The Larut Wars
TA I P I N G - L I F E A N D S O U L Klian Bahru
A
series of wars broke out among the miners over the control of the waterway, which was crucial to tin mining activities. Known
as the Larut Wars, it eventually led to the intervention of the British in the administration of the Malay States. It was an important factor in the formation and planning of Taiping as a city and demonstrated
VER
the importance of Taiping as a tin mining capital.
Klian Pauh
Kota
The first of the Larut Wars broke out in 1861 between the Chen Sang
Ah Oon
LARUT
and the Fui Chew miners, which led to the first British intervention.
Simpang
RI
(Per)Matang LARUT ESTUARY
Ngah Ibrahim was forced to pay a heavy compensation to the Ghee
Telok Kerting
Matang Glugor
ER
RIV
SPEEDY’S CAMP
Hin (another Chinese secret society) leaders in Penang who financed part of the tin mining operation in Larut.
Changkat Jering
In 1865, trouble broke out again. Following the Second Larut War,
AU
LIM
Bukit Gantang
to Kuala Kangsar
most of the Fui Chew miners left Klian Bahru who were then replaced by the Nan Seng Cantonese (offshoot of the Ghee Hin) miners. The Third Larut War occurred between 1871-1874 among the Hai
Stockades :
Roads
San and Ghee Hin miners. Having lost control of his territory,
Footpath
Ngah Ibrahim employed Captain T. C. S. Speedy in 1873 to remedy
Hai San Ghee Hin
the situation. However, the British only became directly involved in Taiping after the Pangkor Treaty in 1874. It was agreed that the British would help Raja Abdullah to ascend to the Perak throne and he in turn agreed to accept a British officer as his adviser. Taiping was then effectively under the control of the British, replacing the administration of Ngah Ibrahim who was not a loyal supporter of Raja Abdullah.
20 Tin mining activity in Taiping in late 1880’s