History

NEGERI SEMBILAN DARUL KHUSUS

map of Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan simply means 'Land of Nine States'. The name is so-called because it once comprised nine separate districts, each ruled by a Malay Chieftain. Seremban, its capital is easily accesible by road and rail to Kuala Lumpur, about 50 kilometres away. Among the main attractions of the town are the Cultural Handicraft complex, the State Museum, the State Mosque and the Lake Gardens.

The name is believed to derive from the nine districts or negara (now known as luak) settled by the Minangkabau, a people originally from West Sumatra (in present-dayIndonesia). Minangkabau features are still visible today in traditional architecture and the dialect of Malay spoken.

Raja Melewar

The Minangkabaus from Sumatra settled in Negeri Sembilan in the 14th century under the protection of the Malacca Sultanate, and later under the protection of its successor, the Sultanate of Johor. As Johor weakened in the 18th century, attacks by the Bugisforced the Minangkabaus to seek protection from their homeland. The Minangkabau ruler, Sultan Abdul Jalil, obliged by sending his near relative, Raja Melewar. When he arrived, he found that another royal, Raja Khatib had already established himself as ruler. He declared war against Raja Khatib and became the ruler of Negeri Sembilan. 

The Sultan of Johor confirmed his position by granting the title Yang di-Pertuan BesarNegeri Sembilan (He Who is Highest Lord of the Nine States) in 1773. After Raja Melewar's death, a series of disputes arose over the succession. For a considerable period, the local nobles applied to the Minangkabau ruler in Sumatra for a ruler. However, competing interests supported different candidates, often resulting in instability and civil war.


Reference: http://www.cuti.my/guide_n9.htm