A kingdom reborn
When Melaka fell to the Portuguese in 1511, the Malay royal line did not disappear. In 1528, Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II, a son of the last Melaka ruler Sultan Mahmud Shah, founded the Johor-Riau Sultanate. In this way Johor-Riau became a direct continuation of the Melaka Sultanate.
Inheriting Melaka's ways
Johor-Riau kept much of what had made Melaka great. It inherited Melaka's system of government, its laws, and its Malay court culture and customs. Early capitals such as Johor Lama, on the Johor River, became centres of rule. Its territory covered Johor, the Riau islands, Lingga and nearby lands.
A struggle to survive
The new sultanate faced powerful rivals. Johor-Riau was often caught in a long triangular war with the Portuguese in Melaka and the Acheh Sultanate, as all three fought for control of the strait and its trade. Despite these struggles, Johor-Riau carried the Melaka legacy forward for generations. In time it even grew into one of the strongest Malay powers in the region, proving that the spirit of Melaka had not died with the loss of the old city.
Key idea
Founded in 1528 by Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II, the Johor-Riau Sultanate was a continuation of Melaka, inheriting its government, laws and culture.
Remember
- Founded 1528 by Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II, son of Sultan Mahmud Shah.
- A continuation of Melaka's government, laws and culture.
- Fought a triangular war with the Portuguese and Acheh.