Melaka
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Melaka, known as the Historical City in Malaysia for its rich and long history was founded by Parameswara, a Srivijayan prince who left Sumatra. The exact year on when it was founded remain unknown, it is believe that it was founded at the 13th century. Melaka gets its name from a tree, according to legend, Parameswara
was resting under a tree near a river while hunting, when one of his dogs cornered a mouse deer. In self-defence, the mouse deer pushed the dog into the river. Impressed by the courage of the deer, Parameswara decided to found an empire and name it after the tree which he had taken shelter, Melaka.
Because of its strategic location, at that time it was one of the most important entrepot in this region with ships and merchants from China, Japan, India, Arab and South Africa. In 1511, it fell to the hands of the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch in 1641 after a fierce battle. In 1795, it was given to the British to prevent it falling to the French when the Netherlands was captured during the Napoleonic Wars. It was returned to the Dutch in 1818 under the treaty of Vienna but was later exchanged by the British for Bangkahulu, Sumatra. From 1826 onwards, the British East India Company along with Singapore and Penang governed it, under the Straits Settlement administration in Calcutta.
The Dutch, who held Melaka for over a century, left many fine buildings marking their heritage. The most imposing relic of the Dutch period is the Stadthuys, a strikingly pink town hall which is today the oldest Dutch building in the Far East. Right next to it stands the bright red Christ Church, constructed with pink bricks imported from the Dutch and covered with local red lacerite. Today, these buildings together with the ruins of the Portuguese built A Famosa and St. Paul's Church are the most prominent reminders of the Europeans' presence. |
