ประวัติศาสตร์มลายาในแบบเรียนประวัติศาสตร์ยุคอาณานิคม ค.ศ. 1918-1957 / ทัตพร บุญคง = The history of Malaya in history textbooks during the colonial period 1918-1957 / Thataphorn Bunkhong
To study the production of Malay history textbooks in the attempt to establish a standardize version of historical knowledge throughout British Malaya. The research also investigates structures and contents of Malay history textbooks as modern historical writing, which differs from the traditional style, and how the contents from these textbooks provide the foundation for “bangsa Malay” consciousness and the modern definition of “Malay” or “Melayu”. Research results suggest that new Malay history textbooks were produced so as to standardize the Malay people’s perception and understanding of their history. Structures and contents of Malay history textbooks are more modern and differ from the writings of the traditional era in that they rely on more substantial records and credible evidence. The new textbooks expunged the image of learning history from myths and legends with supernatural occurrences. They also reflect the Malay consciousness of the Malay people on the Malayu Peninsula. This was partially the result of British colonial authorities to construct a new sense of ‘Malayness,’ which allowed the Malays to be conscious of their existence as a people. This eventually led to the rise of a nationalist movement, albeit not nearly as fervent as similar movements in other colonies in South East Asia.
