A history of the
Malay Peninsula and the islands of the Archipelago

The
Genealogy of Kings (Malay- Sulalat al-Salatin or Sejarah Melayu, is a
literary work that gives a romanticised history of the origin, evolution and
demise of the great Malay maritime empire, the Malacca Sultanate.

The work
which was composed sometime between the 15th and 16th centuries, is
considered one of the finest literary and historical works in the Malay
language. In 2001, The Genealogy of Kings was listed on UNESCO’s Memory of
the World Programme International Register.

The work covers the founding of
Melaka and its rise to power; its relationship with neighbouring kingdoms and
distant countries; the advent of Islam and its spread in Melaka and the
region as a whole; the

history of the royalty in the region including battles won or lost,
marriage ties and diplomatic relationships; the administrative hierarchy that
ruled Melaka; the greatness of its rulers and administrators, including the
Bendahara Tun Perak and Laksamana Hang Tuah.