The Genealogy of Kings (Sulalat al-Salatin)

Translated by Muhammad Haji

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.