| The earliest known mention of Singapore was a 3rd century Chinese
account which described Singapore as "Pu-luo-chung" ("island at the end of a
peninsula"). Little is known about the island's history at this time but
this matter-of-fact description belies Singapore's colourful past. By the
14th century, Singapore had become part of the mighty Sri Vijayan empire and
was known as Temasek ("Sea Town").
This was no less accurate than the 3rd century name. Located at the
natural meeting point of sea routes at the tip of the Malay Peninsula,
Singapore had long known visits from a wide variety of sea craft, from
Chinese junks, Indian vessels, Arab dhows and Portuguese battleships to
Buginese schooners.
During the 14th century, this small but strategically-placed island had
earned a new name - "Singa Pura", or "Lion City". According to legend, a
visiting Sri Vijayan prince saw an animal he mistook for a lion and
Singapore's modern day name was born. The British provided the next notable
chapter in the Singapore story. During the 18th century, they saw the need
for a strategic "halfway house" to refit, feed and protect the fleet of
their growing empire, as well as to forestall any advances by the Dutch in
the region. It was against this political backdrop that Sir Stamford Raffles
established Singapore as a trading station. The policy of free trade
attracted merchants from all over Asia and from as far afield as the United
States and the Middle East. By 1824, just five years after the founding of
modern Singapore, the population had grown from a mere 150 to 10,000.
In 1832, Singapore became the centre of government for the Straits
Settlements of Penang, Malacca and Singapore. The opening of the Suez Canal
in 1869 and the advent of telegraph and steamship increased Singapore's
importance as a centre for the expanding trade between East and West.
Singapore had been the site of military action in the 14th century when
it became embroiled in the struggle for the Malay Peninsula between Siam
(now Thailand), and the Java-based Majapahit Empire.
Five centuries later, it was again the scene of significant fighting
during World War II. Singapore was considered an impregnable fortress, but
the Japanese overran the island in 1942. After the war, Singapore became a
Crown Colony. The growth of nationalism led to self-government in 1959 and
on 9 August 1965, Singapore became an independent republic.
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