Ceylon Malays and their heroism

by Tuan. M. Zameer Careem

The Ceylon Malays, the community who's loyalty, valour and fidelity, have stood the best tests in history, are amongst those who have rendered invaluable services so to strengthen the heritage and pristine pride of this country, for over many centuries.

The Ceylon Malays, The “Orang Melayu/Orang Java”, is an endangered community of present Sri Lanka, with an estimated population of nearly 50,000 individuals who trace their proud lineage back from the Indonesian Archipelago and from Malayan Peninsula.

Anecdotes

This bilateral relationship, between the Malays, and early Sri Lanka, and the sensational anecdotes pertaining to the history of Malays, are clearly testified in the historic texts, Chronicles such as Mahavamsa, Pujavaliya, Rajavali and in iconographic findings, which helps corroborate the conspicuous trade links, waves of invasions and golden thread solidarity, and political alliance seven prior to the early 6th century B.C. The Kalingha Magha's advent along with 24,000 Malay soldiers in 1214, King Chandrabhanu, the Malay conqueror, and the Buddhist King of Nikhon Sri Tammarat of present Malaysia, who ruled over the Northern peninsula of Ceylon between 1235-1275, and the bereavement of Magha, the Malay conqueror from the Polonnaruwa Kingdom are few chronological events recorded, which confirms the advent of Malays, prior to the colonial times in Ceylon.

Apart from Malays, being depicted as fierce and triumphant conquerors from the East, the epigraphical findings also confirms the matrimonial alliances between the local Royal houses and the Malay princesses.

King Mahinda IV, son of King Sena II of Sri Lanka married a Javanese Malay princess named Sundari, and the Rambeva inscription of the first year of Mahind IV rule, records a grant of immunities to an extensive estate assigned to a Kalinga Queen and her descendants. Later King Vijayabahu, the grandson of King Kashyapa, the greatest connoisseur of art and literature in the history of Sri Lanka, married a Sumatran princess named Thilokasundhari.

The daughter of Queen Thilokasundhari, Princess Ratnavali who married King Manabharana of Dhakkinadesa, mothered King Parkramabhu, the paramount ruler who reigned over the rich Lankan soil from 1153 to 1186.

Prof. S. Paranavitana (ibid 1966 pp 73) is of the opinion that the “Kalinga” referred to in the chronicles belonged to a region in Malaysia. He states that Magha is a direct descendent on the male line, of Gunarnnava (A Javanese King of the Sri Vijayan Empire) and Kassapa V.

The antecedents of mass settlements of Malays, can be traced back to the Dutch period in Ceylon. The early Malay immigrants comprised largely of blue blooded Royals, entourage of courtiers and chiefs, those condemned to exile from their native Kingdoms, by the Dutch officialese. King Susana Mankurat Mas of Java in 1640, King Susana Kuning of Java in 1745, King Batara Gowa Amas Madina II of Gowa in 1767, 44 Javanese princes between 1722-23, Prince Arya Mankunegara, brother of King Bakubuwana in 1728, Javanese nobles such as Radini Adipathi Nata Kusuma in 1743 and Chief minister Danuraja in 1723, are few examples of notable Royals banished to Ceylon during the Dutch imperialism.

Since the 15th century, the local Malays have played a vital role in the history of Colonisation in Ceylon.

The first recorded event which helps exemplify the service rendered by the exiled Malays, can be traced back to the relentless battle against the Portuguese, during the reign of King Rajasinghe I of Kotte, where the Malays, assisted the King to triumph over the invasions, steered by the Portuguese. The Malays and their service to the Sinhalese sovereigns, played a significant role in the Kandyan kingdom. King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe[1747-1782], the second Nayakkar successor to the Kandyan throne, recruited exiled Malay nobles, the men who had mastered in warfare, to the service of his Kingdom.

It was during his reign, that the first Malay army was formed in the Central hill kingdom, and was known by the local folks, as the “Padikara Peruwa”.

It is reported that Malay soldiers have since, guarded the, “Kadawatha”, the entrances of the Kingdom and the palace interior and had earned great pride and fame, and they were identified with strict standards of morality as men of loyalty and fidelity.

The Malays have secured the reining house and its members, and have frustrated the knavish tricks of the local nobles , schemed so to overthrow the King and conquer his Kingdom.

Having witnessed the trust and reliability of the new subjects, the King conferred the Malays with hereditary peerages, styled them with distinguished titles and many were appointed as chieftains of the Kandyan court. The successors to the throne of Kandyan kingdom, followed suit, and continued the Royal traditions of recruiting Malays to the service of the Kingdom.

Prince Sungunglo, the grandson of the exiled Makassarese King of Gowa[present Sulawisi], His Majesty Batara Amas Madina II, was amongst the highest chiefs of the Kandyan kingdom, appointed during the reign of King Sri Wickreme Rajasinghe[1790-1832]. Prince Sungunglo, extended his service as the victorious commander of the Kandyan Malay regiments.

Resilience

It was his steadfast attitude, valour and resilience which helped spearhead the Kandyan troops, during battles which massacred the seemingly impossible sea of British soldiers.

It was during the 1st Kandyan-British war in 1803, the Malays headed by Prince Sungunglo, helped the locals, annihilate the British Garrison, but this historic battle also brought forth a tragic closure to the prince's life. As the prince was stabbed by the British Commanding officer, Major Davy during the latter phase of the battle.

The Kandyan King, plunged into mourning, as he heard the dreadful message of the tragic demise of the Malay prince, who had served on behalf of his fortified kingdom , amid the rejoice of the locals triumph over the British invasion. Aftermath of the attack, the Kings popularity amongst his subjects, soured, mitigating residual discontent over the political turmoil and due to his notorious acts of misconduct.

Notable Malays of noble descent such as Captain Abdulla, prince of Goa, his brothers the Bugis princes, Mohd. Narudeen and Mohd. Saifudeen, are amongst those who have rendered an invaluable service to the British, both at home and abroad, during historic battles such as the Kandyan war in 1803 and in the British-Poligar wars in South India in 1800.

The Malay captain of the Dutch regiment, Captain Baba Aboo Sally Lye, who died in action in 1835 at Kalpetyn [ present Kalpitiya ]and the execution of Captain Narudeen and captain Saifudeen of the British army in 1804 by the Sinhalese King for their refusal to sever their oath of allegiance, to the British Crown are significant events which helps confirm the outstanding devotion and patriotism of Ceylon Malays, to the service of the foreign governments.

Constable Tuan Sayban, a Malay policeman who was the first Sri Lankan to die whilst performing his duty in the arrest of Saradiel in 1864, is placed first in the Roll of honour of the police officers, who have died in action.

The Ceylon Rifles regiment, which comprised largely of Malays, which was formed by the British in 1795, earned the Kings Colours in 1801, which was the first Royal honour ever to be bestowed to an Asian regiment in history.

The present Malays continue extending their prodigious service, as professionals and servicemen of present Sri Lanka. Though the Malay community, is small in its number, its impact in the History of Ceylon is indeed enormous.

The service of Malays, during the relentless battles such as civil wars, and in the ghastly wars against the Tamil Tigers of Ceylon, helps portray their indefatigable energy, selfless consecration and valour as promising children of Mother Lanka.