History of Melaka

January 27th, 2006

The Historical City of Melaka (also known as Malacca in English language) is a city with a glorious past hidden behind each façade of the centuries-old buildings where the history of Malaysia began. Nowadays, Malacca hosts a wide and interesting collection of a diversified culture, a unique blend of Eastern and Western architecture and a rich background of history. Malacca was once the cradle of modern civilization in a multinational society and the center of trade in the region that was even envied by the Europeans. Now it is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Malaysia.

Every step you take down the narrow winding roads, there will be a piece of historical treasure waiting to be discovered or a captivating story waiting to be told. Malacca being the second smallest state in Malaysia, is undoubtedly the wealthiest when it comes to historic value, culture and cuisine. Malacca’s ‘live’, or rather, preservation of historical artifacts and architecture make it so much easier and interesting for one to learn and absorb. Let’s take a literal stroll down memory lane because here is where it all began.

Naming an Empire After a Tree

According to the legend, Malacca was founded in 1396 by Prince Parameswara from a dying ancient kingdom of Srivijaya. Parameswara came to Temasik (Singapore), killed the ruler who paid tribute to Siam (today’s Thailand) and reigned there for five years until the Siamese drove him out. Parameswara was out hunting one day and while resting under a tree, one of his dogs cornered a mouse-deer and in defense, the mouse-deer kicked the dog smartly on its nose. Paramswara was so impressed by the mouse-deer’s courage and also believing what he saw as a good omen, he decided to build his empire on that sacred land and named it after the tree he was resting under, which was the “Melaka” tree. Incidentally, he was the first Malay prince to become Muslim and inevitably, Islam became the official religion.

The Cosmopolitan Empire

By the end of the 15th century, Malacca had become a great trading empire as well as a rendezvous for every seafaring nation - Arabs, Indians, South Americans, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and English. Here, gold, silk, tea, opium, tobacco, spices, perfumes and countless other items and natural resources were traded or exchanged. The Portuguese were the first to rule in 1511, followed by the Dutch in 1641 and British in 1824. Each ruler left its mark behind to be forged and blended into a new and unique mix. The day came in August 31st 1957, when Malacca, together with the other states of Malaya, achieved independence. The historical melting pot of cultures and races has every much influenced the architectural designs of homes and buildings in Malacca today.

As history evolved, Malacca became the city that boasts a wonderful mixture of cultures - Malays, Chinese, Indians, the Chittys, the Babas and Nyonyas and the Portuguese. And here, in Old Malacca is where it all happened.

Take a journey into the heart of Malacca and discover 600 years of glorious and colourful past. It is definitely a state that is not to be missed when you’re in Malaysia.

Visit Historic Malacca Means Visit Malaysia

Part of the contents are sourced from Tourism Promotion Division of Malacca Chief Minister’s Department

Related Previous Posts

• Happy Birthday to Malaysia, Happy Merdeka
• Melaka River (Malacca River)
• WMW’s Travelogue
• Melaka Revolving Tower (Menara Taming Sari) Opening on 7th Apr
• Melaka and George Town Listed as UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites

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