Kuala Kubu Bharu
| Kuala Kubu Bharu 新古毛 |
|
|---|---|
| Town | |
| Coordinates: 3°34′N 101°39′E / 3.567°N 101.650°ECoordinates: 3°34′N 101°39′E / 3.567°N 101.650°E | |
| Country |
 Malaysia
|
| State |
 Selangor
|
| Government | |
| • Council President | Mohamad Zain A. Hamid |
| Postcode | 44xxx |
| Calling code | +6-03-60 |
| Vehicle registration | B, W |
Kuala Kubu Bharu (Chinese: 新古毛, alternately known as Kuala Kubu Baru, Kuala Kubu Bahru or Kuala Kubu Baharu; commonly referred to as KKB), is the principal town of Hulu Selangor District, Selangor, Malaysia. It was built after the town of Kuala Kubu was destroyed in a flood in 1883 (bharu is a Malay word meaning new). Kuala Kubu Bharu is located on top of a hill.
Kuala Kubu Baru, or KKB as it is fondly known, is often thought of by travellers as a sleepy town in Selangor, but a deeper look into its origins reveals a history that is both enriching and charming.
It is located approximately 70 km from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur through highway 1 and is the main gateway for people heading to one of Malaysia’s favourite hill stations, Fraser's Hill, which is a 45-minute drive away from KKB.
KKB began as a mining town in the 18th century, originally located between two tributaries of the Selangor River. In its heyday, it was the second biggest town in Selangor. It also served as a fort for Raja Mahadi and Syed Mashor when they fought against Tengku Kudin’s army during the Selangor civil war from 1867 to 1874. A fortress (kubu in the Malay language) was constructed in the area before the British colonial powers took over the town.
During the later part of the 19th century, the old Kuala Kubu was placed under administration of the Administrative Resident Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham, followed by JP Rodger and Edward Maxwell. At that time, Kuala Kubu was a gateway to the state of Pahang through what is today highway 55.
However, tragedy struck in 1883 when a heavy downpour caused the Kuala Kubu dam to burst open and flood the town, affecting its tin mining activities and killing 33 people, including the then District Officer Sir Cecil Ranking. Thirty-eight homes were also destroyed.
Ranking had supposedly shot a white crocodile which was regarded as the river guardian despite being told not to do so. According to local beliefs, his act had caused the calamity to occur and all that was left of him was his hand. Ranking’s hand was interred in a grave at the Kuala Kubu Rest House. Since then, the old town has been known as Ampang Pecah (Broken Dam), and locals termed the flooding as the Kuala Kubu Tragedy.
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Wikipedia