Page 74 - All About History - Issue 54-17

Time Traveller’s Handbook

PORTUGUESE Malacca, 1511-1641

MALACCA

ocated halfway between China and India, with 14 ships and 1,200 men. They besieged
and with easy access to the spice islands of the city and conquered it in 40 days. Be prepared to run to safety.
Indonesia, the city of Malacca in Malaysia The Portuguese now control the port, but Portuguese Malacca faces
Lwas an epicentre for Asian trade in the 15th are fast learning that they don’t control the severe hostility and years of
century. Its bustling port welcomed merchant Asian trade centred there. Many merchants seemingly endless battles by those who
ships from Arabia, Persia, China, Ceylon, India, are moving to safer habours as Mahmud, wish to claim it.
Japan and more for over a century before the having re-established his kingdom in Johor, is
Portuguese arrived in 1509. promising to retake the city, while other states Comply with the
Despite an initial warm welcome, , in the region are also hostile to the invaders. Portuguese. They show
as
ha
Sultan Mahmud Shah was fairness to those who obey
G.01
soon convinced tha at FIG them. For example, when the city was
Europeans were a taken they sacked the town but left the
grave threat and property of those who sided with them.
so he attacked
their fleet and Know where to find a bride.
captured several The Portuguese have sent over
of their men. many órfãs d’el-rei (‘orphans of
This prompted the king’) — young women whose
an all-out assault fathers have died in battle so are cared
by the Portuguese, for by the state but have been sent to
who returned in 15 11 marry colonial settlers.

Get to know the city. It has
four main gateways that link to
T
A
S
T
O
WHERE TO STAYY the different suburbs, but only
two are in common use.
r
g
As soon as they arrived, the Portuguese built a
om
a
it
hill
c
fortress to defend the city. Encompassing a hill on FIG.02 Expect abundant trade.
he
y
nc
E
FI
n
o
g
in
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ss
pa

r
e
e
v
on
fo

t
th
mou

h
e
m
r
th
e
of

ri
the southeast of the river mouth on the former r Because of competition from

site of the sulta an’s palace (which was destroyed other ports, Asian merchants
y
p
during the invasion), the A Formosa (‘The are bypassing Malacca and trade is
g
Famous’) is an n imposing structure. Surrounded slowly drying up.
by long rampa arts, it has four towers that serve as
a four-story keep, an ammunition room and Stick around too long. In
ep
p
residences for t the captain and officers. 1641, the Dutch will finally
Offering the be est protection when wrestle Malacca out of
s a a k
Mahmud and o other raiders attack Portuguese hands after years of bitter
a
the city, the Po ortuguese have fighting for control.
g
also built their administrative
s a
r a
buildings, hosp pitals, Stay in the central suburb.
s
churches and a a cluster Yler is the site of the central
of townhouses s within water source and Sabba is the
its walls. For m more of f rural home of the Muslim Malays where
a taste of Mala an they make distilled wine.
accan
life, the A Form mosa is
also within wa alking Be fooled by appearances.
g
distance of the e Although Malacca is a wealthy
nd
city’s bazaar an city, most of the buildings are
oldest mosque. e. built from wood, with few exceptions.
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