THERE was a raja of Siak, named Sultan Ibrahim, who received
an offence from a person whom he ordered to be put to death by one of his
mantris named Tun Jana Pakibol. Sultan Alla ed din was informed that the raja of Siak had put aman to death without
informing the raja of Malaca, and he dispatched the laksamana to investigate
the fact at Siak. The laksamana arrived at Siak, and was conducted into the
presence of the raja, with his master's letter, according to the custom of the
olden time.
After the letter was read, the laksamana turned aside to the
Pradhana Mantri Tun Jana Pakibol, and said, "Is it true that you have put
to death Tun Anu ?" "I have made bold to do so," said the other,
"by the order of my sovereign, towards whom he was a traitor." Then
the laksamana folded up his sleeve, and turning his back on the raja, he
fronted Tun Jana Pakibol, pointing at him with his left hand, saying, "There is a man so unwise, that he is little better than an orang-utin, and who
knows not how to demean himself in polite conversation. Is it true that you
have killed a person without communicating the fact to Malaca, or do you think
to make yourself independent in Siak here."
Neither the Sultan nor any of his mantris or champions
ventured to object a syllable, but all sat silent hanging their heads down.
After this, the laksamana Hang Tuah asked permission to take his leave; and
returned to Malaca, with a letter from the Siak Raja, where he related what had
happened, to the great satisfaction of the raja.
The letter of Siak ran in the following terms, "The
elder brother, the raja of Siak, presents his homage to the Sri Paduca his
younger brother, the raja of Malaca, and begs his pardon if any occasion of
offence has occurred."The raja rewarded the laksamana nobly. Such was the
custom of the ancient time, that neither in the land of Malaca, nor in any of
the countries dependent on it, was any person permitted to be put to death
without the raja being duly informed of it.
Raja Menawer the son of Sultan Alla ed din, who had had the
nobuts conferred upon him at Malaca, was made raja of Campar. When he received
the nobuts, all the nobles attended except the bandahara. Sri Bija di Raja was
ordered to conduct him to Campar, and inaugurate him under the title of Sultan Menawer
Shah. He appointed as his bandahara, Sri Amir di Raja.
In process of time Sultan Alla ed din Rayat Shah fell sick,
and having summoned the bandahara, the Raja Muda and Paduca Tuan, and the
bandahari, the temangung, and the laksamana; and being in all seven persons,
and being supported on his couch by the female attendants, he declared it to be
his wish that the Raja Muda should succeed him on the throne. They all declared
their assent. He then desired his son, the Raja Muda, to be kind to his subjects,
and patient at their offences, and to consult his mantris, nobles, and
hulubulangs,on all important occasions.
He then departed this life, and was buried with all the state becoming a great
Prince, and the Raja Muda succeeded him with the title of Sultan Mahmud Shah.
At this time there were some persons who had transgressed
against the Prince, but their faults were not very heavy. The Maha Raja however
directed them to be put to death. The bandahara said, "Look at the
carriage of the Maha Raja, how soon the young tiger learns to eat flesh ; look
to it, I say, gentles, for you are the persons that will be caught." At
this time Sri Bija di Raja came from Singhapura, and the bandahara said to him,
"Lordinge, by the desire of our deceased sovereign, this is the person
appointed to succeed him." But he replied,"I cannot listen to any
such testament."
The raja was present, but looked down and said nothing,
thinking that Sri Bija di Raja was displeased at his accession, and his hale
was accordingly turned on Sri Bija di Raja. Sultan Mahmud however was seized
with a diabetes, during which the bandahara Paduca Raja, and the laksamana,
Hang Tuah, never quitted him for an instant, and when the Prince wanted food,
the bandahara furnished it him with his own hands ; and the laksamana attended
him at all his needs, till at last the raja began to mend, and to take a little
food, and get rest. At last, however, he ventured to eat rice and milk, when
his distemper returned with greater violence than ever. The bandahara and
laksamana again returned, and found his attendants ready to commence their
funeral lamentations. They however forbade them.
Sultan Mahmud had a grandfather alive, named Raja Tuah, who
was greatly attached to Raja Menawer, who had been installed in Campar, and
wished him to be Sultan of Malaca, and he was displeased at the elevation of
Sultan Mahmud, and prayed for his speedy death. When Raja Tuah heard of the
severe sickness of Sultan Mahmud, he came to join the mourners in great haste,
with his hair all flying loose, pretending to be greatly attached to him, but
he thought, "I will turn him on his face, squeeze his throat and put an
end to him."
When he arrived, however, the bandahara and laksamana were
in attendance on the Prince, who would not suffer him to approach.
"Why," said he, "would you hinder me from visiting my grandson.
Is not my grandson severely sick, and why should I be hindered from seeing
him." They said to him, "If
you insist any further on it, we will certainly amok it;" at the same time
grasping their creeses. "If that is the case," said Raja Tuah,
"There is no doubt that the Malays have some treason afoot against the
Prince." They answered, "There is no doubt of treason; if you insist
any further on this point, I will only amok, that is all."
On this Raja Tuah went off and returned to his house. By the
attention of the bandahara and lak-samana, and because his appointed time was
not yet expired, the Prince recovered. On his recovery he conferred a
palankeen, (usungan,) on the bandahara, and also on the laksamana Hang Tuah,
and desired them to mount these palankeens whenever they wanted to go to any
place. The laksamana Hang Tuah used it accordingly, and had it carried by his
own relations.
The bandahara Paduca Raja, however, had his carried to his
house, and wrapt it up in yellow cloth, and had it hung up in the presence of
all, in his sitting chamber. His relations then enquired why he made no other
use of his present, when the laksamana used his continually, and see how fine it
appears to every one. But the bandahara said, "Pray, now, are you silly
fellows, or am I, when the laksamana there goes in his palankeen, all who see,
ask ' whose conveyance is that.' People answer, 'the laksamana's.' They say, '
is he a great man?' 'yes, that he is;' ' is there any body greater?' 'that
there is,' the answer; now, were I to follow this advice, I would become the
subject of such talk.
The raja is still a boy, and the laksamana besides, is
only carried by his own family, who
accompany him on all occasions. Now if I were to use my palankeen, you
would also have to carry it, and attend me, and if the raja were also going in
his palankeen, pray where would be the difference between me and the raja, and
where would be the superiority of the raja?"
Then all his family remained silent; whenever the bandahara
found any excellent arms or prahus, he would present them to the laksamana Hang
Tuah. As for the laksamana, whenever he saw any fine weapons in the possession
of the bandahara, whether creese, sword,
or spear, he would come to the bandahara and ask a sight of it. " That I
shall not, laksamana," would the other answer, " or I am sure I
should never see it again." Then the laksamana would say, "if you
won't give it me of your own accord, do you think me to be so mad as to take
it?" Then the bandahara would point it out to him, when the laksamana
would directly carry it off and never return it.
Such were the terms on which they were, and so they long and
constantly continued; for the bandahara was quite fond of Hang Tuah. All the
family of the bandahara would protest that the datok was grown silly. Whatever
arms or prahus came to hand of good quality, all of them go to the laksamana,
and not one of them to us, nor can we
get one of them back from him. " Are you the silly fellows, or me,"
said the bandahara. "If I get a fine elephant or a horse, or any furniture
of gold or silver, or any fine stuff for cloaths; you are all pressing for it
as much as you can ; and if I won't give it to you, I should be very silly
indeed in your estimation; seeing, that when I die, all that will devolve to
you.
As for weapons, however, creeses, spears, &c. how should
you know any thing about it; but as for
the laksamana, is he not a brave champion, and both stout and stalwart? Is not
he the man to fight stoutly whenever an enemy makes his appearance? That is the
reason that I give him all the weapons I can find, which are excellent, that he
may bulwark us all. Besides, is he not our raja's champion, and consequently
our own champion?"
In a short time the bandahara Paduca Raja fell sick, for he
was now an old man, and all his family who were at the distance of one or two
days' journey assembled, and all his grand-children and great-grand-children,
and he announced unto them his will. "Listen all of you," said he,
"let none of you truck religion for the world, for this world is not
perpetual, for all that live have to die; but be steady in the practice of
piety towards Almighty God. The learned say, that a just Prince is like a
prophet of God, and is the representative of God in the world; and when you
perform your duty to the raja, you are to do it faithfully, as if before God
Almighty, for such is the command of God and his holy prophet; and this I
desire all of you to consider as my last testament."
He then looked to Sri Maha Raja, and said, "Mutaher,
you will be a great man, but do not hope to be father of the raja's brother, or
else you are sure to be slain."Then he addressed his eldest son, Zein al
Abedin, saying, "Ha! Abe-din, if you will not do the business of the raja
properly, you had better take up your residence in the wood, and fill your
belly with leaves." He also said to his grandson, Tun Pawa, exhorting him
"not to take up his residence in the town, but in the country, and the
plants and vegetables of the country would be gold for him." He then said
to his great-grandson Tun Yusef, "O Yusef, haunt not the raja's court;
this is my last injunction to you." Such were the last injunctions of the
bandahara Paduca Raja to all his family,
addressing them all severally, according to what was proper for them.
The Sultan, Mahmud, when he heard that the bandahara was
very sick, came, to visit him, and the bandahara saluted him, and told him,
"he fancied he was upon the eve of quitting this world, and that he was
about to enter on the future world. Therefore," says he, "I commit my
whole family over to your charge, and I request you not to listen to the words
of persons who are false, or you will be sure to repent of it, if you follow
your own inclinations, which are apt to be influenced by the seductions of Satan. Many are the
great and powerful rajas who have ruined their affairs by following their
inclinations."
After this he departed to God's mercy, and was buried
according to the custom of bandaharas, and Tun Parapati Puti, his brother,
succeeded him in his office, and people termed him the White Bandahara. He
would order his taper to be changed whenever it was burnt to the length of a
span, and have afresh one. By the time that
Sultan Mahmud was of age, he was acquainted with the rules of government
of all the celebrated rajas. His carriage and port were unequalled in these
days, in point of strength and courage ; so that if he wore a couple of Malaca
creeses, each of the length of two spans and a half, they could hardly be
perceived, notwithstanding their length.
Sultan Mahmud married the daughter of Sultan Mahmud of
Pahang, and begat three children; the eldest was a son named Raja Ahmed, the
second a daughter, and the youngest was Raja Muda. The chief of the elephants,
named Sri Rama, died, leaving two sons, named Sri Nata, and Aria Nata. Aria
Nata begot Tun Biajita Itam, and Tun Madat; Tun Madat begot Tun Anjang.
It happened on a certain time, that Sultan Mahmud Shah was
amusing himself with the wife of Tun Biajata, who was the daughter of the
laksamana Hang Tuah. At this time Tun Biajata was not at home, but had gone to
Marib, which was under his command. The Prince had gone to the house of Tun
Biajata, and about morning he was going to his palace, when he met Tun Biajata
at the door, who had just returned from Marib, accompanied with all his men;
Tun Biajata perceived that he had done amiss with his wife. He considered,
"I may now certainly kill the Sultan, but it will be a grievous sin, for
it is not the custom of a Malay to rebel against his lord."
While he reflected in this manner, he kept balancing his
spear in his hand. "Sultan
Mahmud," said he, " is that an action worthy of a sovereign? Fy on
such conduct of a master towards a servant! Were it not a master who has acted
so vilely towards his servant, assuredly this spear had directly pierced his
breast."
When the raja's companions heard this address, they were
irritated, and wanted to stab Tun Biajita. The Prince however said, "be
not in a passion,"what is said is just, and no fault. It is I alone that
am in fault; and as to what regards right, it is I that deserve to be slain ;
but as he is a true Malay, he will do no treason to his lord." The Prince
returned to his palace, and Tun Biajita divorced his wife, and would neither go
to present himself before the raja, nor would he condescend to bear any office
of state.
Several times the Prince sent for him, but he refused to
come, till one day, being pressed with great instance, he went to the raja, who
said to him, "Take to your wife this concubine of mine." Now it
happened that this was the favourite mistress of the raja, and named Tun Iram
Sundari, and her form was exceedingly beautiful. Seeing no better resource, Tun
Biajita took her, but only intreated her as his concubine. Nevertheless he
still would not go to court on public occasions.
It happened also one night, that the Sultan went to the
house of a lady named Tun Divi, where he found Tun Ali there before him ; on
which he immediately returned, when he beheld Tun Isup coming up behind him ;
he presented Tun Isup with betel, and Tun Isup thought what can be the meaning
of this favour; and he concluded that it must have been his purpose to induce
him to kill Tun Ali; for in the ancient times, betel presented from the raja's
betel-box, was esteemed a peculiar favour, and not presented to every body ;
and whenever it was presented, it was considered as a mark of peculiar favour,
and as a sign that there was some object which the raja had particularly in
view.
In this idea, Tun Isup returned to the house of Tun Divi,
and went up and stabbed Tun Ali where he was sitting, piercing him through the
breast, so that he directly expired. When Tun Ali was dead, Tun Isup returned
to the Sultan, and informed him that Tun Ali was slain. There also arose a loud
hubbub, that Tun Ali was murdered by Tun Isup. Sri Dewa Raja, the youngest son
of the bandahara Paduca Raja, was soon
informed of the fact, for Tun Ali was his relation, and he was enraged, and
ordered his people to lie in wait to kill the murderer, but Tun Isup had not
courage to venture out. The Prince was informed of this fact, and desired Tun
Isup to make his escape, and accordingly he fled to Pasei.
When he came to Pasei, Tun Isup did not wish to pay his
respects to the raja of Pasei, saying, "Si Isup could do homage to no one
but the raja of Malaca." From Pasei, he went to Haru, and there too he
refused to pay his respects to the raja of Haru. After some time he sailed to
Burnei, where the raja of Burnei gave him his daughter in marriage, and his
posterity have long been and still continue at Burnei, and thus many of his
posterity at Burnei, have borne the office of datok moar. But it was his constant
saying, "that Isup was born at Malaca, and at Malaca, he will also
die."
After being a long while at Burnei, God Almighty impelled
him to return to Malaca, and he set sail with the monsoon. As soon as he
returned to Malaca, he waited on the raja, who feasted him in the most
sumptuous manner, and the raja embraced him and kissed his head. He then
ordered them to bind his hands with his turban, and conduct him to Sri Dewa
Raja, thinking that as he had sent him bound in this manner, and put him into
his hands, possibly he would not kill him.
It happened that Sri Dewa Raja was looking from his
elephant, when he beheld a servant of the raja bringing Tun Isup. The servant
said His Majesty has sent me to bring Tun Isup to the datok Sri Dewa Raja, and
if he is guilty of any fault towards your highness, His Majesty entreats you to
pardon him. But as soon as Sri Dewa Raja
looked on Tun Isup, he hastily smote him on the head with the elephant hook, so
that it penetrated into the brain, and he immediately expired. Then the servant
returned to the raja, and informed him how Tun Isup had perished, but the raja
said nothing on the subject, but he was vexed, for he did not think that Sri
Dewa Raja would have slain him.
For at this time there were four persons of whom the raja
was extremely fond. The first of these was Sriwa Raja, the second was Tun Omar, the third Hang
Isi, the fourth Hang Husain Janga, and whatever any of these four wanted, the
raja assented to it; and if they killed any body, the raja immediately forgave
them.
It happened on a day that the Prince was sitting, and all
the mantris and hulubalangs in his presence, and the Prince desired these four
persons to ask of him whatever they desired.
The first that presented himself
was Sriwa Raja, who said, "If Your Majesty honours me with your favour,
please to appoint me panglema-gaja, or master of the elephants," for Sriwa
Raja was extremely fond of elephants. The Prince said "Very well, but Sri
Rama occupies that office, and how can I displace him without any fault;
nevertheless, if he die, assuredly Sriwa Raja shall be his successor."
The next that presented himself was Tun Omar, who requested
if the raja had any affection for him, to be appointed raja of the sea. "Verily," said the Sultan, "
but that station is occupied by the laksamana, and how can I displace him, when
he is devoid of fault. Should he die,
however, assuredly Tun Omar shall have his appointment."
When Hang Isi and Hang Husain came to pay their respects,
they both stood silent for an instant, as if reflecting; and the raja said,
"Why are Isi and Husain silent, that they do not pay their respects
?" Hang Isi quickly replied, "that he requested, if the raja had any
favour for him, that he would bestow on him two or three cati of gold, and two
or three bundles of cloth ;" the raja immediately granted his request.
Then Hang Husain Jang advanced, and requested "if the
raja had any regard for him, to present him with twelve or thirteen female
buffaloes, that were mothers, with two or three slaves." The Prince
immediately granted his request.
Whenever the raja went to amuse himself on the water, he was
sure to call Sriwa Raja, and wait for him. When the raja's servant went to call
him, he would find him stretched on his carpet, and he would declare that he
was sleepy. When the raja's servant would desire him to come quickly for His
Majesty was waiting, then he would start up and go to make water, and perhaps
bathe also.Then when the raja's servant would hasten him, then he had to dress
himself three or four times over before he could please himself, and when all
this was over, then he would get as far as the door, and immediately return to
find his wife, and desire her to examine what was wrong or wanting in his
dress. Then his wife would examine his dress, and if any thing was wrong, it
had all to be changed again.
When all was right, then he would proceed to the raja's
presence. And this happened very frequently. When the raja wanted him to come very quick, he would
send Tun Isup Baracuh, Or the rattler, to call him. Then Tun Isup Baracuh would
come and say,"Lordinge, you are ordered to be called." "Very
well," would Sri Raja say. Then Tun Isup would ask for a mat and pillow,
for he knew the sauntering disposition of Sriwa Raja, and that he was always
reposing when the raja wanted him in haste.
Then Tun Isup would say, "Lordinge, I am very
hungry," then they would give him rice; as soon as he had done, he would
call out, "Lordinge, I want to eat judda or sweet-meats." Then Sriwa
Raja would give him sweet-meats. And this
was his constant practice whenever he was sent to call Sriwa Raja.
Therefore, whenever Tun Isup came to call him, Sriwa Raja would call to his
wife to give him his cloaths quickly for he could not stand the demands and requests
of Tun Isup. Such was the temper and conduct of Sriwa Raja; and yet it was
generally approved by the raja.
Sriwa Raja wished to marry the daughter of Kazi Menawer, the
grandson of Moulana Yusef, and the Prince was at the expence of the feast,
which continued for seven days and nights, and he went in procession on an
elephant of the raja's named Belidi Mani. Tun Abdul Kerim, the son of Kazi
Menawer, mounted on the elephant's head; Tun Zein al Abedin on one side of the
howder, and Sri Udana behind. Kazi Menawer stood ready at the paling of his
enclosure, and exhibited a multitude of fire-works ; with crackers and
fire-pots; with lanthorns, gongs, drums, and dancers, and sword-players of
every description. Then the gate of the outer court was shut, and the kazi
said, " Sriwa Raja shall have my daughter, if he can force this enclosure,
and if he cannot effect his entrance, I will lose all my expence."
Next morning Sriwa Raja came with all his people; and as
soon as he drew near the enclosure, Kazi Menawer ordered them to light up all
his fireworks and fire-pots, and crackers and lanthorns, and raise a loud
clamour, by shouting and beating their
instruments. Accordingly they raised such a blaze and clamour, that the elephant
Belidi Mani took fright, and fled; and vain were all Tun Abdul Kerim's efforts
to stop it.
When Sriwa Raja saw this, he said, "Excuse me, elder
brother, excuse me; come back, and let me mount his neck." Tun Abdul Kerim
gave place, and Sriwa Raja placed himself on the neck, and soon turned the
elephant, and advanced to the gate of Kazi Menawer, and immediately forced the
gate of the outer court, in spite of all the shouting, fireworks, and crackers,
and entered in directly; so that every one was astonished to observe the skill
of Sriwa Raja, in managing an elephant adroitly. He immediately approached the
hall of Kazi Menawer, and sprung upon the dais, and married the kazi's
daughter, in the presence of Sultan
Mahmud; and after a fine entertainment, the guests all dispersed.
This Kazi Menawer was also well skilled in playing at the
pellet-bow, balaw, which he had learned of the Moloco Raja; and had a
kisi-kisi, or circle of pins, in the place where he sat with his scholars, and
he would ask his scholars how many pins he should strike from the kisi-kisi. If
they said two, he would strike two, if three, he would strike three ; or as
many as they mentioned. He constantly kept his balaw by him, and practised it.
He had two or three spitting-pots hung up without the kisi-kisi; and when
rincing his mouth within the kisi-kisi, he could spirt it into all the three
pitchers at once, without scattering it.
Sriwa Raja had a son named Tun Omar, surnamed Sri Patan, but
generally denominated Datok Remba. Sriwa Raja was extremely skilled in horses,
and he had a white horse, the colour of which was extremely white, of which he
was very fond, and which he was accustomed to stall in an upper apartment of
the gallery of his house, for which it was appropriated. In the evenings, when
it was moonlight, the gallants would come and borrow this horse to amuse
them-selves with coursing him, and he would lend him. After one or two courses,
however, the horse would return to his master's house of his own accord.
Among the rest, came Tun Isup Baracuh to borrow the horse,
and he wished to amuse himself as long as he was inclined. After one or two
turns, however, the horse returned with him. "Why have you returned
already from your pastime ?" said Sriwa Raja. "Gentle," said Tun
Isup, " I am vastly hungry." Sriwa Raja ordered him victuals. After
eating, said he, "I want a little more pastime." "Very
well," said he, "take him as often as you please." The horse
again took a turn or two, and then wished to return ; which he did accordingly.
As soon as Tun Isup returned, he called a servant, and said, "Is your
master at home, tell him I am hungry, and request him to let me have some
sweetmeats ?"
Then Sri-wa Raja ordered the lad, whenever the horse
returned in this way, to shut him out, and tell Tun Isup that he might take him
whenever he pleased. After this, Tun Isup took his pastime till he was
satisfied ; and the horse did not make a practice of returning with him. Every
body was surprised at this, and that Tun Isup had taught the horse to have
sense like a man; and the circumstance was much celebrated.
At this time, there came a Pantun poet, who was famous for
his skill in horsemanship ; and Sultan Mahmud ordered him to be carried to
Sriwa Raja; who asked if he was skilled in horsemanship, to which he answered
that he was. "Mount this horse then," said he; the poet mounted, and
made him move a little. Sriwa Raja said, "Why do not you whip him a little
?"
The poet applied the whip, but not with force; but as soon
as he felt the whip, he bolted off, and rushed in under the house, while the
poet saved himself by throwing himself on the ground, and rolling away.
"He ! he !" said Sriwa Raja, "what is the matter with the poet
?" But the poet made no reply, for shame. Then Sriwa Raja called his son,
and said, "Omar! Omar! mount this horse." Tun Omar quickly mounted
him. "Whip him, Omar!" said Sriwa Raja. He did so, and the horse went
off at a regular gallop, and continued it equally. Every body was surprised at
the proceeding of the animal.
This Tun Omar was a great favourite with Sultan Mahmud
Shall. With respect to the son of Sri Bija di Raja, he was called Hunch-back,
but was very brave and valiant; and had been so instructed by his guru, that
the weapons of the enemy could not touch him. This circumstance made Tun Omar
often talk very foolishly and boastfully; but in truth the other had no match
for him.
As for Hang Isi Pantus, or the Quick, he was very quick, and
clever in disposition. In the river of Malaca, there was a bar fixed, which was round, and
floating on the surface, and nobody could cross on it; for it was apt to sink
beneath the surface. Hang Isi the Quick would cross this bar, and though, when
he planted his right foot, it moved to the left, and when he planted his left,
it moved to the right, yet did he in this manner pass over to the other side,
without so much as wetting the upper surface of his foot, though any body else
would sink to the leg.
It happened on a time, in the season of paper kites, that
every body was flying their paper kites ; all the headmen’s sons, and all the
young gentles, were amusing themselves with kites of every description; and
Raja Ahmed, the son of Sultan Mahmud, also came to divert himself, and flew a
huge kite, as big as a cajang, (or tent
folding screen,) with a rope as thick and stout as a drag line. Many kites were
flying when he set up his kite, but they all took them down as fast as
possible ; for as soon as the string
grated any of the other strings, it instantly severed them, and cut all that
entangled themselves with it.
Hang Isi was likewise flying a small kite with a thin line of only three
threads but it was smeared with a paste
of pounded glass, and he did not take down his kite. Then Raja Ahmed's kite
approached that of Hang Isi, and the lines grated each other, the one having
the thick line, and the other the thin glazed one, when Raja Ahmed's line was
cut, and floated over the other side of the river.
As for Hang Husain Jang, he married the daughter of Hang
Auseh; and at his marriage he eat rice with the bride, and the old people
brought it, and fed them three times. But when they took up the rice, and
wanted to carry it in, Hang Husain Jang laid hold of it, and held it fast,
declaring, that he must eat his fill, and he immediately eat up his own share.
"What," said he, "shan't
I have my victuals, after being at all this expence?" And all the young .
ladies present, when they observed Hang Husain Jang's humour, giggled and
laughed.
This monsoon the raja stationed Sri Bija di Raja at
Singhapura ; and it happened on the solemn festival that he did not arrive in
time to present himself at court. The raja was enraged, and said, "Pray
what was the reason that Sri Bija di
Raja did not come to attend us as he ought, does he not know the laws and
customs?" He replied, "It is true, I have been too late, but I did
not think the festival would fall on that day; but I request you to pardon
me." "No," says the raja;
"the reason of your conduct is, that you are disaffected towards me, and
inclined to my brother at Campar."
The raja ordered him to be put to death, but when the executioners came to
him, he protested against the execution of the sentence, affirming, "that
though he had been in fault, yet it was but trifling, and did not deserve
death." The raja was informed of this, and sent him a letter, in which he
explained his offences to be of four or five descriptions; upon which he
submitted to death without further opposition; and was succeeded by Sang Satia,
who was surnamed Datok Tabonko, the hunch-backed lord, and who had the
government of Singhapura accordingly.
It happened one day that Sultan Mahmud took the resolution
of going to the house of Moulana Yusef, in order to learn his book from him.
Now Moulana Yusef was a great stickler for ceremony, and when any of the young
gentry flew their kites over his house, he would get upon the roof and cut the
lines; and he would order his people to throw hooks at the lines, and cut them,
and tear the kites to shreds; and he would say, "How came you to play your
tricks over my house, and show me such impertinence?" Such was the temper
of Kazi Yusef, the father of Kazi Menawer.
When, therefore, he saw Sultan Mahmud coming with his
elephant, and all the champions accompanying him, straight to his house, as soon as His Majesty reached
the gate of the outer fence, the kazi ordered the gate to be shut, and said,
" What brings His Majesty to the house of this poor fakir, here is no
place for great men; if tomorrow,
however, a fakir should wait on me, I shall certainly receive him, as it is
becoming one fakir to receive another?" This speech of Moulana Yusef was
related to the Sultan, who returned to his palace.
The next day the raja proceeded to the kazi's house, taking
his betel box in his hand, and when he arrived, he desired the porter at the
gate to inform his master, that the fakir Mahmud was come, and wished to meet
him. The porter carried the message, and told the kazi that the fakir Mahmud
was without the gate, waiting to see him. "Open the gate and let him come
in then," said the kazi. Then the Prince entered and took his hand and
saluted him, and said, "to see you as one fakir another." Then the
Prince sat down and read the book "Mahimat," and thus he did every
day.
After some time the Sultan dispatched Paduca Tuan to attack
the country of ManJong. Manjong was
formerly a great country, and was not on friendly terms with Bruas. Paduca Tuan
proceeded to Manjong with ten vessels, and attacked it; and in a short time, by
the assistance of God, he conquered it.
After this Paduca Tuan proceeded to Bruas, and the raja of
Bruas received him with the highest demonstrations of respect.
After some time
Paduca Tuan accomplished a marriage between his grandson, Tun Isup Baracuh and
Putri Siti, the sister of the raja of Bruas, of whom was born Tun Viajet,
surnamed bandahara Sri Maha Raja, who is commonly called the bandahara of Johor. This person married Tun Muma. It is
he who was the old bandahara of Johor; and it is he who was originally
appointed raja over Perak, under the title of Sultan Muzafer Shah. He married
the Princess of Perak, and begot Sultan Mansur, who reigns at present.
Then Paduca Tuan returned to Malaca, attended by the raja of
Bruas; and the Prince was highly pleased to learn the conquest of Perak, and
presented both Paduca Tuan and the raja of Bruas with dresses of honour
becoming their rank, and caused the latter to be honoured with one beat of the
nobuts, and gave him the title of Aria
-------, and delivered up Manjong to him, for which he did homage to
Malaca.
After some time the Prince ordered Sri Maha Raja, to attack Calantan. At that time the
country of Calantan was much more
powerful than that of Patani, and the name of the raja was Sultan Mansur
Shah, who was the brother's son of Sultan Secander Shah, and who refused to do
homage to Malaca. He derived his extraction from Raja Cholen. Then Sri Maha
Raja arrived at Calantan, and forthwith commenced the war.
A fierce battle ensued, in which the combatants mutually
amoked against each other, and many perished on both sides. As the Calantan men
were not much versed in the use of fire-arms, they had the worst of it, and
gave way, and their fortress was mastered by the Malaca men. The Calantan raja
had four children, three daughters and a son. The son escaped, but all the
daughters were taken. The one of these was named Onang-kanung, another Chaw-fa,
and the other Chaw-buak.
The name of the son was Raja Gambau. The three daughters
were carried to Malaca, and presented to Sultan Mahmud Shah, who was highly
gratified, and bestowed many dresses of honour on Sri Maha Raja, and those who
accompanied him. The Sultan espoused the eldest of the Princesses of Calantan, by whom he had three
children, the eldest was named Raja Maha, the second -------, and the youngest,
who was a daughter, Raja Devi.
On a certain time the white bandahara said to the Prince,
"My elder brother, Paduca Raja, was sent out to Siam, and was ordered to
attack Pasei; and on another occasion to attack Pahang, but since I have been appointed
bandahara, I have not had it in my power to lay a finger on business of any
kind. My brother's son has been sent against Manjong; my brother's son has been
sent against Calantan, but not a single matter of importance has been entrusted
to me." Every person present declared the datok's representation to be
true.
This was the bandahari, who, if
there was a span's length of a taper remaining, would say "it is a mere
candle's end, not fit to be used ;" and if a mat was a little worn, who would
say, "this mat is spoiled, let it be changed."
It is related that Sultan Menawer of Campar died, and was
succeeded by his son Raja Abdallah. This Prince proceeded to Malaca, and
espoused the daughter of Sultan Mahmud, who honoured him with the nobut, and
sent him back to Campar in an honourable manner. After some time the white
bandahara died, and all the able men were assembled for the purpose of choosing
another bandahara.
There were nine who presented themselves for candidates in
the court of the raja's palace. The first was Paduca Tuan, the second Tun Zein
al Abidin, the third Tun TaJani, the fourth Sri Nara di Raja, the fifth Sri
Maha Raja, the sixth Sriwa Raja, the seventh Tun Abusaid, the eighth Tun Abdul,
and the ninth Tun Vijaya Maha Mantri. All these stood in a line.
Then said the Sultan, "Who of you, gentles, is fit to
become bandahara?" Paduca Tuan replied, "All these are fit to be
bandaharas, but he will become so whom Your Majesty chooses." Then the
King's mother stood behind the door, and peeped out, and said, "Pa-Mutaher,
(Mutaher's father,) is proper to be bandahara, for he is greatly devoted to his
brother." The raja then said, "Let Pa-Mutaher be bandahara."
Then all the rest assented that Sri Maha Raja should be bandahara, and he
accordingly received from the Prince an honorary dress befitting the rank of
bandahara. It was the custom of the ancient time at the appointment of the
bandahara, or bandahari, or temangung, or any other mantri, to invest him with
a creese and a robe of Cyclat, while to a bandahari, there was also given a betel-pounder and
ink-holder.
After Sri Maha Raja became bandahara, the land of Malaca
became still more populous than ever, for he was extremely just and equitable
in the protection of all strangers. It was the custom for all the ships above the wind, when they wanted to lift
their anchor, the malim had to give the parting cheer, and then all the crew
would join in exclaiming; "Prosperity to the port of Malaca, to its
plantains, paddy, water, and hill, and also to the bandahara Sri Maha
Raja;" and all the seamen stood up and shouted in chorus, after which they
would immediately hoist their sails.
This bandahara was 'prouder than any of the former
bandaharas, and if any one waited on him, he would sit still on his open carpet.
If Raja -------- visited him, he would not rise, but only give him his hand.
However, if the raja of Pahang came to see him, he would stand up, and give the
raja his place, after which, he would place him by his side.
The bandahara Sri Maha Raja had a great many children. The
eldest was named Tun Hasan who was very handsome, and succeeded his father in
the office of temangung. It was the office of the temangung to arrange all the
guests at table in the public hall, and his peculiar dress was a long cloth
hanging down before, with a flowing robe over the shoulder, and a turban of
various colours, with a posey of flowers arranged one on another, in the manner
termed guba, in his hair, partly standing erect and partly hanging down; and it
was his place to walk on the naga-naga, or circular ledge of the hall, pointing
to the right or left with his fan, which he flourished like a skilful fencer.
The first of the Malays who lengthened the skirts of the
Malay baju or coat, and wore large and long sleeves. Formerly the Malay baju
was both short and straight. For this reason he was celebrated in pantuns, as
requiring four cubits of cloth for his baju. As for the bandahara Sri Maha
Raja, he was extremely handsome, and he would change his four or five times in
a day. Of how many sorts of colours had he his coats and turbans, and what a
number of each colour, so that they
might be numbered by tens! Some of his turbans he always kept ready rolled, and
others he did not. Some of his coats were half-sewed, others nearly completed,
and others again only cut ready for sewing.
As for his mirrors, he had one as large as himself standing upright,
and when he wanted to put on his coat or turban, he dressed himself by this,
and then he would ask his wife" does this baju suit this turban," and
then he would follow her advice exactly. After he had dressed, he would next go
mount the swing. Such was the habit of the bandahara Sri Maha Raja, to whom in
these times there was no peer.
One day he was sitting in a large party, and he asked them
all, "Who is the handsomest, I or Hasan there?" They all answered,
"You are superior to Hasan." He said, "Quite wrong, for I see in
the mirror that Hasan here is the best looking of the two, as being the younger
man ; to be sure I look rather the most pleasant." Then all assented to
the datok's observation. It is related that this bandahara was the father of the
bandahara Sacudi, who was the father of Tun Ahmed.
Now it happened on a time, that the pangeran of Surabaya,
named Para Pati Adem, came to Malaca, and was presented to Sultan Mahmud, who
gave him a very gracious reception, and seated him along with his chief
mantris. It happened one day that Para Pati Adem was sitting in the balei or
hall of Sri Naradi Raja, when Tun Manda, his daughter, was present, who had
just begun to run about. She ran up to Sri Nara di Raja, and he said to Para Pati
Adem, "Do you hear what my daughter says, she wants to marry you."
"Be it so," said Para Pati Adem.
When the season arrived, Para Pati Adem asked leave of
Sultan Mahmud to take his departure, and was presented with an honorary dress
befitting his rank. Then Para Pati Adem purchased a young girl of the same age
and stature as Tun Manda, at Malaca, and carried her back with him to Java, where
he caused her to be properly tended, and she became a very acute woman, slow to
speak and quick to act. When she reached maturity, he gave her a husband.
After this he prepared to return to Malaca, selecting forty
choice and noble youths to accompany him, and preparing a great retinue. When
he arrived at Malaca, Para Pati Adem presented himself before Sri Nara di Raja declaring that he had come
to carry into effect the engagement between them, and to marry his daughter. Sri
Nara di Raja said "he had never made him any promise." On this Para Pati
Adem reminded him of their former conversation.
"True," said Sri Nara di Raja,
"I recollect using the words, but it was only in joke." "What,"
said the other, "Is it the custom
here to joke upon the subject of a person's daughter?" Sri Nara di Raja
was silent, and Para Pati Adem retired to his house, determining to carry off
Tun Manda by force.
Tun Manda was now grown up, and resided in a house by
herself, given her by her father; and Para Pati Adem gave gold to all the keepers
of the gates, in order to allow him and his forty select companions to enter
into the lady's house at night; and thus he corrupted their fidelity; for, as
the great Ali says, "It is needless to expect fidelity unless from persons of good character."
On a certain night, as had been concerted, Para Pati Adem
with his forty choice companions, entered into the house of Tun Manda, who
wanted to fly, but the Para Pati seized her. A hubbub quickly arose, and the
matter was reported to Sri Nara di Raja, who was terribly enraged, and ordered the
place to be instantly surrounded by numbers. The place was quickly surrounded,
but Para Pati Adem never suffered Tun Manda to quit his arms; but taking his
plaid, he bound it fast around both their waists, and drawing his creese he
steadily fixed his look on Tun Manda. The crowd who had surrounded the place,
closed quickly in, and all the forty select young gentles were slain by the
surrounding crowd.
This was reported to Para Pati Adem, who said, "Very
well, you may kill me too, but Tun Manda shall attend me in death." The
crowd entered, and seeing that he had locked Tun Manda in the embrace of his
limbs, and hearing his purpose, they reported it to Sri Nara di Raja, who desired
them not to attack Para Pati Adem, for fear of the consequences to his daughter.
For, says he, "If any thing should befal my daughter, what would it avail
me if all Java should perish." Then all the people who had assembled,
returned to their several homes; and all the great men came and advised with
Sri Nara di Raja, and they married Tun Manda to Para Pati Adem, who, as long as
he remained in Malaca, never went a foot from Tun Manda.
When the monsoon for returning arrived, Para Pati Adem asked
leave of Sri Nara di Raja to return with his wife to Surabaya; to which he
consented. Tun Manda soon bore him a son named Pati Husain, who was the
grandfather of the pangeran of Surabaya, who run amok.
