Government and Politics/ Contents

Precursors to nationalism: The armed resistance

Nik Mohamed Nik Mohd Salleh

The Pangkor Treaty of 1874 enabled the British to achieve authority in the Malay states. Constitutionally, the states were to be ‘protected' sovereign states, retaining their Malay Rulers. Practically, however, the British Resident could extend his control as far as the British wished. This prompted armed opposition from the Malays. British colonial manoeuvring also engendered resistance in the northern Borneo states.

  • Information in the full article includes
  • Latent nationalism
  • The Perak war, 1875
  • The Pahang war, 1891–1895
  • The Mat Salleh revolt
  • The Kelantan revolt, 1915
  • The Terengganu revolt, 1928
Maharaja Lela

Artist's impression of Maharaja Lela c. 1875.