Fullerton Heritage - Founding Of Modern Singapore

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Raffles Place
South, Singapore
March 2013

(This article is part of Merlion Wayfarer's Fullerton Heritage Guided Tour series.)
         
The founding of modern Singapore in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles paved the way for Singapore to become a modern port and established its status as a gateway between the Western and Eastern markets. This was distinct from its earlier probable use as a port in ancient times during the dominance of Srivijaya, and later, Melaka in the region. This was because previously, the main markets were India and China. However, with the founding of modern Singapore, Europe, and to an extent the United States, had now become sources of trade as well.
Raffles actually came to Singapore more than once during his career with the East India Company:
  • 28 January 1819 : Raffles landed on St John's Island. This was followed by an approach to a Malay settlement at the mouth of the Singapore River the next day, and the subsequent signing of a treaty with  Sultan Hussein and Temenggong Abdul Rahman to set up a British outpost on 06 February 1819. After issuing orders to Major William Farquhar and the remaining Europeans, Raffles left the next day, 07 February 1819.
  • 1822 : Dissatisfied with some of the policies implemented by Farquhar, Raffles returned to Singapore to appoint John Crawfurd as the new Governor. After drafting the first constitution for Singapore, he boarded a ship for England on 09 July 1823.

Merlion Wayfarer's Fullerton Heritage Guided Tour Series


 

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