Saturday, 19 October 2013

History of the War between Mat Kilau and British


              Mat Kilau possessed the traits of a leader and a mature outlook far beyond his years that made him a respected person. In October 1888, while Tok Gajah was in Pekan, Hugh Clifford had come to Pulau Tawar to negotiate with Mat Kilau. This event showed that Clifford believed in Mat Kilau. Mat Kilau is a person of great honor and integrity; therefore he is much loved and revered by his followers. The numbers of his followers were too many to mention, but those that were known to have sworn their lives to him are Awang Nong,Teh Ibrahim, Mat Kelubi, Mat Ali (khatib), Awang (Imam) and Mat Tahir.

On the basis of an oppressive tax collection and arrogance of the colonial , Mat Kilau , Dato Bahaman, Tok Janggut and associates work together to start a revolt on the British. However, the rebels do not have the support of opposition movements Sultan against the British at the time. Sultan for the time being only concerned with his status and friendship with the British people and are willing to betray his own people to break the revolt in Semantan.

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