Developing the architecture of Astana Seri Menanti during the early period of federated states

Abstract

The Early Federated Malay States was a time when Malaysia was at the dawn of a new political governance under the British rule through the unification of Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Pahang. The new system also introduced the British Resident system as a means of having a localized ruling system for each of the Malay State. It was evident that this new political movement affected the ruling societies specifically in Negeri Sembilan. In particular was the impact on state funded government projects especially Astana Lama Seri Menanti. Hence, the purpose of the current study is to establish the factors that influenced the architecture of Astana Seri Menanti during the early period of the Federated Malay States. The objectives include establishing the contextual requirement for constructing Astana Seri Menanti, identifying the role and involvement of the individual prominent figures and establishing the relationship of the prominent figures in shaping the final architectural design of Astana Seri Menanti. Qualitative research methodology was utilised in this research through Document Analysis methods which encompassed triangulating historical studies (archival); comparative studies; and empirical research (case study). Research samples for Traditional Malay Royal Palaces were obtained from Measured Drawings archived at the Centre for the Study of Built Environment in the Malay World (KALAM); Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM); National Archives in Kew, London; Arkib Negara in Kuala Lumpur; Cambridge University Library; and Negeri Sembilan State Museum in Seremban. Findings indicated that the construction of Astana Seri Menanti was initiated as a result of British involvements and the consequent loss of the royal palace which left the Yamtuan who is the a ruler without a palace. Furthermore, it was identified that the involvements of the prominent figures such as the Malay Tukang, the British draftsman and the Chinese contractors was influential in the construction of Astana Seri Menanti. Last but not least, the relationship of these different prominent figures contributed in the development of the Astana’s architectural design through traditional construction methods. In short, the involvements of the Malay, British and Chinese prominent figures in the construction of the Astana Seri Menanti during the early Federated State resulted in an architectural design that is characterised as a traditional vernacular palace with a western spatial layout, built using colonial construction methods but utilising traditional construction materials. The findings of this study provide significant contribution to studies on vernacular palace architecture specifically on timber palaces in the 20th Century. It is hoped that future generations can benefit from the findings of this study and encourage future generations to appreciate and conserve Malay Royal Palaces.