How did the early kingdoms earn a living?
The early Malay kingdoms were busy places full of work. Because many sat near the sea and rivers, trade was the most important activity. Ships stopped at their ports to buy and sell goods.
Long ago people often used barter trade — swapping goods for goods, such as cloth for spices, before money was common.
Main economic activities
- Trade — ports collected goods and taxes from passing ships.
- Farming — growing rice, fruits and pepper.
- Mining — digging up tin and gold.
- Fishing — catching fish from the sea and rivers.
- Collecting — gathering forest products like rattan and resin.
Key idea
Trade was the heart of the economy. Goods like tin, gold, pepper and forest products made the kingdoms rich.