Even during the 18th century, several groups of Minang people had expanded to the Malay Peninsula especially around the areas of Rembau, Naning and Sungai Ujong but retained strong links to their homeland in Sumatra.

[1] The council of Sultan Malenggang Alam of Pagaruyung appointed his uncle, Raja Mahmud (Rajo Mangiang), to rule this new outpost of the Minangkabau region.

Prior to Raja Melewar, the districts were separately vying for power against each other while a greater problem of interference, incursions and invasion loomed over them from Bugis controlled Johor and Selangor.

Raja Melewar is credited with the successful unification the main districts and numerous outlying settlements into a cohesive political state now known as Negeri Sembilan.

In 1795, the council of Sultan Muning Syah III of Pagaruyung appointed his uncle, Raja Hitam (Rajo Samik II), as Yamtuan Besar.

As a diplomatic gesture, Raja Hitam also married the widow of the brother of Sultan Ibrahim of Selangor;[2] having four children, including a daughter, Tunku Ngah.

As the Pagaruyung Kingdom was in tatters in west Sumatra, Yamtuan Lenggang looked to continue the dynasty with what was left in Negeri Sembilan.

The Negri chiefs abandoned their machinations, rallied around Raja Radin, elected him to the Seri Menanti throne and went to war against Ali and Sha'ban.

With no consensus forthcoming, Datuk Siamang Gagap elevated the queen dowager of Yamtuan Radin, Tunku Puan Intan as the Regent from 1869 to 1872.

[3] During this time, the British administration was attempting to obtain border treaties and commercial agreements with all the polities in the Malay Peninsula.

This eventually culminated into the 1876 Battle of Bukit Putus wherein the united forces of Negeri Sembilan attacked the British protecting Sungai Ujong.

At the urging of the Sultan of Johor, the Governor of the Straits Settlements agreed to reconcile the dispute between Sungai Ujong and the other districts.

By 1877, every district and territory in Negeri Sembilan had separate agreements with the British which included arbitration by the Sultan of Johor; but this proved unworkable.

[3] In 1887, witnessed by the British Governor of the Straits Settlements, a new agreement was signed by the chiefs of Johol, Ineh, Ulu Muar, Jempol, Terachi and Gunung Pasir.

[4] This marks the formal adoption of a State Constitution wherein the chiefs of territories of Jelebu, Johol, Sungai Ujong and Rembau were officially elevated to the status of Undang; and the Yamtuan would exercise control over the districts of Gunung Pasir, Ineh, Jempol, Terachi and Ulu Muar.

[citation needed] For Negeri Sembilan, the State Constitution assigns the choice of successor (Putera Yang Empat) of the Yamtuan to the four Undangs (chiefs).

(2) The Yang di-Pertuan Besar shall be such person as shall be elected by the Undangs of the territories of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau in the manner hereinafter provided and in accordance with the custom of the State.

(4) Upon the death of a Yang di-Pertuan Besar, leaving male issue him surviving, the Undangs of the territories of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau shall forthwith choose a successor from the said male issue: When the office of Yamtuan Besar was still in its infancy, it was the penghulu of Tanah Mengandung and not the Undang who were influential in the choice of the incumbent.