Orang Kaya Indera Segara is a nobility title in Pahang Sultanate and one of the four highest-ranking nobles below the monarch.^[1] The title traces its origin from the times of the Old Pahang Sultanate, and was historically known as Maharaja Indera Putera.^[2] The traditional pegangan ('fief') of the nobility is Temerloh, as well as the entire land between the Triang river basin to the borders of Selangor and Rembau in Negeri Sembilan (approximately the constituencies of Bera and Bentong).^[3]

During the reign of Raja Bendahara Tun Ali, the title was renamed 'Orang Kaya Indera Segara'.^[4] The title is the second-most influential among the four major chiefs, as his territory is the second-farthest from the capital.^[5]

Role

Historically, the Orang Kaya Indera Segara was part of the Orang Besar Berempat ('four major chiefs') that wielded very wide powers in Pahang. They had the authority to impose taxation and to decide all criminal and civil cases except those which involved capital punishment. In fact, their power was limited only by the capacity of the monarch to restrain them, and it varied according to their proximity to Pekan, the further from the court, the greater their authority. They were obliged to appear at Pekan once a year to menjunjung duli ('pay homage'). They had to pay a form of tribute called banchi to the monarch. Their districts were subject to serahan; the obligation to buy, at exorbitant prices, goods the monopoly for the sale of which, in certain localities the ruler was in the habit of granting to one of his favourites.^[6]

In the month of Muharram. they appeared at court with offerings. In the time of war they were required to take the field with men, arms and food. The installation of the monarch was incomplete unless the Orang Besar Berempat assisted thereat. The Pahang constitutional theory was that the Orang Besar Berempat and, to a lesser degree, the other chiefs were the foundation upon which the monarch's authority rested.^[7]

During the time of Johor Empire, the four major chiefs gave allegiance to the Bendahara as representing the Sultan, but, in time, the sovereign being to them a nebulous figure, their allegiance tended to become more and more a matter of loyalty to the Bendahara personally. This became formally sealed with the establishment of Pahang Kingdom in the late 18th century.^[8]

Succession

The titles of the Orang Besar Berempat were hereditary. When a chief died, his successor, before approval of his appointment, was required to make a ceremonial offering to the monarch. This usually took the shape of gold-hilted kris, but other forms of offering were permissible. If the eldest son of a deceased chief were unfitted for the succession, it was proper to appoint a younger son, a brother, or a nephew to the chieftaincy.^[9]

Genealogical tree

Five generations of chiefs are traditionally holding the title, until the Orang Kaya Indera Segara V, Tahir. After the death of Tahir, the title was allowed to lapse, but it has again been revived, though not in the same family, in the person Che Engku Abdul Jamal, who is a grandson of Tun Ali.^[10] From here onwards, the title has always been bestowed to a member of Pahang royal family.

See also

• Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan
• Orang Kaya Indera Perba Jelai
• Orang Kaya Indera Shahbandar

References

Bibliography

• Linehan, William (1973), History of Pahang, Malaysian Branch Of The Royal Asiatic Society, Kuala Lumpur, ISBN 978-0710-101-37-2
• Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid (2011), The Encyclopedia of Malaysia, vol. 16 - The Rulers of Malaysia, Editions Didier Millet, ISBN 978-981-3018-54-9
• Wan Haji Abdul Wahid Bin Haji Wan Hassan (2016), Pengenalan Orang Besar Berempat (Introduction to the four major chiefs), Portal Diraja Pahang. Pejabat KDYTM Tengku Mahkota Pahang