1835.] in the interior of the Malayan Peninsula. 245 



bowe, where he was met and crowned in state by the four Panghdlu 

 Defdntye. Hence Rambowe is termed tdnnah krejan. 



From tbence the newly elected prince proceeded to his astdnah, or 

 palace, at Srirainanti, which is the royal burial place, and also called 

 tdnnah mengdndong. 



Peculiar Bdleis are elected by the Panghulus in their respective ter- 

 ritories, for the reception of their feudal chief, the shape and fashion of 

 which it would be deemed high treason, Angkdra Mahdrojd L&iah, to 

 alter. 



That at Sungie-iVjong is called Bdlei Melindtong , from the circum- 

 stance of its being built at right angles with the river ; and that at Jo- 

 hole, Bdlei Bertinkat, having two stories. 



The revenue of the four Panghulus is derived from the power they 

 possess in the states under their sway, of inflicting fines and levying 

 discretionary contributions, enforcing gratuitous labour, &c. The levy- 

 ing of the tenth on the crops is not in general usage. 



The real power is monopolized by them, that possessed by the Eang 

 departdan Besdr, being only nominal, and depending on opinion. 



On the decease of the first deputed prince, trom Menangkabowe, 

 Raj6 Malaywar, Raja Adil was nominated by his father, the 

 reigning sovereign in Menangkabowe, as his successor ; and having 

 arrived at Rambowe, was there duly installed. 



Raja Adil died in 1795 or 6, leaving three children, Raja Assil, 

 Raja Sabun, and Tuanku Putri, a daughter. He was succeeded 

 by Raja Itam, also deputed from Menangkabowe ; and Raja Assil, 

 eldest son of the deceased Raja Adil, became the first Eang deper- 

 tuan Mdda. This innovation was made with the concurrence of the 

 four Panghulus. 



Raja Itam died in 1808, succeeded by Raja Li'ngang Laut, who 

 was the fourth deputed prince from Menangkabowe. 



In 1812, Raja Hadji, one of the sons of the Eang depertuan Muda, 

 Raja Assil, carried off by force his sister-in-law, in consequence of 

 the Panghulu of Rambowe's refusing his consent to their marriage 

 on the ground of its illegality. A war ensued, in which the Eang de- 

 pertuan Muda, Raja Assil, who had sheltered the fugitive couple at 

 Sriminanti, took an active and decided part in their defence against the 

 Panghulu and Arnput Suka of Rambowe. The latter then sent to re- 

 quest the co-operation of Raja Ali*. This notorious chief, whose life 



* Raja Ali is about 50 years of age, low in stature, dark in complexion, of a 

 forbidding and rather ferocious aspect ; negligent in dress and person ; grossly 

 ignorant and superstitious : though, for a full enjoyment of the drug opium, he 

 would willingly relinquish his hopes of the Jannat al Firdous, in the seventh hea- 



