Who started Melaka?
The Melaka Malay Sultanate was founded around the year 1400 by a prince named Parameswara. He came from Palembang in Sumatra, once part of the old kingdom of Srivijaya.
Parameswara had to flee his home. He went first to Temasik (old Singapore), then travelled north until he reached a small fishing village by a river.
The mousedeer legend
A famous story tells that Parameswara was resting under a tree when he saw a tiny mousedeer (kancil) bravely kick his hunting dog into the water. He thought it was a lucky, brave place. He asked the name of the tree he sat under — it was the Melaka tree — so he named his new kingdom Melaka.
Key idea
Parameswara founded Melaka around 1400. He named it after the Melaka tree where he rested.