Tunku Kurshiah
Encyclopedia
Tunku Kurshiah binti Almarhum Tunku Besar Burhanuddin is the former Tunku Ampuan Besar or Queen of Negeri Sembilan
. She also served as the first Raja Permaisuri Agong
of Malaysia between 1957 to 1960.
Tunku Kurshiah's sister, Tuanku Najihah
married her stepson Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman and succeeded her as Tunku Ampuan Besar in 1960.
, Negeri Sembilan
, she was the eldest daughter of Tunku Besar Burhanuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Antah
(sometime Regent of Negeri Sembilan). She received her early education at the Seri Menanti Malay School. She also attended private English classes.
In 1957, her husband was elected as the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong
of independent Malaya
(later Malaysia) and she became the first Raja Permaisuri Agong
or Queen.
Tuanku Abdul Rahman died in April 1960 and Tunku Kurshiah was given the dowager title of Tunku Ampuan of Negeri Sembilan.
In May 1961, she established the Muslim Women Welfare Council and to date she is the Founder President.
On 27 October 1974, she was awarded the Tun Fatimah Gold Medal by the National Council of Women’s Organisations for her contribution in elevating the standard of women and children through welfare and education.
, who became Sultanah of Kedah
and Tunku Shahariah, who became Tunku Puan Bendahara
of Johor
.
Tunku Kurshiah died on February 2, 1999 and her remains are buried at the Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum
in Seri Menanti
.
but also has links with many of the royal families of the other states. Her daughter Tuanku Bahiyah
became Sultanah of Kedah and later the fifth Raja Permaisuri Agong
. Both her younger sisters succeeded her as Tunku Ampuan Besar, first by Tunku Ampuan Durah who was married to her eldest stepson Tuanku Munawir and second by her youngest sister Tuanku Najihah
, who married her youngest stepson Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Tuanku Najihah
also followed in Tunku Kurshiah's footsteps and served as the 10th Raja Permaisuri Agong
.
also renamed its Third Residential College to Tunku Kurshiah Residential College.
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
. She also served as the first Raja Permaisuri Agong
Raja Permaisuri Agong
Raja Permaisuri Agong, or in full, Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong, is the title given to the Queen of Malaysia, consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.The holders of this office have been:...
of Malaysia between 1957 to 1960.
Tunku Kurshiah's sister, Tuanku Najihah
Tuanku Najihah
Tuanku Najihah binti Tunku Besar Burhanuddin is the Tunku Ampuan of Negeri Sembilan. She was formerly the Tunku Ampuan Besar or Queen of Negeri Sembilan from 1967 to 2008. She also served as Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia between 1994 and 1999....
married her stepson Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman and succeeded her as Tunku Ampuan Besar in 1960.
Early life
Born on 16 May 1911 in Seri MenantiSeri Menanti
Seri Menanti is the royal capital of the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Situated in the Kuala Pilah district, it houses the seat of the head of state or Yamtuan Besar, the local equivalent of theSultan...
, Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
, she was the eldest daughter of Tunku Besar Burhanuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Antah
Tunku Besar Burhanuddin
Tunku Burhanuddin born in 1878, was a member of the Negeri Sembilan royal family and once served as regent of Negeri Sembilan. His father was Yamtuan Antah ibni Yamtuan Sri Radenh, who served as as the 6th Yamtuan Besar from 1869 to 1888...
(sometime Regent of Negeri Sembilan). She received her early education at the Seri Menanti Malay School. She also attended private English classes.
Becoming Queen
Tuanku Kurshiah married Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad, the ruler of Negeri Sembilan as his third wife. Upon her husband's accession to the throne of Negeri Sembilan in 1933, Tunku Kurshiah was proclaimed Tunku Ampuan Besar or Queen of Negeri Sembilan.In 1957, her husband was elected as the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
of independent Malaya
Federation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...
(later Malaysia) and she became the first Raja Permaisuri Agong
Raja Permaisuri Agong
Raja Permaisuri Agong, or in full, Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong, is the title given to the Queen of Malaysia, consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.The holders of this office have been:...
or Queen.
Tuanku Abdul Rahman died in April 1960 and Tunku Kurshiah was given the dowager title of Tunku Ampuan of Negeri Sembilan.
Social contributions
In 1954, Tuanku Kurshiah was appointed as the President of the Negeri Sembilan Girl Guides. She was also the patron of the Women’s Institute of Negeri Sembilan.In May 1961, she established the Muslim Women Welfare Council and to date she is the Founder President.
On 27 October 1974, she was awarded the Tun Fatimah Gold Medal by the National Council of Women’s Organisations for her contribution in elevating the standard of women and children through welfare and education.
Family Life and Death
Tunku Kurshiah was blessed with two daughters; Tuanku BahiyahTuanku Bahiyah
Tuanku Bahiyah ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman was the Sultanah of Kedah and served as the fifth Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia from 1970 to 1975.-Early life:...
, who became Sultanah of Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
and Tunku Shahariah, who became Tunku Puan Bendahara
Bendahara
Bendahara is an administrative position within classical Malay kingdoms before the intervention of European powers during the 19th century. A bendahara was appointed by a sultan and was a hereditary post. It was the office that is held by bendahara family...
of Johor
Johor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
.
Tunku Kurshiah died on February 2, 1999 and her remains are buried at the Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum
Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum
Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum is a Negeri Sembilan royal mausoleum located in the royal town of Seri Menanti, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. This mausoleum is located next to the Tuanku Munawir Royal Mosque.-Yang di-Pertuan Besar graves:...
in Seri Menanti
Seri Menanti
Seri Menanti is the royal capital of the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Situated in the Kuala Pilah district, it houses the seat of the head of state or Yamtuan Besar, the local equivalent of theSultan...
.
Family of Queens
Tunku Kurshiah due to her royal lineage has links to many former queens of Negeri SembilanNegeri Sembilan
Negeri Sembilan, one of the 13 states that constitutes Malaysia, lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, just south of Kuala Lumpur and borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Malacca and Johor to the south....
but also has links with many of the royal families of the other states. Her daughter Tuanku Bahiyah
Tuanku Bahiyah
Tuanku Bahiyah ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman was the Sultanah of Kedah and served as the fifth Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia from 1970 to 1975.-Early life:...
became Sultanah of Kedah and later the fifth Raja Permaisuri Agong
Raja Permaisuri Agong
Raja Permaisuri Agong, or in full, Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong, is the title given to the Queen of Malaysia, consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.The holders of this office have been:...
. Both her younger sisters succeeded her as Tunku Ampuan Besar, first by Tunku Ampuan Durah who was married to her eldest stepson Tuanku Munawir and second by her youngest sister Tuanku Najihah
Tuanku Najihah
Tuanku Najihah binti Tunku Besar Burhanuddin is the Tunku Ampuan of Negeri Sembilan. She was formerly the Tunku Ampuan Besar or Queen of Negeri Sembilan from 1967 to 2008. She also served as Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia between 1994 and 1999....
, who married her youngest stepson Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Tuanku Najihah
Tuanku Najihah
Tuanku Najihah binti Tunku Besar Burhanuddin is the Tunku Ampuan of Negeri Sembilan. She was formerly the Tunku Ampuan Besar or Queen of Negeri Sembilan from 1967 to 2008. She also served as Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia between 1994 and 1999....
also followed in Tunku Kurshiah's footsteps and served as the 10th Raja Permaisuri Agong
Raja Permaisuri Agong
Raja Permaisuri Agong, or in full, Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong, is the title given to the Queen of Malaysia, consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.The holders of this office have been:...
.
Recognition
In memory of her contribution to the country, the Malaysian government decided to change the name of Maktab Perempuan Melayu – a prominent boarding school – to Tunku Kurshiah College. The University of MalayaUniversity of Malaya
The University of Malaya is located on a campus near the centre of Kuala Lumpur, and is the oldest university in Malaysia. It was founded in 1905 as a public-funded tertiary institution...
also renamed its Third Residential College to Tunku Kurshiah Residential College.
See also
- Yang di-Pertuan AgongYang di-Pertuan AgongThe Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
- Raja Permaisuri AgongRaja Permaisuri AgongRaja Permaisuri Agong, or in full, Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong, is the title given to the Queen of Malaysia, consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.The holders of this office have been:...