Panglima Kinta, Toh Tambak bin Maharaja Kinta Toh Chandang

Dato Panglima Kinta Seri Amar Bangsa DiRaja Toh Tambak bin Maharaja Kinta Toh Chandang (1670 - 1710) was the first Dato Panglima Kinta in the Perak State Monarchy system. Toh Tambak was the son of Maharaja Kinta, Toh Chandang bin Kulop Kinta, Toh Changkat Piatu. The Perak Palace document, "Particulars on the Royal Family and Chiefs in Perak," states that the title for the Dato Panglima Kinta is "Orang Kaya Panglima Kinta Seri Amar Bangsa DiRaja, the left wing of the government that wards off danger from its side." His lineage descends from Tun Kelalang in Hulu Kinta and from the Paloh and Kepayang lines of Toh Tambak. His territory and possessions extended from the headwaters of the Kinta River down to Kuala Punti. As for his duties, he served as a Mangkubumi (treasurer or chief minister of the Kinta district) and held military responsibilities similar to the state of a Raja, governing the region as a regional commander under the Raja.

Toh Tambak had two wives. His first marriage was in Aceh, after which he explored, opened, and settled in Kampung Paloh (the Paloh line). His second marriage was to Toh Puan Intan, who resided in Kampung Kepayang (the Kepayang line). She was the daughter of a Kinta dignitary at the time, Toh Senongsa Seri Nara Wangsa IV, also known as Toh Nyior Manis bin Toh Senongsa Seri Nara Wangsa III, Toh Tempoyak (a descendant of Tun Kelalang bin Tun Saban Balik).

This second marriage is believed to have been intended to unite two influential families in the Kinta District administration at the time: Maharaja Kinta, Toh Chandang bin Kulop Kinta, Toh Changkat Piatu (a descendant of the 2nd Sultan of Perak, Sultan Mansur Shah I ibni the 1st Sultan of Perak, Sultan Muzaffar Shah I) and Toh Senongsa Seri Nara Wangsa IV, Toh Nyior Manis bin Toh Senongsa Seri Nara Wangsa III, Toh Tempoyak (a descendant of the earliest Malay ruler of Kinta, Tun Kelalang bin Tun Saban Balik). The child from his first marriage (Kampung Paloh) produced the 2nd Dato Panglima Kinta, Toh Changkat Saga (ca 1710 - 1740), while the child from his second marriage to Toh Puan Intan in Kampung Kepayang produced the 3rd Dato Panglima Kinta, Toh Changkat Rembiah (ca 1740 - 1765). The descendants of the 2nd Dato Panglima Kinta, Toh Changkat Saga (Paloh line), and the descendants of his younger brother, the 3rd Dato Panglima Kinta, Toh Changkat Rembiah (Kepayang line), took turns holding the position of Dato Panglima Kinta, starting with the Paloh line, the 4th Dato Panglima Kinta, Toh Paloh bin Dato Panglima Kinta Toh Changkat Saga (ca 1765 - 1790). This was followed by the Kepayang line, the Dato Panglima Kinta Toh Ngah Gapor bin Dato Panglima Kinta Toh Changkat Rembiah (ca 1790 - 1815), and subsequently alternated between the two lines, Paloh and Kepayang.

The rotation of the Dato Panglima Kinta position between the Paloh and Kepayang lines became a tradition in the appointment of the Dato Panglima Kinta. The Paloh line (Pasak Paloh) administered the Kinta District from Kampung Paloh, while the Kepayang line (Pasak Kepayang) administered the Kinta District from Kampung Kepayang. Traditionally, the Pasak Kepayang also held the additional title of Toh Senongsa Seri Nara Wangsa. Usually, this position was held by the younger brother of the Dato Panglima Kinta (from the Kepayang line) because the holder of the Toh Senongsa Seri Nara Wangsa title needed to possess the bloodline of Tun Kelalang bin Tun Saban Balik. Toh Senongsa Seri Nara Wangsa is one of the 16 Major Chiefs (Orang Besar 16) in the Perak State Monarchy system.

According to the Perak Palace document, "Particulars on the Royal Family and Chiefs in Perak," the title for Toh Senongsa is "Seri Nara Wangsa, deputy to the Panglima Kinta." His lineage is "Panglima Kinta line." His territory and possessions are "Usually in Kepayang, where he oversees all trade for the Panglima Kinta." His duties are "To guard the district and the people under the Panglima's command; he governs the territory and possesses authority over the people of the lowlands and highlands." Regarding his sustenance, "He has authority over the people of both, and has rights to the sustenance from the land and territory."

The grave of Dato Panglima Kinta Toh Tambak is located next to the Kinta River, near the grave of his son, the 3rd Dato Panglima Kinta, Toh Changkat Rembiah, and the grave of his great-grandson, the 7th Dato Panglima Kinta, Toh Ngah Abdul Jaafar or Toh Ngah Jabor. There is no grave for his grandson, the 5th Dato Panglima Kinta, Toh Ngah Abdul Ghaffar or Toh Ngah Gapor, as he is believed to have disappeared mysteriously at Gunung Datok, Tambun. Main reference sources:

• Particulars on the Royal Family and Chiefs in Perak, National Archives of Malaysia, ANM 3003/0008160
• Genealogy of the Panglima Kinta Seri Amar Bangsa Di Raja and Toh Senongsa Seri Nara Wangsa, compiled by Fazil Shuhaimi Talib, published by the Kulop Kinta Family Association (PK3)
• 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
• Getting to Know Kampung Kepayang, directed by Mukriz Mahader, published by Astro AWANI
• Discussion on the Heritage and Future of Kampung Kepayang with Prof Dr. Rokiah Talib, directed by Faizal Zainol, published by ContinuallyBebas