Wednesday, 14 January 2026

DID HANG TUAH REALLY EXISTED?

Google Overview

The question of whether Hang Tuah really existed is one of the most debated topics in Southeast Asian history. While there is no definitive archaeological "smoking gun" (like a skeleton or a signed birth certificate), modern historians use a method called "triangulation" to argue for his existence through several old texts and foreign records.

Here are the primary records and perspectives on his existence:

1. Foreign Historical Records (The "External" Evidence)
Because local epics often contain supernatural elements, historians look to foreign records for objective confirmation.
  • The Ryukyu Records (Rekidai Hoan): These are official diplomatic documents from the Ryukyu Kingdom (modern-day Okinawa, Japan). They record letters sent from the Sultan of Malacca in 1480 and 1481. These letters mention a high-ranking official referred to as "Loh-hsi-ma-na" (Laksamana). Some historians, like Dr. Hashim Musa, believe this figure is Hang Tuah, as the dates align with his service.
  • Portuguese Accounts: In The Commentaries of the Great Afonso de Albuquerque, written after the 1511 conquest of Malacca, Albuquerque mentions an 80-year-old "Lassamane" (Laksamana) who was a "good soldier of great reputation and knowledge.
  • Ming Dynasty Records (Ming Shilu): Chinese records mention Malaccan envoys and a "Laksamana" visiting the Ming court during the 15th century. One specific envoy is recorded as "Duan Ya-zhi" (interpreted by some as Tuan Haji), who fits the description of the Laksamana who traveled to Mecca.
  • Vijayanegara Empire (India): Some reserachers cite carvings or records in Hampi, India as possible evidence of Hang Tuah's diplomatic travels to the Indian Subcontinent. 
2. Local Malay Manuscripts
There are two primary local sources, though they differ in their portrayal:
  • Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals): Written around 1612, this is considered a more "realistic" historical chronicle. It describes Hang Tuah as a flesh-and-blood diplomat and warrior. Notably, in this version, the famous duel is between Hang Tuah and Hang Kasturi (rather than Hang Jebat).
  • Hikayat Hang Tuah: This is an epic romance written later (roughly 17th or 18th century). While it contains historical geography, it adds mystical elements, such as Hang Tuah having superhuman strength and his keris (Taming Sari) having magical powers. It is recognised by UNESCO as part of the Memory of the World register. 
3. Physical Artifacts and Sites
  • Taming Sari: The famous keris associated with Hang Tuah is currently part of the Perak Royal Regalia. While the weapon exists, proving it belonged specifically to a man named Hang Tuah remains difficult.
  • Hang Tuah's well: located in Kampung Duyong, Melaka, where he is said to have been born. Local tradition claims the well never runs dry. 
  • Mausoleum at Tanjung Kling: There is a grave in Malacca traditionally believed to be his. While a popular pilgrimage site, no DNA or archaeological testing has been conducted to verify the remains.
The Historians' Debate
  • The Pro-Historical View: Many scholars argue that while the stories are exaggerated, the man was real—a high-ranking admiral and diplomat who served multiple Sultans and was famous enough to be recorded by the Japanese, Portuguese, and Chinese.
  • The Mythical View: Some historians, like the late Professor Khoo Kay Kim, famously stated there is no "historical evidence" (meaning primary contemporary documents that use his actual name) to prove he existed as a single individual, suggesting he might be a composite character of several different admirals.
In summary: Most experts today lean toward the idea that Hang Tuah was a real historical figure, though his life story has been heavily layered with legend and folklore over the centuries to serve as a symbol of Malay identity.

What Alfonso de Albuequerque says about Hang Tuah?
In historical records, specifically in The Commentaries of the Great Afonso de Albuquerque, there is a description of a figure that many historians and researchers identify as the legendary warrior Hang Tuah.

While Albuquerque does not use the name "Hang Tuah" (instead referring to him by the title "Lassamane", a Portuguese transliteration of Laksamana), he provides the following observations:

Key Descriptions from Albuquerque’s Records
  • A Reputable Soldier: Albuquerque described the Laksamana as a "good soldier and of good repute."
  • Great Wisdom: He noted that the man possessed "great knowledge" and was highly respected.
  • Advanced Age: At the time of the Portuguese conquest of Malacca in 1511, Albuquerque recorded that this figure was approximately 80 years of age.
  • Encounter in Singapore (Temasek): According to the accounts, Albuquerque met the Laksamana after the fall of Malacca. The warrior was reportedly in Singapore, where he was advising merchant ships to avoid Malacca and steer toward Singapore instead to avoid the Portuguese.
  • Loyalty and Service: The records suggest that despite the defeat, the Laksamana expressed a desire to remain in the region and continue his service, though there are conflicting interpretations about whether he offered to serve the Portuguese or was simply maintaining his duty to the Sultan's cause.
Historical Significance
These mentions are often cited by scholars (such as Dr. Hashim Musa and Dr. Rohaidah Kamaruddin) as primary evidence that Hang Tuah was a real historical figure rather than just a literary myth, as the Portuguese records align with the timeline and status of the Laksamana described in Malay epics like the Hikayat Hang Tuah.

MING DYNASTY RECORDS
While the Ming Dynasty's official records, specifically the Ming Shilu (Veritable Records of the Ming Dynasty), do not mention the name "Hang Tuah" directly, they provide significant evidence of a high-ranking Malaccan diplomat and admiral who matches his description and actions.

Historians and researchers (such as Dr. Hashim Musa) point to several entries that likely refer to him under his titles or transliterated names.

1. The "Unnamed Laksamana"
The Ming Shilu contains over 100 references to Malacca, many of which involve tribute missions. There are records of a Laksamana (Admiral) leading these missions to the Ming court during the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah—the same Sultan Hang Tuah served.
  • 1469 & 1481 Missions: Records show a Malaccan "Laksamana" (often referred to as Lassamane or Li-sha-ma-na) heading diplomatic envoys to China.
  • The 1481 Letter: The Ming Shilu records a specific incident where the Malaccan Laksamana personally issued letters and complaints to the Ming Emperor regarding threats from the Kingdom of Annam (Vietnam). This level of high-stakes diplomacy aligns perfectly with Hang Tuah’s reputation as a "Raja Duta" (Royal Envoy).
2. Transliterated Names
Some scholars suggest that certain names appearing in the Chinese records are phonetically linked to Hang Tuah or his colleagues:
  • Duan Ya-zhi (Tuan Haji): This name appears in the 1508 records as an envoy from Malacca. Some historians believe this refers to the Laksamana after he performed the Hajj (an event also described in the Hikayat Hang Tuah).
  • Wei-zhe-ran-na: Another title/name appearing in 1469, which some interpret as a Chinese attempt to phonetically spell a Malay title or name associated with the Laksamana's office.
3. The Princess Hang Li Poh Connection
The Ming Shilu is famously silent on the existence of a "Princess Hang Li Poh." However, it does record numerous instances of the Ming Emperor sending "court maidens" or daughters of officials to foreign rulers to solidify alliances.
  • Scholarly View: Historians suggest that while she may not have been a high-ranking imperial princess, the mission she was part of—and the Laksamana who escorted her—are grounded in the diplomatic reality recorded in Ming texts.
Summary of the Evidence

SourceHow he is described
Ming ShiluA high-ranking Laksamana (Admiral) and diplomat who handled sensitive relations between Malacca and China.
Hikayat Hang TuahDescribes Hang Tuah visiting China, outwitting the Emperor's guards, and seeing the Emperor's face (which was forbidden).
Historical AlignmentThe dates of the Laksamana’s visits to China (1460s–1480s) align with the peak of Hang Tuah’s career in Malay literature.
The Ming records are often used by historians to "triangulate" the existence of Hang Tuah; while they don't use his personal name, they confirm that a man of his specific rank, title, and extraordinary diplomatic skill was indeed active at that exact time.

REKIDAI HOAN
The Rekidai Hoan (Precious Documents of Successive Generations) is widely considered by modern historians to be the "smoking gun" or the most credible primary evidence for the existence of Hang Tuah as a real historical figure.

Unlike local epics, which can be romanticized, the Rekidai Hoan is a collection of official diplomatic and trade documents from the Ryukyu Kingdom (modern-day Okinawa, Japan) recorded between 1424 and 1867.

1. The Proof: The "Loh-hsi-ma-na" Letters
The most significant evidence found in these records is a series of letters exchanged between the Sultan of Malacca and the King of Ryukyu.
  • The Name: The records mention a high-ranking official transliterated into Kanji as Loh-hsi-ma-na (Laksamana).
  • The Role: He is described not just as a military leader, but as a sophisticated diplomat and merchant who personally handled high-level correspondence.
  • The Dates: The letters are dated between 1480 and 1481 (during the reign of Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah). This fits perfectly with the timeline of Hang Tuah’s career in the Sejarah Melayu.
2. Content of the Letters
Scholars like Dr. Hashim Musa and Dr. Rohaidah Kamaruddin from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) have analyzed these letters and found that:
  • Personal Signature: There are at least three letters attributed to the Laksamana himself.
  • A Wise Diplomat: The language used in the letters (translated from Malay to Chinese/Kanji) shows a high level of wisdom and etiquette. He discusses trade, the safety of Ryukyuan merchants in Malacca, and the exchange of gifts.
  • The Tone: The letters demonstrate that the Laksamana was treated as a peer by foreign royalty, reinforcing his status as a "Raja Duta" (Royal Envoy).
3. Physical Artifact: The Ryukyu Keris
Beyond the written word, the Ryukyu connection provided a physical clue:
  • A Keris Lok 9 (a nine-curved Malay dagger) was discovered at the Enkakuji Temple (near Shuri Castle) in Okinawa.
  • Historically, a keris with nine curves was a prestigious gift usually reserved for royalty or high-ranking officials like the Laksamana. This matches the accounts of the Laksamana presenting gifts to the Ryukyuan King in 1480.

Why this matters
For a long time, critics argued that Hang Tuah was a myth because he wasn't mentioned by name in contemporary records. However, the Rekidai Hoan provides:
  • Neutral Third-Party Verification: These are Japanese records, not Malay stories, making them less likely to be biased.
  • Specific Timing: They place a powerful "Laksamana" in the exact years the Malay annals say Hang Tuah was active.
  • Human Character: They portray him as a real administrator dealing with trade disputes and maritime security, rather than a mystical warrior with supernatural powers.
Summary Table

EvidenceDetail
SourceRekidai Hoan (Okinawa, Japan)
Transliterated NameLoh-hsi-ma-na (Laksamana)
Time Period1480 – 1481
Nature of EvidenceDiplomatic letters and recorded trade missions
LEONARDO DA VINCI CONNECTION
The "Leonardo da Vinci connection" is one of the most intriguing and controversial theories in modern Hang Tuah research. It gained mainstream attention in 2015 following a presentation by researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), specifically Dr. Rohaidah Kamaruddin and Dr. Hashim Musa.

The Core Claim
The theory suggests that Leonardo da Vinci and Hang Tuah—who were contemporaries—may have met in Europe or the Middle East between 1503 and 1506.

The researchers cited a passage from The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci where the Italian master reportedly wrote:

"I sketched a vehicle after meeting a Malaccan noble."

Key Arguments for the Connection
  • Timeline Alignment: Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452 and died in 1519. If the Portuguese records (by Albuquerque) are correct that the Laksamana was about 80 years old in 1511, then he and Leonardo lived at the exact same time.
  • Diplomatic Missions: Historical accounts and the Hikayat Hang Tuah describe the Laksamana traveling extensively to Rome, Turkey (Istanbul), and India. During these missions, he sought to purchase advanced weaponry and artillery for the Malaccan Sultanate.
  • Leonardo as a Military Engineer: At the time, Leonardo was not just a painter but a renowned military engineer. It is theorized that a diplomat like Hang Tuah, looking for advanced technology, might have sought out the greatest engineer in Europe.
  • Technological Influence: Some researchers point to the advanced fortifications and "mobile houses" (30-wheeled vehicles) used by the Malaccan army during the 1511 Portuguese invasion as potential evidence of European or Leonardo-inspired engineering.
The "Malaccan Noble" Sketch
The UPM researchers suggested that Leonardo may have even sketched a portrait of this "Malaccan noble." While Leonardo’s notebooks are filled with "grotesque" and "oriental" sketches of various men he met in Florence and Milan, identifying one specifically as Hang Tuah remains a subject of intense debate.

Skepticism and Status of the Research
While the theory is popular in Malaysia, it is treated with caution by the wider historical community:
  • Ambiguity: The phrase "Malaccan noble" in Leonardo's notes is contested. Translating Renaissance Italian and identifying specific individuals from 500-year-old sketches is notoriously difficult.
  • Lack of Direct Naming: Leonardo does not use the name "Hang Tuah." Like the Portuguese and Ryukyu records, the connection relies on the individual's rank and origin rather than a specific name.
  • Current Status: The UPM team indicated they intended to travel to Italy, Portugal, and Spain to verify these manuscripts in European archives. As of now, it remains a compelling hypothesis rather than a globally accepted historical fact.
Further readings:


By Hj Zulheimy Maamor at
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