History Of Singapore
As per certain Chinese records dating back to the third century, Singapore has been mentioned as Pu-luo-chung, which means the island at the end of a peninsula. However, apart from the name and its description, no further information is furnished about the land with respect to its history. |
Towards the onset of the fourteenth century, the place came to be known as Temasek signifying the Sea Town, and fell under the jurisdiction of the Sri Vijayan Empire. As the name suggests, owing to its strategic location at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, the place was a famous stopover for sea vessels from numerous countries such as Chinese junks, Indian vessels, Arab dhows, Portuguese battleships and Buginese schooners.
The name Singa Pura or Lion City was bestowed on the island in the fourteenth century. The city owes its name to the prince, Sri Vijayan who while visiting the island thought that he saw a lion in the city.
In the eighteenth century, Sir Stamford Raffles designated Singapore as a trading post since the British desired to make the city an intermediate location to re-service its fleet. An additional lure behind this action was to avert any moves of the Dutch in the area. As a consequence of the policy of free trade, Singapore was inhabited by traders from various parts of Asia, the US and the Middle East; increasing the population from 150 to 10,000 by the year 1824.
The political and economic significance of Singapore grew with it being the center of government for the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca and Singapore in the year 1832 and the subsequent functioning of the Suez Canal from the year 1869 respectively. After the Second World War, Singapore became a British colony. However, with the passage of time, nationalism rose and self government was established in the year 1959. Finally on August 9, 1965 the Republic of Singapore was born.
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