Melaka Review

16th Century

1500 - Tun Mutahir, the cousin of Tun Perak, is appointed Bendahara.

1509 - The first Portuguese trading expedition, led by Diego Lopez de Sequiera arrives in Melaka with a fleet of ships, becoming the first European to reach this archipelago.

1510 - Bendahara Tun Mutahir is murdered. Sultan Mahmud Shah temporarily retires and is succeeded by his son, Sultan Ahmad Shah.

1511 - After a 10 day siege, Melaka falls to the Portuguese armada, led by Alfonso D’Albuquerque. The Portuguese rule in Melaka lasts for over 130 years.

1512 - Albuquerque returns to Goa in January after completing the ‘A Famosa’ fortress that incorporated a five storey tall tower. Sultan Mahmud Shah attacks the Portuguese in Melaka.

1513 - Patih Unus, a Javanese trader later to become Sultan Demak of Sumatra, attacks Melaka.

1516 - Laksamana (Admiral) Hang Nadim, son of Hang Tuah attacks Melaka.

1518/19 - Sultan Mahmud Shah’s army surrounds the city for three months.

1523 - Sultan Mahmud Shah attacks Melaka.

1524 - Admiral Hang Nadim besieges Melaka and cuts off its food supply.

1537 - First Acehnese attack on Portuguese in Melaka.

1545 - Fr. Francis Xavier arrives in Melaka for the first time. He was to visit Melaka five more times.

1551 - Combined forces of Johor, Japara and Perak attack Melaka and hold it under siege for three months.

1553 - Fr. Francis Xavier, who dies in Sanction Island, near Canton China, is buried in St. Paul’s Church. After nine months, his remains are moved to Goa.

1567/68 - With help from Johor, the Acehnese attack Melaka again but are defeated.

1571 - The Acehnese attempt an attack on Melaka again but their invasion is folled by a storm.

1575 - Japara attacks Melaka.

1585/86 - Johor attacks Melaka.

1588 - The first English visitor, Ralph Ritch, arrives in Melaka.

1597 - The Dutch attack Melaka.