Makam Hang Kasturi, Malacca

Hang Kasturi Mausoleum (10 July, 2005)


Hang Kasturi's Mausoleum (GPS: 2.1972, 102.24613) or Makam Hang Kasturi is an old Malay grave along Jalan Hang Jebat in Malacca. Located beside the small Chinese temple Theah Teik Keong, the tomb is claimed to be that of Malay warrior Hang Kasturi. Hang Kasturi is one of the five great warriors during the time of the Malacca Sultanate, particularly during the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah (1456-1477), the other four being Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Hang Lekiu and Hang Lekir. As young men, they studied silat under the same silat master. The title "Hang" is bestowed by the sultan for the highest ranking Malay warriors.

According to a version of the Malay Annals (Sejarah Melayu), Hang Kasturi is said to have gained notoriety for having an affair or having outraged the modesty of one of the Sultan's concubines, and Hang Tuah was sent to kill him. Unfortunately in a different version (as the Malay Annals were initially handed down by mouth, there are now many different written versions in existence), it was Hang Tuah, another Malay warrior, who was accused of having an affair with the palace ladies.

In one popular version, Hang Tuah so offended the Sultan that he order Tuah to be executed. However, the Bendahara Tun Perak (similar to prime minister) took him into hiding. Later, courtiers discovered that Hang Kasturi was having an affair with one of the sultan's concubines. They surrounded the palace but no one dared to enter to capture Kasturi. When the sultan was told that Hang Tuah was still alive, he ordered Hang Tuah to kill his best friend to prove his loyalty. During the fight, Hang Tuah embedded his kris in the palace wall three times, but Kasturi allowed him to remove it. But when the same thing happened to Kasturi, Tuah stabbed him to death. The sultan later rewarded Hang Tuah the title of laksamana, for his loyalty.

Hang Kasturi's Mausoleum is located along, interestingly, Jalan Hang Jebat (formerly Jonker Street), whereas Hang Jebat's Mausoleum is located at Lorong Tukang Kuli, within a stone's throw from Jalan Hang Kasturi. Although the mausoleums were claimed to belong to these warriors, no factual evidence has been put forth to verify this.

Interpretive board at Makam Hang Kasturi (10 July, 2005)

Hang Kasturi Mausoleum is on the Map of Mausoleums in Malacca

Hang Kasturi Mausoleum is on the Map of Malacca

Makam Hang Kasturi on Google Street View

Hang Kasturi Mausoleum (Oct 2020)

List of mausoleums in Malacca and mausoleums in Malaysia; back to Discover Malacca

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