Melaka is the birthplace of the Malay Sultanate and Malaysia's most historic city. Here, the Portuguese, Dutch, British and Japanese each played their roles in shaping the history of this region.
Melaka was founded in 1396 by Parameswara, a Palembang prince that fled Temasik (ancient Singapore). He decided to declare this new found land as his new kingdom and named it 'Melaka' after the name of the tree under which he had sought refuge. By the end of the 15th century, Melaka had grown to become a great Muslim maritime empire and a major port-of-call for ships and merchants from as far away as China, Japan, India, Arabia and South Africa.
The Portuguese soon recognized her strategic location in the middle of the spice trade route between China and India. In 1511, the Portuguese became the first foreign power to rule Melaka. The Dutch followed in 1641 and in 1824, Melaka was handed over to Britain. British rule in Melaka was interrupted by the Japanese occupation during World War II and resumed at the end of the war.
Melaka along with the other states under the Federation of Malaya gain its independence from Britain on 31 August 1957 and in 1963, the Federation of Malaya became Malaysia.
In recognition of Melaka's contribution to Malaysia's history, Melaka was declared a Historical City on 15 April , 1989. |
