MARITIME MUSEUM PHASE I (Flor de La Mar)
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MALACCA
Before Parameswara established his Kingdom at Bukit Malacca (St. Paul), there was a small settlement at the Malacca River mouth. About 10-20 families of Orang Selat (straits fishes folves) stayed at the foot of Bukit Malacca living off the sea. When Parameswara and his followers moved into Bukit Melaka from Singapore, he established his residence among the Orang Selat on the opposite bank. A wooden bridge connected Parameswara with his subjects. That was the beginning of the Kingdom of Malacca.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MARKET AND THE LATER EMPORIUM
The New Kingdom of Malacca actually started from a fishing village as Parameswara finally came to settle in Malacca. He had to plan the future course of his new kingdom. He made use the barter trade that was going on so as to attract the passing ships that normally at Pulau Besar, to anchor at Malacca. So he initially established 20 shops in two rows on the western bank of the Malacca River.
This small market soon attracted the passing ships and Parameswara’s fare trade policy encouraged the traders to frequent Malacca. That was the beginning of the ‘market’ of Malacca which soon became a well Known Trade Centre in this region and later the Emporium of the East.
