This article was written and published last year. However, as on auspicious occasion of 50th year of independence celebrations, we publish it on the front page of this web site again.

Tunku Abdul Rehman successfully carried forward the Malay freedom movement after Dato Onn bin Jaafar left UMNO. He successfully unfurled the Union Jack from the land of Malaya on August 31, 1957.  It was the day when Malaya got its freedom which was lost back in 1511 AD. It was obtained after great struggle and long patience. Malaysians and their friends and well wishers ought to cherish and celebrate this day. But it is actually Melaka, where it all began.

When I paid my bill after shopping last week (mid August 2006), the cashier, along with receipts, handed over to me a small flag of Malaysia free of cost. I kept wondering what to do with the flag? I do stay in Malaysia but I'm not Malaysian citizen; so what I have to do with the Merdika celebrations? The evolution of my thoughts first led me to believe that since I live in Malaysia and many Malay are my friends and colleagues, so it’s better to share their joy and happiness. I, therefore, decided to hoist that small flag on my house.

Tunku Abdul Rahman: Ride to Bandar Hilir Padang, Malacca to announce Merdeka after return from London

Though I hoisted the flag, my thoughts continued to transform in subconscious in search of possible better reason, if there is any, for celebrating Malaysian Merdika, than just sharing joys and happiness of Malay friends and colleagues. This led my thoughts to travel back in the history to year 1843 when General Charles Napier of British East India Company had invaded and taken away my motherland, Sindh. None else but the same colonialists had occupied Malaya peninsula as well. So the end of colonial rule over Malaysia provides me enough a reason to cherish over the Malaysian Merdika. Although I had now found a better rationale but my thoughts didn't stop there. They took me back to 1957 to the day when Union Jack was being lowered at Merdika Padang (stadium) and Tunku Abdul Rehman was declaring Independence of Malaya Federation. It was none else but my family elder, Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, who came all the way from Karachi to participate in the Merdika celebrations as official representative of Pakistan. So we are with Malaysians, sharing their joys and happiness from the day one of their independence.

The 'Proclamation of Independence Museum' is housed in nice British period building built in 1912 and used previously as 'Melaka Club'. It is common saying that 'History of Melaka is the history of Malaysia' and that is not incorrect. Knowing the olden times of Melaka is the best way to know the history of Malaysia.

So far I don't know what was here before 1396 AD. All I know at the moment is that in 1396 AD, Parameswara, the Sumatran prince, founded this state and named it after the name of 'Melaka' tree, under which he had once witnessed the fight between dogs and mouse deer. It was that fight in which he had noticed that mouse-deer can kick dogs. From that fight he got inspiration and courage enough to make up his mind to establish a State of his own. Thus when he established his State, he named it after the said Melaka tree under which he had witnessed the dog and mouse-deer fight.

Sea farers from different land masses over the globe, including Arabia, India, South America, China, Iberia, and other parts of Europe had turned Melaka into great trading empire at the turn of 15th century.

Islam spread in Melaka mostly from India. The traders from India first spread Hinduism in this region roughly coinciding with the beginning of the Christian era. Later, the Muslim traders from India spread Islam in this part of the World. By virtue of their financial standing, Gujarati and Bengali merchants drew large number of converts. Social contacts and marriages also played role in spreading Islam in Melaka.

Parameswara is said to have converted to Islam when he married to Princess of Pasai (Indonesia). He adopted title of 'Shah' after inspiration from Iranian chiefs. He renamed himself as Sultan Iskandar Shah.