 2 children, one of which was Puti Panjang Rambuik-2, who became the first Queen Regnant.
Another 2 of Adityavarman's grandchildren (not shown here) also married each other."Birth Mother", Bundo Kanduang is a title given to the matriarch of the Minangkabau (the highest rank for a woman) awarded by the Council. Informally, Bundo Kanduang can also refer to the head of a clan-house (female). It is thought that this title was first applied to Dara Jingga (daughter of Tiang Panjang). The informal use of Bundo Kanduang continues to this day in several clan-houses.
The concept of Bundo Kanduang appears repeatedly in Minangkabau literature. "Literature" is used loosely as these stories existed mostly as oral tradition and has only recently been written down. The most famous of these is the epic of Cindua Mato. There is several variations of the story (a PDF version here). Like typical legends, the storyline is a mix of myth & interpreted history while the characters are synchretised multiple historical persons. Several characters from Cindua Mato are also featured in other literature.
In Cindua Mato, the matriarch Bundo Kanduang is a fusion of:-
(a) Dara Jingga - the Malayo mother of Adityavarman the Great
(b) Puti Indo Jalito - the Srivijaya mother-in-law of Adityavarman
(c) Puti Panjang Rambuik II - the first Minangkabau Queen Regnant
By coincidence, both Puti Indo Jalito and Puti Panjang Rambuik-2 had a husband with the title "Hyang Indojati"; and both had two husbands. In literature, the Hyang Indojati character was named Tuanku Bujanggo Salamat Panjang Gombak; or shortened to Bujang Selamat**.
Istana Records* show that, after the death of Wijayawarman, there was a period of 4 rulers who did not use the title "Maharajo". This might have been a record-keeping omission or perhaps they were similar to Regents. After Widjayawarman, the rulers were:-
Dewang Duato Deowano - brother of Widjayawarman
Puti Panjang Rambuik II - daughter of Widjayawarman
Dewang Pandan Banang Raiwano - son of Puti Panjang Rambuik II
Dewang Ramowano (Tuwan Bujang-I) - son of Hyang Indojati (Sumaniak)
The title Maharaja continues again after this with Sari Deowano Sati II. His father was Pandan Banang Raiwano and his mother was Puti Reno Kamuniang Mego: Kamuniang's father was Dewang Bano Rajawano, ruler of Sekelawi (in Bengkulu): Rajawano's father was Widjayawarman.
Wijayawarman / \P Panjang Rambuik II Dewang Bano Rajawano | | Pandan Raiwano -+- P Reno Kamuniang Mego | Dewang Sari Deowano Sati IIDari Taratak manjadi Dusun; dari Dusun manjadi Koto; dari Koto manjadi Nagari; Nagari ba Panghulu ~ From a lodge becomes an estate; from an estate becomes a town; from a town becomes a province; a province has an elder.
The Minangkabau territories are united as a confederation of districts or provinces. Each district is headed by a Panghulu with the title of Datuak.
Loeb's Sumatra* tells of extended family units called sa-buah-parui; each are headed by a mamaq. The Panghulu is "the trait-d'union {intermediary} between his sa-buah-parui and the suku, and between his family and the negari {state}".
Life in the dusun (farm) was agrarian and simple. Life in the koto (town) was mercantile and structured. A person could own a hut or house on a farm or town and that property would belong to them but later be inherited by the female line. If one was travelling or homeless, one could seek shelter in their clan-house.
Joint-ownership for property, farm or house was the usual practice for married couples. As inheritance follows the female line, eventually the female-side would own the property.
The word rantau refers to the border of the realm and beyond.
The word merantau refers to action of "venturing forth" to find your fortune and glory; as practiced by the young men upon reaching puberty. The act of merantau for young men could be searching for new lands to cultivate -or- trying out new businesses -or- even wandering off to fight military wars. In the early days, groups of young men would "venture forth" on foot, finding shelter where they could, relying on their wits and the kindness of others to embark on their voyage of discovery. With the adoption of Islam, hundreds of surau (assembly halls) were built which made overnight stays easier during merantau.
Every kampong would have their communal clan-houses while the towns would have the Rumah Gadang or "Great House". The Lareh Koto Piliang style of great-house is called Sitinjau Laut {Sea Overlook}. The clan-houses are almost exclusively for the use of the women of the clan because, in general, males are expected to find their own means of support, property and success.
Islam appeared in North Sumatra after the Srivijaya era as indicated by the grave of Sultan Malik-as-Salih of Samudra-Pasai (Kingdom of Pasai, now absorbed into Aceh) dated 1294.
For the Minangkabau, the acceptance of Islam is credited to Sheikh Burhanuddin [1646-1704 CE] of Ulakan (Pariaman) [Sheikh, arabic title for "Elder"]. He was a Buddhist who converted to Islam in Aceh. After 30 years of studying Islam in Aceh, he returned to the Minangkabau regions c.1692 where he propagated Islam through the public discussions, prayers and building of schools. Burhanuddin was an understudy of Sheikh Abdur Rauf of Singkil, the mufti of Aceh. Abdur Rauf was a disciple of Sheikh Ahmad al-Qushashi of Medina. Ahmad al-Qushashi was a prominent authority of the Shattari order of Sufi Islam.
Other noted Sufi ulama (teachers) in West Sumatra include Ismail al-Khalidi [1712-1844] and Tuan Ku Nan Tuo [1723-1830].
Historically, both Mahayana Buddhism and Shattari Islam are surprisingly similar as they (a) embrace the mystical esoteric side of religion (b) promote a "thunderbolt" methodology, and (c) have women in authority.
In the Minangkabau tradition, each person is from a clan-house (determined by their mother). Each clan house will follow the Adat customs of a particular Suku. Here, the word "Suku" means "section" or "division" or "part" and there are 4 main Suku (A Suku can have further sub-divisions which are also called "Suku" but let's put that aside).
The main Suku are aligned in pairs, taking on differing socio-political and philosophical inspirations. The suku Bodi and suku Caniago are aligned to the principles attributed to Datuak Parpatih Nan Sabatang. The suku Koto and suku Piliang are aligned to the principles attributed to Datuak Katumangguangan. The 2 directions are referred to simply as Lareh Bodi Caniago and Lareh Koto Piliang.
Jack's Undang* shows that Lareh Koto Piliang strives for a strict adherence to local laws and political structure; while Lareh Bodi Caniago strives for collective consensus and a humane approach. Most of the Minangkabau regions practice the adat of Lareh Bodi Caniago; as compared to Lareh Koto Piliang which is seen to be mostly relevant for the nobility and aristocracy. Beyond this, the different Suku have divergences mainly in aesthetic style as well as social ranking.
Geographically, the Lareh Koto Piliang clans were mostly concentrated in the Tanah Datar region, on the flatlands of the plateau; where the main districts of the royals and nobility are located. The Lareh Bodi Caniago clans are scattered about the Minangkabau territories; or wherever there was opportunity for agriculture or commerce.
Loeb's Sumatra** tells that suku (being sibs) promoted exogamy to prevent incest (ie. marry outside of your suku). The four suku existed in every autonomous negari (state) and their heads "furnish the highest council". The suku later split into 24 to 27 smaller exogamous units.
Differently for Malaysia, Adat Perpatih refers to the Minangkabau matrilineal system; while Adat Temenggung refers to the usual male-centric and patrilineal system.
From the Istana Records, I have created a "King List" from which an approximate timeline of events can be coarsely extrapolated. This is a test of reasonableness.
Some of the above events are innocuous observations but they help to put events in perspective. Here are some examples:-
Syah - In the name of YamTuan AhmadSyah, the word "Syah" appears for the first time; "Shah" is Persian for "King". This indicates a change of style by 1640 from the earlier Sanskrit "Maharaja".
Jawi - The name of YamTuan Alif, "Alif" is the first letter of the arabic alphabet, therefore we can assume that use of Jawi script would have been widespread by 1580 replacing the much earlier Sanskrit script.
Islam - We assume this period to be the "flourishing of Islam", because Islam was introduced c.1692 and, by the time of Negeri Sembilan (founded by Raja Melewar), Islam was already officially established.
R Melewar, Hitam & Lenggang - These are just to show the contemporary generations of the Negeri Sembilan rulers with the Minangkabau ones. For the Negeri Sembilan rulers, the dates of their establishments are known.
Minangkabau literature (eg. Cindua Mato) describes a structure of rule called Langgam Nan Tujuah (system of seven) made of 3 rulers and 4 ministers.
The Rajo Tigo Selo, "Principle Three Rulers" system was made of :-
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.
The Basa Ampek Balai, "Council Four Ministers" was originally made of :-
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 Langgam nan Tujuah headquarters is at the Balai Janggo in Pagaruyung. (Adityavarman was the first Raja Alam so perhaps the balai (hall) was named after his father, Adwayawarman, who held the title Tuwan Bujanggo Rajo.)
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.
The rank of Rajo diBuo [abode of Raja Adat] existed circa 1425 in reign of Widjayawarman.
The ranks of Tuwan Bujang appears circa 1480.
The rank of Tuwan Gadih (female) appears circa 1500 in the reign of Sati-II
After 1580, the 3 ranks of Indomo and Mangkudum as well as Rajo Sumpur [abode of Raja Ibadat] appear in the records.
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 1580Marsden 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.
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 Titles & Fiefs within Tanah Datar Regency
Raja Alam [Raja Undang]; the Ruler; resides at Pagaruyung.
Raja Adat [Raja Pusako]; regent of Buo.
Rajo Ibadat [Raja Ugamo]; regent of Sumpur Kudus.
Tuwan Bandaro Putieh; regent of Sungei Tarab.
Tuwan Indomo; regent of Saruaso.
Tuwan Mangkudum; regent of Sumaniak.
Marsden estimates the period of political decline as being from 1520 to 1620. The end of the Majapahit empire in c.1527 marks the start of the slow waning of Minangkabau influence in Sumatra. Regardless of whether the Minangkabau saw the Majapahit as big brother or big bully, the historical ties to the Majapahit empire greatly influenced how the region treated the Minangkabau political territories and their imperial stability.
Before this decline, the borders of the Minangkabau territories were well established with numerous settlements expanding and influencing the culture of West Sumatra. The Minangkabau were not war-like but would defend their territorial home-lands with force, if necessary.
Marsden noted that the Acehnese monarchy "extended his dominion along the western coast, and established his panglimas or governors in many places within the territory of Menangkabau, particularly at Pariaman, near the great volcano-mountain." Instead of raising troops to confront the Acehnese, the matter was treated as a claim to be settled at a tribunal of elders.
According to Dobbin*, the Aceh sultan appointed his son as Panglima (Governor) of Pariaman c.1575 in order to monopolise the gold trade. The VOC [Dutch East India Company] started buying gold through Pariaman in 1651. In 1663, the Minangkabau awarded the VOC a trade monopoly to operate in Padang mostly for gold. This ended the Acehnese creeping invasion.
Padang changed hands between the British and Dutch several times [1663 VOC, 1781 British Empire, 1784 VOC, 1795 British Empire, 1819 - 1942 Dutch Empire].
The Minangkabau had been mining for gold since before Adityawarman's appearance. Even the name "Sumatra" (Suwarnadwīpa, in Sanskrit) means "Island of Gold". Despite the Minangkabau being famous for their mercantile and commercial prowess, somehow the presence of gold in their land must have contributed to their success.
According to Dobbin, the period from 1680 to 1730 recorded high volumes of gold trading at high prices which would have made the Minangkabau extremely wealthy. However, by around 1795, the gold mines were depleted. Gold mining was quickly replaced by the cultivation of coffee beans.
The settlements of Negeri Sembilan and Malacca were intertwined due to their proximity as well as their shared ancestral links from the Srivijaya era as told in Malay Annals. After the Dutch capture of Malacca in 1641, they contacted the Minangkabau settlements hoping for a peace accord in 1643. The Minangkabau communities there were in partnership with the local aboriginal tribes referred to as Biduanda Jakun, indicating an alliance.
In 1775, Raja Melewar of the Pagaruyung, grandson of Sultan Alif II, took to the throne of Negeri Sembilan. This was in response to the Minangkabau chiefs in Negeri Sembilan wanting a royal leader to resolve their contentions according to Adat customs as well as to be part of the Minangkabau empire as protection against Bugis interference. Raja Melewar is credited with the success of forming a cohesive political state by unifying the main districts and outlying settlements.
It was fortunate for Raja Melewar to be appointed as the ruler for this distant (then) insignificant outpost of the empire. All his contemporary nobility of higher rank in Pagaruyung would have been vying for a position in Langgam Nan Tujuah or in royal court. After Raja Melewar's prosperous reign in Negeri Sembilan, his successors were thenceforth of higher rank.
Raja Melewar 1775 ~ 1795
Raja Hitam 1795 ~ 1808
Raja Lenggang 1808 ~ 1824
In 1784, the Sufi ulama, Tuan Ku Nan Tuo, was the religious head for the area of Koto Tuo and he appointed his students to head the different surau of the region. However, some of them had become militant extremists after returning from the Hajj in Mecca. They had been infiltrated by the Wahabbi (a fanatical sect from the otherwise moderate Sunni branch of Islam). On the pretext of implementing Sharia law, the intent of the Padri was a violent revolution to eradicate the region of all Adat, traditions and customs which they deemed un-islamic including pre-islamic influences like Sanskrit. Underlying this agenda was also the Acehnese imperial aspiration of conquest of the Batak, Mandailing and Minangkabau territories and its peoples.
According to Dobbin*, the Padri's militancy was propagated by Tuan Ku Nan Rinceh triggered by his recurring encounters with cock-fighting. He forbade gambling & sireh while forcing residents to wear white and grow beards; women to cover up. This puritanical fury so extremist that he killed his mother's sister for using tobacco. Any disagreement with his interpretation of Islam was punishable by death. Village by village, they burnt down, looted the wealth and killed the existing ulama and any "orang yang cerdik" (the intelligentsia). The Padri leaders spurned the teachings of their mentor, Tuan Ku Nan Tuo, and even killed his sons.
Events in the Padri War (mostly from Dobbin's work):-
1803 : Padri War began in Koto Tengah. Sultan Muning Syah IV dies. Expected to take the throne was Raja Bagagar Syah III, who was aged 14 years then.
1804 : Pagaruyung Istana is burnt down by Padri rioters.
1815 : Padri Tuan Ku Pasaman captures Pagaruyung area.
1815 : Padri Tuan Ku Lintau sets up negotiations at Kota Tengali with Raja Arifin Muning Syah (the Raja Alam, then aged around 70 years) and the important state functionaries. Instead, the meeting was an ambush and Lintau orders the massacre of the Adat attendees. Arifin Muning's 2 sons are murdered while Arifin Muning & grandson escape to Lubuk Jambi. Raja Bagagar Syah III (aged 26 yrs) escapes to Padang. Lintau then enslaves the entire region of Tanah Datar basically to grow coffee which he sells at Padang.
1818 Jul : Raffles comes to Padang to discuss support operations with the remants of the Minangkabau royal family.
1819 May : Padang transfers from British to Dutch control.
1821 Feb : Raja Bagagar Syah III and Limbago council sign a deal for the Tanah Datar region to be under Dutch control in exchange for their military intervention against the Padri.
1821 Apr : Dutch forces attack the Padri.
1824 : Dutch forces take control of the Tanah Datar region. Raja Bagagar Syah III is Regent of Tanah Datar. Raja Arifin Muning Syah is satisfied with this outcome .
1825 : Raja Arifin Muning Syah dies and the title of Yang diPertuan is "retired" from further use (encouraged by the Dutch).
1825 Nov : Padri leaders sign a peace treaty with the Dutch for recognition of their conquest lands.
From 1824 to 1831, some of the Padri had to become less tyrannical due to the large number of Hajj returnees who were questioning the Padri's rules. Within their fiefdoms, the individual Padri leaders were becoming wealthy from coffee and other goods then began to raid and attack each other.
1831 Aug - 1832 Oct : Beyond Tanah Datar, the Dutch forces attack and conquer the entire Minangkabau highlands.
On 9 January 1933, multiple synchronised attacks on the Dutch garrisons in the valley of Rao and village of Bonjol erupted, resulting in the death of hundreds of Dutch soldiers.The village of Bonjol alone had 139 dead Europeans. It was as if the entire population took up arms against the Dutch. During this time, Imam Bonjol reappears at his fortress. Soon there were numerous outbreaks of rebellion and attacks on Dutch senior officials. The Dutch uncovered the plans to obliterate their military forces and were shocked that the resistance was an alliance of Adat and Padri with documents from Bagagar Syah III. The Dutch sent their forces to quell this rebellion. On 2 May 1833, Bagagar Syah is arrested and exiled to Batavia (Jakarta). At the end of July 1833 in Agam region, 12 penghulu and 3 Padri leaders were executed. In August 1837 after years of being under siege and shelling, the fortress of Bonjol falls. Imam Bonjol escapes, later surrenders and is eventually exiled to Sulawesi.
All things come to an end.
The Minangkabau began from the Srivijaya empire; breaking away like refugees and found BukitTinggi. Adityawarman consolidated the Minangkabau bringing about the golden age from 1347 to 1520. We can attribute the success of the Minangkabau to their dexterity in farming and gold mining as well as their prowess in trade and mercantilism. A century of their slow decline from 1520 to 1620 was also a reflection of the overall changing political environment in Southeast Asia. The division of power c.1580 to the more egalitarian Langgam Nan Tujuah was probably necessary to maintain unity. As the gold flowed out the mines, the boom years from around 1660 to 1770 brought much prosperity.
The Padri killed off the Pagaruyung royal family in 1815. A violent end to a once glorious ancestry. But if it wasn't the Padri ending the dynasty, then it would have been the Acehnese; or perhaps the Dutch.
Kings come and go but, in the end, the people till remain. And the people will always be Minangkabau as long as they have their Adat.
With the Pagaruyung dynasty at an end in West Sumatra, the surviving lineage continued in Negeri Sembilan in 1824 with Raja Radin (son of Raja Lenggang). Despite numerous claimants, pretenders and usurpers to the throne, Raja Radin was finally affirmed as ruler in 1832. Since then, every YamTuan of Negeri Sembilan has been a descendant of Raja Radin.
YamTuan Radin 1824 ~ 1861
YamTuan Imam 1861 ~ 1869
YamTuan Antah 1875 ~ 1888
YamTuan Muhammad 1888 ~ 1933
YamTuan Muhammad united the state of Negeri Sembilan under a constitution where the 4 Undang (Lawgivers) of Jelebu, Johol, Sungai Ujong and Rembau elect the YamTuan from the descendants of Raja Radin. These are perhaps ripples of continuing the Basa Ampek Balai tradition from Pagaruyung.
And so the ancient line from the Srivijaya to Adityawarman and the Minangkabau royalty continues in Negeri Sembilan to this day.
Reference Literature & Information
History of Sumatra - William Marsden - ed.1 1783 [1], ed.2 1784 [2], ed.3 1811 [3] [4] [5]
Sumatra: Its History and People - Edwin M Loeb, 1935 [1]
Genealogy of the Rajahs of Pulo Percha - William Jack, 1822 [1] Malayan Miscellanies vol.2
Undang Undang of Moco Moco - W Jack, 1822 [1] Malayan Miscellanies vol.2
Menancabow - J.H. Moor, 1827 [1] [2] Notices o't Indian Archipelago & Adjacent Countries : pt.1
Menancabow - W. Marsden, 1828 [1] East-India Gazetteer ed.2 vol.2
Rembau - D.F.A. Hervey, 1884 [1]
Menangkabau Code - W.E. Maxwell, 1885 [1] [2] JRASSB N&Q no.2
Negri Sembilan: Origin & Constitution - M. Lister & DFA Hervey, 1887 [1]
Malay law in Negri Sembilan - M. Lister, 1890 [1]
Folk-lore & the Minangkabau Code in Negri Sembilan - A. Hale, 1898 [1]
Election & Installation of Tuanku Muhammad Shah - E.W. Birch, 1906 [1]
Empire of the Maharaja - C.O. Blagden, 1920 [1]
Teromba - A. Caldecott, 1921 [1]
Founder of Malay Royalty - R.O. Winstedt, 1926 [1] [2] [3] [4]
History of Negri Sembilan - R.O. Winstedt, 1933 [1]
Adat & Islam: Conflict in Minangkabau - Taufik Abdullah, 1966 [1]
Notes on the Kaba Tjindua Mato - Taufik Abdullah, 1970 [1]
Islamic Revivalism in a Changing Peasant Economy - Central Sumatra, 1784-1847 [1] - by C.E. Dobbin, 1983
Minangkabau: Background of the pioneers of Modern Standard Malay (language) in Indonesia - Khaidir Anwar, 1976 [1]
Spice Route End \ Minangkabau Culture & History [web]
Istana Pagaruyung Records : Silsilah Keturunan dan Ahli Waris Daulat Yang diPertuwan Raja Pagaruyung - Adat Rajo turun tamurun, adat Puti sunduik basunduik - compiled by Sutan Taufik Thaib & Tunku Nadzaruddin Raden c.2000 [pdf]
From c.1692, Islam was propagated to the Minangkabau areas of West Sumatra by Sheikh Burhanuddin Ulakan in the Shattari school of Sufism. In 1784, the sufi ulama called Tuanku Nan Tuo was appointed as religious head of Koto Tuo region. He appointed a large number of his students to head various surau surrounding the region. A great number of his students were Hajj returnees and had been indoctrinated by Wahabbism. They called themselves Padri. [3]
The Padri had their extremist version of Sharia law which they would implement through violent upheaval to replace the existing Adat. Historical accounts of the Padri War reveal several different ideologies. The most influential were by Tuanku Nan Tuo, Tuan Ku Nan Renceh and Imam Bonjol.
Tuanku Nan Tuo was a Shattari Sufi leader and reformist but not a Padri. He would convince villagers to rid their society of vices like cock-fighting, gambling and opium. His methods would be through discussion, education and also public protest. All the Padri leaders were once his students and he continuously disagreed with their extremist fanaticism and militant violence. In revenge for this insolence, the Padri attacked and burnt down numerous villages which were Shattari centres; instigated mass murder of the ulama and urang cerdek (intelligentsia) as well as rape and plunder. The Padri waged war against Nan Tuo's village of Koto Tuo from 1815. Nan Tuo's sons died in battle. Koto Tuo held on until the Dutch arrived in 1821.[3]
Tuanku Nan Renceh was an extremist Wahabbi puritan. Nan Renceh with Tuan Ku Lintau and Tuan Ku Pasaman were at war with the Adat and would forbid cock-fighting, gambling and sireh; and forced women to cover up. Any that disagreed with their interpretation of Islam were punishable by death. They grew wealthy by enslaving the population to grow coffee and other agriculture. While forcing residents to wear white and grow beards, they would wear red.[3]
Imam Bonjol was a mystic, strategist and visionary. Imam Bonjol with Tuan Ku Rao and Tuan Ku Tambusai were based in the northern areas where the Padri War evolved differently. Many in the north were early Padri sympathisers. While they were as militant and extremist as Nan Renceh initially, their roles were quite different. While Nan Renceh was punishing the Adat population, Imam Bonjol and Rao were developing trading routes and fortresses against the Dutch. He also enslaved the Batak people. In January 1824, he signed a peace treaty with the Dutch but a new commander arrived and dishonoured it. In 1831, Imam Bonjol attacked a Dutch garrison killing off 2 thirds of the soldiers. Later, as Imam Bonjol met numerous Hajj returnees who contested the Padri and Wahabbi extremism, he began to have misgivings, doubts and regrets. By September 1832, Imam Bonjol's was disillusioned and, perhaps seeking repentance, he walked out of his village fort and left the Padri. [3]