Hang Tuah, according to the semi-historical Malay Annals, was a warrior and Laksamana who lived in Malacca during the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah in the 15th century. However, there is limited historical evidence for his existence. He was supposedly a great laksamana, or admiral, a diplomat and a silat master. Hang Tuah is the most illustrious warrior figure in Malay literature. He is however, a somewhat controversial figure and there is much in dispute about the factual basis of Hang Tuah's story.
Artist's depiction of Hang Tuah, Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum
A bronze mural of Hang Tuah that exhibited at the National Museum, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Hang Tuah's Well in Kampung Duyong, Malacca
Hang Tuah Mausoleum, located in Tanjong Kling
The Malay Annals, originally titled Sulalatus Salatin, 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.
The frontispiece of a Jawi edition of the Malay Annals