Mansur Shah of Malacca
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Sultan Mansur Shah was the fourth Sultan of Malacca. He ruled Malacca from 1459 to 1477. He ascended the throne after the death of his father, Muzaffar Shah.
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[edit] Expansions of Malaccan Empire
Mansur Shah implemented a policy of expansionism during his rule. Many territories in Peninsular Malaysia and eastern Sumatra and the surrounding islands were under the control of Malacca during his rule such as Selangor, Bernam, Kampar, Siak, Manjung, Rupat, Singapore, and Bintan. Mansur Shah also ordered the attack of Pahang by Tun Perak, the Bendahara of Malacca, to secure the defense of Malacca on the east coast. Siantan and Inderagiri in Sumatra were also given to Malacca as dowry for his marriage to the princess of Majapahit.
[edit] Marriage alliances
Mansur Shah also used marriage alliances between princesses of Malacca and the rulers of conquered states to strengthen Malacca's control over those states. Those rulers were captured and forced to convert to Islam. This was one of the ways of Islam's expansion in the Malay archipelago.
An example of these marriage alliances is the marriage between the king of Siak to Mansur Shah's daughter, Princess Mahadewi.
Besides that, princesses of those conquered states were also married to sons of Malaccan ministers. For example, Princess Wanang Seri of Pahang and Raden Galoh Candra Kirana were married to sons of ministers like Tun Putih Nur Pualam.
According to historian Tom Pires, Mansur Shah also married concubines who were foreign princesses such as Hang Li Po and daughters of merchants from India and Pasai to strengthen trade relationships. These princesses were also converted to Islam. following the lead of the sultan, others married foreigners as well making foreign marriage customs a not uncommon sight in Malacca.
[edit] Economic policy
Mansur Shah reduced taxes on trade items during his reign. This increased the interest of merchants to trade in the port of Malacca. The Preferential Tariff System was introduced. Merchants from the west of Malacca such as Arabia and India were imposed a 6 % tax on trade items while merchants from around the Malay archipelago were imposed 3% taxes. However, merchants from China, Japan and Jawa were not taxed at all. Another economic advantage of Malacca was the easy access to labourers.
[edit] Spread of Islam
Mansur Shah, who had a great interest in Islam, encouraged scholarship in Islamic theological studies. He studied tasawuf himself. He also studied under Maulana Abu Bakar, who brought the Ab Darul Manzum scriptures to Malacca. He also ordered the translation of the scripture to Malay by Makhdum Patakan. Mansur Shah referred to scholars from Pasai on religious issues due to their expertise.
| Preceded by Muzaffar Shah |
Sultan of Malacca 1456–1477 |
Succeeded by Alauddin Riayat Shah |
