From the Minangkabau main page, this page contains the original texts from the sections on Negeri Sembilan. This allows the main page to be amended and made shorter.
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
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.
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.
Raja Hitam - Following the death of Raja Melewar in 1795, the same council of leaders once again set out on a journey to their ancestral land. By this time, Negeri Sembilan had risen in importance in the Minangkabau empire. In 1795, the council of Sultan Muning Syah III of Pagaruyung appointed his uncle, Raja Hitam (Rajo Samik II), as Yamtuan Besar. Raja Hitam was son of Sultan Bagagar Syah I of Pagaruyung. Following the Minangkabau matrilineal tradition, Raja Hitam married Raja Melewar's daughter,^2 Tunku Aishah, but they had no children. As a diplomatic gesture, Raja Hitam also married the widow of the brother of Sultan Ibrahim of Selangor;^1 begetting 4 children, including a daughter, Tunku Ngah. He died in 1808.
Raja Lenggang - Once again in 1808, the leaders of Negri Sembilan went to Minangkabau in search of someone to replace their leader. At this time, the Minangkabau Confederacy was in the middle of the Padri War against religious militant extremists promoting Wahabbism. The council of Sultan Bagagar Syah III (Sultan Tangkal Alam Bagagar & MuningSyah V) of Pagar Ruyung appointed his uncle, Raja (Ali) Lenggang Laut. Raja Lenggang was the son of Sultan Malenggang Alam of Pagaruyung. YamTuan Lenggang established the royal residence at the town of Seri Menanti.^2 He wedded Raja Hitam's second daughter, Tunku Ngah. They had two sons: Tunku Radin and Tunku Imam. YamTuan Lenggang died in 1824.
End of the Dynasty in Minangkabau West Sumatra - In 1824, the Undangs could not embark on a trip to meet the Raja of Pagar Ruyong because, by then, the Pagaruyung Dynasty was mostly destroyed. During the Padri War, a truce meeting with the Minangkabau royal family in 1815 was in reality a planned mass murder of the royal family by the Wahabbi leader, Tuan Ku Lintau. The Dutch military forces took possession of Minangkabau territories in 1821. Thus, for the first time in its history, Negri Sembilan would have its own hereditary leader to continue the Pagaruyung Dynasty.
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 Imam - After the death of YamTuan Radin, his son Tunku Antah was quite young and after some consternation among the Negeri chiefs, they appointed Raja Imam as YamTuan in 1861.^1^2 YamTuan Imam ruled for eight years and died in 1869. He had a son, Tunku Ahmad Tunggal.
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
Tuanku Muhammad Shah - In 1888, the son of Yamtuan Antah, Tuanku Muhammad Shah at the age of 22 years took on the title of Tuanku and was declared Yang diPertuan Besar of the Sri Menanti Confederacy. With the final 2 districts joining, on 29 April 1898, he was installed as the Yang diPertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.^1 This marks the formal adoption of a State Constitution wherein the chiefs of territories of Jelebu, Johol, Sungai Ujong and Rembau are officially elevated in status of Undang; and the YamTuan would exercise control over the districts of Gunung Pasir, Inas, Jempol, Terachi & Ulu Muar.^2 Tuanku Muhammad died in 1933.
Istana Pagaruyung Records - compiled by Sutan Taufik Thaib & Tunku Nadzaruddin Raden c.2000 [pdf]
RAJA MELEWAR
The Istana Pagaruyung Records shows Raja Melewar as also having a designation of Yamtuan Rajo Mangiang. His lineage is shown as follows:-
Mother: Puti Reno Duato
Father: Rajo Masa Bumi
Sister: Puti Reno Bulan
Wife: Che Sani
Daughter: Tunku Puan Intan (R Khalad)
Son: Raja Totok
Daughter: Tunku Aisyah
The lineage of P.R. Duato is as follows:-
Mother: Tuwan Gadih Saruaso-III
Father: YdP Sulthan Alif-II
Brother: YdP Raja BagagarSyah Alam
Brother: YdP Tuwanku Rajo Sumpur (Yt R Dandang)
Sister: Tuwan Gadih Saruaso-IV
Sister: Puti Reno Jati
YdP S Alif-II --+-- tG Saruaso-III
|
+-------+------+----------------+-----------+---------+
YdP R Bagagar-I tG Saruaso-IV Ta R Sumpur Pr Jati Pr Duato
Sy Alam Dandang
continuing...Pr Duato --+-- Rajo Masa Bumi
|
+-----+--------+
Pr Bulan YdP R Melewar -+- Che Sani
|
+---------+----+-----+
Tp Intan R Totok T Aisyah
RAJA HITAM
The Istana Pagaruyung Records shows Raja Hitam as also having a designation of Yamtuan Rajo Samik-II. His lineage is shown as follows:-
Mother: Tuwan Gadih Mudo
Father: Yamtuan Rajo Balambang-I (Datuek Mangkudum)
Sister: Puti Reno Indun Sari
Brother: Yamtuan Rajo Balambangan (Datuek Mangkudum)
Sister: Tuwan Gadih Saruaso-VII
Wife: Tunku Puan Intan (R Khalad)
Daughter: Tunku Puan Ngah
Son: Tunku Alang Hasan
Son: Raja Undok
Son: Tunku Ibrahim
Yt R Balambang-I --+-- tG Mudo
|
+------------+-----+--------------+-----------------+
Pr Indun Sari Yt R Balambangan tG Saruaso-VII YdP Hitam
continuing...YdP Hitam --+-- Tp Intan
|
+-------+-+---------------+----------+
Tp Ngah T Alang Hasan R Undok T Ibrahim
RAJA LENGGANG
Yam Tuan Raja Ali @ Yamtuan Raja Lenggang has lineage as follows:-
Mother: Puti Reno Indun Sari
Father: YdP Malenggang Alam (Yt Rajo Naro-I)
Wife: Tunku Puan Ngah
Son: Yam Tuan Raden
Son: Yam Tuan Janggut (R Ulin) (Yt Imam)
YdP Malenggang Alam --+-- Pr Indun Sari
|
Yt R Ali Lenggang --+-- Tp Ngah
|
+--------+--------+
Yt Raden Yt Janggut