The old title for the state of Pahang is Inderapura, called Pahang Inderapura. His royal city which is famous until now and the capital of Pahang state in ancient times is named PEKAN. Before the state of Pahang was conquered by the Malacca Malay Kingdom, the Hindu-Asli (Sanskrit speaking) people called the capital of Pahang Pura. The Malays also call it Pura (there is that in Sejarah Melayu 1977: page 73). While the Malays who live near the Endau River, Rompin River and Bebar River call it Pekan Pahang. At this time the Royal City of Pahang, which is called Pekan, is the areas on the left and right of the Pahang River and the Old Pahang River up to the upper limit of Tanjung Langgar. The town is divided into two parts: New Town and Old Town. In Pekan Lama that is the residence of the kings and the great people of Pahang.

Pekan Baru was originally a Chinese village, then it was called Pekan Baru. (Buyung Adil, 1972: p. 2) Pekan Town is said to have existed since the 17th century. Nevertheless, there is no definite date about the discovery of Pekan, but many writers whether Western, Arab or Chinese writers mention and tell about Pekan.

According to the opinion of the elders, Pekan got its name from a type of flower called Bunga Pekan that grows in abundance on the banks of the Pahang River. Its flowers are white like Melor flowers, but the breed is no longer known to present and future generations. In Pekan Town there is also a river called Sungai Pekan (near Kampung Mengkasar) but there is no evidence that Pekan got its name from this river.