Pahang Kingdom | ||||||||||
كراجاءن ڤهڠ Kerajaan Pahang |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Capital | Pekan | |||||||||
Languages | Malay, Pahang Malay | |||||||||
Religion | Sunni Islam | |||||||||
Government | Monarchy | |||||||||
Raja Bendahara | ||||||||||
• | 1770-1802 | Tun Abdul Majid (first) | ||||||||
• | 1863-1881 | Tun Ahmad (last) | ||||||||
History | ||||||||||
• | Self rule by Tun Abdul Majid | 1770 | ||||||||
• | Independence | 1853 | ||||||||
• | Civil war | 1857–1863 | ||||||||
• | Klang War | 1872–1873 | ||||||||
• | Proclamation of Modern Sultanate | 8 September 1881 | ||||||||
Currency | Tampang, native gold and silver coins | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
Today part of |
![]() |
The Pahang Kingdom (Malay: Kerajaan Pahang, Jawi: كراجاءن ڤهڠ ) was a Malay state that existed from 1770 to 1881. The kingdom came into existence with the consolidation of power by the Bendahara family in Pahang, following the gradual dismemberment of Johor Empire. A self rule was established in Pahang in the late 18th century, with Tun Abdul Majid declared as the first Raja Bendahara. The area around Pahang formed a part of the hereditary domains attached to this title and administered directly by the Raja Bendahara. The weakening of the Johor sultanate and the disputed succession to the throne was matched by an increasing independence of the great territorial magnates; the Bendahara in Pahang, the Temenggong in Johor and Singapore, and the Yamtuan Muda in Riau.
In 1853, the fourth Raja Bendahara Tun Ali, renounced his allegiance to the Sultan of Johor and became independent ruler of Pahang. He was able to maintain peace and stability during his reign, but his death in 1857 precipitated civil war between his sons. The younger son Wan Ahmad challenged the succession of his half-brother Tun Mutahir, in a dispute that escalated into a civil war. Supported by the neighbouring Terengganu Sultanate and the Siamese, Wan Ahmad emerged victorious, establishing controls over important towns and expelled his brother in 1863. He served as the last Raja Bendahara, and was proclaimed Sultan of Pahang by his chiefs in 1881.