Colonial Heritage and Modern Developments of Singapore - Coursework Example

Singapore: Colonial Heritage and Modern Developments The country of Singapore comprises of a main island in south-east Asia which is linked to the southern side of Malaysia by a causeway and a bridge. This wealthy city-state is surrounded by 50 smaller islands as well and together they make up one of the Asian ‘tigers’ – an economy that has advanced phenomenally after the independence of the state, despite serious drawbacks that existed at the time. The country is now known for its rich culture, heritage and economic contribution in the world as well as for its unique take on political leadership and social control, both of which veer towards conservative. Singapore was one of the most populous colonial outposts of the British Empire with acting as a multiethnic trading center starting from the 1800s. However, the history of the region can be traced even further back from 1300 to 1600 when the Malay Rajas ruled the region and the island city was home to a thriving multinational trade and hosted a population of 10,000 people. Recent archeological research has attempted to highlight this era of Singapore along with the colonial regime that most scholars are aware of (Peterson). Today Singapore has again become one of the world’s most prosperous places with the infrastructure and their architecture- with vast sky scrapers, coveted public-housing tower blocks and a successful modern port- being an iconic symbol of their wealth. The country has a GNI per capita of US $42,930 (BBC News) and its people enjoy one of the highest living standards in the world. Despite the march towards modern systems and structures, historic tradition and culture still play a vital role in the identity of Singapore and its people connected to both their colonial and native heritage. This paper will attempt to understand the heritage of Singapore through its history, colonial legacy and arts and architecture. 1. History of the city For almost half a century Singapore has been building upon their colonial heritage starting from 1819 when the British trading post was officially initiated through a treaty with the natives of the quaint Malay village. Written histories of the city and even the academic teachings focus on the development of the region from this era, covering the colonial legacy that can still be seen in the administrative and education systems as well as the architecture and culture of the city. However, the city has roots going deep beyond 1819 and historians are only now bringing the facts about Singapore’s local history into the light. The shift in perception has come about during a time when the nation is trying to develop and understand their identity amidst rapid developments. As Professor Miksic (an American archaeology professor) put it “A short history puts a nation on shaky ground; a shallowly rooted place could be overturned quickly,” (Peterson). Students in the country now study history of the region starting at least 500 years before the British even stepped foot on the island. Details about this ‘Golden age’ have come about thanks to the archeological discoveries in the city that provide evidence of the region’s prosperity from the time period of 1300 to 1600. One of the books on the topic titled “Singapore and the Silk Road of the Sea” cites the large collection of artifacts found at the Empress Place (present in the central business district located at the mouth of Singapore River) identifying the area as an ancient dock that was primarily utilized by traders from places as diverse as China, India and Java. The artifiacts are dated back to the 14th century; among the artifacts are a blue and white porcelain-stemmed cup from the Chinese Yuan dynasty (1271-1368) and the “Headless Horseman,” a Javanese-style statuette (Peterson). During this time the city was governed by the five kings of ancient ‘Singapura’. As the region is a natural point for merging sea routes, its importance as a trading post had been established since a long time. The sea traffic at the port was also of diverse variety, including junks, Indian vessels, Arab dhows, Portuguese battleships, and Buginese schooners. These admirable historical facts about the city have been ignored for a long time by the colonial and post-colonial administrations which were more interested in capitalizing upon their British systems and connections (Your Singapore). Till recently every debate about the topic and the city’s native heritage was also religiously monitored but perceptions and trends in historical research are changing as the country has become more confident in their economic relevance and are looking to cement their identity. On its independence from colonial rule Singapore was a third-world nation with a low GNP per capita of US$320 and poor resources for development; their infrastructure and capital were both limited (BBC News). At that time the city-state mainly drove its economy based on Low-end commerce and some industries working for domestic consumption. There was low possibility of the much needed injections of direct foreign investment at the time and the government had to provide a long term plan that would lead to stability in the economy and secure the nation’s image in the global market. Focusing on the colonial systems, structure and heritage was one way that the country could achieve its goal of sustainable growth. 2. The Colonial Empire While its history reaches far back before the British, Modern Singapore as the world knows it today came into being after the British trading post was established in the 19th century. After the golden age of 1300-1600, there was period of downturn for the Singapura, economy even though the local port was well known along the Malacca Straits. At that time the British were dealing with the consequences of losing their conquest against the Portugese and needed to establish a strategic strong hold in East Asia to base the growing merchant fleet of the British empire, cement their presence in the region and to prevent the Dutch from coming and grabbing the land as their own territory. There was immediate need for a port of call in the region to be established and the responsibility for selecting a suitable site came down to the Lieutenant-Governor of Bencoolen (now Bengkulu) in Sumatra, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles who eventually selected Singapore as the viable spot after doing an inventory of the islands surrounding it (Your Singapore). The exact date of his landing is 29 January 1819. The fact that the area had a historical relevance and geographical advantage as a trading post was one of the highest considerations when the treaty establishing the trading post was signed with the native population. The presence of the British empire in the area kicked off the new phase of the region’s prosperity as it became a thriving multiethnic port, based on the sole principles of business and trade. While Singapore had a minute population of only 150 people in 1819 by the 1860 the population had grown up to a count of 80,792 people, most of whom had been attracted to the area because of its economic opportunities. Interestingly, the British control of the area was largely confined to developing the administration structures while the economy itself was driven by the different traders, merchants and business men who put up shop there as well as the native Malay inhabitants. These men came from China, India, the Arabs and other European nations and contributed significantly to the culture and economic advancement of the city-state (Your Singapore).. The trading importance of the region continued right until the second world war when the area was occupied by the Japanese on 15 February 1942. Following the war, the British empire went through a rapid period of de-colonization as their political strategies changed and Singapore was also made a Crown Colony in April 1946 and in the eventual growth of nationalism led to self-govenrment in 1959 under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew as prime minister. The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) was established in 1961 with an approximate budget of $100 million and the objective of making Singapore into an investor haven to encourage foreign direct investment (BBC News). Singapore joined the federation of Malaya in 1963 but pulled out of the agreement just 2 years later in 1965 due to political and ethnic conflicts. After that the territory became an independent entity and joined the United Nations. Since then Singapore has concentrated on achieving high levels of economic growth and living standards through its electronics manufacturing and financial services that are strong enough now that they were hardly impacted by the regional financial crises of late 1990s and early 2000s hence its title of one of Asia’s economic "tigers". At Independence Singapore was been left with some significant political, administrative and social foundations built by the British colonials. It can be debated that these foundations helped Singapore reach the heights that it is at now; at the very least the era does continue to influence its architecture and culture which showcases the empire’s architectural legacy in the iconic Old Supreme court building, Parliament House and other colonial edifices. While discussing the colonial history of the region it would be sensible to keep in mind that histories are often written by the victors, rulers and leaders of the area. Singapore was not one of those colonies which were ransacked by the colonials, but it still interesting to think about the hidden effects the arrival and leadership of the British may have had on the region and how many of them are clear in the written histories. One of the most proficient authors on the topic of colonial impulse and their impact on the colonies they established and later abandoned, V.S Naipul discussed these themes in his iconic novels including “A way in the World” (1994). The author talks about these conquests were often driven by the ambition of only certain men eager to re-invent their lives and opportunities. These men in turn then led a nation into global power, including the hold over the land of Singapore. But the consequences of these actions were not determined exclusively by the colonials but were influenced by a myriad of factors including the cultural heritage of the colony, the ethnic diversity as well as the unique economic opportunities that existed there. It is necessary that new historical accounts address these factors adequately in order that the colonial legacy of Singapore can be understood in the unique context of the region. 3. Historical Personalities Modern Singapore, the popular trading post came into being thanks to the efforts of a large number of personalities and groups of people who all contributed to the development of the city in unique ways. Conventional history however tends to focus on only one personality that is of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles who is lauded as the sole founder of modern Singapore and also the person who heralded the development of the city. The city itself pays homage to the man in form of statues, national monuments and historical documentation. However some researchers have now started to consider the contribution of other groups such as traders and merchants who actually made the city grow though their routine business efforts. Even when talking about the founding members of the British crown, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles was one of the three people who were the key figures in development of the trading post. British Residents William Farquhar (1819-23) and John Crawfurd (1823-6) helped to bring Singapore into existence; Farquhar was the person left in charge after Raffles had left the region soon after his discovery and he was the pioneer in setting up the administrative systems to govern Singapore. Crawfurd, a Scotsman, cannot be considered to be in the same league as Raffles and Farquhar but he was the person who signed the iconic treaty in August 1824 which actually established British presence in Singapore (Chew, p1). While Raffles can be said to be the man who originally had the vision of what Singapore could become with the right amount strategic direction and investment, Farquhar and Crawfurd were the ones who guided his vision into reality. “Farquhar, who by his energy, good sense and courage, nursed the infant settlement through its first dangerous years; and Crawfurd, shrewd and sensible, with his feet planted firmly on the ground, who converted into reality Raffles most practical dreams" (Chew, p1). As the leading administrator of the city, Farquhar was admired by the masses even more so than Raffles and his departure at the end of 1823 was marked by a grand farewell in honor of his services to the city. Besides the British residents there were countless Malay, Arab, Bugis, Chinese, Indian, and European notables (mostly traders) both known and the unknown who influenced the city’s life. The Malay Rajas had been a strong presence in Singapore since the early trading periods and they exerted a subtle control even after the treaty had been signed. Two of the Malay Rajas namely Sultan Hussein, whose followers occupied the Kampong Glam area and Temenggong Abdur Rahman, whose followers lived along the Singapore River had a large stake in the city’s residential and trading centers and were responsible for bringing a Malay flair into the local lifestyle (Chew, p2). After the Malay, the next notable group was that of the Chinese traders who established local ‘China Towns’ within the city and had a hold on commerce. The most notable of Singapores Chinese pioneers was Tan Che Sang, a native Cantonese who came to Singapore in 1819 after earning a fortune in Riau, Penang, and Malacca. He built the first warehouse in the city and was an agent for the travelling Chinese junks, diverting a large volume trading business towards Singapore. Another important personality was Chua Chong Long, son of the Kapitan China of Malacca, and the local Hokkien leader, who firmly established his people’s role in the Singaporean economy and lifestyle. From among the European settles, the Scotsmen were the most prominent contributors in the development of the city especially since they established the Singapore Chamber of Commerce. Alexander Johnston was the founding Chairman in 1837, and Alexander Guthrie was chairman in 1846 and 1847 (Chew, p3). The city also enjoyed the influx of Indian, Arabic and burgic travelers, traders and merchants who brought their own unique cultural and economic practices to the hub. While no true leaders or figureheads came from these groups, there were still popular personalities and wealthy patrons who rose from the ranks of these groups and their participation in the development of the city cannot be ignored. While the colonial empire produced the administrators for the port city, the direction and future of the city was derived from the efforts of all these different groups and personalities. Interestingly, Singapore may be among one of the world’s first “global villages”. Author Nayan Chanda described globalization as a process that has been going on ever since mankind first learned to travel; he states that globalization as a process is just a manifestation of the human desire for discovery and adventure (2007) and Singapore illustrates this exact principle. The British may have established the trading post but the inhabitants and local leaders were a diverse group who all pooled in their diverse cultures, mindsets and skills to develop a truly multicultural and tolerant (for its time) city-state. While the demographics of the population may no longer be as varied, the earlier society still continues to glimpse through the arts, architecture and traditions of the area. 4. Architectural style of the city The final step in understanding the true heritage of the city lies in the study of its colorful and vibrant architecture and culture. Modern Singapore is a melting pot of cultures which has a contemporary style of its own and is in a constant state of flux. The culture of the city can be experienced through its various galleries and museums that portray cultural expressions from a diverse range of ethnicities and backgrounds. These collections adequately show the influence of China, Malaysia and India on the overall culture of Singapore, however, for any new person visiting the city the biggest indicator of this history is through the architecture seen throughout the city (Bingham-Hall). Soo K Chan, the founding director of SCDA architects, has this to say about the juxtaposition of old Singapore architecture with the new “The traditional Singaporean architectural style is a bit of traditional British, such as classic Palladian, with a bit of Chinese influence. But once Singapore became independent, resources were so poor that it was dependent on importing services and ideas and encouraging foreign talent to come in. And that’s still the case, for architects, it’s a very contemporary, international and progressive place to work.” (Hall) The architecture of the city reveals a wide range of influence and styles from different eras and places: walking through the city one will observe traditional colonial style buildings, small Malay shop houses, Chinese bungalows; and high-rise glass-covered sky scrapers which are a testament to the increasing wealth of the city. The old British Colony glimpses from the works of the old colonial architects who heavily included classical colonial designs into local architecture such gothic style churches and Palladian and renaissance style government buildings. The government has protected these buildings as heritage sites and they are still being utilized as centers of activities. Examples include the Singapore Art Museum, Raffles Hotel, the Old Parliament House, the Churches of St. Peter and Paul, and Singapore National Museum. These grand buildings act as a contrast to the Malay shop houses which are also common throughout the region due to the generations of Malay residents in the area. Then there are the China Towns of the city and the Armenian street with its old Armenian Church, built by George Drumgoole Coleman in 1835 which provide more architectural dimensions to the city (Destination Asia). One more prominent feature of the Singaporean architecture that gives us an insight into the city’s heritage is the prevalence of different type of worship buildings from the colonial era which were constructed to accommodate the different belief systems of the various settler migrant groups. The multi-ethnic city boasts a variety of syncretic Chinese temples, Hindu temples, Sikh temples, Jewish synagogues, Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christian Churches as well as Sunni and Shia mosques- all constructed in the design and structures reflecting their origins (Bingham-Hall). These buildings were often funded by the groups themselves and there was no restriction of any kind on religious practices as the British Empire kept the influence of the Church minimal in their colonies. This allowed the migrants to practice their own religious beliefs in peace and to focus only on the business activities which were mutually beneficial for all. The modern architecture of city is now a representative of the economic strength and lifestyle changes that are now a part of the modern Singapore. The buildings from 1950s to the 1970s pay homage to the arrival of reinforced concrete and the Art Deco style as was suitable for the great urban renewal (Destination Asia). After the late 1990s, the government efforts shifted instead towards constructing “iconic” landmarks in the city to complement its historical landmarks. It is the perfect way to show the respect for their past while still moving towards a brighter future. \ Works Cited Hall, Zoe Dare. Architecture: Singapore’s shapely butterfly house. Financial Times, life and art. October 11, 2013. Web. 12 Sep 2014. Bingham-Hall, Patrick. A Guide to 21st Century Singapore Architecture. Pesaro Publishing, 2012. Destination Asia. Destination Singapore, Architecture. 2014. Web. 12 Sep 2014. Naipaul, V. S. A Way in the World. Knopf Publishing Group, New York, 1994. Chew, Ernest. Pioneers of Early Colonial Singapore 1819-1850. Talk given at the NUS Museums October 2003, RTC Magazine. Web. 12 Sep 2014. Your Singapore. A brief history of Singapore. 2013. Web. 12 Sep 2014. Peterson, Jane A. In New Textbook, the Story of Singapore Begins 500 Years Earlier. International Education, Asia Pacific. The New York Times, May 11, 2014. Web. 12 Sep 2014. Chanda, Nayan. BOUND TOGETHER, How Traders, Preachers, Adventurers, and Warriors Shaped Globalization. Yale University Press, New Haven, 2007. BBC News. Singapore Profile, Overview, Timeline. May 2014. Web. 12 Sep 2014 Read More