History Unfolded

Terrific historical place in Singapore

2009-07-13T07:58:00.001-07:00

In Singapore you can enjoy many places of interests. It is not necessary that tourists should be attracted to the place, it can be historically sound. In Singapore hundredths of places are there with sound historical and cultural background, etc. If you are interested to shopping and eating places, there are many but if you are more interested in historical places don’t loose heart, many of them are present. There are some places where general people don’t like to visit but frankly speaking these are the places where you can get the actual feel of the place. Singapore is normally mentioned as the concrete jungle but in true sense if you see different historical and cultural sites, you can see that this is not correct.

In Singapore you can chill out in many ways. After whole day exercise you can relax in pubs, nightclubs, wine bars, discotheques, etc. You can drink and party in those bars and pubs. The life in this bars and pubs are completely different than the life in other part. Singapore can also boast of some excellent historical places. Two popular areas primed for tourists would be the Fort Siloso and Fort Canning Park.

You can also visit the Chinatown for old buildings if you are really a history lover. The facade of Chinese buildings and architecture can be enjoyed in true sense. Tanjong Pasar is now refurbished and there you can see many pubs and drinking holes. This Tanjong Pasar and the Malay Village, Little India etc. are authentic historical places. Malay village was not cent percent authentic since it was build intentionally. Decades old buildings can be found. Some of them are even hundred years old. Some of them were renovated and that is the reason why they are still there.

Places for history lover’s in Singapore

2009-04-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

Some places are there in Singapore which you should not miss while visiting the place. Some of the examples are listed below:

Singapore Philatelic Museum: This is situated in a quaint old building which dates back to 1908. If you just stroll around the Singapore Philatelic Museum located at 23B Coleman Street, you will feel thrilled. A fine collection of local and international stamps is there which you will definitely like whether you are stamp lovers or not. The stamps provide a thought-provoking glimpse of the development of Singapore. Singapore’s multicultural society across the decades through the artistic, pictorial, and administrative lens of the different historical periods can be displayed.

Detailed visual display of making of stamps can be seen in this museum. The stage from the drawing board to the printing plates and also from the progressive sheets to the final product is well described.

The Singapore Philatelic Museum is open from 9 am to 5.30 PM daily. The charges are SGD2 for adults and SGD1 for children and seniors citizens. Guided tours are arranged by the museum. You can also book guides over telephone.

Changi Prison Chapel and Museum: This sobering museum is located at Changi Prison. This is still being used as a prison. The museum provides you the glimpse of the life of prisoners of war during the Japanese Occupation of World War II. The daily life of a prisoner is depicted through drawings. The drawings are also made by the prisoners themselves. Photographs and other exhibits are there that give an overview of the war in Asia. A pair of rail spikes from the infamous Burma railroad is there. You can also see thousands of POWs that were sent to work under horrific conditions.

The Changi Prison Chapel and Museum is open from Monday to Saturday. The timings are 10am to 5pm. The museum is closed on Sunday and public holidays where admission is totally free.

Singapore History Museum in Singapore

2009-04-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

Singapore is such a place where you can enjoy luxury, peace, excellent food, and also material from your brain. The country has a rich historical tradition which is also interesting. Some of the historical places are there in Singapore after visiting of which you can be really informed about the place.

The Singapore History Museum is located at Stamford Road in Singapore. The eventful history of Singapore can be traced back from the 14th century to the modern day. The historic colonial-style National Museum building is the place where the museum is situated. This was built in the year 1849 after a suggestion by Sir Stamford Raffles. In this museum you can feel the development and rich heritage of Singapore from its beginnings. Singapore starts its journey as a Malay fishing village and now it is world’s busiest port.

Visitors can stroll through the impressive recreation of an early 20th century Peranakan house. The ancestral hall and elaborate bridal chamber are worth seeing. You can also enjoy a high-definition 3-D show organized by the museum. The show is all about the history of Singapore through virtual sets, animation, and historical footage. Some of the other permanent displays include the beautiful Haw Par jade collection which was donated by the famous Aw brothers of Tiger Balm fame. An exhibition on the history of the infamous Chinese secret societies in Singapore is also there which attracts a lot of history lovers. A fascinating collection of natural history drawings by William Farquhar is there. He was the person who worked with the East India Company. Later he became the first British Resident and Commandant to the development of Singapore.

The Singapore History Museum is open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5.30 pm. On Wednesday it is open from 9 am to 9 pm. Admission is SGD3 for adults. For children and senior citizen the rate is SGD1.50. Charges for seeing 3-D show are SGD4 for adults and SGD2 for children and seniors citizens.

Books related to history on Singapore

2009-04-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

Though Singapore is not much a historical place, some books are there that reveals some interesting facts about Singapore. The names can be cited as:

Singapore’s 100 Historic Places is published by Archipelago Press in association with National Heritage Board in the year 2002. This book reveals that behind the lustrous facade of modern Singapore there lies a trove of old historic constructions and sites. This slim volume excavates information on hundred historic locations such as churches, mosques, temples, museums, institutions and battle sites. This book also tries to provide glimpses into the country’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

Singapore: A Pictorial History 1819-2000 is written by Gretchen Liu. This book is published by Archipelago Press in Association with National Heritage Board. After reading this book you can feel like a trip back in time to the Singapore of the 19th and early 20th centuries. This is viewed through more than 1200 images. There are sketches, engravings, water colors and photographs that compiled from various sources from around the world. This is an excellent way of graphing and remembering how far Singapore has progressed since its early years. This is a perfect snapshot in which you can get a glimpse of old Singapore.

Images at the Margins: A Collection of Kuo Pao Kun’s Plays is written by Kuo, Pao Kun. The publisher is Times Books International in the year 2000. This is a compilation of ten plays. In these ten plays, the late critically-acclaimed playwright Kuo Pao Kun offers an insight into Singapore society. Particularly, he explores the different perspectives or views and also perceptions of the English-educated and Chinese-educated.

Books on history and tradition

2009-04-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we don’t feel like reading history books but mark my words, there are some books on Singaporean history which will definitely attract you. The languages of the books are so lucid that anyone can understand these properly.

Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew is an interesting book written by Lee Kuan Yew. The publisher of the book is Times Editions & Singapore Press Holdings. The Singapore Story is the first volume of the memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew. He is the man who planted this island state firmly on the map of world. He was also Singapore’s Senior Minister. In intimate detail, Lee narrates the battles against colonialists, communists and communalists that led to Singapore’s independence. Don’t think that this book is all about politics. Lee brings the reader into his private life, with personal anecdotes, unusual directness, and the occasional touch of humor. The book is a substantial resource for historians and political analysts. The reason behind this is the book provides insights into national and international issues confronting the country and of the Senior Minister’s roles and awareness in and on the Malaysian period 1963-65.

From Third World to First: The Singapore Story 1965-2000, Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew is a book written by Lee Kuan Yew. This book is published by Times Editions & Singapore Press Holdings. This book continues the story of Singapore’s striking rise. Delving deep into his meticulous notes and previously unpublished papers and Cabinet records, Lee Kuan Yew details the unusual efforts it took for an island city-state in Southeast Asia to survive. Lee writes frankly about his distinct approach to political opponents and his often unorthodox views on human rights, democracy and hereditary intelligence. It offers readers an even more powerful mix of political insight and intrigue.

History of Singapore

2009-04-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

The first records of Singapore date back to the 2nd-3rd centuries. At that time a vague reference to Singapore’s location was found in Greek and Chinese texts. It was then named as Sabana and Pu Luo Chung respectively. Legend is there that in the 13th century Srivijayan prince Sang Nila Utama landed on the island. There he saw a strange creature that he thought that was a lion. He decided to give a new name to the city and thus called it as Singapura. But in actual there have never been any lions on Singapore, so the mysterious beast was more probably a tiger. More historical records suggest that the island was settled at least two centuries earlier and was known as Temasek. This is Javanese for ‘Sea Town’ and also an important port for the Sumatran Srivijaya kingdom.

However, Srivijaya fell around 1400 and Temasek, battered by the feuding kingdoms of Siam and the Javanese Majapahit, fell into obscurity. At this time Singapura briefly retrieved importance as a trading centre for the Melaka Sultanate and later, the Johor Sultanate. However, Portuguese raiders then destroyed the settlement and Singapura faded into obscurity once more.

In the year 1819, the story of Singapore again began. Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles made a deal with a claimant to the throne of the Sultan of Johor at his tenure. The British would support his claim and it happened in exchange for the right to set up a trading post on the island. Well-placed at the entrance to the Straits of Malacca, ranging the trade routes between India, China, Australia, and Europe, Raffles’ masterstroke was to declare Singapore a free port. There were no duties charged on trade. As traders flocked to escape burdensome Dutch taxes, the trading post soon grew into one of Asia’s most engaged one. Very soon the post started drawing people from far and wide and became very successful in trading.

History of Singapore continues…

2009-04-15T10:30:00.000-07:00

Alongside with Penang and Malacca, Singapore became one of the Straits Settlements and also a jewel in the British colonial crown. Its economic fortunes received more encouragement when palm oil and rubber from neighboring Malaya were processed and shipped out via Singapore. In 1867, Singapore was formally divided from British India and after that made into a directly ruled Crown Colony.

After World War II, Fortress Singapore was seen as a formidable British base. It was with massive naval fortifications guarding against assault by sea. However, the fortress miss fleets as all ships were tied up defending Britain from the Germans. The Japanese also wisely chose to cross Malaya by bicycle instead. Despite hurriedly turning the guns around, this was something the British had not prepared for at all. On February 15, 1942, after a week long fighting when the supplies become very less, Singapore discreditably surrendered and the colony’s previous rulers were packed off to Changi Prison. Tens of thousands perished in the subsequent brutal occupation, and the return of the British in 1945 was less than triumphal — it was clear that their time was up.

In the year 1955, Singapore was Granted self-rule. In 1963, Singapore briefly joined Malaysia when the British left. But soon it was expelled because the Chinese-majority city was seen as a threat to Malay dominance. On 9 August 1965, the island became independent. In the next forty years the strict rule by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew saw Singapore’s economy boom. The country rapidly became one of the wealthiest and most developed in Asia. It also earned a place as one of the four East Asian Tigers. Singapore is presently led by Lee’s son Lee Hsien Loong. The ruling People’s Action Party i.e. PAP continues to dominate the political scene. It has got 82 out of 84 seats in Parliament. In Singapore there is a balancing act between political control and social freedom and it is really enjoyable.

Food and Economy

2009-04-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

In Singapore you can get fresh food everywhere. Rice, chicken, fish, and vegetables are the staple food. When these ingredients are mixed with a rich variety of chilies, spices, lime, coconuts, and tamarind, the variations are unending. Very often food is eaten outside the home in food centers where food is tasty, cheap, and also freshly made. Many coffeehouses, cafés, tea houses, and formal restaurants are there. Forks and spoons are mainly used to eat food. But it is better to eat Chinese food with chopsticks. Indian and Malay food can be eaten with the hand. The three main meals can be mentioned as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Foods are preferred to eat while it is hot. In Singapore Indians do not eat beef, Malays do not eat pork, and many Buddhist Chinese are part-time vegetarians. It is also seen that many people do not drink alcohol.

There are some customs maintained at ceremonial occasions. Generally special dishes are eaten during the major ceremonial occasions of all three ethnic groups. But none of them are connected to national celebrations. Basic economy of Singapore can be discussed as it has a fully developed industrial international economy. The country greatly depends on imports. There are few natural resources on the island. A consistent surplus in the overall balance of payments can be seen. There is a large degree of state control of the economy.

In Singapore, there is a large degree of private ownership of houses and flats i.e. apartments. Land tenure is firmly synchronized by the government. Government plans are also there for the use of every inch of the island’s territory. Foreigners are usually not allowed to lease land, but they can buy apartments according to their wish.

Political Life in Singapore

2009-04-13T10:23:00.000-07:00

The politics of Singapore takes place in a model of a parliamentary republic. Prime Minister of Singapore is the head of the Government. Executive power is usually exerted by the government where legislative power is invested in both the Government and also the parliament of Singapore. Generally the judiciary is independent of the legislative and executive. The president is the head of the Parliament. A single chamber is also there whose members are generally elected by popular votes. President is the head of the state as well. Some of the Government body in Singapore is discussed below:

Government: As said earlier Singapore is a republic with a parliamentary system. The head of state is the president. President is generally elected for a fixed term of six years whereas the parliament is elected in a general compulsory election in every five years. Six nominated members of the parliament are there. The cabinet is known as the executive organ of the state. The execution of government policies is usually carried out by some ministries and statutory boards.

Social Problems and Control: in Singapore the crime rate is low. British legal system is the base on the judiciary system there. The death penalty is imposed for drug smuggling. Caning is still used as a punishment in Singapore. In addition, there are fines and also other penalties for a wide range of evil doings. The examples can be given as throwing litter on the floor, engaging in politics outside registered political parties and urinating in the elevator, etc.

Military Activity: In Singapore, both military and civil defense are well developed. Armed forces are well equipped where two and a half years of compulsory military service are mandatory for males.

Leadership and Political Officials: The People’s Action Party i.e. PAP has kept a large majority in the parliament since 1965. The politicians from opposite parties held lesser seats. The political position through the cadre system of the PAP lies in educational, loyalty as well as professional merit whereas the other parties are led by politicians with sturdy personalities.