Parameswara (king) facts for kids

Parameswara (born 1344, died around 1414) was a very important ruler in Southeast Asian history. He was the last king of Singapura (modern-day Singapore). He is most famous for founding the powerful Malacca Sultanate.

Some historical writings, like the Malay Annals, call him Iskandar Shah. He ruled Singapura from 1389 to 1398. After a big attack in 1398, he left Singapura. In 1402, he started a new settlement at the mouth of the Bertam river. This new city quickly grew into the capital of the Malacca Sultanate.

Other historical records, especially from the Portuguese, say he was from Palembang in Sumatra. They suggest he took over the throne of Singapura. He was then forced to leave by either the Siamese or the Majapahit kingdom. After that, he went on to found Malacca.

What's in a Name? Parameswara and Iskandar Shah

The name Parameswara comes from Portuguese writings, like Suma Oriental. It is a Hindu name. It comes from the Sanskrit word Parameśvara. This means "Supreme Lord." It is also one of the names for the Hindu god Shiva.

However, the Malay Annals do not use the name Parameswara. They tell a story about the kingdoms of Singapura and Malacca. In these stories, the last ruler of Singapura and founder of Malacca is named Iskandar Shah. The name Iskandar is Persian for "Alexander," like Alexander the Great. Shah is a Persian title for a king.

Many historians believe that Iskandar Shah from the Malay Annals is the same person as Parameswara. This is because their life stories have many similar parts.

The Ming Chronicle from China also mentions Parameswara. It talks about his wife, Bā-ér-mí-sū-lǐ, who was called 'Parameswari'. This name means "Supreme Lordess." It was likely a royal title, not a personal name. Even today, the title "Permaisuri" means "Queen" in Malay. This suggests that Parameswara might have been part of a longer royal title.

Parameswara's Journey

His Early Life and Origin

There are different stories about where Parameswara came from. The Malay Annals and Portuguese sources tell different tales. The Malay Annals were written much later, in 1612. They say Iskandar Shah (Parameswara) was a descendant of Sang Nila Utama. Sang Nila Utama is said to have founded Singapura.

Portuguese sources, like Suma Oriental by Tomé Pires, were written soon after the Portuguese took Malacca in 1511. They give a different story. Both the Suma Oriental and Malay Annals have similar parts. They both mention a prince from Srivijaya who fled and arrived in Singapura. They also mention the last king of Singapura who fled to the Malay peninsula to start Malacca.

However, the stories differ on who this prince was. Suma Oriental says the prince and the last king were the same person, Parameswara. The Malay Annals say they were two different people, separated by five generations. Portuguese accounts also suggest Parameswara was a prince from Palembang. He tried to challenge the rule of the Javanese kingdom of Majapahit. He then escaped to Singapore.

The Fall of Singapura

According to the Malay Annals, Iskandar Shah became king of Singapura in 1389. He was the son of Sri Maharaja. Some believe he may have converted to Islam around this time.

A high-ranking official in Iskandar Shah's court, Sang Rajuna Tapa, betrayed him. He secretly sent a message to the king of Majapahit, Wikramawardhana. He promised to help if Majapahit attacked Singapura.

In 1398, Majapahit sent a huge fleet. It had three hundred large ships and many smaller ones. They carried over 200,000 soldiers. The Javanese soldiers fought the defenders outside the fortress. They then forced them to retreat inside the walls. The invasion force surrounded the city. They tried many times to attack the fortress, but it was very strong.

After a month, food inside the fortress ran out. The people were starving. Sang Rajuna Tapa was asked to give out the remaining grain from the royal stores. But he lied to the King, saying the stores were empty. The grain was not given out, and people starved.

The final attack happened when the gates were opened. This was done under the order of the treacherous minister. The Majapahit soldiers rushed in. A terrible massacre followed. The Malay Annals say "blood flowed like a river." Iskandar Shah and his followers fled the island.

Portuguese sources give different reasons for Singapura's fall. Some say it was the Siamese who attacked. Others believe it was the Patani Kingdom or even Majapahit.

Founding a New Home: Malacca

Parameswara fled north to find a new place to live. He traveled along the coast. He visited Sening Ujong (now Seremban). Finally, he reached a small fishing village. This village was at the mouth of the Bertam River, which is now the Malacca River. This place later became the modern-day Malacca City.

A famous legend from the Malay Annals tells how Malacca got its name. Parameswara was resting under a tree. He saw a small mouse deer cleverly tricking his hunting dog into the water. He thought this was a good sign. He said, "This place is excellent, even the mouse deer is formidable; it is best that we establish a kingdom here."

He named the settlement after the tree he was leaning against. This was the Malacca tree (Pokok Melaka). Its scientific name is Phyllanthus emblica. Today, the mouse deer is on Malacca's coat of arms. Another story says Arab traders called the kingdom 'Malakat'. This means 'congregation of merchants' in Arabic. This was because many traders gathered there.

Ruling Malacca

After founding Malacca, Parameswara started to develop the area. He ordered his people to grow crops like bananas, sugar cane, and yams for food. He chose the location well. The harbor was protected by a hill. It kept ships safe from strong tides.

Parameswara built storage places and markets. These helped Malacca become a trading port. The local people, called the Orang Laut, were loyal to Malay rulers. Parameswara used them to patrol the seas. They helped keep pirates away. They also guided traders to Malacca's port.

Soon, news of Malacca as a trade center spread far and wide. It reached as far as China. The Yongle Emperor of the Ming dynasty sent his envoy, Yin Qing, to Malacca in 1405. This visit started a friendly relationship between Malacca and China.

Chinese merchants began to visit Malacca. Traders from Java, India, and Burma also came. They set up trading bases and settled there. Malacca's population grew to 2,000 during Parameswara's rule.

In 1411, Parameswara, his wife, and his son traveled to China. They went with Admiral Zheng He. They wanted to show respect to the Yongle Emperor. The Emperor praised Parameswara. He recognized him as the true ruler of Malacca. He gave Parameswara a special seal, silk, and a yellow umbrella. These were symbols of royalty. He also gave him a letter naming him the ruler of Malacca. This made Malacca officially recognized as a kingdom by China.

Chinese records say that in 1414, Parameswara's son visited China. He told the Emperor that his father had died. It is believed Parameswara was buried on a hill at Tanjung Tuan in Malacca, Malaysia. Parameswara was succeeded by his son, Megat Iskandar Shah. He ruled Malacca until 1424. Some people also think Parameswara might have been buried at Fort Canning Hill in Singapore. Others believe he was cremated, as per Hindu traditions.

What Was His Religion?

There are different ideas about Parameswara's religion. His name, Parameswara, is Hindu. This suggests he was Hindu. However, historians disagree if he later became Muslim.

No old writings clearly state that Parameswara converted to Islam. But the name Iskandar Shah, used in the Malay Annals, is Persian. This led some to think Parameswara converted to Islam and took a new name. For example, some scholars thought he converted in 1414 or 1409.

However, the Portuguese writer Tomé Pires said Parameswara's son, Iskandar Shah, was the one who converted to Islam at age 72. Chinese history also says Megat Iskandar Shah was Parameswara's son. It is unlikely the Chinese would confuse them.

The Malay Annals say the third king, Muhammad Shah, was the first Muslim ruler of Malacca. He converted after a dream. While there are different ideas about when Islam became strong in Malacca, it is generally agreed that Islam was well-established by the time Muzaffar Shah ruled.

Friends with China

Map of 15th century Malacca and its neighbors.

Malacca's relationship with Ming China began in the early 15th century. Parameswara made several trips to visit the Yongle Emperor. In 1403, the first official Chinese trade envoy, led by Admiral Yin Qing, arrived in Malacca. Later, Zheng He escorted Parameswara on his successful visits.

Malacca's ties with Ming China gave it protection. This helped protect Malacca from attacks by Siam and Majapahit. Malacca officially became a protectorate of Ming China. This encouraged Malacca to grow into a major trading hub. It was on the important trade route between China, India, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

In 1411, Parameswara, his wife, and 540 officials from Malacca went to China. They paid respect to the Yongle Emperor. A big welcoming ceremony was held for them.

Malacca sent many valuable gifts to Ming China. These included pearls, coral, rhino horn, ivory, and various spices and fabrics.

Parameswara's Lasting Impact

Within a few decades of its founding, Malacca became a huge international trading port. This started the golden age of the Alam Melayu. It is said that 80 languages were spoken in Malacca. By the 16th century, Malacca was a very important port in the Far East. The Portuguese writer Tome Pires famously said, "Whoever is lord of Malacca shall have his hands on the throat of Venice." This meant that controlling Malacca gave great power over trade.

Malacca became a major center for Islam. It helped spread the religion throughout Maritime Southeast Asia. Between the 15th and 16th centuries, Islam grew stronger in the region around Malacca. It spread from Malacca to many places in Sumatra and the Malay peninsula. Even some of the famous Wali Sanga (nine saints) who spread Islam on Java are said to have studied in Malacca.

The growth of Islam in Java led to the decline of Malacca's old enemy, Hindu-Majapahit. It eventually fell to new Muslim forces in the early 16th century. The period from Malacca's rise until European colonization saw Malay-Muslim sultanates dominate trade and politics. This led to the Malayisation of the region.

See also

In Spanish: Parameswara (sultán) para niños

• Strait of Malacca
• Hang Tuah
• Orang Laut