`The battle of Melaka

One day, the king of Palembang, Parameswara was hunting in the jungle. He later rested under a tree. It
was at that moment he witnessed his hunting dog defeated by an albino mouse deer. He thought that the
incident was most unusual and desired to make the place a new kingdom.
That mouse deer was indeed impressive when it fought my dog said Parameswara, as he looked
around the area.
Whats the name of this tree? he said, as he stared up at the tree he was resting under.
Its called the Melaka tree, Your Highness, answered his advisor.
Parameswara then smiled and declared , If that so, then I shall proclaim this land to be named Melaka, I
would like to build a palace here.
Parameswara ruled Melaka very well until this new state become well-known centre of trade. Melaka
grew even more prosperous when he embraced Islam and establish a sultanate there. Melaka become a
place where Arab, Chinese and Indian traders would stop over to do business. The glory of Melaka
become the nevy of other nations. The Siamese and Javanese kingdoms tried to colonise Melaka, but
they were successfully defeated.
During the early 216th century, King Manuel of Portugal was on a conquest to expand his empire. He
wanted to control the spice trade that was now centered in Melaka.
Our ship must set sail at once and we must take control of Melaka.
The Portuguese forces arrived at the port of Melaka with five large gallons commanded by Diego Lopez
de Sequeira. They let off sevral rounds of cannon fire to announce their arrival. As soon as they set foot
on land, the Portuese soldiers were swarmed by the locals. They were amazed by their physical
appearance and clothes. News of the arrival of the Portuguese forces shook the whole of Melaka. A group
of advisors appeared before Sultan Mahmud Shah in his court to inform him of the occurrence.
There are several white Bengali men who have docked their ship at our port. I fear that they may want to
attack our land, sire, stated the Sultans Treasure, Seri Maharaja.
We must stop them. Added Admiral Hang Nadim.
Bring them before me, ordered Sultan Mahmud Shah.
Diego Lopez de Sequeira and his men were brough before Sultan Mahmud Shah.
I humbly seek permission to trade and build a fort here. I would also like to build a warehouse to store
our trade goods, stated Diego Lopez.
I allow you to trade here but you are not permittd to build a fort or warehouse here, declared Sultan
Mahmud Shah.

Diego Lopez was not satisfied with the reply. He and his men started creating trouble at the port and were
deliberately looking to fight with traders from Java, India and Gujerat.
The post of Melaka become chaotic. This made Sultan Mahmud Shah furious. I want all of those white
Bengalis arrested!
Admiral Hang Nadimn led the Melaka warriors to capture the Portuguese soldiers. Thirty Portuguese
soldiers were eventually arrested. Diego Lopez then sent a letter to Sultan Mahmud Shah requesting that

he release his men. However, Sultan Mahmud Shah ignored this request. Due to this, he had to return to
Portugal to himself.
Not long after that, Alfonso de Albuquerque arrived in Melaka along with 1000 of his soldiers. He was the
viceroy of Portugal. He insisted that Sultan Mahmud Shah release the Portuguese. Albuquerque then
burned the kings boats and ships belong to Gujarati traders. He even burned down the houses of several
advisors. His action did not stop there. He also demanded s plot of land as well as compensation in
money. Sultan Mahmud Shah grew even more furious by this.
It seems the Portuguese are trying to test my patience. They must be driven out
Sultan Mahmud Shah ordered the Melaka army to arm themselves in preparation to attack the
Portuguese forces. Sultan Mahmud Shah worked out military strategies. He divided his warriors into
several groups. They were instructed to guard the bridge, the roads, the trade warehouse and a few other
important points.
The Portuguese army landed on the beach. The Melaka soldiers prepared to attack them. At the same
time, Sultan Mahmud Shah was preparing himself to lead 700 of his soldiers.
Attack! Attack! cried out Sultan Mahmud Shah.
The Portuguese and Melaka armies went head to head. The sultan and his warriors were continuously
attacked. Sultan Mahmud Shah and his warriors continually counterattacked the Portuguese forces in
turn. Prince Ahmad, the son of Sultan Mahmud Shah, and his soldiers were in wait to stop the
advancement of the Portuguese army at the Melaka bridge. They attacked the Portuguese army.
Eventually, the Portuguese army had to retreat from the bridge as many of them were wounded poisoned
arrows. They withdrew back their ships. Albuquerque grew anxious when he saw that a large number of
his soldiers had been injured or killed. Many of the Sultans warriors had also been injured or killed. He
told them to fall back to the mosque.

On that very night, Sultan Mahmud Shah instructed his army to build a citadel on the read. He also
instructed them to lay bamboo filled with gun power and poisoned spikes along the beach. Next day, the
Sultans soldiers and warriors went against the Portuguese soldiers full of fighting spirit. They fired their
cannons at the ships of their enemies. The atmosphere in Melaka grew increasingly tense. Dead
Portuguese soldiers lay everywhere. The Situation in the city of Melaka was turned upside down. Stores
and business warehouses had been destroyed. Portuguese soldiers had looted all the goods stored in
these places. They had also broken their way into the houses of the advisors and the palace.
The battle went on for almost 14 days. The Melaka warriors were beginning to lose the battle against the
Portuguese army. Many had been shot dead by the Portuguese. The Portuguese army stepped up their
aggression and in the end defeated the Melaka warriors. On 24 th August 1511, Melaka fell to the
Portuguese. Sultan Mahmud Shah was forced to flee to another state. This marked the end of the
Sultanate of Melaka.