Negeri Sembilan Dynasty

Raja Melewar - The council of Sultan Malenggang Alam of Pagaruyung appointed his uncle, Raja Mahmud (Rajo Mangiang), to rule this new outpost of the Minangkabau empire. Raja Mahmud was grandson of Sultan Alif II of Pagaruyung. He later became known as Raja Melewar upon ascension to the Negeri Sembilan throne.

Prior to Raja Melewar, the districts were separately vying for power against each other while a greater problem of interference, incursions and invasion loomed over them from Bugis controlled Johor and Selangor. All this amid the stream of imposters claiming the throne, including Raja Kasah, Raja 'Adil and Raja Khatib.

Raja Melewar is credited with the successful unification the main districts and numerous outlying settlements into a cohesive political state we now know as Negeri Sembilan.^1 He was installed as the first Yang diPertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan at Penajis in Rembau with the endorsement of all the territorial chiefs.^2 He ruled as YamTuan from 1775 until his death in 1795.

YamTuan Radin - As the Pagaruyung Kingdom was in tatters in West Sumatra, YamTuan Lenggang looked to continue the dynasty with what was left in Negeri Sembilan. He proposed his young son, Raja Radin (Raden), to be the next YamTuan but the district Undangs were hesitant.

After he died, there were 5 claimants to the throne: (1) the swashbuckler Raja Kerjan (proxy for Sungai Ujong chief), (2) the dubious Raja Sati (Laboh) sent from Siak (also proxy for Sungai Ujong), (3) the braggard Raja Ali, nephew of Sultan Ibrahim of Selangor (4) the youthful Raja Radin, and (5) the unknown Raja Beringin but suddenly self-appointed guardian of Radin. Raja Beringin was largely ignored; while Raja Sati bickered against his benefactor and was removed. In 1832, the Negri chiefs vehemently objected when Raja Ali declared himself YamTuan and his son-in-law, Sayid Sha'ban as YamTuan-Muda. Ali & Sha'ban went to war with the Linggi chief and attempted the murder of the Undang of Rembau. The Negeri chiefs abandoned their machinations, rallied around Raja Radin, elected him to the Seri Menanti throne and went to war against Ali & Sha'ban. Raja Ali was driven out; Sha'ban eventually became the chief of Tampin; while Raja Kerjan was later killed by the Temenggong of Muar for stealing buffalo.^1

With the appointment of YamTuan Radin, the blood line to the Minangkabau Pagaruyung dynasty remained unbroken. YamTuan Radin ruled for 30 years before he died in 1861.^2 He had 2 sons, Tunku Antah and Tunku Lintau.

YamTuan Antah - Upon the death of Yamtuan Imam, the 2 claimants to the throne were Tunku Antah and Tunku Ahmad Tunggal. With no consensus forthcoming, Datuk Siamang Gagap elevated the widow of YamTuan Radin, Tuanku Puan Intan as the Regent from 1869 to 1872.

The Undang of Johol supported Tunku Antah; the Undang of Sungai Ujong was backing Tunku Ahmad Tunggal; the Undang of Jelebu was undecided with their own problems; the Undang of Rembau wanted their own independence.^1 After 3 years of wrangling, Tunku Antah was elected as Yamtuan in 1875.^2

During this time, the British administration was attempting to obtain border treaties and commercial agreements with all the states and districts in the Malay peninsula. The Undang of Sungai Ujong signed with the British but without any reference to the ruler nor the other Undangs. This eventually culminated into the 1876 Battle of Bukit Putus wherein the united forces of Negeri Sembilan attacked the British protecting Sungai Ujong. Yamtuan Antah's forces were eventually defeated by British infantry and artillery. YamTuan Antah surrendered to the British in Johor and was demoted to "YamTuan Seri Menanti" but he was still determined to obtain an equitable agreement for the entire State. At the urging of the Sultan of Johor, the Governor of the Straits Settlements agreed to reconcile the dispute between Sungai Ujong and the other districts. Suggestions to the British from the Undang of Sungai Ujong amongst others was the installation of a new Sultan (from Muar) and appointing Tunku Ahmad Tunggal as "Malay Captain" for all territories except Sungai Ujong. By 1877, every district and territory in Negeri Sembilan had separate agreements with the British which included arbitration by the Sultan of Johor; but this proved unworkable.^2 In 1887, witnessed by the British Governor of the Straits Settlements, a new agreement was signed by the chiefs of Johol, Inas, Ulu Muar, Jempol, Terachi and Gunung Pasir. Through this agreement, they acknowledge and ratify YamTuan Antah as Yamtuan Sri Menanti; the ruler of the Sri Menanti Confederacy.^1

YamTuan Antah died in 1888, a victim of a smallpox epidemic.^2 In 1889, the districts of Rembau and Tampin joined the Confederacy to bear the historic name of the Nine States - Negeri Sembilan.^1