Kulop Kinta, Toh Changkat Piatu bin Sultan Mansur Shah I

Kulop Kinta is a title meaning Head of Kinta or Chief of Kinta. The sole holder of this title was Toh Changkat Piatu bin Sultan Mansur Shah I (the 2nd Sultan of Perak). Sultan Mansur Shah I married the daughter of a Tok Batin (an Orang Asli Chief - Semang tribe) in Kuala Kinta. From this marriage, they were blessed with a son named Toh Changkat Piatu, who became the District Ruler of Kinta. Toh Changkat Piatu was the younger brother of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Shah (the 3rd Sultan of Perak) and Sultan Tajul Ariffin Shah (the 4th Sultan of Perak). His son was named Toh Chandang bin Kulop Kinta (Maharaja Kinta), Toh Changkat Piatu. The title of Maharaja Kinta, given to his son, was bestowed by Sultan Muzaffar Shah II (the 10th Sultan of Perak), who was also his nephew. His grandson, Toh Tambak bin Maharaja Kinta (Panglima Kinta I), Toh Chandang, married Toh Puan Intan binti Toh Senongsa Seri Nara Wangsa IV, Tok Nyior Manis, who was the great-great-great-granddaughter of Tun Kelalang bin Tun Saban Balik, the first Malay Ruler of the Kinta District since 1528.

The marriage between them led this family to hold two major positions in the Kinta District: the Panglima Kinta Seri Amar Bangsa Di Raja (one of the Orang Besar Lapan) who governed the Kinta District, assisted by the Toh Senongsa Seri Nara Wangsa (one of the Orang Besar Enam Belas) who led Kampung Kepayang.

There is a myth that tells of Toh Changkat Piatu and his followers sailing along the Kinta River. During the voyage, they experienced something strange while passing through the limestone mountain area at Gunung Cheroh. The distance between Gunung Cheroh and Kuala Kinta is approximately 100km via the river flow. As the story goes, the boat they were on could not continue its journey when it reached the foot of Gunung Cheroh because the path was narrow and shallow. At the edge of Gunung Cheroh, they heard rhythmic bell-like sounds, so they stopped. Suddenly, a flying lizard jumped into the water to cross. Every time the lizard stopped, the rhythmic sound vanished. Toh Changkat Piatu then said, "Listen to that; this river shall be named Genta, because of that rhythm." The flying lizard then disappeared along with the rhythmic sound as soon as it reached the other side. One night, Toh Changkat Piatu dreamt that he was visited by the guardian spirit of Gunung Cheroh named Genta. In the dream, the spirit gave inspiration and blessings to Toh Changkat Piatu to use the title Kulop Genta and told him that he and his descendants would one day become the Great Chiefs (Orang Besar) of the Kinta District.

Following the dream, Toh Changkat Piatu chose the name Kulop Genta as his title and decided to settle there with his followers. He married the daughter of a Tok Batin (an Orang Asli Chief - Temiar tribe) named Puteri Mazwin. The influence of Jawi script caused 'Genta' to be pronounced as 'Kinta' today, further aided by European adaptation of the name over the last 200 years. 'Kinta' is the Chinese pronunciation used by the British in their documentation. Over time, 'Genta' was read as 'Kinta' by the Chinese community and the British colonialists. Source:

• Salasilah Keturunan Panglima Kinta Seri Amar Bangsa DiRaja (Pasak Paloh - Pasak Kepayang), compiled by Fazil Shuhaimi Talib, published by the Panglima Kinta Descendants Association
• Riwayat Kinta, written by Abdul Talib Ahmad, published by Pustaka Rusna
• Titles and Ceremonial Traditions of the Royalty and Nobility of the State of Perak, Malaysia, written by Dr. Adib Vincent Tung, published by Perak Academy
• Kenali Kampung Kepayang, directed by Mukriz Mahader, produced by Astro AWANI
• Tanah Secupak: Kampung Kepayang documentary, directed by Faizal Zainol, produced by Continuallybebas
• Panglima Kinta Pasak Kepayang yang Terakhir: Ngah Jabor @ Toh Gemok documentary, directed by Faizal Zainol, produced by Continuallybebas