The Origins of Batu Gajah, Perak
Batu Gajah began as a cluster of small villages within the Sungai Terap sub-district, developed under the leadership of a chieftain known as Sri Amar Diraja since the early 19th century. Originally, settlements in Batu Gajah were recorded as starting in a village known as Kampung Sungai Terap, founded by Toh Panjang Bongkok. Because it was the first village in the Batu Gajah area to have a mosque, it became the main village, and the name of the Sungai Terap sub-district was taken from the name of that village.
After Toh Panjang Bongkok, the leadership in Batu Gajah was continued by Toh Amar Diraja Pandak 'Akal (who passed away in 1859) and subsequently by Toh Amar Diraja Naam. It is likely that the earliest historical records were obtained through the diary entries of J.W.W. Birch, who traveled up the Kinta River on April 30, 1875.
They arrived at Batu Gajah on the left bank of the river, a vast and beautiful village with fertile land. There were between 30 to 40 houses and a large tin smelting factory. Tin had been worked nearby previously, but it was now moving further upstream and deeper inland. Many people, mostly civilians, went down to the river to board boats to travel upstream.
Birch, who sailed upstream, mentioned places such as Ayer Mati and Batu Gajah on the left, as well as Sungai Terap with approximately 30 houses on the right. Further upstream on the right were Sayung and Lambung Kuda, where Sri Amar Diraja collected tributes on tin transported via the river. After passing Sungai Jerneh, Birch reached Pengkalan Kaca, the residence of Sri Amar Diraja.
Apart from that, there are many stories regarding the existence of Batu Gajah. According to the elders, in ancient times, there was a creature named Sang Kelembai (Gelembai or Gedembai). This creature was said to have the power to turn living things into stone when it spoke to them. At that time, the district was covered in dense forest where wild elephants roamed freely. One day, two elephants crossing the Kinta River were addressed by Sang Kelembai and turned into stone. The stone shaped like two elephants still exists in the Kinta River near Kampung Pisang, but it has almost disappeared due to erosion and mining activities. This legend has never been confirmed as true or otherwise. Today, Batu Gajah, Perak is a town in the state of Perak. Batu Gajah is located near the city of Ipoh, Tanjung Tualang, Tronoh, Keledang, Pusing, Simpang Pulai, and others. Batu Gajah is situated approximately 24 km from Ipoh and lies within the Sungai Terap sub-district in the Kinta district. The current Sultan of Perak was born here. The Bemban Industrial Area is also located here. Its coordinates on the map are at latitude 4.4666667 North and longitude 101.05 East. Batu Gajah is located at an altitude of 144 meters above sea level. It sits on the banks of the Kinta River, slightly downstream from the mouth of the Sungai Raya. Does anyone have information on the authenticity or the origins of Batu Gajah? Please share it with us. Adioss!!!
