Social Structure During the Melaka Malay Sultanate

Two big groups in Melaka

During the Melaka Malay Sultanate, society was arranged like a pyramid. There were two main groups: the ruling class (those who governed) and the ruled class (those who were governed).

The ruling class

At the very top sat the Sultan, the highest ruler of all. Below him were the chiefs (pembesar). The four most important were:

• Bendahara — the chief minister, like a prime minister.
• Penghulu Bendahari — in charge of money and the treasury.
• Temenggung — in charge of safety and law.
• Laksamana — the leader of the navy.

The ruled class

This group was the rakyat (free common people) such as farmers, traders and fishermen, and the hamba (slaves), who had the lowest place.