Muslim tombstones in Raffles Museum
This short note by R. O. Winstedt documents and transcribes the Arabic inscriptions on several Muslim tombstones held in the Raffles Museum, Singapore, with the assistance of M. Moquette’s unpublished decipherments.
Summary
Winstedt examines three groups of stones. The first pair (Plate XXIII, figs. I & II) is attributed to the grave of Nakhoda Haji al-Kanbaiy, a sea-captain pilgrim from Cambay, who died on 9 Shawal A.H. 863 (9 August 1459 A.D.); the second stone bears verses 26–27 of Surah 55. Winstedt notes that the name “Kanbaiy” (Cambay) and the form of the stones make it almost certain they came from the old Fort wall at Malacca, presented to the Museum by the Resident Councillor in 1852 (p. 6).
The second stone (Plate XXIV) records the death of Ismail son of Haji Nasru’d-din son of Ismail, dated 5 Dhu’l-Qa’dah A.H. 884 (18 January 1480 A.D.), with the inscription noting the day as Friday though the date actually fell on a Tuesday—a common error Winstedt observes (p. 7). A third stone (Plate XXV) carries the formula “Help from God and speedy victory” (Surah 48, 1) alongside verse 26 of Surah 55 (p. 7).