History of Malaysia - Ancient Malay Government

The ancient Malay Sultanate of Melaka was a sultanate whose rein of government was entirely in the hands of the rulers and the Malay officials. The Malay rulers of Melaka originated from Singapore that was after the defeat of the Malay kingdom of Singapore by the Siamese. The Malay Sultanate of Melaka lasted for little over a century, stretching from the end of the fourteenth century to the early part of the sixteenth century that is from 1394 to 1511.




Under the reign of the Malay rulers, Melaka was not only a prosperous trading town but also the center for the spread of Islam for the whole of the Malay Archipelago. After the decline of the Seri Vijaya and Majapahit Empires at the end of the fourteenth century, it was Melaka, which raised and maintained Malay rule in the Malay Archipelago. Political stability and a just legal system attracted traders from all over the Archipelago to Melaka. Traders from China, Indian sub-continent, Pegu in Burma and Arabia came to Melaka to trade.

First Ruler of Melaka : Parameswara 1394-1414
Second Ruler of Melaka : Sultan Megat Iskandar Syah (1414 - 1424)
Third Ruler of Melaka : Seri Maharaja (Raja Tengah ) or Sultan Muhammad Syah
Fourth Ruler of Melaka : Sultan Abu Syahid (1445 -1446)
Fifth Ruler of Melaka : Sultan Muzaffar Syah (1446 - 1456)
The Sixth Ruler of Melaka : Sultan Mansur Syah (1456 - 1477)
Seventh Ruler of Melaka : Sultan Alauddin Riayat Syah (1477- 1488)
Eight Ruler of Melaka : Sultan Mahmud Syah (1488 - 1511)


Source : National Library of Malaysia