Sejarah Melayu Summary 📗 10 Minute Introduction to the Malay Annals

The Sejarah Melayu or Malay Annals is a treasure trove of insights on medieval Malay history. It is a genealogy of Malay kings written in the 1500s. Its coverage range from Alexander the Great's invasion of India (327 BC) to the founding of Singapura (1299), the birth of Malacca sultanate (1400) till its fall to the Portuguese in 1511. 

*I am studying the Sejarah Melayu for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine. Follow-on articles will highlight food references embedded in the Malay Annals.

Second Portuguese Invasion & End of Malacca Sultanate 1511 📖 Sejarah Melayu Chapter 30

Youtube screengrab from video Fall of Malacca

Chapter 30 is the final chapter of Sejarah Melayu while ended with the fall of Malacca to the Portuguese in 1511.

When the Portuguese returned in 1511, Malacca had a new king, Sultan Ahmad Shah (reign 1511 - 1513) and also a new bandahara (prime minister), datuk Paduca Tuan.

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

Portuguese Arrives in Malacca 1509 📗 Sejarah Melayu Chapter 29

Youtube screengrab from Fall of Malacca

Malacca was a thriving, prosperous kingdom when the Portuguese arrived in 1509. The Portuguese were well received by the locals who had never seen Europeans before. They called them "white Bengalis". 

In the Sejarah Melayu account, the Malaccans received the Portuguese kindly. The Malacca bandahara Sri Maha Raja even adopted the Portuguese captain as his son.

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

Sultan Mahmud Shah of Malacca Murders his Brother Raja Zenel 📖 Sejarah Melayu Chapter 28

Youtube screengrab from 1961 movie Puteri Gunung Ledang

Sultan Mahmud Shah of Malacca (reign 1488 - 1511) had a younger brother Raja Zenel. The younger prince was extremely handsome and well loved by the public. Everywhere he went, he attracted crowds of admirers like a modern day celebrity. This made Sultan Mahmud Shah so jealous that he decided to murder his brother.

The jealous king entrusted the task to the palace gatekeeper with the promise of reward and favour. The assassin stabbed king's younger brother to death in his sleep. Sultan Mahmud Shah then promoted the palace gatekeeper to the rank of Sang Sura (a warrior).

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

Sultan Mahmud Shah Humiliates Sultan Abdal Jamil of Pahang 📗 Sejarah Melayu Chapter 27

The Pahang Sultanate and Malacca Sultanate were from the same family, so there was naturally some sibling rivalry. The Pahang Sultanate was established for the exiled Sultan Muhammad Shah who was the crown prince of Malacca but lost favour as he killed the Malacca bandahara's son (over a ball game). When Sultan Muhammad Shah of Pahang died, he was succeed by his son Sultan Abdal Jamil. Chapter 27 of the Malay Annals records two incidents which the sultan of Malacca grievously humiliated Sultan Abdal Jamil, causing his resignation / early retirement.

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

Kingdom of Indragiri & Hang Nadim's Mission to India to Purchase Chintz 📗 Sejarah Melayu Chapter 26

Youtube screengrab from 1959 movie Hang Tuah

Chapter 26 of Malay Annals contains accounts of the kingdom of Indragiri in Sumatra which was a vassal state of Malacca, and Hang Nadim's eventful mission to India to procure chintz (printed cloth).

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

7 Conditions of Puteri Gunung Ledang for Sultan Mahmud Shah ⛰ Sejarah Melayu Chapter 25

Youtube still from 1961 movie Puteri Gunung Ledang

Chapter 25 of the Malay Annals relates the legend of Puteri Gunung Ledang (today's Mount Ophir in Johor). Sultan Mahmud Shah having heard about the princess' beauty, wished to marry her. Tun Mamed, the Sang Satia and laksamana Hang Tuah volunteered to be the sultan's emissaries to the princess. After much hardship in getting to the "mount from faraway" with many fantastic mystical encounters along the way, the princess' emissary conveyed seven impossible conditions for the king.

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

Sultan Mahmud Shah During Malacca's Heyday 📗 Sejarah Melayu Chapter 24

Youtube screengrab from movie Puteri Gunung Ledang

Chapter 24 of the Malay Annals is a long, wide ranging chapter chronicling episodes from the life of Sultan Mahmud Shah who ruled the Malacca Sultanate from 1488 till it fell to the Portuguese in 1511. Sultan Mahmud Shah's reign was an eventful one from ruling Malacca during its heyday to fighting the Portuguese to recover his lost kingdom till his death in 1528.

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

Sultan Muhammed Shah of Pahang Murdered Tun Talanai of Terengganu 📗 Sejarah Melayu Chapter 23

Chapter 23 of the Malay Annals contains the account of the murder of Tun Talani of Terengganu by Sultan Muhammed Shah of the Pahang sultanate.

Sultan Muhammed Shah and Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah were brothers. Muhammed Shah was first in line to succeed their father Sultan Mansur Shah but was banished to Pahang after he killed the Malacca prime minister's son over a minor sepak raga (rattan ball game) dispute. 

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

Kingdom of Aru - Malacca Sultanate War 📗 Sejarah Melayu Chapter 22

The kingdom of Aru (1225 - 1613) was located between the kingdom of Pasai and Malacca sultanate with Pasai to its north and Malacca across the straits to its south. During its heyday in the 15th century, Aru rivalled Pasai and Malacca in trade, seapower and influence. Chapter 22 of the Malay Annals contains the account of the war between Aru and Pasai which ended inconclusively as the neighbouring kingdoms were evenly matched. Aru attacked Malacca which was allied with Pasai during the reign of Alauddin Riayat Shah (1477 - 1488). This attack was repulsed by Malacca and ended in a truce.

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

Law & Order in Malacca Sultanate 📖 Sejarah Melayu Chapter 21

The royals of Malacca sultanate took law and order in their kingdom very seriously. Prince Radin Galang, the favourite son of Sultan Mansur Shah was killed during one of his patrols, personally confronting a man who ran amok. Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah who succeed Sultan Mansur Shah as the seventh sultan of Malacca continued the tradition, personally patrolling his realm and apprehending looters. The punishment for crimes was severe, e.g. chopping off a hand for stealing. 

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

Samudra Pasai - Malacca War 📗 Sejarah Melayu Chapter 20

The Samudera Pasai sultanate and Malacca sultanate fought a short war. Sultan of Samudera Pasai Zainal Abidin III (reign 1468 - 1474) was usurped by his younger brother. 

Sultan Zainal Abidin III fled to Malacca, where he was warmly received by Sultan Mansur Shah (1459 - 1477).

Sultan Mansur Shah even sent his army to Samudera Pasai where they defeated the usurper's army and reinstated Sultan Zainal Abidin III. Unfortunately, Sultan Zainal Abidin III was unappreciative - he declined to thank Sultan Mansur Shah.

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

Finding Lost Kingdom of Champa in Mee Champa · Halal Pho · Sejarah Melayu Chapter 19

Eighth century Cham temple dedicated to Lord Shiva

Chapter 19 of the Malay Annals contains the genealogy of the kingdom of Champa which existed for 1,640 years (from 192 - 1832) in today's central and part of southern Vietnam. The Malay Annals also recorded the diaspora of Cham royalty following Champa's defeat by the Vietnamese in the 1400s (during the heyday of the Malacca sultanate).

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

Sultan Mansur Shah's Role in the Spread of Islam in the Malay World 📗 Sejarah Melayu Chapter 18

The Holy Koran

Sultan Mansur Shah's reign (1456 - 1477) was the golden age of the Malacca sultanate and he played a pivotal role in the spread of Islam in the Malay peninsular and archipelago. Sultan Mansur Shah took a deep personal interest in Islam, especially the teachings and practice of Tasawwuf (Sufism). He was well known for encouraging and supporting scholarship in Islamic theology.

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

Fruitless Rampage of Samaloco, Prince of Maluku 📖 Sejarah Melayu Chapter 17

Maluku warriors

Chapter 17 of Sejarah Melayu tells of the story of prince Samaloco of Macasar (modern day Maluku in Indonesia). He fell in love with his stepmother and was encouraged by his father, the king to look for a wife abroad. Samaloco rampaged through the region from Java through Sumatra (Pasai) to Siam bringing him head to head with Malacca. He was repelled by Sultan Mansur Shah's admiral.

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

Duel with Hang Tuah & Death of Hang Casturi 📖 Sejarah Melayu Chapter 16

Hang Tuah. Youtube screengrab from 1955 movie Hang Tuah

During the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah (1459 to 1477) of Malacca, there were five famous warriors who were like brothers - Hang Tuah, Hang Kasturi, Hang Jebat, Hang Lekir, and Hang Lekiu. Chapter 16 contains the story of the duel of Hang Tuah and Hang Kasturi which ended in the death of the latter.

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

Sultan Mansur Shah of Malacca Marries Princess Hong Li-po 📖 Sejarah Melayu 15

Sejarah Melayu chapter 15 records the setting up of ties between the Malacca sultanate and Ming dynasty of China. To seal the relationship, the emperor of China sent princess Hong Li-po to marry Sultan Mansur Shan (reign 1459 - 1477) of Malacca.

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

History of Kang Kong from Sejarah Melayu 📗 Malacca Envoy Introduces Kang Kung to Emperor of China 马来风光

I think it is safe to say that almost everyone in Singapore and Malaysia have eaten kang kung in one form or another. The humble vegetable is used in many dishes in Singapore and Malaysia, as a garnish or the main ingredient itself. There's a curious story about the Malacca ambassador, the emperor of China and kangkung in the Sejarah Melayu or Malay Annals.

Sultan Mansur Shah Marries Princess Radin Galah Chandra Kirana of Majapahit 📘 Sejarah Melayu Chapter 14

Chapter 14 of the Sejarah Melayu records the accord of Malacca sultanate and Majapahit empire established by marriage of Sultan Mansur Shah and princess of Majapahit, Radin Galah Chandra Kirana.

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.

Sultan Mudhafer Shah & Sultan Mansur Shah 📖 War & Peace with Siam 📖 Sejarah Melayu Chapter 13

Chapter 13 of the Sejarah Melayu relates the triumph of Sultan Mudhafer Shah and Sultan Mansur Shah over invasions by Siamese as well as their eventual peace accord. The chapter also contains accounts on Malacca's conquest of Pahang.

*I am studying the Malay Annals for insights into the roots of Malay cuisine.