Chapter 2: Important Things - Singapore's Early Trade History

Vocabulary flashcards covering the rise and fall of Srivijaya, early Singapore, Melaka, and the Johor Sultanate based on the lecture notes.

Straits of Melaka

The quickest maritime trade route between China and India in Southeast Asia, control of which provided safe travel, reduced supply costs, and lower risk of pirate attacks.

Srivijaya

A powerful empire with a strong navy that suppressed piracy within its empire, which began to decline after external threats and invasions around 1025 from the Chola Kingdom, Siamese Kingdom, and Majapahit.

Goods Sought After by the Chinese

Specific trade commodities heavily in demand by China, including hornbill casque, ivory, cotton, and sea cucumbers.

Early Singapore (14th Century)

A trading centre that rose during the 14th century (1301–1400 CE) as trade between China and Southeast Asia increased.

Temasek

The small island settlement (early Singapore) that was vulnerable to external threats from larger regional powers, including attacks launched by Majapahit.

Melaka Sultanate

A dominant regional trading centre established as a vassal of China for protection, controlling much of the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra while overshadowing Singapore after the 15th century.

Orang Laut

Melaka's naval forces who made Singapore their home, keeping Singapore strategically important to Melaka despite its trade being overshadowed.

Cape of Good Hope Route

A maritime route established around the south of Africa connecting Europe to India, which allowed European nations to bypass the eastern Mediterranean.

Johor Sultanate

A new kingdom established by the successor of the Melaka Sultan after the Portuguese takeover, under which Singapore regained trading functions lost during Melaka's dominance.

Shahbandar

An official present in Singapore under the Johor Sultanate whose duty was to oversee foreign trading communities and issue trading licenses.

Batavia

The site where the Dutch established their main base in 1619 as they shifted attention towards the Sunda Straits and Java and away from the Straits of Melaka.

Sultan Mahmud Shah II

The childless Sultan whose assassination in 1699 led to the capital of Johor shifting to Riau, moving trade decisively away from Singapore.

Bintan

The main regional centre of trade and business activities that replaced Singapore as a centre of trade in the 18th century.

14th Century Climatic and Economic Collapse in China

Severe weather pattern changes, droughts, and famines in 14th century China that collapsed its economy, causing Southeast Asian trade to suffer and reducing Singapore's wealth.