The Story of Kulup Chandan, the Pet Elephant of Sultan Idris I
Reflecting on history where elephants were synonymous with the Perak Sultanate in the past. An elephant named Kulup Chandan was once kept by the late Sultan Idris I (the 28th Sultan of Perak), and the elephant was tended to by Kulup Said.
Kulup Chandan lived during the reign of the late Sultan Yusuf (the 27th Sultan of Perak) through to the era of the late Sultan Idris I (the 28th Sultan of Perak). The elephant served as a mount for two Sultans of Perak. This elephant had its own unique significance, so much so that its name was immortalized on a hill that stands beautifully today, and at the Istana Iskandariah, which remains the official residence of every Sultan of Perak to this day. Based on historical accounts, when the late Sultan Idris I (the 28th Sultan of Perak) was still the Raja Muda, it is said that one day, the favorite elephant of Sultan Yusuf (the 27th Sultan of Perak) escaped into the forest, leading to a massive search effort.
The late Sultan Idris I
While searching in the forest, the late Sultan Idris I (the 28th Sultan of Perak), who was then the Raja Muda of Perak, succeeded in finding the elephant at the foot of Gunung Bubu. As the story goes, the late Sultan met an old man in a white robe with a long beard there. It is understood that the old man then told the late Sultan Idris I (the 28th Sultan of Perak) that he would be installed as the next Sultan of Perak, on the condition that Kulup Chandan be released seven days after the installation and that a new palace be built at Seri Andalan (now known as Bukit Chandan). This story may have truly happened, but in reality, the elephant was not released into the forest. This is proven by a record found in an old Berita Harian newspaper dated August 28, 1964, which mentions the name of the elephant Kulup Chandan, owned by the late Sultan Idris I (the 28th Sultan of Perak), in an event in 1913. You can refer to the article
The History Behind the Construction of Masjid Ubudiah in Bukit Chandan
for further reading.
Berita Harian newspaper clipping dated August 28, 1964
The foundation stone laying ceremony for Masjid Ubudiah was held in 1913, conducted personally by the late Sultan Idris I (the 28th Sultan of Perak). During the construction of Masjid Ubudiah at Bukit Chandan, there was a clash between two elephants that lasted for several hours during a royal circumcision feast.
Raja Chulan (left) and the late Sultan Idris I (right)
One of them was named Kulup Chandan, owned by the late Sultan Idris I (the 28th Sultan of Perak) and tended by Kulup Said. Meanwhile, its opponent was an elephant named Kulup Gangga, owned by Raja Chulan and tended by Uda Dabok. As the two elephants were fighting, they drifted toward the mosque construction site located not far from the feast area. It was then that a large amount of construction materials for Masjid Ubudiah, including marble imported specially from Italy, were damaged and destroyed. The clash between the two bull elephants was stopped by Raja Chulan before the situation became uncontrollable and to prevent further damage. Consequently, new construction materials had to be reordered from Italy to replace those that were damaged. After the late Sultan Idris I (the 28th Sultan of Perak) passed away, the elephant named Kulup Chandan was cared for by his son who succeeded him as the Sultan of Perak, the late Sultan Abdul Jalil, the 29th Sultan of Perak. Sources and references:
- Berita Harian August 28, 1964
- https://www.orangperak.com/sejarah-disebalik-pembinaan-masjid-ubudiah-di-bukit-chandan.html
