Sometime during
the middle of the eighteenth century, Raja Adil, a
supposed younger brother of Raja Melewar, the Yang
di-Pertaun Besar (Yam Tuan) of the Negri Sembilan
Federation, assumed the title of Yang di-Pertuan Muda, or
deputy ruler of the federation. Rembau was assigned as
his fiefdom, with the traditional Undang Luak as his
deputy. During a succession dispute over the title of
Yang di-Pertuan Besar, in which Adil's ambitious
grandson, Raja Ali attempted to wrest the title of Yang
di-Pertaun Besar, civil war ensued. The Yang di-Pertuan
Muda and the Undang Luak found themselves on opposite
sides of the dispute. After much fighting and bloodshed,
the Undang Luak pushed back Raja Ali and his supporters
to the northern regions of the province. Eventually a
truce was negotiated in 1836. Rembau was partitioned,
with the southern districts being assigned to the Undang
Luak, and the northern districts around Tampin being
recognised as a new state under Raja Adil.
During his bid for supreme power, Raja 'Ali had assumed
the title of Yang di-Pertuan Besar. In a premature move,
he had also relinquished the lesser title of Yang
di-Pertuan Muda to his son-in-law, Sharif Sha'aban bin
Syed Ibrahim al-Qadri. Consequently, on his death in
1850, Sharif Sha'aban was able to secure control over the
province to the exclusion of Raja 'Ali's sons. He assumed
the reign title of Sultan Muhammad Shah and secured some
measure of defacto British recognition. Although his
lofty titles were not recognised, Sharif Sha'aban and his
successors were accepted as hereditary rulers of Tampin
with the title of Tunku Besar.
STYLES AND TITLES: The ruler: Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Syed (personal
name) bin Tunku Syed (father's name), Tunku
Besar of Tampin.
The wife of the ruler: Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Puan Besar.
Sons, grandsons and other male descendants of the ruler,
in the male line: Tunku Syed (personal name) bin
Tunku Syed (father's name).
Daughter, grand daughters and other female descendants of
the ruler, in the male line: Tunku Sharifa (personal
name) binti Tunku Syed (father's name).
RULES OF SUCCESSION: The Yang di-Pertuan Mudas succeed according to
the rules of male primogeniture, but must also receive
confirmation from the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of the
federation.
ORDERS AND DECORATIONS: None, see Negri Sembilan.
GLOSSARY: See Malaysia, main page.
SOURCES: Ensiklopedia Sejarah dan Kebudayaan Melayu,
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia,
Kuala Lumpur, 1995. John Gullick, The Tampin Succession, Journal
of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society,
Vol. XLIX, Part 2, 1976. Norhalim Hj. Ibrahim, Negeri yang Sembilan,
daerah kecil pesaka adat warisa kerajaan berdaulat.
Penerbit Fajar Bakti Sdn. Bhd., Shah Alam, 1995. R J Wilkinson, Papers on Malay Subjects, Malay
History, Part V, Notes on the Negri Sembilan, FMS
Government Press, Kuala Lumpur, 1911.
The Leaders of Malaya and Who's Who 1957-1958. J. Victor
Morais, Kuala Lumpur, 1958.
Who's Who in Malaysia and guide to Singapore. Who's Who
Publications, J.V. Morais, Kuala Lumpur, 1967-1978.
Who's Who in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Who's Who
Publications, J.V. Morais, Kuala Lumpur, 1978-2000.