History of Perak.(how Bukit Chandan got its name

History without a pinch of magic,folklore and fable would be dull especially to the young ones.The same goes with this story of ancient Perak.

Now why is the state called Perak?One of the interesting story was before the existence of the Perak Sultanate there was only the Melaka Sultanate.Perak was divided into three districts that is Bruas,Manjung and Janin,better known as Hulu Perak and was under the rule of Tun Saban.Manjung and Bruas was under Melaka.At that time the Penghulu of Manjung was Tok Mahsuka.Somehow the three heads decided to merge and form a State.Their discussions brought them to the conclusion that since it was Tun Perak that made Melaka well known they will name the new State as Perak.

Tok Mahsuka was not satisfied and wanted a ruler of Royal descendants for Perak.

On another story of Hikayat Merang Mahawangsa,Perak has its link to Raja Mahapudi Sat.Apparently he came across a river with a few islands.So he felt that this was an ideal place to build into a state.Therefore he used his bow and arrow.The bow was called 'Indera Sakti' and the arrow made of perak.He shot towards the sky and it landed on one of the island.He called the island Indera Sakti and the State Perak.

Before it all began,Perak was under the rule of Gangga Negara that is now under the district of Dinding,Beruas and Manjung.

The real history of Perak however became clearer and without a doubt after Melaka fell to the Portugis in 1511 and Sultan Mahmud ran away to Kampar,Sumatra and he became the Sultan of Kampar.

Perak which earlier wanted a ruler of pure royalty sent Tun Samban and Nakhoda Kassim to meet Sultan Mahmud.Tun Saban requested Sultan Mahmud to allow one of his sons to become the Sultan of Perak upon which the Sultan agreed.

Here is where magic and reality collides.Sultan Mahmud sent all the royal regalia plus the 'nobat' first to Perak.Three years later Raja Muzaffar sailed to Perak.According to history Raja Muzaffar's ship was stranded upon approaching the estuary.He recited his well known mantra and lo and behold a genie appeared.The genie said 'Tuanku,if you want to rule Perak you have to throw your crown into the sea.' Raja Muzaffar threw and his only important regalia that he had with him was the sword chura si manja kini.

The ship sailed to Tanah Abang and it was here that he was installed as the first Sultan of Perak in 1528 and it was during this time that Islam planted its roots in Perak.

During those days all palaces were no concrete palace and most palaces were built of wood and situated by the river bank.

In 1877,Raja Idris became the Sultan he built one on top of a hill because Sayong was often hit by floods.He named the hill Bukit Chandan.

The story behind this name is about his elephant called kulup chandan.One day the elephant ran away and Raja Idris who was only the Raja Muda at that time followed the elephants trail together with his men.They reached Gunung Bubu.It was here that he met an old bearded man clad in white jubah.The old man approached him and said "You will be the next Sultan and when you become one,do not reside in Sayong but built your palace across the river on a hill and you have to release the elephant 7 days after your installation."

That was how bukit chandan got its name and why present rulers reside here.At that time it was called Istana Negara and proudly this was where the first ruler's conference was held.

Istana Iskandariah was built by the son of Sultan Idris the 1st,Sultan Alang Iskandar.Sadly he did not get to live there because he passed away before it was completed.