Jalan Maharajalela was originally called Birch Road. It was named after Sir E.W. Birch, who was the son of J.W.W. Birch, the first Resident of Perak. The elder Birch was assassinated by Pandak Limo bin Machang, who was a Perak chieftain and last person to hold the title of Dato' Maharajalela, whose position was to execute punishments on the orders of the sultan1. Dato' Maharajalela was hanged for the murder, but was honoured with the road renamed after him.