Raja Haji Riau

Raja Haji Fisabilillah was born at Ulu Sungai, Riau in 1725. He was a fearless warrior and a pious Muslim of Bugis origin.

He led a mercenary force against the Minangkabau invasion in the Johor-Riau-Lingga Kingdom and thus played a crucial role in resorting the Malay sultanate in the eighteenth century.

Malay sultan granted him the office of Yang Dipertuan Muda Riau Malay Empire in 1777. According to Tufhat an-Nafis, the empire was at the peak of power. Under his influence Johor-Buginese authority was imposed on the principal Malay States flanking the Straits of Malacca. These included Jambi and Indragiri on Sumatera.

Riau’s harbor was regularly frequented by hundreds of Buginese, Javanese, Siamese and Chinese vessels, trading in fine goods and staples ranging from European chintz, Javanese batik and silk-weave from nearby island to Siantan to the best shellac and top quality Siam rice.

It was the time when many junks form China and many ‘khatibs’ from Java came to Riau to teach religion. 

In January 1784, Raj Haji began massing troops from Selangor, Riau and Rembau. Two weeks afterwards, he and his allies attacked Malacca. Their effort were thwarted by the arrival of Netherlands government fleet commanded by Admiral Peter van Braam in May 1784 with orders to impress local lords with the power of the Netherlands.

Van Braam attacked Riau in June 1874. Raja Haji later was killed by the Dutch at in Teluk Ketapang Melaka on 18 Jun 1784.
Raja Haji Riau