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Malacca Fort

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 August 2009

Graham Irwin
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Extract

There was a stone fort at Malacca from 1512 to 1807. Only twice during the three centuries of its existence did this fort change hands, and it was taken by storm only once. Yet it was many times besieged, and nations which did not possess it regarded it with disfavour as a threat to the security of their communications and a hindrance, if not a barrier, to the freedom of their trade. In relation to the Malay Peninsula the fort at Malacca was of small account, for it was never used as a base for the furthering of territorial ambitions in the interior. Its importance lay rather in its. position on the flank of the main sea route between India and China. Beneath its guns fleets could be assembled and lie at anchor in security, and these fleets could be, and were, employed to attack the shipping of rival powers passing through Malacca Straits.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Southeast Asian History , Volume 3 , Issue 2 , September 1962 , pp. 19 - 44
Copyright
Copyright © The National University of Singapore 1962

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page 44 note 1. Rijport.

page 44 note 2. Boompagter.