Due to Kelantan's relative isolation and largely rural lifestyle, Kelantanese culture differs

somewhat from Malay culture in the rest of the peninsula; this is reflected in the cuisine,
arts and the unique Kelantanese Malay language, which is unintelligible even for some
speakers of standard Malay.
Kelantan is positioned in the north-east of the Malay Peninsula. It is bordered
by Narathiwat Province of Thailand to the north, Terengganu to the south-east, Perak to
the west and Pahang to the south. To the north-east of Kelantan is the South China Sea.
Kelantan has diverse tropical rainforests and an equatorial climate. The state's mountain
ranges belong to the Titiwangsa Mountains, which are part of the Tenasserim Hills that
span throughout southern Myanmar, southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia, with
Mount Yong Belar being the state's highest point.
Etymology[edit]

The 17th century Mao Kun map from Wubei

Zhi which is based on the early 15th century navigation maps of Zheng
He showing Kelantan river estuary (吉蘭丹港).

There are a number of suggestions for the origin of the name Kelantan. One theory
proposes that the word Kelantan comes from a modified version of the word gelam
hutam, i.e. the Malay word for the cajuput, or swamp tea tree (Melaleuca leucadendron).
Other theories claim that the name comes from the Malay word kilatan, "shiny or
glittery" or kolam tanah, "clay pool".[6] Kelantan was called Kalantan (Thai: กลันตัน) by
the Siamese when it was under their influence.
History[edit]
Prehistoric[edit]
Kelantan's early history is not very clear, but archaeological evidence shows human
settlement in prehistoric times.[7][8]
Pre-Malaccan Era[edit]
Early Kelantan had links to the Funan Kingdom, the Khmer Empire,Champa and Siam.[9]
[10] Around 1411,There was an islamic ruler named Raja Kumar and Kelantan was an
important centre of trade at that time.
Kelantan Sultanate[edit]
In 1499, Kelantan became a vassal state of the Malacca Sultanate. With the fall
of Malacca in 1511, Kelantan was divided up and ruled by petty chieftains, paying tribute
to Patani, then a powerful Malay Kingdom of the eastern peninsula. By the early 17th
century, most of these Kelantan chiefs became subject to Patani. The legendary Cik Siti
Wan Kembang was said to have reigned over Kelantan between 1610–1667. [11]
[12] Kelantan made a political alliance with Patani during the reign of Raja Biru in 1619 for
mutual trade and military interests.[13] The Queen of Patani was deposed in 1651 by the
Raja of Kelantan, starting a period of Kelantanese rule in Patani. [14]
 The flag of Kelantan before 1924.

Around 1760, Long Yunus, an aristocratic warlord of Patani origin succeeded in unifying
the territory of present-day Kelantan and was enthroned by his father-in-law Ku Tanang
Wangsa (Regent of Terengganu) as Yang di-Pertuan Muda or Deputy Ruler of Kelantan.
Long Yunus was succeeded in 1795 by his son-in-law Tengku Muhammad by Sultan
Mansur of Terengganu. The enthronement of Tengku Muhammad by Terengganu was
opposed by Long Yunus' sons, thus triggering a war against Terengganu by Long
Muhammad, the eldest son of Long Yunus. The pro-Terengganu faction was defeated in
1800 and Long Muhammad ruled Kelantan with the new title of Sultan as Sultan
Muhammad I.
Later, when the new sultan died childless, it triggered another civil war among claimants
to the throne. His nephew Long Senik Mulut Merah, triumphed over his uncles and
cousins and assumed the throne in 1835 as Sultan Muhammad II.

Thousands flocked into the streets of Kota Bharu

to witness the Burung Petala Procession in 1933.

Sultan Muhammad II leveraged on his loose alliance with Siam to form the modern
Kelantan state, centered in his new fort on the eastern bank of the Kelantan river, which
became Kota Bharu in 1844.
Unfederated Malay states[edit]
Under the terms of the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909, the Thais relinquished their claims
over Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis to the British Empire, and Kelantan thus
became one of the Unfederated Malay States with a British Adviser.
Malacca (Malay: Melaka), officially the Historic State of Malacca (Malay: Melaka
Negeri Bersejarah), is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay
Peninsula, facing the Strait of Malacca. The state is bordered by Negeri Sembilan to the
north and west and Johor to the south. The exclave of Tanjung Tuan also borders Negeri
Sembilan to the north. Its capital is Malacca City, which has been listed as
a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 7 July 2008.[13][14] Malacca City is 148 kilometres
(92 miles) southeast of Malaysia's capital city Kuala Lumpur, 235 kilometres (146 miles)
northwest of Johor's largest city Johor Bahru and 95 km (59 miles) northwest of Johor's
second largest city, Batu Pahat.
Malacca has diverse tropical rainforest and experiences an equatorial climate. Situated
immediately south of the Titiwangsa Mountains, the state is mostly level and dotted
with inselbergs, with Bukit Gapis as the highest point.
Although it was the location of one of the earliest Malay sultanates, namely the Malacca
Sultanate, the local monarchy was abolished when the Portuguese conquered it in 1511.
The head of state is the Yang di-Pertua Negeri or Governor, rather than a Sultan. Malacca
is noted for its unique history and it is one of the major tourist destinations in Malaysia.
With a highly strategic state position for international trade routes, Malacca was once a
well-known international trade centre in the East. Many traders anchored in Malacca,
especially traders from Arabia, China and India, traded at the port of Malacca and from
there were born many of the descendants and tribes that exist in Malacca to this day.
A great diversity of races and ethnicities have long existed among the local community
reflecting its history. Malays, Chinese, Indians, Baba Nyonya, Kristang, Chitty and
Eurasians are significant ethnic groups living in the State of Malacca in the present day.
[15][16][17]

History[edit]
Etymology[edit]

Historical affiliations

Portuguese Malacca 1511–1641

Dutch East India Company 1641–1795
Dutch East Indies 1818–1825
British Straits Settlements 1825–1946
Crown Colony of Malacca 1946–1957
Federation of Malaya 1957–1963
Malaysia 1963–present
The state's name dates to a popular legend surrounding the founding of the Malacca
sultanate by Parameswara, who sought a new location to establish a kingdom after
fleeing a Majapahit invasion of Singapura. As the story goes, Parameswara was resting
under a Malacca tree (Malay: pokok melaka) near a river during a hunt, when one of his
dogs cornered a mouse deer. In self-defence, the mouse deer pushed the dog into the
river. Impressed by the courage of the deer, and taking it as a propitious omen of the
weak overcoming the powerful, Parameswara decided then to found an empire at that
spot. He named this empire after the tree where he had just taken shelter. [18] This story
shows remarkable similarities with and was probably adapted (as some historians
argued) from folk-tales from Kandy, Sri Lanka, and Pasai, Sumatra (both of which pre-
date Malacca).[19][20]
The "Malacca tree" was taken as a basis for the species Phyllanthus emblica named
by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 through Latinising its original Sanskrit name आमलक (āmalaka), to
which the species have since been planted as ornamentals in various state attractions.
[21] However, some researchers like those of the Forestry Research Institute of Malaysia
speculate that the legendary name-giving tree may have been the species Phyllanthus
pectinatus more endemic to Malay Archipelago forests which does resemble P.
emblica superficially. There is no geographical overlap between both species. [21]
Another account on the origin of the naming of Malacca elaborates that during the reign
of Muhammad Shah (1424–1444), Arab merchants called the kingdom 'Malakat' (Arabic
for 'congregation of merchants') because it was home to many trading communities.
[22] One theory suggests, as mentioned in Suma Oriental by Tomé Pires, that it is derived
from the Javanese terms melayu or mlayu (to steadily accelerate or to run), to describe
the strong current of a river in Sumatra that today bears the name Sungai Melayu
('Melayu river') which was later possibly adopted to be Melaka as denoting a place for
the fleeing prince.[23]
Sultanate of Malacca[edit]
Main article: Malacca Sultanate
 Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum, modern
reconstruction of the palace of the Malacca Sultanate.

Before the arrival of the first Sultan, Malacca was a fishing village. Malacca was founded
by Parameswara, also known as Iskandar Shah. He found his way to Malacca around
1402 where he found a good port—it was accessible in all seasons and on the
strategically located narrowest point of the Malacca Straits.[24] In collaboration with allies
from wandering proto-Malay privateers of the Straits called the orang laut ("sea-people"),
he established Malacca as an international port by compelling passing ships to call there,
and establishing fair and reliable facilities for warehousing and trade. [24]
In 1403, the first official Chinese trade envoy led by Admiral Yin Qing arrived in Malacca.
Later, Parameśwara was escorted by Zheng He and other envoys in his successful visits.
Malacca's relationships with Ming China granted it protection from attacks
by Siam and Majapahit. Malacca officially submitted to Ming China as a protectorate. This
encouraged the development of Malacca into a major trade settlement on the trade
route between China and India, Middle East, Africa and Europe.[25]

Mao Kun map, from Wubei Zhi, which comes from

the early 15th century maps of Zheng He's navigators and cartographers,
showing Malacca (滿剌加) near the top left.

In Malacca during the early 15th century, Ming China actively sought to develop a
commercial hub and a base of operation for their treasure voyages into the Indian
Ocean.[26] Malacca had been a relatively insignificant region, not even qualifying as a
polity prior to the voyages according to both Ma Huan and Fei Xin, and was a vassal
region of Siam.[26] In 1405, the Ming court dispatched Admiral Zheng He with a stone
tablet enfeoffing the Western Mountain of Malacca as well as an imperial order elevating
the status of the port to a country.[26] The Chinese also established a government depot
(官廠) as a fortified cantonment for their soldiers. [26] Ma Huan reported that Siam did not
dare to invade Malacca thereafter.[26] The rulers of Malacca, such as Parameswara in
1411, would pay tribute to the Chinese emperor in person. [26] In 1431, when a Malaccan
representative complained that Siam was obstructing tribute missions to the Ming court,
the Xuande Emperor dispatched Zheng He carrying a threatening message for the
Siamese king saying "You, king should respect my orders, develop good relations with
your neighbours, examine and instruct your subordinates and not act recklessly or
aggressively."[26] The early kings of Malacca—Parameswara, Megat Iskandar Shah,
and Sri Maharaja—understood that they could gain Ming China's protection through
skilful diplomacy and thereby could establish a strong foundation to their kingdom
against Siam and other potential enemies.[27] Chinese involvement was crucial for
Malacca to grow into a key alternative to other important and established ports. [28]
Kelantan (Malay pronunciation: [kəˈlantan]; Jawi: ‫ ;کلنتن‬Kelantanese Malay: Klate; Pattani
Malay pronunciation: [kläˈtɛ])[a] is a state in Malaysia. The capital, Kota Bharu, includes the
royal seat of Kubang Kerian. The honorific name of the state is Darul Naim (Jawi: ‫دار‬
‫" ;النعيم‬The Blissful Abode"). Kelantan is the only state outside of East Malaysia that does
not use the term district in its second-level administrative division. Instead, the districts
is named as colonies (Jajahan) or collectivities and one autonomous subdistrict.
Kelantan is located in the north-eastern corner of the peninsula. Kelantan, which is said
to translate as the "Land of Lightning" (see alternate theories below), is an agrarian state
with green paddy fields, rustic fishing villages and casuarina-lined beaches. Kelantan is
home to some of the most ancient archaeological discoveries in Malaysia, including
several prehistoric aboriginal settlements.
Due to Kelantan's relative isolation and largely rural lifestyle, Kelantanese culture differs
somewhat from Malay culture in the rest of the peninsula; this is reflected in the cuisine,
arts and the unique Kelantanese Malay language, which is unintelligible even for some
speakers of standard Malay.
Kelantan is positioned in the north-east of the Malay Peninsula. It is bordered
by Narathiwat Province of Thailand to the north, Terengganu to the south-east, Perak to
the west and Pahang to the south. To the north-east of Kelantan is the South China Sea.
Kelantan has diverse tropical rainforests and an equatorial climate. The state's mountain
ranges belong to the Titiwangsa Mountains, which are part of the Tenasserim Hills that
span throughout southern Myanmar, southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia, with
Mount Yong Belar being the state's highest point.
Etymology[edit]

The 17th century Mao Kun map from Wubei

Zhi which is based on the early 15th century navigation maps of Zheng
He showing Kelantan river estuary (吉蘭丹港).

There are a number of suggestions for the origin of the name Kelantan. One theory
proposes that the word Kelantan comes from a modified version of the word gelam
hutam, i.e. the Malay word for the cajuput, or swamp tea tree (Melaleuca leucadendron).
Other theories claim that the name comes from the Malay word kilatan, "shiny or
glittery" or kolam tanah, "clay pool".[6] Kelantan was called Kalantan (Thai: กลันตัน) by
the Siamese when it was under their influence.
History[edit]
Prehistoric[edit]
Kelantan's early history is not very clear, but archaeological evidence shows human
settlement in prehistoric times.[7][8]
Pre-Malaccan Era[edit]
Early Kelantan had links to the Funan Kingdom, the Khmer Empire,Champa and Siam.[9]
[10] Around 1411,There was an islamic ruler named Raja Kumar and Kelantan was an
important centre of trade at that time.
Kelantan Sultanate[edit]
In 1499, Kelantan became a vassal state of the Malacca Sultanate. With the fall
of Malacca in 1511, Kelantan was divided up and ruled by petty chieftains, paying tribute
to Patani, then a powerful Malay Kingdom of the eastern peninsula. By the early 17th
century, most of these Kelantan chiefs became subject to Patani. The legendary Cik Siti
Wan Kembang was said to have reigned over Kelantan between 1610–1667. [11]
[12] Kelantan made a political alliance with Patani during the reign of Raja Biru in 1619 for
mutual trade and military interests.[13] The Queen of Patani was deposed in 1651 by the
Raja of Kelantan, starting a period of Kelantanese rule in Patani. [14]

The flag of Kelantan before 1924.

Around 1760, Long Yunus, an aristocratic warlord of Patani origin succeeded in unifying
the territory of present-day Kelantan and was enthroned by his father-in-law Ku Tanang
Wangsa (Regent of Terengganu) as Yang di-Pertuan Muda or Deputy Ruler of Kelantan.
Long Yunus was succeeded in 1795 by his son-in-law Tengku Muhammad by Sultan
Mansur of Terengganu. The enthronement of Tengku Muhammad by Terengganu was
opposed by Long Yunus' sons, thus triggering a war against Terengganu by Long
Muhammad, the eldest son of Long Yunus. The pro-Terengganu faction was defeated in
1800 and Long Muhammad ruled Kelantan with the new title of Sultan as Sultan
Muhammad I.
Later, when the new sultan died childless, it triggered another civil war among claimants
to the throne. His nephew Long Senik Mulut Merah, triumphed over his uncles and
cousins and assumed the throne in 1835 as Sultan Muhammad II.

Thousands flocked into the streets of Kota Bharu

to witness the Burung Petala Procession in 1933.

Sultan Muhammad II leveraged on his loose alliance with Siam to form the modern
Kelantan state, centered in his new fort on the eastern bank of the Kelantan river, which
became Kota Bharu in 1844.
Unfederated Malay states[edit]
Under the terms of the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909, the Thais relinquished their claims
over Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis to the British Empire, and Kelantan thus
became one of the Unfederated Malay States with a British Adviser.
Malacca (Malay: Melaka), officially the Historic State of Malacca (Malay: Melaka
Negeri Bersejarah), is a state in Malaysia located in the southern region of the Malay
Peninsula, facing the Strait of Malacca. The state is bordered by Negeri Sembilan to the
north and west and Johor to the south. The exclave of Tanjung Tuan also borders Negeri
Sembilan to the north. Its capital is Malacca City, which has been listed as
a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 7 July 2008.[13][14] Malacca City is 148 kilometres
(92 miles) southeast of Malaysia's capital city Kuala Lumpur, 235 kilometres (146 miles)
northwest of Johor's largest city Johor Bahru and 95 km (59 miles) northwest of Johor's
second largest city, Batu Pahat.
Malacca has diverse tropical rainforest and experiences an equatorial climate. Situated
immediately south of the Titiwangsa Mountains, the state is mostly level and dotted
with inselbergs, with Bukit Gapis as the highest point.
Although it was the location of one of the earliest Malay sultanates, namely the Malacca
Sultanate, the local monarchy was abolished when the Portuguese conquered it in 1511.
The head of state is the Yang di-Pertua Negeri or Governor, rather than a Sultan. Malacca
is noted for its unique history and it is one of the major tourist destinations in Malaysia.
With a highly strategic state position for international trade routes, Malacca was once a
well-known international trade centre in the East. Many traders anchored in Malacca,
especially traders from Arabia, China and India, traded at the port of Malacca and from
there were born many of the descendants and tribes that exist in Malacca to this day.
A great diversity of races and ethnicities have long existed among the local community
reflecting its history. Malays, Chinese, Indians, Baba Nyonya, Kristang, Chitty and
Eurasians are significant ethnic groups living in the State of Malacca in the present day.
[15][16][17]

History[edit]
Etymology[edit]

Historical affiliations

Portuguese Malacca 1511–1641

Dutch East India Company 1641–1795
Dutch East Indies 1818–1825
British Straits Settlements 1825–1946
Crown Colony of Malacca 1946–1957
Federation of Malaya 1957–1963
Malaysia 1963–present
The state's name dates to a popular legend surrounding the founding of the Malacca
sultanate by Parameswara, who sought a new location to establish a kingdom after
fleeing a Majapahit invasion of Singapura. As the story goes, Parameswara was resting
under a Malacca tree (Malay: pokok melaka) near a river during a hunt, when one of his
dogs cornered a mouse deer. In self-defence, the mouse deer pushed the dog into the
river. Impressed by the courage of the deer, and taking it as a propitious omen of the
weak overcoming the powerful, Parameswara decided then to found an empire at that
spot. He named this empire after the tree where he had just taken shelter. [18] This story
shows remarkable similarities with and was probably adapted (as some historians
argued) from folk-tales from Kandy, Sri Lanka, and Pasai, Sumatra (both of which pre-
date Malacca).[19][20]
The "Malacca tree" was taken as a basis for the species Phyllanthus emblica named
by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 through Latinising its original Sanskrit name आमलक (āmalaka), to
which the species have since been planted as ornamentals in various state attractions.
[21] However, some researchers like those of the Forestry Research Institute of Malaysia
speculate that the legendary name-giving tree may have been the species Phyllanthus
pectinatus more endemic to Malay Archipelago forests which does resemble P.
emblica superficially. There is no geographical overlap between both species. [21]
Another account on the origin of the naming of Malacca elaborates that during the reign
of Muhammad Shah (1424–1444), Arab merchants called the kingdom 'Malakat' (Arabic
for 'congregation of merchants') because it was home to many trading communities.
[22] One theory suggests, as mentioned in Suma Oriental by Tomé Pires, that it is derived
from the Javanese terms melayu or mlayu (to steadily accelerate or to run), to describe
the strong current of a river in Sumatra that today bears the name Sungai Melayu
('Melayu river') which was later possibly adopted to be Melaka as denoting a place for
the fleeing prince.[23]
Sultanate of Malacca[edit]
Main article: Malacca Sultanate

Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum, modern

reconstruction of the palace of the Malacca Sultanate.

Before the arrival of the first Sultan, Malacca was a fishing village. Malacca was founded
by Parameswara, also known as Iskandar Shah. He found his way to Malacca around
1402 where he found a good port—it was accessible in all seasons and on the
strategically located narrowest point of the Malacca Straits.[24] In collaboration with allies
from wandering proto-Malay privateers of the Straits called the orang laut ("sea-people"),
he established Malacca as an international port by compelling passing ships to call there,
and establishing fair and reliable facilities for warehousing and trade. [24]
In 1403, the first official Chinese trade envoy led by Admiral Yin Qing arrived in Malacca.
Later, Parameśwara was escorted by Zheng He and other envoys in his successful visits.
Malacca's relationships with Ming China granted it protection from attacks
by Siam and Majapahit. Malacca officially submitted to Ming China as a protectorate. This
encouraged the development of Malacca into a major trade settlement on the trade
route between China and India, Middle East, Africa and Europe.[25]

Mao Kun map, from Wubei Zhi, which comes from

the early 15th century maps of Zheng He's navigators and cartographers,
showing Malacca (滿剌加) near the top left.

In Malacca during the early 15th century, Ming China actively sought to develop a
commercial hub and a base of operation for their treasure voyages into the Indian
Ocean.[26] Malacca had been a relatively insignificant region, not even qualifying as a
polity prior to the voyages according to both Ma Huan and Fei Xin, and was a vassal
region of Siam.[26] In 1405, the Ming court dispatched Admiral Zheng He with a stone
tablet enfeoffing the Western Mountain of Malacca as well as an imperial order elevating
the status of the port to a country.[26] The Chinese also established a government depot
(官廠) as a fortified cantonment for their soldiers. [26] Ma Huan reported that Siam did not
dare to invade Malacca thereafter.[26] The rulers of Malacca, such as Parameswara in
1411, would pay tribute to the Chinese emperor in person. [26] In 1431, when a Malaccan
representative complained that Siam was obstructing tribute missions to the Ming court,
the Xuande Emperor dispatched Zheng He carrying a threatening message for the
Siamese king saying "You, king should respect my orders, develop good relations with
your neighbours, examine and instruct your subordinates and not act recklessly or
aggressively."[26] The early kings of Malacca—Parameswara, Megat Iskandar Shah,
and Sri Maharaja—understood that they could gain Ming China's protection through
skilful diplomacy and thereby could establish a strong foundation to their kingdom
against Siam and other potential enemies.[27] Chinese involvement was crucial for
Malacca to grow into a key alternative to other important and established ports. [28]