Malacca, Kingdom of

Malacca, Kingdom of, historic South East Asian state on the southern coast of the Malay Peninsula (in modern Malaysia), on the Strait of Malacca, with the modern city of Melaka as its capital. Founded around 1400 by Parameswara, a prince from Palembang on the island of Sumatra, Malacca was soon flourishing as the regional trade centre of South East Asia. Malacca's reputation for security, well-ordered government, and unrivalled commercial facilities all contributed to its economic success. The vibrancy of the kingdom is indicated by the fact that, at any one time, as many as 2,000 boats could be found lying at anchor in the harbour. Malacca was also sufficiently prosperous to sustain a rapidly expanding population, which by the beginning of the 16th century had reached 100,000.

The kingdom's economic growth was soon matched by its territorial expansion. By the mid-1420s, Malacca had acquired all the lands between Kuala Linggi and Kuala Kesang (the modern borders of Melaka state). Over the succeeding decades, Malacca drew the whole Malay Peninsula, as well as much of the east coast of Sumatra, into its sphere of influence. The extension of Malacca's frontiers also witnessed the spread of Islam, one of the kingdom's most enduring legacies.

The wealth of Malacca aroused the envy of Portugal, and in 1511 the Portuguese viceroy, Afonso de Albuquerque, captured the city. Although its rulers were forced to flee to the interior, eventually settling in Johor, Malacca left an important historical legacy as a source of Malay pride and cultural identity.