ABSTRACT OF THE SIJARA MALAYU OR MALAYAN ANNALS

WITH NOTES.

By T. BRADDELL, Esq.

Introduction.

THE Sijara Malayu (Malayan Annals) purports to give a history and genealogy of all the Malayan kings. We are informed, in a preface to the work, that a Malay Hikayet had lately (this was written in 1612) been brought from Goa, and it having been judged proper that it should be altered according to the institutions of the Malays, to the writer was intrusted the task of alteration. In consequence he produced the work known as the Sijara Malayu which consists of 34 chapters or annals.

In the present paper it is proposed to give short abstracts of each annal, with a few notes and explanations, as far as the limited information of the writer extends. The abstracts are taken from Doctor Leyden's translation, altered when it appears necessary, from the original, using for that purpose the version lately printed at Singapore: and the whole is intended as a preliminary to assist in further investigations into the origin of the civilization and literature of the Malays; as well as into the general history of that interesting people.

1st ANNAL1

It happened on a time that Rajah Sekunder2, the son of Rajah Darabs, a Roman+, the name of whose country was Macedonia, and whose title was Zul Kurneini5, wished to see the rising of the sun, and with this view he reached the confines of India".

There was a certain Rajah in the land of Hind, named Rajah Kida Hindi, whose empire extended half over Hind; on the approach of Rajah Sekunder, this Rajah advanced to meet him, a great battle was fought, in which Rajah Kida Hindi's army was overcome; and, having been taken prisoner, he was obliged to embrace the true faith 10, according to the Prophet Ibrahim 11, the friend of God.

This Rajah Kida Hindi had a beautiful daughter, who was given in marriage to the victorious Rajah Sekunder, after due consultations between the Indian Ferdana Mantri12 and the Prophet Khizei13, who was the minister of Rajah Sekunder. The name of the Princess was Shaher ul Beriah14, and the dowry paid was 300,00015 Dinars. Sekunder carried his bride with him to the Eastward, and on his return16, her father requested that she should be permitted to remain with him for a short time17, to which Sekunder agreed, and took his departure.

The Princess in due time produced a son 18, most beautiful &c., who was called Rajah Araston Shah; and who, on becoming of full age, was married to the daughter of the Rajah of Turkestan19. by whom he had a son named Rajah Aftas.

Rajah Sekunder returned to Macedonia20 after 45 years. Rajah Kida Hindi21 died, and left as his successor 22 Rajah Araston Shah23, who reigned 350 years24, succeeded by Rajah Aftas 25— 120 years. Iscaniyat26 3 years, Caslas27, 12 years. Amatabus 28 18 years. Zamzeyus 29, 7 years. Kharus Kainat 30, 30 years. Arhat Sicaniyat 1 (not given) Cudurz Guhan32 son of Amatabus (not given), after Cudurz Guhan Nikabus 33, 40 years after Nikabus Ardesher Migan34, who married the daughter of Nashirwan Adil35, and by her had a son called Deramas 36, whose descendants occupied the throne till the time of Tarsi Bardarus 37, who was son of Zamrut3 8, grandson of Shah Tarsi 39, great grandson of Deramus, and great great grandson of Ardeshir Migan, who was the son of Gudurz Guhan, grandson of Amatabus, great grandson of Sabur40, and great great grandson of Aftas, who was the son of Sekunder Zulkarneini41.

Rajah Tarsi Bardarus married the daughter of Rajah Salan42, King of Amdan Nagara43; supposed by some to be the grandson of Mashirwan Adil44, the son of Rajah Cohad, a great King &c. By this marriage Rajah Tarsi had three sons, 1st Rajah Heiran45 who inherited Hind, 2nd Rajah Suran46 to whom was given his grandfather's place (Amdan Nagara) and 3rd Rajah Panden who reigned in Turkestan47.

On the death of Rajah Salan, (of Amdan Nagara) Rajah Suran reigned in his place+8, with increased power, all the Kings east and west acknowledging his allegiance, except China which country he determined to subdue. Having collected an army of 1,20050 laxas, he set out for China, and after marching two months arrived at Gangga51 Nagara. The king of the country was named Rajah Ganggi Shah52 Juana, his capital was situated on the hill, steep in front, but of easy access behind. The fort was situated on the bank of the river Dinding, in Perak. The fort was taken, the king killed, and his beautiful sister Putri Gangga53 was married to the conqueror, on which the inhabitants submitted. From Gangga Nagara Rajah Suran advanced to Klang 54 Kiu, the king of which country, Rajah Chulan, 55 was superior to the surrounding countries; a terrible battle was here fought, in which Rajah Chulan was slain, and the Kling56 troops entered the fort victorious. Putri Onang Kiu, the lovely daughter of the deceased monarch, was also taken in marriage by Rajah Suran, who now advanced to Tamsak, 57 on his way to China. The king of China, alarmed at the approach of the powerful force of the Rajah Suran, hit on the following expedient for preventing that warrior's advance. A boat was fitted out in which were placed a heap of rusty needles, some growing trees, and a few old women, and dispatched to Tamsak. On the arrival of the old women, near the camp of Rajah Suran, they were interrogated by the officers of that monarch, as to where they came from, and how far it was to China. They replied, that when they left China they were young girls,

that the needles, now worn away with rust, had been large bars of iron, and that the trees, now grown up, had been just planted from seeds. When the Rajah Suran heard the account of the great distance to China, he despaired of being able to transport his great army thither, in consequence gave up his design of invading that country, and prepared to return home. 58

Being now sufficiently acquainted with the countries on the surface of the earth, Rajah Suran wished to acquire information as to the contents of the sea, accordingly he shut himself up in a glass chest and was let down into the depths of the ocean. The chest reached a land called Dega,59 where our Rajah was hospitably received, and obtained in marriage the Putri Mahtab60 al Bahri, daughter of the King of Dega, by whom he had three sons. After spending some time in this delightful country, Rajah Suran began to reflect what a loss the upper world would sustain if the line of Sekunder Zul-karneini was cut off, accordingly he mounted the horse Sambrani,61 and returned to earth.62 history of this adventure was inscribed, in the Hindee language, on a stone, adorned with gold and silver; the Rajah declaring that one of his descendants should discover this stone, and in consequence, should subdue all the countries under the wind.63 Rajah Suran now returned to the land of Kling, and founded a city most magnificent &c. &c., which he called Bijnagore,64 which exists till the present day.

A

The Putri Onang Kiu, daughter of Rajah Chulan, (King of Klang Kiu) presented Rajah Suran with a daughter, most beautiful &c., named Chandani65 Wanias, and Putri Gangga (sister of Gangga Juhan) three sons.-1. Bichitram66 Shah. 2. Palidutani.67 3. Nilumanam.68 Chanduwani was married to Rajah Chulan, son of Rajah Hiran, (her cousin-german.69) Palidutani was placed in the government of Amdan Nagara, and Nilumanam in in the country of Chandukani,70 to Bchitiram Shah was given a territory of small extent, which so displeased that young prince that he determined to emigrate. Collecting therefore his followers he set sail, with 20 vessels, and after innumerable perils and adventures, his fleet was dispersed in the sea of Silbou,71 one half returned to Chandukani, and the fate of the other half remained unknown (probably to those in Chandukani.)

NOTES TO THE FIRST ANNAL.

1. This abstract is takes from Doctor Leyden's translation, corrected, where it appears necessary, from the text of the edition of the Sejara Malayu lately printed at Singapore, which, I presume, is the most esteemed version.

Colonel Low informs us, in a note attached to his translation of the Keddah Annals, that Doctor Leyden had the annals read over to him by Ibrahim, the Malay Moonshi, who accompanied him to Calcutta, and merely wrote down what appeared to him the most interesting portions. This mode of writing as might be expected has given rise to errors, one of which is presented in the first paragraph of the translation. In the original the passage stands thus-" padapada suatu masa bahwa Rajah Iskandar, anak Rajah Darab, Rum bangsania, Makdonia nama negrinia, Zulkarneini gilirannia, sakaliperistiwa baginda, berjalan, hendak malihat

matahari terbet, &c." this is translated." It happened on a time that Rajah Secunder, the son of Rajah Darab of Rum, of the race of Makedonia, the name of whose empire was Zulkarmeini, wished to see the rising of the sun &c."

2. Secunder or rather Iskander is the oriental pronunciation of Alexander. 3. Rajah Darab. In order to understand this allusion to a King of Persia, a short abstract of Persian history, according to Persian writers, is given at the end of the notes; it is almost needless to add that this account owes its origin to a desire on the part of the Persians, to screen their country from the stigma of having been conquered by a Greek. This they effect by making Alexander the son of the 1st Darab, and on the death or rather murder of Darab II, on the field of battle, Alexander succeeds to the throne by inheritance.

In order to elucidate the subject more fully a short statement is also added shewing the origin and career of Alexander the Great, according to the Greek historians. 4. Kum. The first use of this word by orientals appears to have been by the Persians, at the period of the Roman conquest of Persia. At that time Rome included all civilized Europe, and the word Kum was so applied, but on the decline of the Western Empire, the communication of Rome Proper with the east almost ceased, being taken up by the eastern or Byzantine Empire, to which empire, including Greece and Asia Minor, the term was then applied in the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries. The Byzantine Empire gradually declined in territory till it at last included only the city of Constantinople, to which the name Rum was confined and, on the taking of that city by the Ottomans in 1453 A D, it retained the eastern appellation of Rum, which was then and is now properly speaking confined to the City of Constantinople, but is sometimes extended to the country immediately round that city, and more seldom to include Greece and the whole Turkish Empire. The proper name for Greece however is Yonan from Yun (called Javan by us) the son of Japhet.

یون

5. Zulkarneini. An Arabic compound from yu or du-two, and Karn a horn-two horned or powerful.

The origin of this title appears to he involved in doubt. The eastern writers apply it because Alexander in his career conquered the world, from one horn of the sun to the other; thence two horned or whole world conqueror. The Hebrew term horn signifies power and it may have been used in this sense by the Arabs for very powerful. The Greeks derive it as follows:-After the fall of Tyre and Gaza, Alexander went to Egypt, founded Alexandria, and while part of his army was engaged in the necessary work about the new city, the conqueror determined to visit the Temple of Jupiter Ammon, from whom, according to the ideas of the times, he derived his descent. After incredible fatigue, Alexander safely brought his detachment through the Libyan desert, (being conducted on the way by ravens and serpents), to the oasis in which the Temple was situated. Jupiter was here worshipped under the form of a Ram, and Alexander, as his descendant, assumed the horn of the Ram on his Tiara, as a badge of distinction. On seeing this badge, the Orientals attached their own meaning to the horn, and doubled the number with the figurative meaning attached. This appears to be the most probable origin of the term by which Alexander is known from Constantinople to China. In connexion with this subject see the VIII. chapter of Daniel and the explanations of the Prophecies by Newton or Faber, in which Alexander's career is marked out as the subject of Prophecy.

6. Rising of the Sun. This is in allusion to the ancient belief that the world was flat and by journeying to the extreme east one would arrive at the extremity of the earth and consequently see the sun under foot. Long after the increase of knowledge had rejected this idea in the west, it continued to be the received opinion of the oriental nations, and among the more backward, is even now not entirely exploded. In some of the Malayan romances it is difficult to say whether the term is used figuratively or literally, as for instance in these annals we are informed, page 11, that Alexander after his marriage went on with his bride to the east and saw the sun rise "Judah melihat mata hari terbit."

7. Hind. The Indians called this country Barahta Varsha or the country of Bahrata (one of their early Kings) but it has always been called Hind or Hindostan by the Persians, and after them the Arabs, most probably deriving that term from the Indus with the territory about which river they were best acquainted. India is again subdivided by the Persians into 3 great divisions Al Sind about the Indus-Al Hind about the Ganges and the Deccan or Dakhinistan (from Dakhin south and sitan or stan place, south place or country) and they further add that there were three great empires, one in each of these

divisions, under which were numerous tributary states or principalities, the degree of independence enjoyed by which depended on the character of the Suzerain.

8. Rajah is a Sanscrit word apparently derived from or allied to the word rajna to shine. Shakespear gives the meaning as governinent, reign, kingdom, in composition used for Prince, King. It is observable as the title exclusively used by the Sumatra and Peninsular Malays before the Arabs introduced the Arabic Sultan and Persian Shah. The use of the title has latterly been very much extended, being assumed by all the governors of provinces and given to many of the officers of the court See the list of precedence of Acheen in which the number of officers bearing the title of Rajah is very great.

9. Kida Hindi. Great differences exist as to who Kida Hindi was, some think Taxiles, others Porus, while others again are of opinion that the immediate predecessor of Sandracottus of Palibothra, was the monarch alluded to by the Persian historians; the Greeks do not mention any name like Keid or Kida, and the point is now well ascertained that Alexander did not advance beyond the Hyphasis, though it is not so satisfactorily proved that he had not crossed that river. Justin book XII. c. 8, asserts that Alexander did advance to the Ganges, and overcame the Gangaridae; Plutarch also, in his life of Alexander, brings him to the banks of the Ganges; but the weight of authorities to the contrary overbalances these two, whose assertions have been ascribed to flattery. The Persians on the other hand write that Alexander after conquering Keid, advanced against the Khakhan of China, and from both of these he exacted enormous ransoms; but as the Persians frequently confounded China proper with Tartary, it is probable that the expedition against the Khakhan may be referred to Alexander's second campaign against the Tartars, on the north of the Paropamissus, when that people revolted from Amyntas, the Lieutenant left in command there.

10. True Faith. The word used here is Islam which requires explanation as many have looked on this passage as a gross anachronism. The word Islam in Arabic according to Mr Sale (in Prelim Dis.) means, "resignation or submission to the service and commands of God" and it was fixed on by Mahomet as the proper designation for his religion. Islam included besides Mahometans, Jews, Christians, and probably Sabaists before the introduction of astral and angel worship corrupted Sabaism; bnt, on the advent of Mahomet with anew dispensation, Jews and Christians were excluded, on account of their rejection of the Prophet, and the term was exclusively applied by him to his own followers; since that time others have agreed to the appellation. Islamism is now considered as synonymous with Mahomedanism, but at the time referred to by the annalist it was received in its more extended signification.

11. Ibrahim the friend of God. A great portion of the Din, or practical part of the Mahomedan religion, is borrowed from the Jews. Among other things they acknowledge the Prophets, but on a different footing. According to Mahomet there were 124,000 Prophets, 313 of these were Apostles, sent with special commissions, and brought new laws, or dispensations, the last arriving abrogating the previous ones; these 6 were Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and last Mahomed. All of these professed Islam as above explained. Mahomedans believe their Prophet to be the Paraclete foretold by John (see his Gospel XIV. XV. and XVI. chapters). Abraham was distinguished by Mahomed as the friend of God, Khaleel Allah.

In connexion with this subject a singular account is given by Josephus-see his Antiquities by Whiston, Book XI. c. 8. Alexander after reducing Gaza went to Jerusalem. Jaddua the high priest on hearing of his coming became alarmed, but was reassured by God in a dream and received directions how to conduct himself. On the arrival of the conqueror near the city, the inhabitants went out to receive bim, headed by their high priest dressed in his robes; when Alexander perceived the high priest, who was easily distinguished by his dress and the Petalon which was worn on the forehead, he approached and adored the true God whose name was inscribed on the Petalon. (The Petalon in a gold plate worn by the high priest on his forehead, it has "Holiness to the Lord" inscribed.) When asked by his followers, why he paid worship to a man, he replied that he did not worship the man but "that God who hath honored him with his high priesthood," for, he goes on to say, I saw in a dream, at Dios in Macedonia, when considering within myself how to obtain dominion in Asia, this very person, who exhorted me to proceed boldly and pass over the sea, for that God would conduct my army and give me dominion over the Persians. I am not aware if this is mentioned by