Singapore Treasures

The history of the modern state of Singapore dates back to its founding in the early 19th century; however, evidence suggests that a significant trading settlement existed on the island in the 14th century. The last ruler of the Kingdom of Singapura, Parameswara, was expelled by the Majapahit or the Siamese before he founded Malacca. Singapore then came under the Malacca Sultanate and subsequently the Johor Sultanate.

National Treasure – Majapahit Armlet and Earrings (c. 14th century) - Discovered in 1928 while building a reservoir on Fort Canning Hill, it proved that 14th century Singapore was quite fashionable. Continue Reading

National Treasure – Singapore Stone (c. 14th century) - A blast from the past, a piece of blasted sandstone that defined the existence of the "Lion City". Continue Reading

Treasures – Javanese Gold Jewellery (c. 14th Century) - Gold jewellery with Javanese origins from the 14th century, linking the Javanese diaspora in Singapore. Continue Reading

Timeline of British Administration

In 1819, British statesman Stamford Raffles negotiated a treaty whereby Johor would allow the British to locate a trading port on the island, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Crown Colony of Singapore in 1867. Important reasons for the rise of Singapore were its nodal position at the tip of the Malay Peninsula flanked by the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the presence of a natural sheltered harbour, as well as its status as a free port.

1. Early East India Company Administration (1819–1826)

• The Founding (1819): Sir Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company (EIC) landed in January 1819 and signed treaties with local rulers to establish a free-trade post.
• EIC Oversight: During these early years, Singapore was administered under Bencoolen (Sumatra) and later directly subordinate to the EIC authorities in India.
• Key Focus: Establishing the free port system, attracting regional and global merchants, and laying the spatial and economic foundations of the settlement.

Treasures – Portrait of Sir Stamford Raffles (1912) - His claim to fame was founding a desert island that became the modern Singapore. Continue Reading

Treasures – Presentation Cup to William Farquhar (1823) - Raffles left the island and William Farquhar took over as First Resident. It would be hard to find a more… Continue Reading

Treasures – Silver Epergne for William Farquhar (c. 1823) - We were led to believe he was sacked for incompetence but actually he should get credits for modern Singapore. Continue Reading

2. The Straits Settlements under the EIC and India Office (1826–1867)

• Formation of the Straits Settlements (1826): Singapore was officially integrated with Penang and Malacca to form a single administrative unit known as the Straits Settlements.
• Capital Shift (1832): Singapore became the seat of government (capital) for the Straits Settlements due to its rapid commercial and strategic growth.
• Transfer of Control (1858–1867): Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and the dissolution of the EIC in 1858, control shifted to the India Office in London. However, local merchants grew increasingly dissatisfied with Indian policies (such as attempts to introduce a currency change or impose port dues), pushing for a more direct administration.

National Treasure – Daguerreotype of Boat Quay and Singapore River from Government Hill (1844) - In 1844, Singapore was a growing British trading post, notable for the establishment of a girls' school (Singapore Institution Free… Continue Reading

Treasures – Revere Bell (1843) - A piece of Singapore history that is tied to the American revolution, even in a small way. Continue Reading

3. The Straits Settlements Crown Colony (1867–1942)

• Crown Colony Status (April 1, 1867): The Straits Settlements were separated from British India and placed directly under the Colonial Office in London as a formal Crown Colony.
• Direct Rule & Infrastructure Boom: Governed by a Governor assisted by Executive and Legislative Councils (with power heavily concentrated in the executive branch), this era saw massive economic expansion.
• Key Milestones:
  • The opening of the Suez Canal (1869), which supercharged steamship trade.
  • The explosive growth of the Malayan rubber and tin trades.
  • The development of Singapore into a premier military and naval fortress by the 1920s and 1930s (culminating in the massive naval base).
• End of the Era (February 1942): This period of uninterrupted British rule came to a dramatic close with the fall of Singapore to the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.

Chasing Dragons (c. 1900s) - Given the recent K-pods addiction problems, let's see how our forefathers tackled the opium problem. Continue Reading

Coolies that Moved the Nation (c. 1900s) - My dad was one of those that came as part of the Chinese diaspora. And he came, and he started… Continue Reading

National Treasure – Portrait of Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham (1904) - One of the most recognisable portrait in Singapore besides Raffles as we grew up with this image in our Social… Continue Reading

Treasure – Chettiar Marriage Necklace (19th Century, India) - "I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be." —… Continue Reading

Treasures – Straits Chinese Panel Belt (c. mid 20th century) - SIngapore is a melting pot of cultures and people, and Peranakans are one of the successful results of that amalgamation. Continue Reading

During World War II, Singapore was invaded and occupied by the Japanese Empire from 1942 to 1945. Singapore was renamed 昭南島 Shōnan-tō, or “Bright Southern Island” in Japanese. The Japanese army imposed harsh measures against the local population, with troops, especially the Kempeitai or Japanese military police, who were particularly ruthless in dealing with the Chinese population. The most notable atrocity was the Sook Ching massacre of Chinese and Peranakan civilians, undertaken in retaliation against the support of the war effort in China.

Lest We Forget – Fall of Singapore (15 Feb 1942) - On this day in 1941, the first bombs dropped on Singapore. The Japanese had arrived! Continue Reading

Lest We Forget – Sook Ching Massacre (18 Feb – 4 Mar 1942) - Today marks the start of Sook Ching. Recent comments by our PM made us look back at this dark episode… Continue Reading

V-Day: Victory over Japan - Victory over Japan Day, surrender of Japan, signifies the end of World War II (August 14 in the Americas due… Continue Reading

When the Japanese surrendered, Singapore reverted to British control. The failure of Britain to defend Singapore had destroyed its credibility as an infallible ruler in the eyes of Singaporeans. The decades after the war saw a political awakening amongst the local populace and the rise of anti-colonial and nationalist sentiments, epitomised by the slogan Merdeka, or “independence” in the Malay language. The British, on their part, were prepared to gradually increase self-governance for Singapore and Malaya.

National Treasure – Mace of the City of Singapore (1953) - A mace that represents the elevation of the status of Singapore from town to city. Continue Reading

Singapore’s First Airport – Kallang Airport (1937-1955) - For those growing up in the 60s/70s Singapore would be familiar with Kallang Airport and Old Airport Road Food Centre,… Continue Reading

David Marshall, leader of the Labour Front (which was the forerunner for the Workers Party), became the first Chief Minister of Singapore. Singapore’s merger with the Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia in 1963. Social unrest was on the rise, and in May 1955, the Hock Lee bus riots broke out, killing four people and seriously discrediting Marshall’s government. In August 1958, the State of Singapore Act was passed in the United Kingdom Parliament providing for the establishment of the State of Singapore. Elections for the new Legislative Assembly were held in May 1959. The People’s Action Party (PAP) won the polls in a landslide victory, winning forty-three of the fifty-one seats. Its leader Lee Kuan Yew, a young Cambridge-educated lawyer, became the first Prime Minister of Singapore.

Treasures – Artefacts of Lee Kuan Yew (c. 1950s) - Today marks the death anniversary of one of the founding fathers of Singapore, whom we fondly refer to as LKY. Continue Reading

Despite their successes in governing Singapore, the PAP leaders believed that Singapore’s future lay with Malaya. They felt that the historic and economic ties between Singapore and Malaya were too strong for them to continue as separate nations. Lee called for a referendum on the merger, to be held in September 1962. On 9 July 1963, the leaders of Singapore, Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak signed the Malaysia Agreement to establish Malaysia which was planned to come into being on 31 August.

Malaysia Day 1963 - Today marks the day in 1963 when Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore joined Malaya to become part of Federation of Malaysia. Continue Reading

The Albatross File – Singapore Independence Declassified - We knew that LKY wasn't in favour of the separation, but we didn't know that it was a tactical move… Continue Reading

However, social unrest, racial tensions, and political differences between Singapore’s governing People’s Action Party (PAP) and Malaysia’s Alliance Party resulted in Singapore’s expulsion from Malaysia. On 9 August 1965, the Parliament of Malaysia voted 126–0 in favour of a constitutional amendment expelling Singapore from the federation. Singapore became an independent republic on that day.

Declaration of Independence - Behind glass cabinets were the set of documents that proclaim the independence of Singapore. Continue Reading

Treasures – National Day Rally Rostrum from National Theatre (c. 1970s) - A nation waited with bated breath about plans for the future, delivered behind this familiar rostrum. Continue Reading