Antah of Negeri Sembilan

Tuanku Antah ibni Almarhum Yamtuan Radin (Jawi: ; 1812 – 22 October 1888) was the sixth Yamtuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. He ruled from 1874 to 1888 and was known for trying to keep Negeri Sembilan free from British intervention. His son Tuanku Muhammad Shah succeeded him and modernised the state.

History

Sungai Ujong

His struggle against the British began in March 1872 when Datuk Kelana Syed Abdul Rahman, who governed Sungai Ujong (modern-day Seremban) allowed the British to open a tin mine and set up their operations within his domain. With the help of British soldiers, he defeated his enemy Datuk Bandar Tunggal and burned Rahang.

As the appointment of a foreigner, Resident Captain Patrick J. Murray, into Datuk Kelana's court was seen by other local officials as a telltale sign of a British invasion, the officials crowned Tunku Antah as the Yamtuan of Seri Menanti, who did not recognise Datuk Kelana's authority.

On 5 December 1875, the British used Datuk Kelana's cannons to fight against Tuanku Antah. After an hour-long shootout, Hinxman and Peyton advanced through a swamp to destroy Tuanku Antah's fort, but they were not able to find him, and Tunku Laksamana took his place to govern Seri Menanti.

Sultan Abu Bakar then advised him to make peace with the British. In May 1876, Tuanku Antah arranged a meeting with the four Undangs of Negeri Sembilan between them and William Jervois, the Governor of Singapore. Under a peace treaty between all the belligerents, the British agreed to allow Tuanku Antah to rule Seri Menanti, Johol, Ulu Muar, Jempol, Terachi, Gunung Pasir, and Ineh, and renamed his title Yang di-Pertuan Seri Menanti while the other regions of Negeri Sembilan would continue to be ruled by their respective leaders, and Sungai Ujong remained under British rule. His grandson, Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Tuanku Muhammad later became the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.