Who is Hang Tuah?

A name can not leave the Melaka word ,is that Hang Tuah.

By many as a legend and a man with supernatural powers, Hang Tuah is a name for himself as a warrior in the era of popular Melaka Sultanate. With his four companions; Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekir and Hang Lekiu. The five of them had each other since their childhood.

It has been said that the Hang Tuah'parents, the father Mahmud Dang and the mother of Dang Merdu Wati emigrated from Bentan to Melaka to seek a better life, where they settled in Kampung Duyung.

Since his early days, Hang Tuah and his four friends in the fellowship embodies and stood by each other. They even dug a well at their village which came to be known as the Hang Tuah Well until today.

As they grew, Hang Tuah and his friends learnt the Malay art of self (Silat) from a renowned guru named Adiputra in a cave somewhere in a remote part of Melaka. Their bravery and courage, combined with their expertise in martial arts, all the five friends helped maintain peace in Melaka.

The turning point in the life of Hang Tuah came when he save Bendahara (Chief Minister) from falling victim to a man who ran amok in the city. When Sultan Mansor Shah (1456-1477) heard about Hang Tuah’s bravery, he was made as Laksamana (admiral) and Syahbandar (harbour master). His friends were appointed the knights of Melaka.

Back in those days, accepting invitations and calling on foreign countries as far as China was the norm for the Sultan of Melaka and Hang Tuah was a constant aide to the Sultan on such visits. During the stay at Majapahit, Taming Sari, a famous warrior Majapahit challenged Hang Tuah in a duel. After a fierce battle, Hang Tuah became the winner and the Sultan of Majapahit bestowed Taming Sari’s kris, which is said to be the source of Hang Tuah’s magical powers, to Hang Tuah.

Apart from the exercise of the powers as Syahbandar and Laksamana, Hang Tuah was always assigned as ambassador of the Sultan into closer relations with the Sultan's allies, including China, India, Siam and Turkey.

According to Hikayat Hang Tuah,in his blind of loyalty to the Sultan, Hang Tuah sailed Inderaputra (Pahang) to convince the already engaged Tun Teja, the princess of Pahang to be the Sultan’s companion. Believing that Hang Tuah himself would marry her, Tun Teja flies with him to Melaka. However, it is only during the drive home, that Hang Tuah revealed the truth.

(There are actually two separate accounts on the incident. Hikayat Hang Tuah stated that it was Hang Tuah who persuaded Tun Teja to elope but in Sejarah Melayu, or the Malay Annals, it was Hang Nadim.)

Hang Tuah's popularity soon be the envy of some nobles, and this led to one of them, Pateh Karma Wijaya fabricate a story that Hang Tuah had an illicit affair with a palace maid. Without a fair trial, sentenced the Sultan Hang Tuah to death for the crime. However, went the bendahara Who knows the truth, against the orders of the Sultan and hid in Hang Tuah Ulu Melaka.

This was the turning point in relations between Hang Jebat and Hang Tuah's best friend. Believing that Hang Tuah was innocent, Hang Jebat avenged his death, first by killing Pateh Karma Wijaya. The Sultan was unable to do anything because none of his warriors dared to challenge Hang Jebat. Only then, the Bendahara told the Sultan that Hang Tuah was still alive. Ordered to be brought before him, the Sultan ordered Hang Tuah to kill Hang Jebat, which he did after a long hard struggle.

Another event is written largely about Hang Tuah's feat, to ask his journey to Gunung Ledang (Mount Ophir) in Melaka-Johorto ask for the hand of the beautiful Puteri Gunung Ledang for the Sultan. After a meeting with the princess, Hang Tuah was surprised when she said that the dowry or wedding gifts? A golden bridge between Gunung Ledang Melaka with the summit, seven trays of mosquitoes and liver are each worth seven jars of virgins? Tears and a bowl of Raja Ahmad' (the son of the Sultan)blood.

Hang Tuah was deeply disappointed when he heard this because he knew that the Sultan will not be able to fulfill the conditions. Legend has it that Hang Tuah, who was overwhelmed by his deceptions, threw his Kris into the river and vowed to not return to Melaka until the Kris recurfaced. He also said that he then disappeared into the air.

However, it was not known how Hang Tuah died, but his body was said to have been in Tanjung Kling, where his grave is still visible today buried. It was also said that the embittered Sultan was not even present at Hang Tuah’s burial.