Selangor in history

According to History of Selangor by JM Gullick, implement of iron and bronze which found in Klang Valley are made in the style of products d the Kingdom of Funan (flourished 68-627 AD).

Klang was among the conquest of the Indian King, Raja Chola, in the 11th century, and then as a dependency first Majapahit, a kingdom of eastern Java, and later of Malacca in the 14th and 15th centuries respectively.

During 14th century there was a meeting held in Selangor in the 14th century between two Malay leaders, Tun Jana Khatib from Pasai with the ruler of Singapore, Paduka Seri Maharaja (reigned during 1301-1400).

In 14 th century, Klang was under Majapahit. It was believed that Admiral Zheng He, who sailed during 1405 – 1433, using the maps which written about Klang River and Land of Selangaor.

Selangor was the main producer and trade center of tin. Chinese labourers were brought in to work in the tin mines. The Klang River played an important role as a main port for the export of tin to western traders.

In the 15th century, Selangor was ruled by the Sultanate of Malacca. After the fall of Malacca to the Portuguese in 1511, the area became hotly disputed between the Portuguese, Johor, Aceh and Siam.

When the Dutch displaced the Portuguese from Malacca in 1641, they brought in Muslim Bugis mercenaries from Macassar in Celebes. Renowned for their capabilities as sea traders and warriors, the Bugis soon rose to prominence in Selangor.

By 1700 they dominated the state both politically and economically and had established the present Sultanate of Selangor in 1740.

In 1850, Raja Abdullah was appointed as Klang’s administrator. He leased Klang to two foreign traders for tax collection.

The son of Chief Raja Mahdi (the dispossessed son of the previous ruler in Klang), refused to pay tax to the foreigners. In 1867, Raja Mahdi gained the support of the Sumatran Malays who had resented the Bugis. Raja Mahdi’s supporters conquered Klang and the Civil War began. Selangor Civil War happened between 1867–1873 was series of conflicts initially between Malay chiefs but later involving Chinese secret societies for control of tin-rich districts in Selangor.

By late 1873 with British aid, a Pahang army, and his Chinese allies, Selangor reversed several years of setbacks and defeated Mahdi and his supporters.

In 1957 the Federation became an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations.
Selangor in history

Bugis in Selangor

Originating from Sulawesi, the Bugis were a seafaring race and their maritime power dominated the Malay states of Johor, Selangor and Kuala Linggi. In 1667 the Dutch East India Company captured the Bugis capital city of Makassar and this intrusion acted as a catalyst for the dispersal of the Bugis people across the Malays world.

Not long after the rise of a Bugis dynasty in Aceh in 1727, Bugis power was established in the kingdom of Johor in 1728.

Intermarriage with Malay royalty and nobility enabled the Bugis to identify with and become increasingly Melayu, and their influence spread throughout the peninsula. The Bugis were so strong that they successfully installed a new sultan in Selangor.

In the 18th century, the interior of Selangor was virtually uninhabited and when the migration of Bugis from the east took place, many settled there. During the period of conflict between the Minangkabau and the Bugis Raja Kechil invaded Selangor.

The Bugis eventually drove the Minangkabaus out in 1742 but realized they needed to establish solid governments in these settlements. To the end they set up the sultanate of Selangor, only this time a Bugis family held the title.

Raja Lumu (1705–1778) was the first Sultan of Selangor. He was the son of the famous Bugis warrior prince Daeng Chelak. He took on the title of Sultan Sallehuddin of Selangor in 1742.
Bugis in Selangor