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Many believe Malacca to be the impetus towards the development
of what would eventually become Malaysia.
It was here that history was written and a long line of Sultans
began, continuing even to the present day.
In 1396, a Sumatran prince by the name of Parameswara fled his
country out of fear of the attacking Majapahit Empire. Landing
in Temasek, he killed the local ruler and established himself
over the island that is now known as Singapore. A few years later,
he was driven out by a Thai-controlled army and once again, was
left scouting for a new piece of land.
Eventually, he moved up the West Coast of Malaysia and founded
Malacca. Legend says that he was resting under a tree when he
saw a mouse deer kicking his hunting dogs into the river and they
attacked it. Declaring the place to be auspicious, he decided
to set up shop and named the place after the tree he was resting
under Melaka.
Eventually, Parameswara converted to Islam in 1414 and adopted
the title of Sultan. Malacca was also growing into an entrepot
hub for traders from across Asia, notably India, Arabia and China.
Many Chinese migrants settled here during this time, establishing
the Peranakan culture for
the future. Parameswara died in 1424 and was succeeded by his
son.
Eventually, the Siamese attempted to conquer Malacca, but their
efforts were repelled successfully. To protect their territory,
Malacca established contact with the Chinese empire through the
explorer Zheng He, culminating in the marriage of Sultan Mansur
Shah and Hang Li Poh, either
a Chinese princess or concubine that remains a hot topic for debate
till today.
The Legend of Hang Tuah
During the time of Malacca's Sultans, many legends and stories
were created and recorded in the 'Sejarah Melayu', or Annals of
Malay History. Chief among the legends is the story of Hang Tuah,
a Malay warrior with superior skill and loyalty to the Sultan.
It was said that one day, the Malaccan officials were jealous
of Hang Tuah's favour with the Sultan. They cooked up a story
that he had slept with the Sultan's favourite consort. Indignant,
the Sultan ordered Hang Tuah to be put to death. However, a minister
by the name of Tun Perak hid him away instead, believing in his
innocence.
One of Hang Tuah's friends, Hang Kasturi, was grieved when he
heard the news of his friend's 'demise'. Going amok, he killed
officials right, left and centre. There were none who could compete
with his fury and even the Sultan ran away from the palace in
fear. Eventually, Tun Perak brought Hang Tuah back into the limelight
and the Sultan pardoned him, ordering him to execute Hang Kasturi.
Hang Tuah obeyed and despite the pleas from Hang Kasturi, the
two fought for a month until Kasturi lost. Hang Kasturi was then
renamed as 'Hang Jebat', implying a 'rotten stench' while Hang
Tuah received accolades all over.
Puteri Gunung Ledang
Another famous story which was recently filmed into a Malaysian
movie revolves around 'Puteri Gunung Ledang' or Princess of Mount
Ledang. The princess was a fairy whom the Sultan desired to marry.
She laid down several conditions jars of mosquito hearts and tears
of virgins. However, the last condition demanded a cup of his
son's blood. That which the sultan could not fulfil (Some accounts
say he actually considered it but was reprimanded by the Princess)
was the last requirement and sadly, gave up his hope of marrying
her.
Colonization
A century later, the Portuguese came, saw and conquered Malacca in 1511. This was a milestone
for the Western colonists looking to extend their empire to the
East Indies. Malacca continued to prosper under Portuguese rule
until the Dutch came into the picture. With the help of the Sultan
of Johor (descended from a Malaccan Sultan), the Dutch captured the
port and ruled over it until 1795, where Malacca was ceded to
the British under an exchange programme for Batavia (Jakarta)
In Indonesia.
The British East India Company developed Malacca and spread
their influence all over Malaysia, enforcing control over the
trade industry and employing governors to rule each state. The
Company was eventually replaced by direct administration from
the Crown Colony. Finally, Malacca, along with the rest of Malaysia
received her independence in 1957, paving the way for the future
which is today. |
