![]() Before World War II, the native states under the British influenced were classified as federated or non-federated. ![]() Trying to maintain peace and taking advantage of dynastic quarrels, they persuaded the Malay rulers to accept British "Residents" as advisors. Fearful that these might disrupt trade, and due to a change in the government policy in England, the British gradually took control of the peninsular states, working indirectly through the Malay rulers. Till this point, the British government has not officially stepped in.įrom about 1850, tin-mining activity greatly expanded in the Malay Peninsula, and this caused Malay rulers and the immigrant Chinese they employed became involved in territorial disputes. Singapore, Penang, and Malacca (collectively known as the Straits Settlements) were then British-run. In 1819 Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company founded Singapore, and in 1824 Britain acquired Malacca from the Dutch. It was not until 1786, when the sultan of Kedah, seek the British's help to protect against the invading Siamese soldiers that the British East India Company leased Penang. Despite trade ties, however, the British were rather reluctant to colonize Malaya, having their hands tied with numerous problems which cropped up after they colonized India. Only in the mid 18th century, they became active in the area, partly in search of trade, but also to check French power in the Indian Ocean. As for the Dutch, the numerous Dutch-styled buildings and a windmill in the heart of Malacca remains a testimony of the Dutch rule in Malacca. Till today, there is a Portuguese Village in Malacca and many "Eurasians" in Malaysia have emerged from mixed marriages between the locals and the Portuguese. Thus began a colonial legacy that was to last well into the 20th century. ![]() Consequently, Portuguese troops under the command of Alfonso de Albuquerque colonized Malacca in 1511 and the Dutch in 1641. This thriving city soon captured the attention of the Portuguese, which were among the first European explorers. By this time Malacca had grown to become one of the most powerful and wealthiest kingdoms in the region, and ripe for the picking. Chinese traders arrive in droves and Islamic traders from the Middle East ventured here for the spices. ![]() During the middle and late 1400s, Malacca gained control over much of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and the key shipping route through the Strait of Malacca. This era later became known as the Golden Age of Malacca. Later on, around the 1400s that a Javanese prince known as Parameswara settled down in Malacca and established the historical city as a major trading port. Evidence of Hindu influences over a short period in the history of Malaysia can today be found in the temple sites of the Bujang Valley and Merbok Estuary in Kedah in the north west of Peninsular Malaysia, near the Thai border. Later, Cambodian-based Funan Empire, the powerful Srivijaya government of Sumatra and subsequently the Majapahit empires fought for this fertile land.Īround the first century, strong trading links were established with China and India, and these had a major impact on the culture, language and social customs of the country. The newcomers settled mainly in the coastal areas of the peninsula. These people became the ancestors of the Malays. The ancestors of these people had traveled by sea from south China to Taiwan, and later from Taiwan to Borneo and the Philippines. During the 1000 B.C., new groups of migrants who spoke a language related to Malay came to Malaysia. Most historians agree that this group of people is probably the pioneers of migrants from China and Tibet who moved here in search of a better place to live. Hence its history is one of continual interaction with foreign powers and influences.Įven in pre-historical times, its warm tropical climate and abundant natural blessings made it a congenial destination for immigrants as early as 10000 years ago when the ancestors of the indigenous peoples of Malaysia (the Orang Asli), settled here. Another reason is the natural richness of South East Asia, supplying everything from the tin required for the industrial revolution in Britain to spices desperately needed to preserve meat during the winter months. Traders from the West have no other choice but to travel along the narrow straits to avoid the torrential monsoons in Indian Ocean. Malaya, somewhat romantically referred to as the meeting point between the East and the West, lies between the Straits of Malacca and South China Sea. Due to its strategic position between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, Malaysia (then Malaya) has long been the meeting place for traders and travelers from West and East.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |