Pö Rachman was a rich Klingalese (Chulia) trader who in 1185 A.H. / 1771 A.D. went to Koeta Radja with sixteen notables and received a sarakata (royal charter) from Sultan Mahmoed Sjah (reigned 1760–1781), designating him Keudjroeën Tjhi and tax collector. This sarakata established the Kawaj XVI federation of sixteen dignitaries in the Meulaböh region.
The sarakata and Kawaj XVI
The sarakata given to Pö Rachman by Sultan Mahmoed Sjah designated him as Keudjroeën Tjhi (a title of old Javanese origin, Këdjoeroean) and made him the principal tax collector in the Meulaböh region. The sixteen dignitaries who accompanied him or were designated in the sarakata formed the Kawaj XVI federation — a council of sixteen that governed the Meulaböh region under the leadership of the Keudjroeën Seunagan.
The Kawaj XVI included: Keudjroeën Seunagan (chief), Keudjroeën Toenöng Seunagan, Pangoelèë Sidé Seunagan, and others. The federation was renamed from “Meulaböh” to “Kawaj XVI” by Gouvernementsbesluit 6 June 1911 N°. 11.
Klingalese origins
Pö Rachman’s Klingalese (Chulia, from the Coromandel coast of India) origin reflects the important role that Klingalese traders played in Atjèhnese commerce. The Klingalese were among the principal opkoopers (buyers-up) of Atjèhnese products, alongside Chinezen and Arabieren, and their network extended to Pinang and Singapore. The title “Tjhi” (“oldest” or “grandfather”) was used in Meulaböh for the Keudjroeën, reflecting the assimilation of Klingalese notables into the Atjèhnese administrative structure.
See Also
Sources
Atjèh. Algemeen samenvattend overzicht van land en volk van Atjèh en onderhoorigheden, door J. Kreemer, Archivaris van het Atjèh Instituut. Tweede Deel. Leiden: N.V. Boekhandel en Drukkerij voorheen E.J. Brill, 1923. Identifier: Delpher MMKB02B:000001798.