Existence of Melaka Malay (Fort) City Based on First Painting of A’Famosa by The Portuguese

Abstract

The Melaka Malay City during Malay Sultanate era often mentioned in historical writing of Malay world as one of the great, majestic and powerful Malay cities. The city’s context of this paper defined as the administrative area of the Melaka Malay government before the Portuguese colonization in 1511. Its existence is still doubtful since there is no clear physical evidence as basis support to its existence. Thus, this study aims to identify historical evidence that mentioned its existence which based on the first painting of A’Famosa (Melaka Fort City during Portuguese era). The scope focuses only on the physical building (which is believed to be historical evidence) of the city at the Melaka River’s estuary. The method focused on this paper is through historical sources, scientific writing, previous studies globally as well as relevant scientific records. This research trying to prove that the city indeed exists in historical writing and the city was a square-shaped which fit in the philosophy and Malay’s way of life. The implication of this study can be a catalyst for continuous and deeper research on the original site of the Melaka Malay City as to prove the validity of its existences. This paper expected to serve as a basis for further research using satellite mapping technologies to know and understand the existence, position and layout of the city. In conclusion, first painting of A’Famosa shows the design was in square or rectangular shape as it was built on the site of the Great Mosque of Melaka. The rectangular fort design was synonym with the design of other Malay forts or cities as rectangular design was a fundamental design tradition in the Malay world. Hence, the city existence should be examined to rebuild the knowledge of Melaka and Malay civilization.