Batu Pahat History

The town acquired the name Batu Pahat, which means "chiselled stone", from the quarries near the estuary.

Siamese troops were chiselling rocks at a rocky spot in the coastal village of Kampung Minyak Beku, in hope to get fresh water during their retreat from the Melaka troops.

the a famosa built by the Portuguese after capturing Melaka, which was made from granite rocks taken from the mouth of Sungai Batu Pahat.

Renowned for its salted fish in the past, BP was known as Bandar Penggaram, means "town of salt-makers

 In 1893/1894, the present township was founded by Dato' Bentara Luar, Mohamed Salleh bin Perang, acting on the orders of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Abu Bakar.^[3]

Today, the ancient well can still be found in Minyak Beku,

though little was done to maintain this ancient landmark which gives name to the town. For the town's centennial celebration in the early '90s, a quaint monument depicting a floating hand chiseling a rock was set up in the town square. It became the landmark of the town instantaneously. it is popular with locals on weekend nights and also provides as a venue for many public festive celebrations.