MELAKA TRAVEL VLOG: Bukit Melaka

A Fun Day out

Location

Direction: https://goo.gl/maps/C5aP6bYwnJe8VjkR6

History

Bukit Melaka is a crucial element in the history of the Sultanate of Malacca. Records from China and Portugal are part of the evidence that highlights the significance of Bukit Melaka in Malacca's history.

There is a Chinese record confirming Bukit Melaka as the site of the palace and administrative area of the Sultanate of Malacca [1]. This record states that a 'foundation stone' gift to the Sultanate of Malacca by the Chinese government was placed in Bukit Melaka [1]. This is because the Sultanate of Malacca recognized Bukit Melaka as the 'pillar of the country' for Malacca, as it housed the Sultan's palace, serving as the axis of sovereignty and prosperity for the government.

There is also a record by Portuguese writers that demonstrates the crucial role of Bukit Melaka as the administrative location of the Sultanate of Malacca. This can be seen in a painting record from 1508, during Lopez De Sequiera's visit to Malacca, showing the location of the Malacca palace on Bukit Melaka [2]. Bukit Melaka was one of the main targets of Portuguese attacks on Malacca in 1511 because it housed the Malacca Palace and was close to the Masjid Jamik Melaka. However, the Malacca Sultanate's army staunchly defended the 'pillar' of their government.

After the conquest of the administrative center of the Sultanate of Malacca in August 1511, the Portuguese destroyed all evidence of the Malay-Islamic civilization in Malacca. According to a paper on Kota Melaka, the palace, Masjid Jamik, tombs, and the houses of the nobles were destroyed and used to develop the Portuguese administrative city in Malacca known as A'Famosa [1].

Portuguese military commander Alfonso De Albuquerque directed the construction of Kota A'Famosa, completed in 1512, surrounding Bukit Melaka to defend Kota Melaka from attacks by Sultan Mahmud Syah and other Malay kingdoms like Aceh [1]. Kota A'Famosa was said to be partially built on the site of the demolished Melaka Mosque by the Portuguese [2]. Additionally, gravestones of the earlier Sultans of Malacca were used by the Portuguese as construction material for A'Famosa [5].

The construction of a church around the 1560s by Duarte Coelho during Portuguese colonization at the summit of Bukit Melaka has left its mark on the original history of the site [6]. After the fall of Malacca under Dutch rule in 1641, they renamed the church to St. Paul's Church [7].

As a result, to this day, Bukit Melaka, which houses St. Paul's Church, has been renamed Bukit St. Paul. Until today, the historical teachings of the country also use the name Bukit St. Paul rather than its original name, Bukit Melaka."