In 1811, Haji Miskin, who had once lived in Kamang Bukik since being brought there by Tuanku Nan Renceh, decided to leave the area. He went to Lima Puluh Kota, specifically to the Air Tabik/Batang Tabik area at the foot of Mount Sago. After a long effort, many people there eventually began to study and support the Paderi movement.
The strength of Tuanku Nan Renceh and the Paderi group pushed the Kaum Adat (traditionalists) to seek help from the Dutch. On February 21, 1821, the Dutch and the Kaum Adat made an agreement signed in Padang, which stated that the Dutch would assist the Kaum Adat in fighting the Paderi group. In return, the Kaum Adat officially handed over the darek region to the Dutch Company (VOC). Present at this negotiation were the remnants of the Pagaruyung Dynasty under the leadership of Sultan Muningsyah, who had survived the massacre by Paderi forces.
G. Kamang Fort and the Paderi War
A Dutch Colonel noted, "The Minangkabau people in warfare used landmines made from very sharp bamboo stakes. These bamboo stakes were placed on roads that the enemy would pass through. The Paderi built defensive forts constructed from thorny fences made of long-thorned bamboo trees planted closely together. This allowed them to observe the enemy's movements while remaining unseen themselves. Once this bamboo is four years old, it becomes impenetrable by enemies, as it is densely packed with long, sharp thorns. This type of bamboo is called 'bambu aru' (Rusli Amran, Sumatera Barat Plakat Panjang, Jakarta, Sinar Harapan, 1981)."
The Paderi group established forts, followed by the construction of mosques or suraus. The men of the Paderi group were always on alert for war. Inside and outside the forts, they continuously practiced warfare. The forts were surrounded by deep trenches that could be filled with water. These trenches were lined with stone walls. In strategic places, there were holes filled with sharp bamboo stakes, so unwary enemies could be trapped. Behind the bamboo walls of the fort, bamboo pieces were also inserted for rifle barrels and observation points to monitor the number of enemies.
Tuanku Nan Renceh strengthened his village, Bansa. Meanwhile, villages around Bukik Kamang that refused to surrender were attacked, subdued, and burned. The defeated villagers were fined and required to pay tribute. Due to these expanding actions, Tuanku Nan Renceh's followers increased. The number of followers was estimated to be around 5,000 people. The readiness of the Paderi group is depicted in the explanation that even in times of peace, the Paderi villages always required their men to maintain the defensive facilities and remain vigilant.
The Paderi defense line in Kamang Bukik can be grouped into 3 defense rings, namely:
1. Ring 3. Starting from Candung, Ampek Angkek around the foot of Mount Marapi, here trenches, walls and thorny bamboo plants were made which were deliberately planted neatly and tightly. In some places there were small square forts. The land area continued to Koto Lawas, Pandai Sikek, Ampek Koto, around Mount Singgalang and other allied areas. The defense was in the form of a wide ditch that could reach 4,000 feet deep on Mount Merapi. The ditches were protected by stone forts of thorny bamboo. What was not defended was the entrance, but it was tightly guarded by Paderi soldiers. Such defense was an effort to protect the fields and rice fields, so that farming could still be done even in a state of war.
2. Ring 2. Located in Kapau and Tilatang. As a leader, Tuanku Nan Renceh was in an area with natural forts with ravines and hills in Bukik Kamang. The Paderi controlled Bukik Kamang, Tilatang, and the surrounding villages. The main forts were in Tilatang and Kapau. Even the Dutch attack on Kapau in August 1822 to capture Tuanku Nan Renceh was repelled at the Kapau fort.
3. Ring 1. This is the central defense base of Tuanku Nan Renceh in Bukik Kamang. Based on data searches through oral history methods or interviews, it is known that bamboo was also planted in this zone and defense ditches were made. The area starts from Kayu Ampek and continues to Kampung Tangah which is the border area with Tilatang. The stretch of Ring 1 continues to the Kamang village, which is the border with Magek and continues to the Salo and Koto Baru areas. The entire border was planted with thorny bamboo. In some places we can still find it today. Before entering the Bansa area, there was an area called Parik Panjang which was a ditch made by the Paderi group during the reign of Tuanku Nan Renceh. In addition to the information that can still be dug up, that for the boundary of Ring 1 zone, the penghulu sent their brave and tough nephews to occupy the tribal customary land in the border area with Tilatang, now they are the ones who inhabit the Kampung Tapi hamlet. The main central point in Ring 1 zone is Surau Tuanku Nan Renceh in Mejan.
