Raja bendahara (Jawi: راج بندهار) was a Malay title for the monarch of the Pahang Kingdom that existed from 1770 to 1881.
By the end of 18th century, the Bendahara emerged as an absolute ruler over the fief, carrying the title 'Raja',[1] following the decentralisation of Sultan's power and the dismemberment of the empire.
[2] In classical Malay kingdoms, a bendahara was the most important and highest administrative position in royal court, serving as the chief of all ministers.
The transition of the bendahara into royalty began in the late 17th century, when the last ruler of Johor from the Malacca dynasty, Mahmud Shah II died without a male heir.
Self-rule was established during the reign of Tun Abdul Majid when the state's status was changed from a tanah pegangan (a fief) to tanah kurnia ('granted land'),[3] thus the ruling bendahara acquired the title raja ('king') in Pahang, also known as raja bendahara'.