Long before
the emergence of any other state in Malaysia, Melaka rose to glory from its
humble beginning around the 14th century. It has become one of the
leading spice capitals in the world, attracting traders from India, China,
Europe and Middle East. Its status as an international port was beyond the
shadow of doubt with its strategic location guarding the vital waterway “The
Straits of Melaka” where the trade winds meet. Even up to today, the Straits of
Melaka is still one of the most important and busiest waterways in the world.
It all
started sprawling back to 751 years ago (1262) when Parameswara found Melaka in
the 14th century. He was resting under a tree by a river when his
dog started to attack a mouse deer, which later pushed the dog into the river.
The brave gesture of the mouse deer had impressed him to immediately build a
city on its spot. He then asked his followers the name of the tree which he was
resting under and was advised of its name; Melaka. He named the state “Melaka”
since then. None of any other cities in the nation had played such an
influential and vital role in the political, economic, cultural and social
development of the country and the region. Melaka Sultanate was also
established to be responsible for the Sultanate in many states in Malaysia.
During that
period, Islam was introduced in the region, arriving along with Gujarat traders
from western India for trading textiles and Melaka became known worldwide as a
center for silk and porcelain trading. During the first decade of the 16th
century, Melaka was a bustling and cosmopolitan port that attracted hundreds of
ships every year. To keep its tradition at foe, Melaka’s Sultan enlisted the
help of the Chinese, mainly the voyages of Admiral Cheng Ho between 1440
1433.Melaka prospered and not long later. The Ming Emperor bequeathed a Chinese
princess, Hang Li Poh to Sultan Muzaffar Shah. This is the first multiracial
union ever recorder in history.
Unfortunately,
this fame did not last long as it arrived when European began to extend its
power into the East and Melaka was one of the very first cities which attracted
them. The arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century under the
command of Alfonso de Albuquerque in taking over the city under a successful
bombardment was a triumphant victory when Sultan Mahmud then fled himself to
Johor. They counter attacked the Portuguese, but without success for Portuguese
defense through the massive fortification of A ‘ Famosa Porta De Santiago was
too strong .
A Famosa
ensured the Portuguese ruling the next 150 years until Melaka fail to the Dutch
after a battle of 8 months long, leaving the state almost completely ruined. The
Dutch rebuilt the city over the next century and a half complimenting fine
buildings and churches which stand tall significantly up to today as a solid
reminder of the European presence back in 1440. Not long after 1795 when the
Netherlands was captured by French Revolutionary armies, Melaka was handed over
to the British by the Dutch to prevent it from being captured by the French.
In 1942,
Melaka experienced Japanese occupation until 1945 when they surrendered in
Singapore. The British declared a state of “Emergency “in Malaya which lasted
for 12 years against the Communist Terrorists who ruled the state of 14 days.
Malaysia
gained its Independence on the 31st August 1957, when the first
Prime Minister, His Highness Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj, was handed over
the power to rule the country by the British.
After the
independence, a colonial building built by British in Melaka, which was known
as Malacca Club, was opened to public after being used by British upper class
as their place for social activities.
Exactly 38 years later, the same building
was turned into The Proclamation of Independence Memorial; a place that
commemorates independence Day of Malaysia.
Melaka was
proclaimed as a historical city on the 15 April 1989. Today, they are
celebrating 750 years in history.
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