Browse Items (122 total)

  • Collection: Journal of the Malayan Branch 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 .

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'.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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.

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.

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…

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…

The bridge plan was a strategy during the Malayan Emergency, introduced by Sir Harold Briggs in 1950 to defeat the communist insurgency. …

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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.…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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.…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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