The Origins of Perak in the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa
The fame of Perak is celebrated in the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, which is classified as a traditional Malay literary masterpiece.
The Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, or the History of Kedah, is a chronicle that recounts the lineage of Merong Mahawangsa and the founder of Kedah, a state in Malaysia. In other contexts, the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa can also be categorized within a historical genre similar to the Hikayat Raja Pasai, Hikayat Aceh, Hikayat Banjar, Hikayat Raja Sambas, Tuhfat al-Nafis, the Genealogy of Malay and Bugis Kings, and others. Through the author's research and reading, it is generally known that the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa is considered a Great Literary Work. The narrative focuses primarily on the state referred to as Kedah Zamin Turan. (Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, page 34). Everyone is familiar with the Great Works of William Shakespeare, but how many of us actually own a copy of the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa or other Malay literary classics? Just look at how today's generation is so addicted to technology that they have forgotten the treasures of Malay literature. The author is also intrigued by the lineage of the Kedah Kings found in the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa. Raja Merong Mahapudist had a lineage of four kings: the King of Siam, the King of Perak, the King of Patani, and the King of Kedah. Driven by this, the author continued reading, attempting to trace the narrative regarding the King of Perak.
Delving into a great literary work truly tests a reader's perseverance. However, the desire to learn about the history of the King of Perak kept the author turning page after page, until a record regarding Pulau Indera Sakti was found in this version of the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa. One day, Raja Merong Mahapudist commanded his fourth minister to assemble men, weapons, elephants, and horses, fully equipped with royal regalia. He then ordered his middle son to set forth. Traveling between the south and southeast, searching for land suitable to build a city, a palace, and a fortress, the prince and his warriors wandered through the deep jungles for some time in search of fertile land. They eventually encountered a large river, its waters flowing directly into the sea. They also discovered a lake and wetlands surrounding a cluster of three or four islands. The prince was captivated by the islands. He then took an arrow made of pure white silver. He notched it onto his bow, named the Indera Sakti arrow, and declared, "O Indera Sakti, fall upon the land of those three or four islands. Wherever you land, there shall I build my city, fortress, and moat, and there I shall reside."
He drew his bow and shot the arrow into the air; it hummed like a buzzing beetle before vanishing. It soon landed on an island, which is why it was named Pulau Indera Sakti. A fortress and moat were then built, and a state was established, thanks to the arrow with the silver tip. When the news reached his father, Merong Mahapudist, he commanded his son to become the King of his state, Perak. Such is the story of the origins of Perak's fame as recorded in the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa. References:
- Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, Siti Hawa Haji Salleh, Yayasan Karyawan and Penerbit Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, (1998)
