Dato' Bahaman

Abdul Rahman bin Tuanku Imam Nuh or also known as Dato' Bahaman (died 1930s in Terengganu) was a famous Malay warrior in Pahang, Malaysia during the period of British protectorate. His friend was the famous Silat warrior Tok Gajah the father of Mat Kilau. Dato' Bahaman was an Orang Besar Raja (a man who administrates the land given to him by the Sultan and a man of importance in the palace) in Pahang. He is the great-granduncle of Abu Samah Mohd Kassim, whom was also a famous fighter later became a central committee member of the Malayan Communist Party and nationalist in the Malayan National Liberation Army.

Dato' Bahaman is the son of Tuanku Imam Nuh who came from Bangkinang, Kampar, Sumatera. Dato Bahaman was said to be adopted by Bendahara Ali and a playmate to Sultan Ahmad during his childhood. When Sultan Ahmad took the throne, Dato' Bahaman had sworn to give great service to his homeland.

Dato' Bahaman was promoted as one of the Orang Besar Berlapan and was awarded the title name Dato' Setia Perkasa Pahlawan Semantan for showing his ability as an admiral in the civil war between Sultan Ahmad and the prince Wan Muhathir. He was also awarded for leading a squadron in helping Tengku Kudin in the civil war in Klang, Selangor. After the death of the Orang Kaya Indera Segera, Dato' Bahaman was promoted as the Orang Kaya Temerloh by Sultan Ahmad. With the rank given to him by the Sultan, Dato' Bahaman was ranked equally as the Orang Besar Berempat and was always summoned to the palace to give advice to the Sultan Ahmad.

The cause of the Semantan War was because of the suspicion and dissatisfaction of the Orang Besar Pahang and the Orang Kaya Semantan towards the British interference on their territories . The tension soon rose in December 1890 when a E.A Wise, a British officer, illegally set up a police station without negotiating at Lubuk Terua which was on the territory of Dato' Bahaman. When Hugh Clifford; manager of the British officers in Pahang found out the situation, he advice the Sultan to locate Dato' Bahaman in another area while the British officers investigate. The Sultan immediately, ordered Dato' Bahaman to move to the countryside nearby Kuantan. However, Dato' Bahaman refused and the Sultan sent a letter and disposed his rank of the Orang Kaya Semantan.

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Wikipedia