The Origin and History of the Name Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar

Mention Bukit Chandan, and everyone knows it is famous for the official palace of the Sultan of Perak, Istana Iskandariah, which was completed in 1933 and named after Paduka Seri Sultan Iskandar Shah, who ruled Perak from 1918 to 1938.

The village area near Bukit Chandan is truly beautiful. Anyone passing through the area will surely be captivated by the beauty and the view of the lush trees lining the roadsides, complemented by the well-arranged old houses in the vicinity. Nevertheless, many are still unaware of the origin and history of how the area came to be named Bukit Chandan. This focal point for the community, rich in preserved treasures, has its own unique story that is very interesting to learn. For our loyal readers at orangperak.com, according to stories from the elders in the Bukit Chandan area who spoke with our editor, the name Bukit Chandan was taken from the name of an elephant belonging to Sultan Yusuf Sharifuddin Mudzaffar Shah (the 27th Sultan of Perak), who ruled the state of Perak for only 10 months.

Sultan Yusuf Sharifuddin Mudzaffar Shah

The elephant belonging to Sultan Yusuf Sharifuddin was named Kulup Chandan. As the story goes, one day, Kulup Chandan the elephant ran away, and Raja Idris (the 28th Sultan of Perak), along with other warriors, went to search for and track the Sultan's elephant as far as the foothills of Gunung Bubu.

While busy searching, Raja Idris encountered an old man with a long beard wearing a white robe. The old man approached, paid his respects, and said, "Your Highness will become the Sultan of Perak. Once you are installed as Sultan, do not reside in Sayong, but build your palace on the hill by the banks of the Batang Hari. And the elephant named Kulup Chandan must be set free seven days after your coronation."

When Raja Idris was installed as the 28th Sultan of Perak, he fulfilled the promise and instructions given by the old man he met at the foothills of Gunung Bubu. Thus, on July 29, 1887, the day of Sultan Idris I's coronation as the 28th Sultan of Perak, the area surrounding the official palace of the Sultan of Perak began to be known as Bukit Chandan.

If you have some free time, come to Bukit Chandan and visit the Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery and many other interesting locations to learn about the history of the Perak Sultanate. The residents around Bukit Chandan are fortunate because the area is very calm, peaceful, and quiet, even though it is not far from the main road.

Sultan Idris I

The neighborhood here feels calm and far from the hustle and bustle of the city, given its location slightly away from the main road, and the residents are fortunate to enjoy such a peaceful atmosphere. So, this is a brief account of the origin and history of how the Bukit Chandan area was named.