Skip to main content

Che Muda's house at Kuala Kangsar, 1876

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/BAM 3/44

Scope and Contents

251 x 198 mm. Showing Frank SWETTENHAM, Captain SPEEDY, Raja Indut and Raja Abdulrahman standing with a group of Sepoys and Malays outside Che Mudas house. The photograph was taken during the military occupation of Perak by Major McNair. McNair (1878, p. 168-169) gives this description: 'The residence of the Princess of Perak at Quella Kungsa gives - as will be seen in the illustration, from a photograph taken by the author during the Governors progress - a very full idea of a Malay noble residence. The house to the left is really the kitchen, while that on the right is, as far as its principal apartment is concerned, fitted up with a bed which occupies about two-thirds of the room, greatly resembling in matter of size the Bed of Ware. This house, with the whole of the campong adjoining, was placed by Inche Maida at the disposal of the British during the disturbances, and formed the headquarters of the general commanding and the commissioner with the contingent of troops from India.' Following Birch's murder in November 1875, Swettenham and Innes attacked the Pasir Salak stockade and after an initial repulse (during which Innes was killed) the village was taken. In view of the disturbed state of the country, and in order to impress upon the inhabitants the reality of British control, it was felt that further military action was necessary and troops were sent in from India and Hong Kong under the command of Major General F. Colbourne and Brigadier General John Ross. Ross, in command of the Indian contingent, made his headquarters at Kuala Kangsar (Chinese troops were stationed at Bandar Bharu). The troubles in Perak were in fact swiftly quelled, although a military presence was retained in the state for a further year. The instigators of, and accessories to Birchs murder were caputred and put on trial, the main participants (Maharaja Lala, Dato' Sagar and Pandak Indut) being executed and several others of those involved (Sultan Badulla, the Mentri of Perak, Dato' Laksamana and Dato' Shabander) being exiled to the Seychelles.

Dates

  • Creation: 1876

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

From the Fonds:

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Language of Materials

English

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Fair condition, slight fading and a few folds.

Related Materials

Historical details of Birch's murder are at BAM 3/43.

Bibliography

A woodcut based on the print is in McNair, Fred. (1878), Perak and the Malys: sarong and kris, London : Tinsley Bros., opposite page 169.

General

PJ. Publication details verified from the British Library's Public Catalogue.

Originator(s)

McNair, Frederick Adolphus

Finding aid date

2002-05-10 15:58:42+00:00

Includes index.

Repository Details

Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository

Contact:
Cambridge University Library
West Road
Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom