Makam Hang Tuah, Malacca

Hang Tuah Mausoleum (16 September, 2016)

B. Melayu

Hang Tuah Mausoleum (GPS: 2.2179, 102.15862) is a grave claimed to be that of the greatest Malay warrior of the Malacca Sultanate. It is located in Tanjung Kling, surprisingly near the sea (I say so, because I could see the sea from the entrance to the mausoleum). The area around the mausoleum is well tended. There are interpretive boards recalling the various exploits of Hang Tuah.

The design of Hang Tuah Mausoleum reflects surprisingly South Indian elements. In particular, it is reminiscent of other old tombs, such as the Kapitan Keling's Tomb in Penang. Its location in Tanjung Kling, whose name also points to the probability that there may have been a Indian settlement in the area in the old days, calls to question the authenticity of the tomb.

There is some controversy over the verity of this grave, as the Hikayat Hang Tuah mentioned that Hang Tuah simply disappeared without a trace, whereas the Shellabear version of Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals) stated that Hang Tuah died and was buried in Tanjung Kling. Therefore whether the grave in Tanjung Kling belongs to Hang Tuah has continuously been debated.

Through the on site interpretive board, I learned much about Hang Tuah. I learned that his father's name is Hang Mahmud, while his mother's name is Dang Merdu Wati. Hang Tuah was said to have left Bentan to settle in Melaka, to seek a better life. In Melaka, the family settled at Kampung Duyung. His early education comprised lessons in the Quran and studying Javanese.

Hang Tuah's prowess was first proven in his teenage years, when Hang Tuah and his buddies exhibited exemplary courage in fighting off pirates that plagued the Straits of Malacca. The friends were involved in digging Perigi Hang Tuah, which still exists today in Kampung Duyang.

Does Hang Tuah exist?

A few weeks after visiting Hang Tuah Mausoleum, I read a book called Antara Sejarah dan Mitos, by UKM history professor, Professor Emeritus Dr. Ahmat Adam, who provided an answer to two burning questions, "Does Hang Tuah exist?" and "Is he Chinese?" Read my review of Dr Ahmat's book.