Hang Tuah
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Image:TuahNatlHistoryMuseumKL.jpg
Hang Tuah was a legendary Malay hero during the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah of the Sultanate of Malacca in the 15th century. He was the greatest of all laksamana, or sultan's admiral, and a ferocious fighter. As youths, Hang Tuah and his four companions, Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekir, and Hang Lekiu, killed a band of pirates and two persons who had run amok at a village causing havoc. The Bendahara (equivalent to Prime Minister in modern terms) of Malacca spotted their talent and recruited them to work in the palace. He is chronicled in Sejarah Melayu and Hikayat Hang Tuah.
During his work at the palace, Hang Tuah killed a Javanese fighter known as Taming Sari who was under the rule of the Majapahit Empire and was presented with a kris - an ancient but lethal weapon. The keris was named "Taming Sari", after its original owner and was believed it would empower its owner with invincibility.
Hang Tuah was later accused of adultery with the King's maid, and in a hasty decision, the Sultan sentenced the innocent laksamana to death. However, the death sentence was never carried out, instead Hang Tuah was sent to a remote place to hide by the bendahara.
Believing Hang Tuah to be dead, one of Hang Tuah's companions, Hang Jebat (according to Hikayat Hang Tuah) or Hang Kasturi (according to Sejarah Melayu), furiously and single-handedly launched a revengeful rebellion against the Sultan, forcing the entire population into chaos. The King regretted sentencing Hang Tuah to death, as he was the only person capable of killing Hang Jebat(or Hang Kasturi). Eventually, the Bendahara recalled Hang Tuah from his hiding place and was given full amnesty by the King. After seven days of fighting, Hang Tuah managed to reclaim his Taming Sari from Hang Jebat, and killed him in close combat.
Hang Tuah continued to serve Malacca after the death of Hang Jebat. Later in life as Hang Tuah progressed in his years, he was ordered by a Malaccan Sultan to court a legendary princess who resided on top of Mount Ledang. He failed his mission. Ashamed by his failure, he disappeared and was never seen again. (See the legend of Puteri Gunung Ledang)
Hang Tuah is famous for saying "Takkan Melayu Hilang di Dunia" which literally means "Malays will never vanish from the face of the earth". The quote is a famous rallying cry for Malay nationalism.
Further reading
- Richard O. Winstedt, A History of Malaya.id:Hang Tuah