Mansur Shah of Malacca

Palace

According to Sherwin, there were a bit documents about the Mansur Shah palace and the constructions at that time during his control over Malacca Sultanate influences in the 15th century. Sherwin also specifically said that this palace was one of the most detailed historical buildings in all Malay historical sources, and certainly has a few rivals anywhere in the world as such a succinct and down-to-earth descriptions of a building that is such a antiquity. Unlike the rest of majority with other cultures of comparable historical records, there is no actual trace at all that is left on the buildings from the age in the Malay Peninsula, so that the written sources becomes even more important of the reconstruction of the architectural history.

After the death of Mansur Shah, the buildings of his palace were completely razed off later due to the fact of the Portuguese capturing Malacca in 1511, making much of the influences which ruled under Malacca Sultanate in 1511 collapse in Malay Peninsula. Others of the territories outside of Malay Peninsula remains.

Modern era

Nowadays, the prime minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad plan to reconstruct a newly replica of Mansur Shah palace in 17th July 1984, and it was also open by the government of himself. Much were made in hardwoods, while the roof of the palace is made of a "belian" wood. Nowadays, the replica of the palace is now discern to be type of museum in the modern days of Malaysia in Malacca.

Expansions

Mansur Shah implemented a policy of expansionism during his rule. Many territories in Malay Peninsula and eastern Sumatra and the surrounding islands, such as Perak, Bernam, while Siak became Malacca's vassal. Several states unsuccessfully asserted their autonomy such as Pahang, Kampar and Inderagiri. This led one of Mansur's son to be leader of Pahang. Manjung, Rupat, Singapore, and Bintan, were under the control of Malacca during his rule.

Marriage alliances

Mansur Shah also used marriage alliances between princesses of Malacca and the rulers of conquered states, such as the marriage between the king of Siak to Mansur Shah's daughter, Princess Mahadewi, to strengthen Malacca's control over those states. Such alliances were a factor in Islam's expansion in maritime Southeast Asia. Siantan and Indragiri in Sumatra were also given to Malacca as dowry for his marriage to the princess of Majapahit.

According to historian Tomé Pires, Princess Hang Li Po, daughter of the Ming Dynasty Emperor Yongle (1403–1424), was sent over with her sizable entourage to marry Sultan Mansur Shah. Princess Hang Li Po remains a mystery/myth today because there are no records in Ming Dynasty sources with the surname of Hang or a princess named Li Po. Emperor Yongle had only 5 princesses, Princess Yong'an (永安公主; 1377–1417), Princess Ancheng (安成公主; 1384–1443), Princess Yongping (永平公主; 1379–1444), Princess Xianning (咸寧公主; 1385–1440) and Princess Changning (常寧公主; 1387–1408). During Sultan Mansur's reign of power, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty was Emperor Yingzong (1457–1464), instead of Emperor Yongle.

Princesses of conquered states, such as Princess Wanang Seri of Pahang and Raden Galoh Candra Kirana, were also married to the Sultan of Malacca.

Economic policy

Mansur Shah reduced taxes on trade items during his reign, which increased the interest of merchants in trading through Malacca. A preferential tariff system was introduced whereby a 6% tax was levied on the trade of merchants from west of Malacca, such as Arabia and India, and a 3% tax was levied on the trade of merchants from Maritime Southeast Asia. Merchants from China, Japan and Java were not taxed at all. Malacca also offered the economic advantage of easy access to laborers.

Spread of Islam

Mansur Shah, who had an interest in Islam, encouraged scholarship in Islamic theological studies, and studied Sufism himself. He studied under Maulana Abu Bakar, who brought the Ab Darul Manzum scriptures to Malacca. He ordered the translation of the scripture to Malay by Makhdum Patakan. Mansur Shah referred to scholars from Pasai on religious issues due to their expertise.

Tombstone

There are many theories about the Mansur Shah tombstone. At the time supposedly in June 1918, the author name Jean Pierre Moquette had been given the description of the tomb, which was given to him by Richard Olaf Winstedt, purporting to be the sultan Mansur Shah tombstone. The two stones were given to him later, and then it was seen to be no-way matched, either its in shape or ornament or workmanship. The head stone was once undoubtedly placed on a tomb, while the others one belongs to its kinds that lies on the ground.

The plate on one of those two stones of Mansur Shah ones deciphered allegedly by Jean Pierre Moquette. With assistance on his side to help of his decipherment works, Moquette, to include those others of the teamers cast, was finally able to decipher of what its the inscriptions sayings; they were also to reconstruct its damage words, certainly to get the absolute readings on the plate, included the name and the date. Formerly, the author name John Coney Moulton kindly sent the request images of the stone to Moquette, of all of the four sides which is placed in the cement pedestal for the better preservation. The readings from the first plate on obverse says;

Hadzihi al-raudzat al-mukaddasat al-mutahharat al-zawiyat al-safiyat al-munawwarat lil Sultan al-adil al-badzil al-Sultan Mansur Shah bin Muzaffar Shah al-marhum

And also the 2nd plate (on reverse) readings follows:

Kad intakala min dar al-mahal ila daramai yaum al-arbaa min Rajah sanai thanatein wa thamanin wa thapnan mi ah min al-Hijrah al-Nubawyah al-mustafaw.

This readings of the 2 plates are told to be translate as of is following quote:

"This is the consecrated the holy grave the brilliant illuminated tomb of the just Sultan, the magnanimous ruler Sultan Mansur Shah son of the deceased Muzaffar Shah. He removed from this mortal abode to the abode of hope on Wednesday of Rajab in the year 882 after the Hijrah of the Prophet, the Chosen One."

Moreover, Richard Olaf Winstedt was also given the inscriptions purporting to be the exact of Mansur Shah stone. Mister Hervey had got the two inscriptions transcribed, and had told Mr. Blagden that the tomb however still exist. Blagden told to Winstedt that if he could whether trace it.{{cite journal |access-date= 4 May 2025 |access-date= 4 May 2025

For the whole translation of what it says there:

This is the tomb of the illustrious high and righteous glorious and just Sultan, the beneficent prince, the ruler loved of God, Mansur Shah. He departed this mortal abode for the abode of bliss

on Wednesday, the second day of the month of Rejab in the year of the Hegira (Hijra) 880."}} There are inscriptions on the two edges of the stone, which likely says and besides of is meanings: "Al-asma al-dufana al-Sultan al-Ali" (meaning:"The name of the deceased, the most exalted Sultan").

Notes

References

Bibliography

• {{cite journal |access-date=4 May 2025
• {{cite journal | access-date = 6 May 2025

References

1. "Virtual Museum Melaka".
2. Andaya, Barbara Watson. (1982). "A History of Malaysia". St. Martin's Press.