[1] The Shahbandar (Port Master) was in charge of the traders and the collection of taxes.
The office of shahbandar first appeared in Persia, and from there spread throughout the Indian Ocean basin.
During the era of the Malacca Sultanate, the Shahbandar, also spelt Syahbandar, played a crucial role in managing port affairs.
In addition to overseeing traders and collecting taxes from international merchants, the Shahbandar was responsible for enforcing maritime laws in accordance with the Undang-undang Laut Melaka (Jawi: اوندڠ٢ لاوت ملاك) (Maritime Laws of Malacca).
At the height of the sultanate's power, four Shahbandars were appointed, each overseeing specific trading communities within the bustling port of Malacca:[3] In the Malay nobility system, the Shahbandar held ranks below the Laksamana (admiral) and the Temenggung (chief of public security).