Melaka

Introduction

Melaka, with its glorious past, is undoubtedly the wealthiest when it comes to history. Facing the Straits of Malacca, it is a place of intriguing Chinese streets, antique shops, old temples and reminders of European colonial powers. The historical melting-pot of cultures and races – Malay, Chinese, Chittys, the Baba, and Nyonya and the Portuguese, has very much influenced the cultural designs of homes and buildings in Melaka city, its capital.

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History

Melaka was founded in 1396 by an exiled Sumatran prince named Parameswara. According to legend, Parameswara, was out hunting one day and while resting under a tree, one of his dogs cornered a mouse-deer and in defense, the mouse-deer kicked the dog smartly on its nose. Impressed by the mouse-deer’s courage and what he believed was a good omen, he decided to build his empire on this sacred land and named it after the tree he was sitting under, which was the Melaka tree.

Melaka Malaysia Maps

He was also the first Malay prince to become a Muslim and inevitably, Islam became the official religion. In 1405 Admiral Cheng Ho, the “three jeweled eunuch prince” arrived in Melaka bearing gifts from the Ming Emperor, and the promise of protection. In the mid 15^th century the Ming Emperors daughter arrived to wed the Sultan of Melaka to seal diplomatic relations and settled with her entourage here. By the end of the 15^th century, Melaka grew to become a powerful trading empire and successfully repulsed Siamese attacks.

In 1511,Alfonso D’ Albuquerque took the city for the Portuguese. In 1641 the city passed into Dutch hands after a siege lasting 8 months. In 1795, the French occupied Holland, so the British, allies of the Dutch, temporarily took over the administration of the Dutch colonies. In 1824, Melaka was ceded to the British in exchange for the Sumatran port of Bencoolen, (Bengkulu today). From 1826 onwards Melaka was ruled by the English East-India Company together with Singapore and Penang under the Straits Settlement administration.

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The People

Historical melting-pot of cultures and races Malay, Chinese, Chittys, the Baba, Nyonya and the Portuguese.

Bullock Cart Ride

Cuisine

Melaka food is quite unique Nyonya food, a combination of Chinese and Malay cooking styles

Handicrafts

A fantastic place to hunt for antiques curios and ancient handicrafts from another time.

Trishaw Ride

Getting There

Ayer Kroh

Air Keroh lies about 15 km east of Melaka Town, a tourist complex with,