The cultural contact became more intensive in the 13th century with the rise of Muslim Samudera Pasai Sultanate in the northern Sumatra, assuming control of the strait and advancing into the east Minangkabau for gold mines and pepper production center. Islam began entering the West coast of Minangkabau after the fall of the Strait of Malacca into Portuguese in the 16th century, through coastal cities such as Pariaman. During the time, the strongest Muslim empire in the region was Aceh Sultanate based in the current Aceh province.