Tun Teja Mausoleum

Tun Teja Mausoleum (Makam Tun Teja) is the final resting place of Queen Tun Teja of Melaka Sultanate. Surrounded by rice paddies, the whitewashed mausoleum is located in Merlimau, about 24km from the Malacca town. Tun Teja Mausoleum is also known as Solok Tun Teja or Menteja by the local.

In 1511, when Tun Teja was taken ill, the Portuguese under the command of Alfonso de Albuquerque launched his attack on Malacca. As a result, Tun Teja and the royal family were forced to leave Malacca even though she was in no condition to move. She felt seriously ill and passed away when they reach Merlimau. Tun Teja and the royal family were on the way to Bentayan of Muar, Johor.

History about Tun Teja

According to Malay Annals (Sejarah Melayu) and “Hikayat Hang Tuah”, Tun Teja or Khatijah Ratna Benggala, is the daughter of Bendahara Sri Amar Diraja Inderapura (now known asPahang), during the era of Sultan Abdul Ghaffur Syah. She was married to Sultan Mahmud Shah as a consort. Sultan Mahmud Shah was the eighth and the last Sultan of the Melaka Sultanate.

Tun Teja was a very beautiful woman and during the time, everyone was talking about her. The story about her beauty was heard by Sultan Mahmud Shah. It is said that Tun Teja had been courted by many Malay princes seeking her hand in marriage. Even Sultan Mahmud Shah, the most powerful ruler in the region, wanted to marry her, but Tun Teja rejected his marriage proposal. At that time, she was already engaged to the Sultan of Inderapura. Sultan Mahmud Shah then appointed Hang Tuah to go to Inderapura with the task of persuading Tun Teja to become the Queen of Melaka after the Queen Kecil (Tun Kecil) passed away.

In order to get close to Tun Teja, Hang Tuah first befriend with her closest chambermaid, Dang Ratna by offering gifts. Dang Ratna was easily won over. He presented a set of exquisite textile to Tun Teja as gift but unfortunately she rejected his effort. After being rejected by Tun Teja, having left with no other choices, Hang Tuah resorted to using a love potion. With the help of Dang Ratna, the love potion successfully made Tun Teja fall in love with Hang Tuah, and she consented in following him back to Malacca.

Together with her contingent of chambermaids, Tun Teja set sail with Hang Tuah for Malacca. Tun Teja fell under the impression that Hang Tuah had come to Inderapura to persuade her to marry him, not the Sultan, and she agreed to elope with him to Melaka. Hang Tuah had in fact led Tun Teja to believe that they were eloping as they left Inderapura without the consent of Bendahara Sri Amar Diraja Inderapura. When Bendahara Sri Amar Diraja Inderapura learned that his daughter has eloped with Hang Tuah, he sent his fellow warriors to give chase. But in the ensuring fight, Hang Tuah managed to defeat Inderapura’s warriors.

It was only during the voyage home where Hang Tuah revealed his deception to Tun Teja and with broken-hearted , she forced herself to love Sultan Mahmud Syah. When Tun Teja arrived in Malacca, Sultan Mahmud Shah prepared a royal welcome for the princess. Sultan Mahmud Shah gave her the title “Tun” and hence she was called Tun Teja. Few days later, the royal wedding ceremony was organised.

Tun Teja was forced into the marriage, but the king loved her deeply, and over time, won her love in return. Tun Teja then gave birth to the Malacca Sultanate heir, Raja Ahmad.

However, there were sources saying that it was not Hang Tuah who had kidnapped Tun Teja from Inderapura  for Sultan Mahmud but rather, it was his son in law, Hang Nadim. Hang Tuah was already in his 60′s during the reign of Sultan Mahmud. It was unlikely Hang Tuah could even entice the lovely Tun Teja to elope with him because he was already an old man.

Location

Just located beside the road in Jalan Pengkalan Samak, Merlimau.

Address: Jalan Pengkalan Samak 5, 77300 Merlimau, Melaka
GPS Coordinate: N 2.135102, E 102.4141

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Admission Fee

Admission is free for everyone.

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