Malacca

Due to its strategic position in the Straits of Melaka, the city became the largest harbour in South-East Asia in the 15th century. Half way between China and India and within easy access of the spice-islands, Indonesia, it became the chief port for merchants trading in the area. Before that it was just like any other fishing village along the coast of Malaysia.

By the early 1400's, the original Malay inhabitants had Chinese settlers living amongst them. The Chinese that came to the country during this period became known as Babas and Nyonyas or 'Straits Chinese' and over time their customs and lifestyle reflected that of the Malays. Now they are a fully integrated part of Melaka.

Islam became the states religion in the 1400's and Melaka itself became the centre of the religion throughout region. The Melaka sultans ruled the greatest empire in Malaysian history and the Malay language became the trading language in South-east Asia.

By the 1500's the Portuguese arrived seeking trade in the spice-islands and China. A battle ensued and in 1511 the Portuguese overthrew Melaka and the sultan fled to Johor. Missionaries arrived not long after and Catholicism was introduced. The Portuguese may have conquered Melaka but they could not force Muslim merchants to trade there and soon people chose elsewhere to trade.

The rulers of Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Sumatra repeatedly attacked Melaka over the next century. Dutch influence, particularly in neighbouring Jakarta, grew and this soon became the key trading port in the Area and Melaka declined further.

In 1641 the Dutch launched an attack on the city and it passed into their hands. The Dutch built many fine buildings and churches, which can still be seen today. Like the Portuguese, the Dutch only ruled the area for about 150 years. In 1795 when the French occupied the Netherlands, the British, who were allies of France, took over Melaka's administration.

Melaka, together with Singapore and Penang formed the Straits Settlements, the three British territories. However Melaka was soon superseded by Singapore's growing opulence and commercial importance and once again became the quiet backwater one sees today.

In 1948, Malacca joined the Federation of Malaya, which gained Independence in 1957.

Capital: Malacca

Government: state of the Federation of Malaya (1948), Malaysia (1963)

Area: 1.650 km²

Population: 318.110 (1960)

Currency: Malaya Dollar (100 cent)

Links

Malacca in Wikipedia.

Flag of Malacca in Flags of the World.

Stamp catalogue

UPU 75th anniversary

date: 10 October 1949

designer: -

printer: Waterlow & Sons, London (1 and 4), Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co., New Malden (2 and 3)

perforated: 13½:14 (1 and 4), 11:11½ (2 and 3)

1 10 cents Hermes, globe, letter, airplane, boat, train, text "UNIVERSAL / POSTAL UNION / 1874 1949"

purple

(cat. Michel 23/SG 18/Yvert 255)

2 15 c hemispheres, airplane, steamer, text "1874 / UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION / 1949"

deep blue

(cat. Michel 24/SG 19/Yvert 256)

3 25 c Hermes scattering letters over globe, text "UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION / 1874 / 1949"

orange

(cat. Michel 25/SG 20/Yvert 257)

4 50 c UPU monument, Berne, text "UNIVERSAL / POSTAL / UNION / 1874 / 1949" and "UNION

POSTALE UNIVERSELLE"

blue-black

(cat. Michel 26/SG 21/Yvert 258)

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last revised: 7 October 2008