Religious diversity had been a characteristic of Malaysia since early in
its history. Hinduism and Buddhism made their presence felt around the
3rd century BC. By the beginning of 1st century AD the two religions
were well established in Malay Peninsula, only to fade away with the
wane of Srivijaya in the 14th century, which coincided with the rise of
Malacca and also of Islam. Islam became a very strong force in Malay
life since then and continued into the present. Christianity came together
with the conquest of Malacca by the Portuguese in 1511, and other
Europeans later. Sikhism came centuries later.
But religious heterogeneity up to the end of 17th century was not pronounced.
The country—as was represented by a number of Malay sultanates
that emerged following the fall of Malacca—was mutely Islamic.
Other religious communities were small in terms of their strength.
More importantly, they did not participate in power sharing. Their major
concern then was the creation of wealth. But with British economic
activities in Malay Peninsula in the 18th century, the scenario began to
undergo radical changes. Though English traders had been present in
Malay waters since the 17th century, it was only towards the end of 18t
Religious diversity had been a characteristic of Malaysia since early inits history. Hinduism and Buddhism made their presence felt around the3rd century BC. By the beginning of 1st century AD the two religionswere well established in Malay Peninsula, only to fade away with thewane of Srivijaya in the 14th century, which coincided with the rise ofMalacca and also of Islam. Islam became a very strong force in Malaylife since then and continued into the present. Christianity came togetherwith the conquest of Malacca by the Portuguese in 1511, and otherEuropeans later. Sikhism came centuries later.But religious heterogeneity up to the end of 17th century was not pronounced.The country—as was represented by a number of Malay sultanatesthat emerged following the fall of Malacca—was mutely Islamic.Other religious communities were small in terms of their strength.More importantly, they did not participate in power sharing. Their majorconcern then was the creation of wealth. But with British economicactivities in Malay Peninsula in the 18th century, the scenario began toundergo radical changes. Though English traders had been present inMalay waters since the 17th century, it was only towards the end of 18t
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