Malaysian Studies Chapter 1: The Early History of Malaysia

Malaysian Studies

Chapter 1:The Early History of Malaysia

Why Learn History?What Is to Be Learned From History?

Know who you are, your society and country.Appreciate individuals who fought for our

independence and sovereignty.Not to repeat past mistakes.

To emulate past glory.Help us learn and improve ourselves.

Guide us to identify things that we must treasure, emulate or reject.

What You Will Learn in This Lecture

Malaysia’s historical background:

Prehistoric Age

Old Malay Kingdoms

The Malay Kingdom of Malacca

Malaysia’s History Timeline

Prehistoric35,000 BC - 100 BC

Early Hindu/Malay Kingdoms100 BC - 1400 AD

Islam and the Golden Age of Malacca

1400 - 1511

Colonial Malaysia1511 - 1957

Independence and Onwards

1957 - Present

Prehistoric Malaysia

People started to live here since the Stone Age.

The Stone Age is divided into several periods:Paleolithic (Early Stone Age)

Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) Neolithic (New Stone Age)

Metal Age


Paleolithic35000 years ago

Lives in cavesCollects forest products and hunting

Uses simple stone tools



Mesolithic11000 years ago

Lives in caves and along rivers and lakesStarted farming

Uses refined stone toolsAble to make earthenware



Neolithic5000 years ago

Use complex stone toolsStarts rearing livestock and creating objects. Uses accessories like beads, and necklaces

Communicates with other tribes in other places



Metal Age2500 years ago

More orderly lifestylePracticed social customs

Developed residential areasLives in wide open land near rivers

Population grew


Old Malay Kingdoms

5000 years ago, old kingdoms emerged in the Malay Archipelago

Centres of government, trade and spread of religion

Several different Malay kingdoms rise and fall during this period

Old Malay Kingdoms

Early Malay Kingdoms Timeline

Funan1

CENTURIES

Langkasuka, Patani

2

Tun Sun,Segenting Kra

3

Old Kedah,Gangga Negara

5

Chih- Tu,Tan- Tan

6

Srivijaya7

Mataram8

Majapahit13


Why Malacca?Tome Pires states “Malacca is very famous

and prosperous” The most influential and powerful of all Malay

Kingdoms in its glory daysOften referred as the starting point for Peninsular Malaysia’s Malay Sultanate


Malacca’s Empire


Founded by Parameswara in 1403 A.D.Grew into a great Empire in the Malay

ArchipelagoCenter for maritime trade and the spread of

IslamVast territory – respected by most, envied by

some


Why was Malacca prosperous?Strategic location for trade

Strong government & efficient administrationProtected by China & has diplomatic ties with

Java, India and SiamLoyal subjects

Malay language – lingua franca


Governance / AdministrationSultan

Bendahara / Prime MinisterTemenggung / Chief of Defence

Laksamana / AdmiralPenghulu Bendahari / Finance Minister


What makes a Sultan, a Sultan?Born a king, always a king!

Special Rights

His word is the lawSaid to have the power to curse

his disloyal subjectsThe only one whose house has a

balconyThe only man who can use gold

jewelry and weapons


LanguageUses unique language, exclusive only to him and the people who

talks to him

Special ItemsOwns the Royal Kris, Royal Spear, Nobat (a set of nine

musical instruments)

ColourThe only one who uses yellow an

white in his clothing and furniture

His subjects can only wear / use the colours if he gives it to them


Malacca LawsOral & written laws

Based on the Malay “adat” or way of lifeOral – word of the Sultan

Written:Hukum Kanun Melaka

Undang-Undang Laut Melaka

Fall of the Malacca Empire

Malacca’s prosperity and status was both it’s curse and blessing

Why?Tempted many countries to conquer it

Ego / Comfort Zone


1511Alfonso de Albuquerque and his 1200 men successfully conquered Malacca after

severely struggling for one month


Why did Malacca fell?

Internal Factors

Weak SultanWeak government

Conflicts among subjectsBribery & Corruption

Lacking in modern war technology

The “waa’dat” factor


Why did Malacca fell?

External Factors

Discovery of the Cape of Good Hope – easier for the Portuguese

to invade MalaccaHigh taxes imposed on

merchants

Conclusion

Malaysia’s early history is in 2 phases – Prehistoric and Malay Kingdoms

In Malay Kingdoms, Sultan holds the absolute power and is helped by his ministers and

advisorsThere are 2 forms of laws – oral & written

The strength of any country is tested during its peak and Malacca failed the test

Documents

Malaysian Studies Chapter 1: The Early History of Malaysia