Parameswara of Malacca

A king lived long ago.

He was the last king of a place called Singapura. One day, he had to flee his home. He traveled north to find a new land.

He found a small fishing village. It was near a river. He saw a tiny mouse deer. The deer was very brave. It outwitted a hunting dog!

The king liked this place. He named the new city Malacca. He named it after a tree. He sat under the tree to rest.

He helped the city grow. He told his people to plant food. They grew yams and sugar cane.

He also built markets for trade.

Soon, many people came to visit. They came from far away. They brought many goods to sell. Malacca became a very busy place.

Parameswara was a king from a long time ago. Some stories call him Iskandar Shah. He was the last king of Singapura.

He had to leave his home in 1398. A large fleet of ships attacked the island. This attack was from the Majapahit. The king and his people fled to the north.

He found a small fishing village near a river. He sat under a tree to rest. While there, he saw a small mouse deer. The deer was very brave. It outwitted a hunting dog!

The king liked this sign. He named the new city Malacca after the tree.

Parameswara helped the city grow fast. He told people to plant crops like sugar cane. He built markets for trading goods. Soon, many traders came from places like China and India.

Malacca became a very busy port. The Yongle Emperor of China even sent an envoy to visit. This helped Malacca make friends with China.

Parameswara was a very important ruler from a long time ago. He is known as the founder of the Malacca Sultanate. Some historical stories call him Iskandar Shah. He was the last king to rule the island of Singapura.

Historians study different accounts to learn about his life. One source is the Malay Annals, which was re-compiled in 1612. Another source comes from Portuguese writers like Tomé Pires. These stories help us piece together how he lived and led.

His life involved many big changes and difficult choices. According to one story, he was a prince from Palembang in Sumatra. He traveled to Singapura and became its ruler. Later, he had to leave the island in 1398. A large fleet from the Majapahit attacked the island. This fleet had 300 large ships and many smaller boats. It even carried 200,000 men to the shores.

Parameswara and his followers had to flee to find safety.

After leaving Singapura, he traveled north to find a new home. He looked at different places like Muar to start a kingdom. Eventually, he reached a small fishing village near the Bertam River. While resting under a tree, he saw something amazing. A small mouse deer outwitted a hunting dog!

The king thought this was a very good sign. He decided to build his new city right there. He named the settlement Malacca after the tree he sat under.

Parameswara worked hard to make his new city successful. He ordered his people to plant crops like sugar cane and yams. He also built markets and storage areas for trading goods. The harbor was safe from strong tides and big waves.

He even used the Orang Laut people to help patrol the seas. This helped keep traders safe from pirates. Because of these steps, Malacca grew into a huge center for trade.

Soon, people from all over the world came to Malacca. Traders from China, India, and Burma arrived at the port. By the end of his rule, there were almost 20,000 settlers.

In 1405, the Yongle Emperor of China sent an envoy named Yin Qing. This helped Malacca make a strong friendship with China. In 1411, Parameswara even traveled to China with Admiral Zheng He. This journey showed how important his new kingdom had become.

Parameswara was a significant historical figure who founded the Malacca Sultanate. He is often identified as the last king of Singapura, an island kingdom. Some historical records, such as the Malay Annals, refer to him by the name Iskandar Shah. The name Parameswara itself has Sanskrit origins. It comes from the word Parameśvara, which means "Supreme Lord." This name was also a title used by Malay royals.

Historians use different sources to understand his life. The Malay Annals provide a romanticized history of the region. These records were re-compiled in 1612 by the Johor court. Portuguese sources, like the Suma Oriental by Tomé Pires, offer a different perspective. These accounts were written about a hundred years after his death. They suggest Parameswara was a prince from Palembang in Sumatra. According to these sources, he may have usurped the throne in Singapura.

The fall of Singapura was a turning point in his life. In 1398, a massive invasion occurred. The Majapahit fleet arrived with 300 large ships. They also brought hundreds of smaller vessels. This force carried at least 200,000 men. The attackers laid siege to the city fortress for a month. During this time, food supplies inside the walls ran very low. A minister named Sang Rajuna Tapa lied to the king about the grain stores. He told the king the stores were empty to seek revenge. This led to starvation and the eventual fall of the city.

After fleeing Singapura, Parameswara searched for a new place to build a stronghold. He traveled north through areas like Muar and Sening Ujong. He eventually reached a fishing village at the mouth of the Bertam River. While resting under a Malacca tree, he witnessed a unique event. A small mouse deer outwitted a hunting dog by jumping into the water. Parameswara saw this as a powerful sign. He believed the mouse deer was formidable. He decided this was an excellent place to establish a kingdom.

The new settlement was named Malacca after the tree, known scientifically as Phyllanthus emblica. There are other theories about the name. Some suggest it comes from the word "Malaqa," meaning a fugitive. Others believe Arab merchants called it "Malakat," which means a congregation of merchants. Parameswara worked quickly to develop the land. He ordered his people to grow crops like sugar cane, yams, and bananas. He also built markets and storage facilities to support a growing port.

Malacca grew into a massive center for international trade. The harbor was protected by a hill and sheltered from strong tides. Parameswara employed the Orang Laut to patrol the seas. These people helped repel pirates and directed traders to the port. This security attracted many different groups. Traders from China, India, Java, and Burma all arrived to settle. By the end of his reign, the population reached almost 20,000 settlers. This diversity made Malacca a vital meeting point for the world.

Relations with China helped Malacca grow even stronger. In 1405, the Yongle Emperor of the Ming dynasty sent an envoy named Yin Qing. This visit established a friendly relationship between the two powers. In 1411, Parameswara traveled to the Ming court. He went with his wife, his son, and a royal guard of 540 people. They traveled alongside the famous Admiral Zheng He. The Emperor acknowledged Parameswara as the rightful ruler. He presented him with a seal, silk, and a yellow umbrella. This recognition helped secure the future of the Malacca Sultanate.