Pahang is one of the Malay kingdoms involved in Malay maritime activity. The history of maritime activities related to Pahang was recorded in both local and foreign sources.
Although the role of Pahang was significant, no in-depth study of its maritime activity with reference to Malay historiographies—including records of Johor, Aceh, Siak, and Terengganu—has been conducted. Therefore, this study aims to fill the gap by identifying Pahang’s relations with other Malay kingdoms and examining maritime activities related to Pahang in connection with foreign powers. This study employs textual analysis with reference to Sulālah al-Salāṭīn, Ḥukum Qanun Pahang, Ḥikayat Fathani, Bustān al-Salāṭīn, Tuhfāt al-Nāfis dan Ḥikayat Pahang as well as comparative analysis with foreign traders and colonial powers (Portuguese, Dutch, English, and Belgian). The study explores Pahang’s involvement and diplomatic engagement with other Malay kingdoms, including Melaka, Johor, Fathani, Brunei, Aceh, Siak, and Terengganu, through administration, trade, war, and marriage as forms of maritime activity. The study also finds that Pahang’s maritime activities with foreign powers included administration, trade, and warfare. It further identifies the shift of Pahang’s port from Pekan to Kuantan in the twentieth century. In conclusion, Pahang played an important role in Malay maritime activities and in the broader history of the Malay world.
Follow this link to view the slides from this talk: https://media.podcasts.ox.ac.uk/sant/islamic_studies/2025-12-22-sant-islamic_studies-muhamad_bin_muhd%20Idris-slides.pdf
