Arrival of Europeans

Muzium Negara Gallery C

 

At the height of the Melaka Sultanate, the port of Melaka was bustling with trade, a rich and prosperous 'jewel' whose importance would eventually lead to its conquest by the Portuguese.

It began when the King of Portugal, Emmanuel I, sent his emissaries to Melaka to foster relations with the Melaka Sultanate. However, when Diego Lopez de Sequeira arrived in Melaka the delegation was attacked and captured. Although de Sequeira managed to escape, not all his followers were so lucky.

Upon hearing of their capture, the Emmanuel I sent his armada to attack Melaka. In 1511, under the command of Alfonso de Albuquerque, the Portuguese invaded Melaka.

The Melaka Sultanate, led by Sultan Ahmad (the son of Sultan Mahmud), put up a good fight but was defeated. The Portuguese armada successfully conquered Melaka on 15th August 1511.

The fleeing descendents of the Malacca Sultanate founded a new sultanate in Johor, known as the Johor Sultanate.

Arrival of Europeans