Browse Items (122 total)

• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  This passage shows that in premodern Southeast Asia, relationship between kings and power centers could be either hierarchical cases, a superior king ruled over inferior ones, maintaining order. In rivalrous cases, rulers of similar status completed for dominance, which could lead to war, such as conflicts between Pegu and Ayutthaya. Even lesser rules might challenge stronger ones or negotiate power under certain conditions. The passage also introduces the idea that political differences between groups but also by the need to distinguish oneself from similar group, creating "fractured resemblances".
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  This passage explains the "mimetic model" or premodern Southeast Asian states. Power was organized though a hierarch where smaller rulers imitated stronger kings to gain prestige and authority. Based on Rene Girard's idea of mimesis, rulers desired power by copying superior models, which often created rivalry and conflict. This system is described as the "mandala system", where a central kingdom controlled surrounding towns in expanding circles of influence and imitation.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  This passage shows that Frank Swettenham wanted to protect his personal legacy in British Malaya. He strongly supported the Federation of the Malay States and feared people would forget his achievements. his Malayan artefacts were later kept in the national Museum. The passage also explains how aolonial names such as Port Swettenham and Maxwell Hill were later changed after independance. 
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  This passage describes the early connection between Frank Swettenham and William Edward Maxwell after Swettenham arrived in Singapore in 1871. Although the exact date of their first meeting is unclear, they likely met through Maxwell's government appointments and social events. As a new colonial cadet without strong political connections, Swettenham focused on learning Malay under his teacher Haji Mohamed Said. His quick success in passing the Malay examination helped establish his reputation and supported his later rise in the social administration.
• Journal of the Malayan branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  About Sir B.P. Maxwell and His contribution. Sir Peter Benson Maxwell( W.E. Maxwell's father) went to the Penang to take a position of Supreme Court Judge. After several years later, he published a book known as" Our Malay Conquests", epitomizing a polemic based on Julius Caesaqr's famous quote"venimus, vidimus, vicimus". His criticism was levelled at the conduct of the British in not respecting Malay customs.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  William Maxwell studies land tenure system since the influence of British in the Malay states grew and proper system of registration of land titles and boundaries was needed to create revenue from the occupied land. And he bring a new uniform known as Burma and simple scheme for the registration of titles known as the Torrens system.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  William Edward Maxwell was a toddler in 1847, and in1867, the colonies of the British which is Penang, Malacca, and Singapore were governed by India. And, the Crown Colony of the Straits Settlements was established. Then almost civil servats were recalled but Maxwell was not maybe due to the influence of his father.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  The introduction explains how the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial presents Tun Abu Razak Hussein as a model national leader to support nation-building. using Benedict Anderson's theory, the passage argues that museums are used by governments to shape national identity and promote state-approved values, especially to younger generations.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Asiatic Society

  The marine compass was an important tool for navigation because it showed direction at sea. However, a compass 'course' is different from a 'bearing". Early compasses ranged from simple magnetized needles floating in water to more advanced instruments. The Chinese were the first to invent the magnetic compass, and during the Ming dynasty they developed it further by mounting it on a detailed diving board.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Asiatic Society

  The passage describes how early sailors used the Pole Star, Polaris or navigation before the 1470s. Because Polaris appeared nearly fixed in the sky, its altitude helped sailors estimates latitude, although it was not perfectly alighed with the North Pole. The text also explains that Polaris was less useful in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean., where sailors relied more on coastal navigation. Araba and Chinese navigators used simple tools such as the kamal and star plates to measure star height above the horizon fo guidance at sea.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  There is no other instruments but Mao K'un maps for open ocean navigations. Star altitude were added for the first time when crossing the mouth of the bay of Bengal .
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of Royal Asiatic Society

  The Mao K'un with the Zheng he Voyages used a star charts instead of the ocean navigations. But there are mislabeled star chart title of navigational diagrams by Needham. Also there are some problems in identifying stars with sailors' and names'. Zheng aids to navigation but only approximate geographical coastal positions can be found.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  Sailing directions were recorded in East and West for both coasting and open sea voyages. For example, 5the knowledge of the various trade routes with directions and favorable winds, and description of the coastlines. Office are termed as Pilots after fitting their modern equivalents that include geographical descriptions and commercial information.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  Voyage routes ran in lines followed parallel to an irregular coastline and they provided the navigation with a direct picture of the coast but it was not possible to fix these. They are more like the straight line guides of the LondonUndergraund with pretty pictures.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  The marine charts from the early times were showing a recognizable Mediterranean and northwestern shoulder of Africa without latitude and longitude. Arabs used a chart that were inspired by Portuguese. The Mao K'un maps named a later compiler found in the Wu-pei chin were written with text, and are of no standard siza or orientation.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  Even experienced navigators, including Arab seafarers known for their advanced techniques, did not use latitude in the modern sense. This reliance on celestial height measurements persisted for centuries, with some English sailors continuing the practice into the Victorian era.
• Journal of the Malayan branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  Navigation reminded far from precise. Mariners could not accurately determine their exact geographic position. The concept of locating a ship at the intersection of latitude and longitude was largely theoretical and confined to scholars. Longitude was especially difficult to measure and could only be estimated, while latitude was not fully conceptualized as it is today. Instead, sailors relied on measuring the altitude of stars, rather than understanding latitude as a coordinate systems.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  Portuguese adapted and simplified earlier Arabic instruments such as quadrants and astrolabes. These tools were modified to measure the altura in degrees, making them more practical for sailors. Additionally, nautical almanacs that is derived from Arabic knowledge were introduced, incorporating solar data alongside stellar observations.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  The development of modern navigation techniques began in Europe during the late 15th century, not the early 1420s as often misunderstood. Contrary to popular belief, Prince Henry the Navigater did not initiate advanced oceanic navigations for voyages to Asia. Rather, it was under king John ll of Portugal in the 1470s that significant progress occured. His directive aimed to improve navigation after Portuguese sailors crossed the equator in search of the legendary figure Prester John.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  The term navigation did not the originally mean precise position-finding as it does today. It referred broadly to guiding a ship across open waters., while pilotage described navigation near coastlines using visible landmarks.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  The text correct the misconception that the southwest monsoon moves in a straightward diagonal path from Africa to Southeast Asia. In reality, it develops progressively, beginning near Aceh, then reaching Sri Lanka, and finally the west coast of India.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  The passage explain that sailing routes were heavily influenced not just by wind direction but by seasonal weather conditions. Stormy monsoon periods often made certain coastal harbors in accessible, such as the east coast of the Malay peninsula during the musim tutup kuala and the west coast of India during the southwest monsoon. These environmental constrains shaped navigation strategies more than simplistic wind model suggests.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  Evidence from the 1431 Chinese expedition demonstrates that sailors adapted flexibly to changing wind systems. Rather than strictly following a fixed directional cycle, fleets could travel both eastward and westward within the same monsoon season. For example, Chinese ship sailed from China to Java on the winter monsoon, then continued to Malacca during the southwest monsoon, and later crossed the Indian Ocean to Hormuz during the northeast monsoon. , returning again within that same seasonal patters.
• Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  common misunderstandings about monsoon wind patterns and their role in historical maritime trade across the Indian ocean and Southeast Asia. While it is often believed that ships followed a simple one-way seasonal pattern and returing west with the southwest monsoon. However the reality was more complex.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asisatic Society

  The English ship captains sailed in Asian water had been sailing in the region for twelve years such as from Bengal to Batavia it called Penang, via the stag called at Malacca.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  The Panembahan lived on an island called Trusan, where the village of Gelaherang was located. This had been the capital. The river was navigable for small local boats, which could reach the town and anchor at a spot known as Lubuk Sauh.
• Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  Oliver Lyttelton's Reccomendation were made during the Malayan Emergency after his visit to Malaya in 1951 to assess the worsening security situation. He found that the Home Guard system was poorly organized and divided between Malay kampong guards and Chinese New Villagfe guards, with weak coordination and unequal development.
• Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  Instead of relying only on military force, it focused on cutting off support to the Malayan National Liberation Army by relocating rural populations into controlled New Villages. This prevented guerrillas from getting food and supplies while security forces maintauned pressure.
• Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society

  The bridge plan was a strategy during the Malayan Emergency, introduced by Sir Harold Briggs in 1950 to defeat the communist insurgency.
• TextGolden SwordPalembang...1 more

  Raffles and the Order of the Golden Sword

  Raffles was awarded the Order of the Golden Sword by the Sultan of Palembang as a gesture of honor and diplomacy. The award symbolized mutual respect and recognition between Raffles and local rulers during his efforts to expand British influence in the region. It also reflected how colonial officials used local titles and honors to build alliances and legitimize their presence.
• Texttalesterengganu

  Tall Tales from Terengganu II

  Tall Tales from Terengganu II presents a collection of local stories and legends from Terengganu, capturing the region's rich oral traditions and cultural heritage. These tales, passed down through generations, reflect the values, beliefs, and everyday life of the Terengganu people. By documenting these narratives, the work helps preserve a fading tradition, offering readers insight into the unique folklore of the area.
• TextArabMunshi Abdullah...1 more

  Munshi Abdullah's Arab Teachers

  Munshi Abdullah’s Arab teachers had a strong influence on his education and thinking, especially in the areas of religion, language, and literature. Through them, he gained a deep understanding of Arabic and Islamic teachings, which shaped his later writings and reformist views. Their guidance helped bridge traditional Islamic scholarship with the emerging modern ideas in the Malay world.
• TextIndonesiapenang...2 more

  Sir Stamford Raffles and the Study of Natural History in Penang, Singapore and Indonesia

  Sir Stamford Raffles had a deep interest in natural history and played a key role in promoting its study across Penang, Singapore, and Indonesia. He supported the collection and documentation of local plants, animals, and geological features, often working with scientists and local experts. His efforts helped lay the groundwork for future research and showed how colonial exploration was closely tied to scientific curiosity and the desire to understand the natural world.
• Textkedahsuccession

  The Kedah Succession Crisis 1879-1882

  The Kedah succession crisis from 1879 to 1882 involved disputes over the rightful heir to the throne after the death of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Mukarram Shah. Competing claims led to political tension and intervention by neighboring powers like Siam and the British. The crisis showed how regional politics and colonial interests influenced traditional royal successions in Kedah.
• TextSingapore

  Karayuki-San of Singapore 1877-1941

  Karayuki-san were Japanese women who came to Singapore between 1877 and 1941, often working as migrant workers or in the sex trade. Their stories reveal the hardships they faced, as well as how they adapted to life far from home. Their presence highlights the complex social and economic ties between Japan and Southeast Asia during this period.
• Text17th centuryAcheh...2 more

  Elephants and Water in the Feasting of Seventeenth Century Acheh

  Elephants and water played important symbolic and practical roles in seventeenth-century Acheh’s feasting ceremonies. Elephants were a sign of power and status, often featured in grand celebrations, while water rituals helped bless and purify events. Together, they showed the connection between nature, leadership, and community in Acehnese culture during that time.
• TextDavid Bassettobituary

  Obituary David Bassett

  David Sherman Bassett, aged 85, passed away on September 13, 2024, at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health. Born on July 9, 1939, in Massachusetts, he was a devoted member of Ardmore Baptist Church and actively volunteered at the Shriner Hospital and Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health. A Past Master at the Masonic Lodge in Norwood, Massachusetts, and a dedicated Shriner, he cherished activities like golfing and water skiing. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Martha Fisher Bassett; sons Christopher D. Bassett (Karen) and Jeffrey D. Bassett (Melissa); grandchildren Gaige, Riley, Sierra, and Brianna; great-grandchildren Brynleigh and Colt; and in-laws Wayne and Rebecca Fisher. A visitation was held on September 17, 2024, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lexington Memorial Masonic Lodge #473.
• TextAnglokedah

  Anglo-Kedah Relations 1688-1765

  Anglo-Kedah relations between 1688 and 1765 were shaped by trade interests, diplomacy, and shifting regional power. The English East India Company sought access to Kedah’s resources and strategic ports, while Kedah’s rulers tried to balance foreign influence with local control. The relationship saw moments of cooperation and tension, reflecting the wider dynamics of colonial ambition and local sovereignty in the Malay world.
• TextethnographyMalayan

  W. W. Skeat and Malayan Ethnography. An Appreciation

  W. W. Skeat is remembered for his major contributions to the study of Malayan ethnography, particularly through his detailed observations of local customs, beliefs, and social structures. His work combined careful field research with a deep respect for Malay culture, helping to document traditions that were often overlooked by colonial authorities. Skeat’s legacy lies in how he shaped early understandings of Malayan society through a scholarly yet appreciative lens.
• TextMalayanPatani...1 more

  Patani During the Turn of the 20th Century: A Malayan Perception

  At the turn of the 20th century, Patani was viewed by many in Malaya as a culturally rich but politically troubled region under growing Siamese control. Malay observers saw the decline of Patani’s autonomy with concern, as it affected their shared identity, religious practices, and historical ties. This perspective highlights a sense of loss and solidarity with the Malay community in Patani during a period of change and uncertainty.
• TextIslamJawi...2 more

  Jawi Literature in Patani: The Maintenance of An Islamic Tradition

  Jawi literature in Patani has played a key role in preserving Islamic teachings and cultural identity in the region. Through religious texts, poetry, and legal writings in the Jawi script, local scholars maintained a strong connection to Islamic traditions despite political challenges and external pressures. This literary tradition reflects the deep roots of Islam in Patani and its importance in shaping community values and education.
• TextAbd Al-Ra 'ūf's Tarjumān Al-Mustafīd

  The Sources of Abd Al-Ra 'ūf's Tarjumān Al-Mustafīd

  Abd al-Ra’ūf’s Tarjumān al-Mustafīd, a Malay tafsir (Qur'anic commentary), draws heavily from earlier Arabic sources, particularly the works of al-Baydawi and al-Khazin. By adapting these texts into Malay, Abd al-Ra’ūf made Islamic teachings more accessible to local audiences. His work reflects both deep religious scholarship and a desire to spread Islamic knowledge within the cultural context of the Malay world.
• TextChewong

  Chewong (Siwong) in Perspective

  The Chewong, also known as Siwong, are a small indigenous group in Peninsular Malaysia with unique beliefs, especially about nature and the spirit world. Their way of life is deeply tied to the forest, with customs that emphasize harmony, sharing, and avoiding conflict. Looking at them in context highlights the richness of indigenous knowledge and the challenges they face in a changing world.
• TextLondonmissionaries

  The London Missionary Society: a written record of Missionaries and Printing Presses

  The London Missionary Society kept detailed records of its work in spreading Christianity, especially through education and printing. Its missionaries played a key role in producing religious texts and school materials in local languages across Asia. The printing presses not only supported religious goals but also helped shape literacy, language development, and early publishing in the region.
• Textpenghuluperak...1 more

  Penghulus in Perak and Selangor: Rationalisation and decline of A Traditional Malay Office

  Penghulus in Perak and Selangor once held important roles as local leaders, responsible for maintaining order, settling disputes, and managing village affairs. Over time, their influence declined due to colonial restructuring, the rise of modern bureaucracy, and changing political dynamics. The rationalisation process turned the role into a more administrative position, reducing its traditional authority and cultural significance.
• TextChinesemalaya...3 more

  Sir Arthur Young and Political Control of the Chinese in Malaya and the Straits Settlements

  Sir Arthur Young played a key role in shaping policies toward the Chinese community in Malaya and the Straits Settlements during the early 20th century. He focused on maintaining order and controlling secret societies, often using strict surveillance and registration systems. His approach reflected colonial concerns over Chinese influence while also recognizing their importance in the economy.
• TextBangkokMalay...1 more

  A Malay Mission to Bangkok during the reign of Rama II

  During Rama II’s reign, a Malay mission traveled to Bangkok aiming to strengthen diplomatic ties and negotiate political matters. The mission highlighted the close but sometimes complicated relationship between the Malay states and the Siamese kingdom, reflecting efforts to maintain peace and manage influence in the region.
• TextDutchIndia...1 more

  Dutch Records from Malacca in the India Office Records

  Dutch records from Malacca, dating from 1685 to 1835, are preserved in the India Office Records at the British Library in London. These documents, transferred from Malacca in 1927, include materials from the Orphan Chamber and the Council of Justice, offering insights into the Dutch colonial administration in the region. Originally thought lost, the collection was reorganized in 1981 and now comprises approximately 900 volumes, cataloged under reference R/9. These records are valuable for understanding the legal and social history of Malacca during Dutch rule.
• Textbotanical researchMurray Ross Henderson

  Murray Ross Henderson, and some Notes on the Administration of Botanical Research in Malaysia

  Murray Ross Henderson played a key role in shaping botanical research in Malaya during the early to mid-20th century. Starting as a botanist at the Singapore Botanic Gardens in 1921, he became curator in 1924 and later served as Director from 1949 to 1954. His work emphasized the importance of systematic plant identification and documentation, contributing significantly to the understanding of Malayan flora. Henderson also focused on enhancing the herbarium collections and promoted collaboration with international botanical institutions. His leadership helped establish a strong foundation for botanical studies in the region, leaving a lasting impact on the scientific community.
• Textkedah

  Kedah 1821-1885 Years of Exile and Return

  Between 1821 and 1885, Kedah faced a period of turmoil marked by Siamese invasion, the Sultan’s exile, and efforts to regain the throne. The struggle involved political negotiations, shifting alliances, and local resistance. Despite setbacks, the royal family eventually returned, highlighting the resilience of Kedah’s rulers and their determination to restore sovereignty and cultural identity.