History Of Singapore

Ancient history of Singapore: The history of Singapore dates back to the 3rd century, described by a Chinese account as a tiny island at the tip of Malay Peninsula. Traced from the records of Malay scripts about history of Singapore it was in the 13th century, a prince hailing from Srivijaya, landed in this island and sighted a strange creature and thought it was a lion.

When he founded a small settlement in the island, he named it as Singapura, meaning “Lions City” – in Sanskrit.

The history of Singapore has it that the Malay dynasty of Srivijayan kings ruled the island for several years and forfeited the same to Portuguese invaders.

From the 16th century to 19th century, experts of history of Singapore say that the rule of Singapore Island changed hands to the European colonial empires of Portuguese, Dutch and British, who had the control of the trade and commerce, particularly of spices from this island to many countries.

Singapore Charter:

The island of Singapore was under the rule of various authorities like Kings and princes of Malay, Sultanate of Malaca and Sultanate of Johor initially and the power was captured by the Portuguese, Duch and British crowns later. The first Singapore Charter was established in the history of Singapore in 1802 by Fort Marlborough in India Act 1802 as amended by Transfer of Singapore etc. Act 1924 to British East India Company. In 1826 the second Charter of Singapore was issued by British crown establishing the Court of Judicature of Prince of Wale’s Island Singapore. The Third Singapore Charter issued in 1855 reorganized the court of judicature separately for Prince of Wale’s Island and Singapore and Malacca.

Historical figures of Singapore:

Of all the historical figures of Singapore, commencing from the Kings of Srivijaya, Sultans of Malacca and Sultan of Johor, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, an officer of the British East India Company was very prominent. He laid the foundation stone of Singapore in 1819 by establishing a settlement of a few hundred people in Singapore Island and later organized British rule by promulgating rules and regulations for the governance of Singapore.

Cityhood of Singapore:

Singapore joined the United Nations and established ties with other countries through the then Foreign Minister, Sinnathambi Rajarathnam. The cityhood of Singapore started by the efficient leadership of Lee Kuan Yew in developing Singapore as the top economy in Asia, housing developments, Changi International Airport and Singapore Harbor. The two are the most prominent leaders of Singapore and historical figures of Singapore in making the Cityhood of Singapore of today.