Paduca Sri Vicrama Vira, eldest son of Sang Nila Utama (descendent of Alexander the Great, Raja Suran & son of Raja Sang Sapurba) married Nila Panchadi, daughter of raja of Bija Nagara, Adi Bernilam Raja Mudeliar (descendent of Alexander the Great & Raja Suran).
When Sang Nila Utama passed away in 1347 (and buried at today's Fort Canning Hill), his eldest son Paduca Sri Vicrama Vira became the king of Singapura. Singapura continued to flourish under Paduca Sri Vicrama Vira as a seaport hosting traders from China, India, and Arabia.
The Malay Annals provided an account of how administration of the kingdom of Singapura was organised. We can still see parallels in the setup of contemporary governments.
At the top was the king or Raja.
Right below the Raja was his Bandahara or prime minister
Then came the Pardan Mantri.
Next, the Pangulu Bandahari who functioned like the minister of finance.
Below him, the Chief Hulubalang, or champion / chief warrior functioned like a minister of defence and military general combined.
Following below, were all the Paramantris, Orang-cayas (men of property and wealth), Chatriyas, Seda-sidas, Bantaras, and Hulubalangs (various ranks of warriors).
Sejarah Melayu compiled in Jawi by regent of Johor, Yang di-Pertuan Di Hilir Raja Abdullah in 1612, translated into English by Dr. John Leyden in 1821. The Malay Annals has 30 chapters.
Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 ๐
Original translation by Dr John Leyden
Chapter 4 of 30
THERE was a raja of the land of Kling (India), named Adi Bernilam Raja Mudeliar, who was descended of Raja Suran. He was raja of the city of Bija Nagara, and had a son named Jambuga Rama Mudeliar, who succeeded to the throne on the death of his father.
He had a daughter named Nila Panchadi, of celebrated beauty, and of the most excellent qualities. How many were the rajas who preferred their suit to her but her father refused to give her in marriage to them, as not being of her own race. At last the fame of her beauty and qualities reached Singhapura, and Sri Tri-buana sent Maha Indra B'hupala to solicit her hand for his son, Raja Kichil Besar.
Then Maha Indra B'hupala, with Maha Indra Vijaya, proceeded to the land of Kling, with a great number of vessels. When they arrived at the city Bija Nagara, Raja Jambuga Rama Mudeliar called them, and they were conducted around the city, and finally introduced into his presence. When they arrived, the letter was read by an interpreter, and the raja was greatly rejoiced when he understood the contents, and he expressed his approbation to Indra B'hupala and Indra Vijaya, desiring that they should not give his brother's son the trouble of coming, but that he would send his daughter to Singhapura.
The two ambassadors then asked permission to take their departure, and he accordingly entrusted them with a letter, and they took their departure, and arrived at Singhapura, where they presented in due form the letter to Sri Tri-buana. The letter being read and understood, occasioned great joy; and Indra B'hupala gave an account of his mission.
The next monsoon Raja Jambuga Rama Mudeliar ordered ships to be prepared, and sent the princess, attended by forty champions under the command of the captain Andalina Mar-kana Apam, aboard of them. She mounted a vessel equipped with five hundred rowers, and the champions set sail, attended with a numerous fleet of ships, prows, and barges.
When they reached Singhapura, Sri Tri-buana was waiting their arrival at Tanjong Barus, and returned with them to Singhapura. There he celebrated the nuptials of his son with the Kling princess, and for three months the previous festivities continued, and when a fortunate period arrived, the Prince Raja Kichil Besar was united to the Princess Nila Panchadi. At the same time Raja Muda married the grand-daughter of Damang Lebar Dawn.
After the marriage, all the warriors returned to the land of Kling, loaded with presents by Sri Tri-buana, and the ambassador was also entrusted with a letter.
After a long time, when his earthly period was completed, Sri Tri-buana departed this life, and was buried on the hill of Singhapura, and was succeeded by Raja Kichil Besar, under the title of Paduca Sri Vicrama Vira, while Raja Kichil Muda became his bandahara, or prime minister, under the title of Tun Parpatih Parmuka Barjaja (Dwaja?) who was the first bandahara, and whenever the sovereign did not choose to shew himself, his place was occupied by this minister.
And the custom was, that on such occasions, when he represented the sovereign, whenever a son of the raja appeared before him, he did not descend unless it was the heir apparent.
Whenever he entered into the raja's presence, he had also the right of sitting upon the carpet; and when the raja had entered the palace after any public assembly, it behoved all the nobles and chief men to attend the bandahara home whenever he took his departure.
Damang Lebar Dawn had also a grandson who became pardan mantri, under the title of Tun Parpatih Parmuka Segalla, and who had to sit opposite to the bandahara on public occasions.
Under the bandahara immediately was the pangulu bandahari, with the title of T'un Jana Buca Dandang. Under him was the chief Hulubalang, or champion who was over all the champions, and had the title of T'un Tampurong Camarata. After him came all the paramantris, and men of property, or orang-cayas, and all the chatriyas, seda-sidas, bantaras, and hulubalangs, or champions, according to their rank and gradations, following the institutions of the former time.
Long then did Paduca Sri Vicrama Vira, with his queen, Nila Panchadi, live in great mutual affection; and they had a son named Raja Muda, and the kingdom of Singhapura increased in power, and became famous over the whole world.
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