Chapter 1 – History and

Politics
1.1_PREHISTORIC TIMES,
EARLY HISTORY AND
FOREIGN RULES

Malaysian Studies 3 (MU1 2173)

Pre-historical Ages of Malay Archipelago
Paleolithic Age (Early Stone Age) : 35,000
years ago, Gua Niah, Sarawak

Mesolithic Age (Hoabinhian Age) : 11,000

years age, Gua Musang, Kelantan

Malaysian Studies 3 (MU1 2173)

Pre-historical Ages of Malay
Archipelago
Neolithic Age : 5,000 years ago, Gua
Kelawar, Perak

Metal Age/Bronze and Iron Age: 2,500

years ago, Slim River, Perak

Malaysian Studies 3 (MU1 2173)

 Ancient Malaya
Islam and the Independence and
35,000 BC - 100 BC
Golden Age of Malacca Onwards
1400 - 1511 AD 1957 - Present Day
Early Hindu Kingdoms
100 BC - 1400 AD Colonial era in Malaya
1511 - 1957

Malaysian Studies 3 (MU1 2173)

 Ancient
Malaysia:
35,000 BC - 100 BC 
•Historians - Malaysia's ancient past as something "shrouded
in mystery," a kind of black hole in Asian history.
- The truth is - not much archeological evidence or
written records from ancient Malaysia.
(will take time to find them)

•35,000 years BC (Before Christ)

- homo sapiens have been in Malaysia
- oldest known evidence of human habitation
Niah Caves in Sarawak. (next)
Malaysian Studies 3 (MU1 2173)
 Hindu Kingdoms:  
100 BC - 1400 AD 

Malay Peninsula -
In the Bujang Valley in Kedah is Malaysia's
• Savarnadvipa (the Land of Gold - in early writings from India). most extensive archeological site -- the
• Indian traders called mystical, fantastically wealthily sprawling ruins of an ancient Hindu kingdom
kingdom - gold, aromatic wood, and spices. dating back to 300 AD. Over 50 tomb
• Indian also brought a pervasive culture & religions. (Hinduism temples dot the site, and hundreds of relics
are on display in the nearby Bujang Valley
and Buddhism). Archaeological Museum
• the most visible example of the early Indian influence is:

The Malay Wedding Ceremony:

a lasting legacy of early Indian influence.
Malaysian Studies 3 (MU1 2173)
(next)
 Islam and the Golden Age of Malacca:  
1400 AD - 1511 AD 
•13th century
-Srivijaya's influence declined Tome Pries, a Portuguese apothecary
-There were need for secure, well-equipped port in the region.who visited Malacca in the early 16th
century, said that the city was "of such
importance and profit that it seems to me
•Malacca it has no equal in the world."

-founded in 1400 by Palembang prince named Parameswara.

-Perfectly located for trade
-most influential port in Southeast Asia

•With these traders came Islam

-rulers now referred to themselves as
Portuguese settlement

“sultans,“ (heads of a highly organized

municipal government)

Malaysian Studies 3 (MU1 2173) Chinese influence

(next)
 Highly Organized Municipal Government.

Syahbandars Bendahara Temenggung Laksamana

( harbor master) (chief minister) (customs official) (marine captain)

Malaysian Studies 3 (MU1 2173)

The advent of Islam in South-east Asia

Gujarat (India): through Arabs and Persian

merchants and traders in the 13th century

Spread to Malacca, Indonesia and the

southern Philippines

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The advent of Islam in South-east Asia

Srivijaya (Palembang, in Sumatra), Buddhist

Malay kingdom from the 9th to the 13th
century AD

Majapahit (Java), Hindu kingdom gaining

control of the Malay Peninsula in the 14th
century
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 Malacca Sultanate (1400)

 Founded by Parameswara in 1400 by a prince from Palembang

 When attacked by the Majapahit army from Java, Parameswara fled from
Palembang to Singapore (Temasik), killed its ruler Temagi represented by
Ayhuthia (Siam)
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Malacca Sultanate (1400)

Fled to Muar and then Malacca, when attacked

by Siam five years later

Converted to Islam by marrying the daughter of

Ruler of Pasai, changing name to Megat
Iskandar Shah
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The rise of Malacca Sultanate
 Geographic: sea route between China and India, protected
and aided by North East and South West monsoons, deep
harbour
 Economy: entrepot of the Malay Archipelago, proximity to
spice and pepper trade

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The rise of Malacca Sultanate

Political and Administration: relation with

China, efficient administration, good tax
collecting system, just law, Malay language,
role of Islam, political stability

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REASON of MALACCA’S SUCCESS

Natural port & safety of its sea lanes.

Commercial facilities:

- security within the town

- protection of foreign merchants & goods
 ex.: underground warehouse – fire & theft

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REASON for MALACCA’S SUCCESS
 Efficient legal & Administrative machinery

 Undang-undang Melaka – (Malaccan Law)

 Undang-undang Laut Melaka – (Malaccan Maritime Law)

 4 Syahbandars (Harbour Masters) – Gujarati, Indian, Jawa & China.

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REASON for MALACCA’S SUCCESS

 Centre for spread the religion.

 Good relation with big empires .

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The fall of Malacca Sultanate

Internal: no capable leaders after Tun

Perak, palace intrigue (Muslim Tamils
against Malays), corruption, high taxes

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The fall of Malacca Sultanate
External: discovery of sea route to the east
through Cape of Good Hope by Bartolomew Diaz
in 1488, traders moved to other ports, attacked
by Portuguese in 1511

Malaysian Studies 3 (MU1 2173)