The rise of the Malay Empire of Melaka early in the 15th century and subsequently intervention by foreign powers in other states of Malaya led to the practice of the art of silat or self defence by the local people. This led to the existence of trained and trustworthy Malay warriors as almost all sections of the community including villagers, royalty and women learned silat and mastered it. During this period many famous warriors arose, such as Hang Tuah, Datuk Bahaman, Mat Kilau, Dol Said, Tok Janggut, Mat Salleh, Datuk Maharaja Lela, Tok Gajah, Datuk Bentara Luar Johor, Rentap and Tun Perak.
	A Malay warrior was required to pass through various stages and tests in the art of self defence and develop discipline, courage and humility. The status and rank of a warrior depended on the service he had rendered, on hid integrity and on the progress he had achieved. A warrior skilled in silat needed no weapons to overcome his enemy.
	A Malay warrior had to follow a code of ethics in war and in peace. Two groups which were going to fight had to agree to the rules before the battle began. These rules dealt with the date, the time, rest periods, the beginning and the ending of the battle, and so forth. War in this style brought not only victory to one side, but ensured that it was fair to both sides. The wounded were to be treated and the dead properly buried. If one party withdrew, leaving the field of battle, this was a sign that it accepted defeat and generally also the authority of the winner. The Western colonists with their modern weaponry destroyed the ethics and the style of this system of warfare.
	A warrior usually wore short, loose trousers reaching the knees and a short vest, both secured by a cloth waistband. A handkerchief was wound around his head to keep his hair in place. A keris and sometimes another smaller weapon, were slipped into the waistband. He would carry a spear and a shield made of metal, leather, rattan or wood.
	The prestige and praise enjoyed by the Malay warriors and their whole existence and function decayed and gradually disappeared as modern warfare and western colonization came into the Malay world.