HISTORY....AGAIN!!

Today marks a very important day to Malaysians especially Malaccans. Apart from it being a state public holiday (Malaysians!!), it is this date that the state government chose to inaugurate Melaka as a Historical City.

Being a Malaccan myself, I can't help but feel proud of my land. The land that I grew up in, witnessing many changes throughout my life be it historically as well as modern-day development. It is this very state that has mapped out Malaya then and Malaysia now. History was made here!! Rich in a variety of diversified culture, core landmark of history, warm, loving and harmonious-living people and not forgetting the beautiful balance of East meets West.

Too many historical moments has happened in this glorious and majestic state which makes it incomparable to the other 12 states of the country.

It was in this very state that our late 1st Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj also known as 'The Father of Independence" announced first the Proclamation of Independence in 1957. I know this historic moment at the back of my hand not because of what i studied but through the eyes of my mother whom was 10years old then! She was one of the thousands in the crowd that cheered upon his arrival.



My account of the history of Melaka is not only through reading materials and a school subject but also through the accounts of my late grandmother and my mother. I've been told stories right from the era of 1930s till life after Independence. Even the history of my late grandfather's house dates right back to the Dutch era when they conquered Melaka. The house grant is still kept safe and sound.

Melaka has been ruled by the famous Sultanate hierarchy since it was founded by Parameswara in 1400s. Then the Portugese from 1511-1640, Dutch 1641-1700s and then came the greatest empire of the world, British. However, Asia fell in the hand of the Japanese in 1941-1945. After much fight and bloodshed, we were back in the hands of the English till the whole nation stood up for their independence. Thus, 31st August 1957, freedom.

Today, we have a variety of multi-racial society living in Melaka since the 15th century. The main 3 races would be Chinese, Malays and Indians but it is only here you get the Baba-Nyonya, Melaka Chittys, Nagarathar Chettiars, Portugese and Eurasians. Whenever there is a festival involving any of these ethnic groups, the whole state joins in the celebrations. How can we forget about the varieties of food with this rich culture! Every ethnicity has its speciality in fine cuisine. So, if you want to make a documentary on food, Melaka is your 1-stop place. Be here a month and you'll definitely need a wardrobe expansion when you return!!

I could go on and on but i rather not. Just wanted to share my pride and glory of being a Malaccan especially on this date. Let me take you down to memory lane, the origin of this Land of History. Enjoy the pictures as well!

Introduction - about Melaka

The city of Melaka is host to a wide and interesting collection of a diversified culture, minority ethnic communities, a unique blend of Eastern and Western architecture and a rich background of history. As far back as the early 15th century, Melaka was already the cradle of a modern civilisation with the existence of a multi-rational society and the center of trade in the region that was even envied by the Europeans. Traders and merchants of so many nations from east and west gathered in this emporium of trade that it was recorded that as many as 84 different languages were spoken here at the height of its glory.

What people said about Melaka

From the earliest of times during the dawn of Melaka as a important trade center, traders and travelers were attracted by the city's unique blend of different culture derived from a cosmopolitan society and the beauty of Its land. Even during the time of the British colonials, Melaka was always a favorite hide away for British government officials to relax and was regarded as a health resort.

Emanuel Godinho de Eredia was one of the earliest writers about the Malay peninsula. He was commission to organise the work of mapping and prospecting by the Portuguese. He wrote "The air in Melaka is very fresh and healthy, quite the reverse of what was imagined by ancient writers Aristotle and Ptolemy, who maintained that the part of the world which lay between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn was very hot and fiery."

Even Sir Frank Swettenham, the Resident-General of the Federated Malay States found Melaka enchanting. In 1906 he wrote that "if a visitor has eyes to see and appreciate the colours, the movement, the strange people and their strangely beautiful surroundings, the scene will live in his memory for all time."

Brief history of Melaka

Parameswara - founder of Melaka

According to the legends which have been recorded by the Malay Annals and by the Portuguese, a prince who is known by the title of Parameswara from a dying kingdom of Srivijaya came to Tumasik (Singapore), killed the ruler who paid tribute to Siam and reigned there for five years until the Siamese drove him out.

While in exile, Parameswara chose Melaka as his new kingdom because here, near the hill and along the river bank, a small but aggressive white mousedeer caught his attention when the mousedeer so intimidated his hunting dogs that they turned and fell into the water. The place where the weak can triumph over the strong, Parameswara decided, would be a good location for a settlement.
The original inhabitants of Melaka were fishermen and when Parameswara settled at Melaka, in about 1400, he was soon joined by other refugees from Palembang.

Melaka had the advantage of being on the narrowest part of the Straits where the deep water channel was near to the Malaysian side. The river mouth formed a small harbour overlooked by the hill on which the ruler and his chiefs could build a fortified stockade protected on the land side by marshes. At first, no doubt, piracy and fishing were the main occupations but soon traders began to call and the little settlement prospered.

Soon Melaka became important enough to attract the attention of Siam and he had to pay tribute to their king. At this time the Ming Emperor of China were sending out fleets to the countries of south east Asia to enforce over lordship and Parameswara was glad to receive protection from the mighty China. In 1405 the Chinese emperor recognised Parameswara as the ruler of Melaka and the famous Chinese admiral Cheng Ho was dispatched to visit him in 1409. Two years later Parameswara even made a visit to China and was well received by the emperor. His successors continued to exchange envoys with China, but after 1430 strangely the Mings adopted a policy of seclusion and cease to interfere with the affairs of the lands to the south of their dominions.

Origins of the name Melaka

Historians have long debated on the origin of the name Melaka. However most have accept that it was derived from a tree commonly called Pokok Melaka (or Phyllanthus emblica or Malacca tree) which had shaded Parameswara during the encounter of his hunting dogs with the aggressive white mousedeer. The Melaka tree has juicy fruits located at the base of the leafy twigs and once grew in great abundance along the banks of the Melaka river. Now tourist can find the Pokok Melaka growing but no longer in abundance, at the car park at the Melaka museum.

Other opinions on the origin of the name Melaka : The tale of the hunting dogs and the aggressive mousedeer has been adopted by the Government as the official origin of the name of Melaka. The notion of Melaka being founded on the grounds of where even the weak can triumph over the strong is seen to be able send a powerful message to the people of the equality of rights (no matter whether big or small or weak or strong) where the country was first founded.