Nayinar Kuniyappan. Un Tamoul, syahbandar de Samudera-Pasai au début du XVIe siècle

Jorge M. dos Santos Alves This historical study describes the life and times of a Tamil merchant who played a role in the commercial and political life of the sultanates of Northern Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula at the beginning of the 16th century. Nayinar Kuniyappan is known from Portuguese sources as he chose to be the Portuguese ally on several occasions in the midst of the constant struggles for hegemony in the region. He was a wealthy merchant trading with Aceh, Kedah, Melacca and Pegu; he was also the powerful syahbandar (harbour master) of Samudera-Pasai and seems to have nourished political ambitions. When the Portuguese had to flee Samudra-Pasai in 1523 he followed them to Goa but was back in Malacca the following year. He eventually died in a naval fight with another merchant. It was then discovered that he may have been a Muslim. Through this colourful life story the turbulent times of the early European expansion are depicted.Dos Santos Alves Jorge. Nayinar Kuniyappan. Un Tamoul, syahbandar de Samudera-Pasai au début du XVIe siècle. In: Archipel, volume 62, 2001. pp. 127-142