The land literally creates a funnel, as the Malay Peninsula and the island of Sumatra get steadily closer as one travels into the strait. China- bound maritime trade from India, Persia, and the Arabian Peninsula must either pass by Malacca or travel much farther to the south to the Sunda Strait between Sumatra and Java.
While the Sunda passage is appropriate for ships coming from the Cape of Good Hope, it is a major detour for Indian, Persian, and Arab merchants. Furthermore, the winds along the west coast of Sumatra can be unreliable, and the open ocean swells spawned by massive storms in the Southern Ocean provide for excellent surfing in the Mentawai Islands but dangerous sailing for small craft.
The placid waters between the northeast coast of Sumatra and the west coast of the Malay Peninsula are well-protected from ocean swells and can seem like a lake when compared to the towering waves of the Indian Ocean.
The monsoon wind cycle adds a final and historically decisive factor to the history of global trade patterns. Siberia pulls wet and warm air off the Indian Ocean, bringing heavy rain and dominant winds that blow toward the northeast. In winter, the pattern is reversed, with Siberian low pressure pushing relatively cooler and dry air to the southwest. In the age of sail, it was next to impossible for boats to travel against these winds. Mariners sailed downwind from India or China toward the southern edge of the Straits of Malacca from November to April.
From May to October, they used the monsoon winds to push boats northward to India or China. As merchants going from South Asia to China realized that it was easier and quicker to simply exchange goods with each other at a halfway point in the straits, ports in the region developed into trade emporia where goods from afar could be imported, stored, and exchanged amongst foreign merchants. Such a system allowed Indians and Chinese to bring goods from home, exchange them for foreign goods, and return home in close to six months, rather than the almost two years it would take to travel the full distance.
The Braudelian factors of geography, ocean patterns, and wind cycles made the Straits of Malacca a natural pivot point of commerce in maritime Asia. Before Malacca, there were two great thalassocracies , or sea-going empires: Srivijaya eighth through twelfth centuries and Majapahit — However, with the Straits of Malacca home to various pirate bands, merchants in the age of Funan used the overland route at the narrow Isthmus of Kra near the present- day Thai-Malaysian border.
In the seventh century, Srivijaya opened up the Straits of Malacca. Using naval power to crush pirates and rivals, the kingdom grew from the region around present-day Palembang in South Sumatra Province in Indonesia to claim control over most of Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, much of Java, and thousands of smaller islands.
For centuries, Srivijaya expanded the volume of trade through the straits as it led military expeditions against potential rivals while ensuring foreign merchants safe passage and necessary port facilities. After half a millennium of power, the maritime empire fell to the rising Javanese Majapahit kingdom. Another sea-going empire, Majapahit controlled an even larger amount of territory at its imperial zenith in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.
The Javanese combined access to the spice islands of the Moluccas with domination of the Straits of Malacca. These thalassocracies set the example of incredible wealth that would come from servicing the maritime Silk Roads between China and the Indian Ocean basin. Following these precedents, the rise of Malacca was simply the newest phase of a centuries-old pattern. While specific details on the founding of the city remain murky and often the stuff of legend, we do know that prior to , Malacca was a small fishing village.
Malay, Portuguese, and Chinese sources hold that the displaced Malay nobleman Parameswara — was in search of a kingdom. Finding a small river that met a beach in the protected waters of strait— all at the foot of a nearby hill that allowed one to observe the coming and going of ships— Parameswara must have realized that the site would make an ideal port that could both service trade and project military power. If he strongarmed some ships into his port, once there they found reliable trading practices and security in a dangerous area.
Under the watchful but protective eyes of the fierce orang laut, merchants who came into Malacca found that the city offered safe and secure warehouse facilities. Ensuring smooth transactions, Parameswara established a system with clear rules on the percentage of incoming cargo that would be taxed. Avoiding opportunities for graft and petty corruption, the local government had a hierarchy of officials with four harbormasters, each for an ethnically defined group of merchants such as Gujarati, Bengali, Malay, or East Asian.
An executive officer stood above them all to arbitrate interethnic disputes and ensure harmonious multicultural commerce. Malacca is the historical state of Malaysia, rich with heritage buildings, ancient landmarks and colonial structures.
It was here that colonial forces first made contact with Malaysia, which eventually shaped the country into its current economic and political system. Today, in Malacca, you can still see the imprints of British, Dutch and Portuguese forces left behind in forts, museums, churches and towers.
Visit Malacca for the cultural experience of a lifetime. Our simple yet informative guide to Malacca's most well-known locales will help you decide on the right place to stay as Read More». A harmonious blend of traditional sites and modern architecture, check out our top ten attractions that has earned Read More».
No trip in Malacca is complete without savouring a taste of its local delicacies so check out our top ten eateries for Read More». Nocturnal hotspots are aplenty in the historical state of Malacca, so make sure you experience its vibrant and diverse Read More». Housing a collection of handmade trinkets, rare antiques, and quality Nyonya kebaya, make a trip to our top ten retail Read More». From eclectic colonial-style guesthouses to gleaming contemporary properties, the best hottels in Malacca provide Read More».
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Just down the road from the popular Jonker Street, it is Read More The Stadthuys is believed to be the oldest-surviving Dutch building in the East. Jonker Street — the centre street of Chinatown — was once renowned for its antique shops.
However over the years it has Read More Malacca City plays host to attention-grabbing attractions as well as some of the most sumptuous cuisine in the region. Read More Satay celup or steamboat satay is a must-try delicacy for anyone visiting Malacca, and Capitol Satay Celup is the best Read More». Housed in a pre-war corner shop lot, this breezy bar with outdoor seating stays open late.
A flavoursome choice of Read More». For a great introduction to the region of Macau, visit the Macau Gallery, which showcases little-known history and Read More». Housing a collection of handmade trinkets, rare antiques, and quality Nyonya kebaya, make a trip to our top ten retail Read More Dataran Pahlawan shopping mall not only promises a modern shopping experience, but it also comes with a cinema, a Read More It has given an impressive look and motivation for the citizen to work towards the goal of the new government.
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