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SOURCES OF EVIDENCE
Written Evidence: Artefacts / Archaeological Evidence: Pictorial Evidence:
ACCURATE/RELIABLE?
ASK IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
Parameswara
According to Alfonso DAlberquerque, the Portuguese general who conquered Melaka: 1390s: a Palembang prince named Parameswara fled to Singapura and usurped rule. When the king of Patani (in the Thai peninsula), who was brother of the former ruler, came to seek revenge, Parameswara fled north to found Melaka. In the Malay Annals, Parameswara was fifth in the line of rulers of Singapura, who was attacked by the Javanese Majapahit and was forced to flee to Melaka, which he founded.
C: Corroborate
Cross-reference or compare sources: If two or more sources AGREE or say the same thing: more accurate If sources DISAGREE then less accurate
CORROBORATE /CROSSREFERENCE
What other other evidence do we know of ? Chinese written records: Wang DaYuan Archaeological Evidence: Fort Canning artefacts The Singapore Stone Do these sources AGREE with/SUPPORT the information in Sejarah Melayu?
BATU BERLAYER OR "LOT'S WIFE" AT THE ENTRANCE TO KEPPEL HARBOUR, ONE OF THE "DRAGON'S TEETH" DRAWN AROUND 1845-1848
How accurate?
Early sources based on maps BUT early maps were not really ACCURATE People did not the knowledge / technology like we have now to draw accurate maps Also many different names , how can be certain that they all refer to the same place Early history of Singapore is VAGUE
Other Evidence?
THE SINGAPORE STONE Once stood at the mouth of the Singapore River Believed to be 12th or 13th C British blew it up in 1834 The remaining piece can be found at the Singapore History Museum
THE SINGAPORE STONEFRAGMENT OF AN INSCRIPTION FOUND AT MOUTH OF SINGAPORE RIVER, WRITTEN IN OLD MALAY DATING FROM AD1000 & 1400
Other Evidence?
Until today, no one has been able to make sense of the writing on the Singapore Stone Although a mystery, the Singapore Stone is a useful piece of evidence Tells us that history of Singapore goes a long way back What else does it tell us?