Dato Maharaja Lela in the History of Perak
The story of the assassination of J.W.W. Birch involving Dato Maharaja Lela in Pasir Salak is very popular in the history textbooks of Perak. Many believe that this event marked the beginning of the Malay uprising in Tanah Melayu.
Pasir Salak is synonymous with the historical tale of the Malay people's resistance against the British colonialists, who overstepped their boundaries according to their own rules and failed to respect Malay customs and culture.
Introduction to Dato Maharaja Lela
Dato Maharaja Lela is a title that is very familiar in the history of Perak; it is not the name of an individual, but a title that signifies their authority.
During that era, the title of Dato Maharaja Lela was held by one of the eight major chiefs of Perak. Today, the title of Toh Seri Maharaja Lela is held by one of the sixteen major chiefs of Perak.
Dato Maharaja Lela was the highest position among the Eight Major Chiefs (Orang Besar Lapan). According to tradition, the role of Dato Maharaja Lela was to carry out punishments as directed or ordered by the Sultan of Perak.
Who was the Famous Dato Maharaja Lela?
In Pasir Salak, Pandak Lam Bin Maharaja Lela Maulud was the real name of the individual who held the title of Dato Maharaja Lela. He was said to be a descendant of Daeng Selili (Haji Besar), who was a prince of the Bugis King from the Luwuk District in Sulawesi.
During the reign of the late Sultan Mudzaffar Shah III (the 15th Sultan of Perak), Daeng Selili came to Perak in 1743 and was appointed as a mufti, and was awarded the title Dato Maharaja Lela Tan Lela Putera Panchong Ta' Bertanya (Executioner Without Question).
Like Daeng Selili, Pandak Lam also received the same title, Dato Maharaja Lela, and he played a very important role in resisting the British government in Perak.
The Assassination of J.W.W. Birch
Pandak Lam was among the individuals involved in planning the assassination of J.W.W. Birch, who was the first British Resident in Perak. Besides him, others involved included Dato Sagor and Ngah Kandin.
After the assassination of J.W.W. Birch in Pasir Salak on November 2, 1875, Pandak Lam became one of the most wanted individuals to be captured.
The British issued a reward of $6,000 on January 13, 1876, for anyone who could successfully capture Dato Maharaja Lela, and $3,000 for anyone who captured Dato Sagor and Pandak Indut.
The Capture of Dato Maharaja Lela
Pandak Lam was later captured and tried in a court of law, which at that time was presided over by Sultan Idris I (the 28th Sultan of Perak) before he ascended the throne.
The court trial took place from December 14, 1876, to December 22, 1876, and Pandak Lam was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.
Pandak Lam was later executed by hanging on January 20, 1877, in Taiping, along with Dato Sagor, who was involved in the assassination of J.W.W. Birch.
Pasir Salak Historical Complex
The historical complex in Pasir Salak was built with the hope that the younger generation would always remember the bloody events of Pasir Salak that occurred in 1875.
Operating Hours
- Saturday to Thursday: From 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Friday: From 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Reopens from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
Tickets to the Time Tunnel
- Adults RM 4.00
- Children RM 2.00
The event was the beginning and the climax of the Malay movement against the British colonialists in Perak, serving to honor the services and sacrifices of the warriors who defended the dignity of the nation and country.
A Deeper Story at Pasir Salak
To delve deeper into the Pasir Salak Historical Complex, you can refer to our previous article published at Exploring the Story at the Pasir Salak Historical Complex.
As additional information, we recommend that you read and follow the brief explanation of what happened on the second day of Hari Raya in 1875 at Pasir Salak.
The article regarding The Detailed Story of JWW Birch's Final Moments was written previously and makes for very interesting reading if you wish to know more about the event in depth.
