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it was today almost 500 years ago, the Portuguese (Portugal) made first attack to Malacca. it was led by alfonso d’ albuquerque. (you will certainly read this in the history book) . why did he chose 25 July? you need to find out yourselves.
.the war (between the Portuguese and Malacca Malays) started just around dawn 25 July 1511. (so please wake-up early my dear). the Portuguese decided the all-out attack to ensure victory. the did win on 10 August 1511. this date signified the colonial domination in Malacca/Tanah Melayu. sad to say, that was the end of Malacca and the Sultanate of Malacca.
.do you know how did they justify the war? -- (1) Malacca was like today's Singapore -- was prosperous/rich city and (2) because the Portuguese wanted to have a complete monopoly of the pepper/spices trade -- (yes, the conflict was due to agriculture products!!). they bombarded Malacca and the Malays struggled fiercely. (where were the traders and the rest, abah? you go and ask Sultan Mahmud Syah -- he was the last Sultan of Malacca (1488-1511) ) . Sultan Mahmud Syah together with his son -- Sultan Alaudin & their followers/warriors -- tried to run for lives to Pagoh, Muar (!) and some managed to do so. (am not that sure if my great great grandfather was one of them..).
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wars could be triggered by many issues/conflict -- (in this case) agri-related, candu-related, women, arrogant kings/leaders, greedy/corrupt advisors/government officers, nation's sovereignty, etc.
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and today all that is left is the sad history as a reminder to us. you may also visit the A'Farmosa (hey, not A'Farmosa resort ok -- that one not being built by d'Albuquerque...), Portuguese settlement and the Sultan's tomb. wonder if Sultan Mahmud's generation can be traced...
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.Al-Fatihah untuk semua As-Syahid.
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