MUZIUM SEJARAH / HISTORY MUSEUM
THE SWORD OF DATO NANING
The inscription on the hilt says ‘property of Dato’ Naning’, and dated according to 25 Rejab 1135 (according to the Muslim calendar), which is equivalent to 1715 A.D.
This is a Dutch sword, with a hilt made of silver, according to Dutch designs. The sheath could have been made later. There are two opinions about this sword:
1). The Dutch colonialists presented this sword to Dato’ Naning in 1715 as a token of friendship.
2). Dato Naning obtained it in one of the battles between Naning and the Dutch, and engraved his name on it.
THE ATTACK BY RAJA HAJI
Raja Haji was the son of Daeng Chelak and was renowned fighter in the Archipelago. Well-respected and feared, this Bugis warrior conquered Jambi, Indragiri, Kedah, and Perak also very much influential in Johor, Selangor and Riau. Until 1782, Raja Haji had good relation with the Dutch in Melaka. In 1782, the Dutch broke an agreement when they refused to give Raja Haji his share of the spoils obtained from the capture of a British’s ship. Subsequently, Raja Haji launched several attacks in the Straits of Melaka. The Dutch, with 13 ships and 1504 men, then tried to capture Riau, but failed. Raja Haji then launched a counter attack, and landed at Teluk Ketapang, Melaka. He did the attacking of Melaka every day. In 1784, a Dutch fleet of six ships and 2130 men and 326 cannons arrived in Teluk Ketapang in the night. 734 soldiers with bayonets landed quietly. In the morning, the Dutch Captain fired on Raja Haji’s ships. A bitter war broke out between the Bugis and the Dutch. Both sides suffered many deaths. Although his men begged him to retreat, Raja Haji stood his ground, sword in one hand and the holy book in the other. He was shot dead and his body was first buried at the foot of the St. Paul Hill before it was taken back to Pulau Penyengat, Indonesia.
PICTURE FRAME IN 1784, 4 THOUSAND TROOPS & 2 DUTCH WARSHIPS
In 1784, four large men of war and two frigates under the command of Van Braam freed besieged Malacca with a landing near Teluk Ketapang.
(Painting by E. Hoogerheyden: c. 1800’s)
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE MELAKA FORTRESS
Ever since the Portuguese took over Melaka, the politics and policies of the Europeans powers were reflected in the local political scene. Melaka was taken over from Dutch by the British in 1795 because of the political situation in Europe. The British realized that Melaka might be handed back to the Dutch after the war in Europe ended. They did not want to hand over a well-fortified Melaka to the Dutch, fearing that a strong Melaka would jeopardize the emerging Penang, which they had recently acquired. So the Penang Governor ordered that the fortress of Melaka be destroyed and its people moved to Penang as a way of weakening Melaka. Captain William Farquhar was instructed to destroy the fortress. In 1807, Captain Farquhar gathered hundreds of labourers and ordered them to start destroying the fortress. Even after three months of hard work, the fortress had not been demolished much and many of the workers had fallen sick or died. Even though the wages were increased, the task of destroying the fortress was disrupted. So Captain Farquhar ordered his men to dig a hole into the wall of the fortress and fill it with gun powder, which was connected to a long wick. After evacuating the surrounding areas, Captain Farquhar, riding a horse, lighted the wick and blasted a part of the fortress. This was repeatedly done until about the entire fortress was demolished.
Fortunately, at this time, Stamford Raffles arrived in Melaka, and with the permission of Lord Minto, stopped any further destruction of the fort, as well at the palm to move the people out of Melaka. However, only one gateway was saved. According to the Newbold Plan, the destruction of the fortress required £70,000.
THE SURRENDER OF MALACCA TO THE BRITISH
The Dutch-Bugis wars in 1755-1758, and later in 1783-1784 not only eroded Dutch influence and power, but also its wealth. Although Melaka’s name still generated interest, Riau came to be known as the ‘Key to the Straits’. The English started to project themselves boldly and succeeded in attacking the local rulers to their side, especially after winning the Fourth Anglo-Dutch was (1781-1783). They also succeeded in acquiring Penang in 1786. In 1793, the French Revolution in Europe declared war on Britain, and the Dutch Revolutionary Patriot Movement, which was known as the ‘Velvet Revolution’ to attack the King of Holland in 1795, invited them. The King, Willian V, sought refuge in British which had supported him before. In the meantime, the overseas colonies had to take steps to protect themselves because the motherland had been facing trouble since 1780. The British government took this opportunity to take over all the Dutch overseas colonies to prevent them from falling into the French hands.
On 15th August 1795, a small British squadron arrived at Melaka, and without much ado, took it over from the Dutch Governor, Albrahamus Couperus. Although there was some resistance to the handing over of Melaka to the British, it did not create any conflict between the Dutch and the British in Melaka. Dutch officials continued to administer Melaka under the British Resident.
According to the 1814 Treaty of Vienna, Melaka was returned to the Dutch on 21st September 1818, but it reverted to the British on 17th March 1814, after the London Treaty, which allowed the Dutch and the British to concentrate on their respective regions.
PREPARATIONS TO CONQUER JAWA IN 1811
The French Revolution helped create another movement, ‘The Patriot Movement’ in Holland, against the Royalty, which was known as the ‘Orangists’. The movement was successful in ousting the King who sought refuge in London. Holland was beset with internal problems and was weakened with its people under the French and the King under the British. The British and the French who sought to take over the Dutch colonies exploited this weakness. Left to fend for themselves, these colonies took sides, either supporting the King or the revolution. Melaka accepted British rule while Batavia supported the French.
The destruction of Melaka town and the removal of its people to Penang were stopped by Raffles who foresaw the role of Melaka in capturing Batavia and Java which had become a centre for the Dutch under a French Marshal. In fact, the British had attempted to invade Java from Penang in 1797. Raffles realized that Melaka would be an important base, which could support many soldiers to attack Java. The British government accepted his plans and appointed him agent to the governor general. Raffles arrived at Melaka in October 1810 to prepare a British expedition to Java. Soon after, each day, three or four ships would arrive at Melaka, bringing soldiers and weapons. Finally, 1100 soldiers, half of whom were English and the other half Hindu-Islam soldiers from India were gathered at Melaka and allowed to camp between Limbongan and Tanjong Keling. The British squadron of 100 ships anchored off the Melaka harbour. Lord Minto, the Governor-General arrived at Melaka in May 1811 to lead his men against Java. He was given a grand welcome by the soldiers who lined both sides of the road from the jetty to the resident’s home at the top of St. Paul Hill. The people of Melaka were also gathered to witness the colourful ceremony. The British forces left Melaka on 11th June 1811 and landed in Batavia on 4th August that year. By September 1811 they had conquered half of Java and on 18th September that year, the Dutch surrendered.
A treaty was signed between the British Government and the King of Holland to restrict the movements of both parties in the Archipelago. Under this treaty, the British controlled the Peninsula and the Dutch had to confine their activities to Indonesia. The treaty was signed on 17th March 1824.
THE NANING WAR
Naning was a small province in the interior of Melaka State, which valued its independence. The people had fought against the Portuguese and the Dutch, both were respected their courage. When the British took over Melaka, after a costly battle, they too acknowledged the strong spirit of the Naning people. In 1802, Abdul Said, better known as Dol Said, was elected the Chief of Naning. In 1829, five years after they took over Melaka, the British demanded an annual tax from Naning, based on the old Dutch-Naning agreement. Dol Said ignored the demand.
In 1831, a force under the Assistant Resident William Lewis set for Taboh, Naning in order to subdue it, but was defeated and had to return with losses in lives and weapons.
A year later, Colonel Herbert with a force of 1000 soldiers and some cannons, launched an attack by clearing a road 600 feet wide all the way to Taboh, Naning. As they moved, they destroyed orchards and burnt down houses. A furious battle took place between the British and the people of Naning, killing some of the British officers and some warriors of Naning.
Finally, several men from Rembau, under the leadership of Syed Shaaban, helped the British to overcome Dol Said. The British realized later that Naning was an independent territory. The Naning war cost the British £100,000.
BRITISH ERA
This jetty was built by the British at the Melaka river estuary in the 1900s.
The jetty that existed at Bandar Hilir, with the background of the ruins of St. Paul’s Church and Kota road in the 1900s.
Although Melaka became a sleepy hollow, in the 1910s, sailing ships still came from across the straits, bringing goods to Melaka.
Lord Minto
A view of the Sungai Ujung memorial stone, with Kota Road, and the ruins of St. Pauls church in the background
The Melaka river as shown in a coloured litograph published about 1810s.
William Farquhar
Stamford Raffles
This drawing shows the attack by the British army on the stockades of Dato’Dol Said on 15th Jun 1832. Note the thick smoke caused by the British’s burning of the houses and plants in Taboh Naning.
This drawing shows the preparations of the British troops and the Madras Regiment to set up camp near Alor Gajah in March 1823 before the attack on Dol Said;s camp in Taboh Naning.
Preparations to Conquest Java 1811
View of the junction of Hang Jebat Road and Hang Kasturi Road
Headman of Melaka, Mr. Thevasagam Chitty
The location plan of Melaka Town and the villages on the northern bank when the British took over Melaka in 1795.
Landing and checking point the ship, passengers who landed in Melaka ferried by the boats in 1920s
The Anglo Chinese College, Melaka
