Malay Kingdom (Malacca)

As a crossroads of trade between the Indian Ocean and

East Asia, the Malay Archipelago has consistently been a
wealthy, diverse, and politically important region.
Islam began to spread in the region through trade not
long after the life of Prophet Muhammad .
Sultanate of Malacca (Melaka in Malay), which reached
its peak in the mid-1400s
however, the Malacca Sultanate would not last long, after
Portugal conquered the kingdom in 1511

Factors for the rise of Malacca kingdom

1 The strategic location of Malacca
provided trade routes between India and China.
Malacca hence became a stop by on the way
for all traders from China,India or other Europe
countries.
2 The monsoon winds Malacca itself
is protected from monsoon winds. Enabled
Arab and Indian traders from the west to travel
to China in the east and vice versa
3 Capable leaders The Malacca
Empire was led by many capable leaders such
as Sultan Muzaffar Shah (14461459) He
managed to solve the internal problems and
strengthened the country.
4 The taxation system The Malacca
Empire offered a reasonable taxation system
according to priority to the merchants.

5 The currency system Usage of a

currency system which facilitated transactions
and the development of trade.
6 Efficient administrative system
Malacca had efficient administrative
structures and a good legal system.
7 Facilities Various facilities provided
such as warehouse, accommodation, boat
repairs, food and beverage facilities attract ed
many traders to Malacca.
8 Malay Language Over 82
languages were spoken at Malacca with more
than 4000 traders trading at there. The
Malay language was chosen as the lingua
franca (medium of communication)

Establishment of Malay Malacca

Kingdom

The series of raids launched by the Chola

Empire in the 11th century had weakened
the once glorious empire of Srivijaya
In 1299 a new Kingdom Singapura was
developed

In the 14th century, Singapura developed

and rose from a small trading outpost into
a centre of international trade with strong
ties with the Yuan Dynasty

The fifth and last king, Iskandar Shah fled

to the west coast of the Malay Peninsula
after Singapura was attacked by Majapahit
in 1398

Iskandar Shah established Malacca at the

mouth of Bertam river

Kings of Malacca

andar Shah (1380-1414)

initiated the development of the place and laid the foundation of a trade
port

gat Iskandar Shah (14141424)

the kingdom continued to prosper.

a Tengah (1424-1444)
spread the teaching of Islam. Introduced the title Sultan.

an Abu Syahid Shah (1444-1446)

Was a weak ruler and had been killed

an Muzaffar Shah ( 1446-1459)

A strong political leader. Won a battle against Siamese.

an Mansur Shah (1459-1477)

the major expansion of the sultanate to reach its greatest extent of influence

an Alaudin Riyat Shah (14771488)

placed a great importance in maintaining peace and order during his reign

tan Mahmud Shah (14881511)

Malacca was at the height of its power and glory.

In 1511 Portugal invaded and captured Malacca. The Golden Era of Malacca
came to an end.
Following the 1511 conquest, the great Malay city port of Malacca passed into
Portuguese hands and for the next 130 years remained under Portuguese
governance

Sultans authority and their role

A sultan is a secular ruler, usually in an Islamic
country. Sultans had absolute power in Malacca.
The head of state is also the head of
government and the administrative, judiciary
and legislative powers are held in the hands of
the Sultan
Though the sultan should be strongly moral and
an upright person, his interest in guiding the
religious thoughts of the people was minimal,
and he normally deferred to the religious leaders
in his country.Thus a religious leader in Malacca
was Caliph and Sultan was a political leader.
However, some history experts claim that in
Malacca Sultan was religious and political leader
at the same time.