由碑铭看1800年前后马六甲华人甲必丹之活动 Investigating Activities Conducted by Chinese Captains in Malacca around 1800 from Gravestone Inscriptions

Abstract

Captain is a unique regional administrative model in southeast Asia of modern times. When Malacca was colonized by Portuguese, Dutch and British aggressors consecutively, each ethnical group set the position of Captain to manage its internal affairs. As the leader of Chinese in Malacca, the Chinese captain plays a significant role in investigating the early history of Chinese in Malacca. On account of the insufficient existing literature, not much is known about the activities conducted by the majority of Chinese captains. The extant Chinese inscriptions in Qingyun Pavilion reflect some activities undertaken by Chinese captains as of 17th century to the outset of 19th century. Through the analysis of these inscription, it is of crucial reference value to gain a better understanding about the early history of Chinese in Malacca.

Keywords: Malacca, Chinese captain, activity, inscription 1800