History Notes

682: Srivijaya emerges as the dominant kingdom in the Malay Archipelago.
1025: The decline of Srivijaya begins with an invasion by the Chola Kingdom from India.
1299: Sang Nila Utama (Sri Tri Buana) arrives in Temasek, renaming it Singapura.
1400: Parameswara (Iskandar Shah), a prince from Palembang, establishes a trading port at Melaka.
1490s - 1500s: European voyages of discovery lead to economic expansion and increasing conflicts among European maritime powers in Asia.
1511: Melaka falls to the Portuguese.
1528: Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah II, son of the Melaka Sultan, establishes the Johor Sultanate.
1600s - 1640s: Conflict intensifies between the Dutch, Spanish, and Portuguese as they compete for trade.
1619: The Dutch establish a permanent trading base in Batavia (present-day Jakarta).
1641: Melaka falls to the Dutch.
1699: The Johor Sultan Mahmud Shah II is assassinated, leading to a political crisis in the Sultanate.

Geographical Location of Singapore:
- Located in Southeast Asia, south of China and east of India.
- Influential civilizations such as China and India actively engaged in extensive trade.
- Chinese goods (silk, ceramics) and Southeast Asian commodities (spices, wood, shells) were highly sought after in Europe.

The ancient Silk Road, a network of land routes connecting China through Central Asia to the Roman Empire, was vital for trade.
However, the maritime routes became more popular due to increased dangers on land.

Emergence of trading ports in Southeast Asia facilitated travelers from China, India, and the Middle East, who would stop to:
- Acquire supplies (food, water).
- Repair ships.
- Wait for favorable weather conditions.
Wealth generated from trade led to the formation of small maritime kingdoms, like Srivijaya and the Melaka Sultanate.

Southern Tip of the Malay Peninsula:
- The Straits of Melaka is a crucial waterway for ships traveling from China to India.
- Shortens voyages and lowers supply costs (less food and water needed).
- Minimizes risks from piracy and accidents.
Influence of Monsoon Winds:
- Monsoon winds (southwest: June - September; northeast: December - March) significantly influenced maritime travel.

Control over the Straits was sought after by various powers: Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, British, and Japanese, shaping Singapore's development.

Benefits from Maritime Trade:
- Southeast Asia's location was advantageous for trade with China.
- Srivijaya developed around Palembang, establishing stability and suppressing piracy.

By the 11th century, Srivijaya faces threats from:
- The Chola Kingdom.
- The Siamese Kingdom.
- Majapahit from Java.
Decline shifted trade northwards, benefiting emerging ports, including early Singapore (Temasek) as a trading center.

External threats from larger kingdoms (Majapahit and Ayutthaya) significantly weakened Singapore.
Climatic Changes: Major weather shifts in the 14th century caused famines and economic declines in China, negatively impacting trade.
Formation of Melaka Sultanate in c. 1400 further eclipsed Singapore’s trading prominence due to its strategic harbor for traders.
Islamic Influence: Parameswara's conversion attracted Muslim traders to Melaka, increasing its trade volume and stability.

Revived trading functions lost during Melaka’s dominance, establishing trade routes with China.

Political changes in the mid-17th century led to a decrease in trade activity, especially after the Dutch focused southwards.
By the 18th century, regional ports like Riau outpaced Singapore as trading hubs.

### Background

1600: Founding of the British East India Company (EIC) and Dutch East India Company (VOC).
1784: Johor-Riau becomes a vassal of the Dutch after military defeat.
1786: British establish a trading post in Penang.
1789: Outbreak of the Napoleonic Wars.
1811: Britain seizes Java from the Dutch; Sir Stamford Raffles becomes Lieutenant-Governor.

1812: Unexpected death of Sultan Mahmud Shah in the Riau islands.
1814: Anglo-Dutch Treaty signed; Britain agrees to return Java and Melaka to the Dutch.
1819: Raffles establishes a trading post in Singapore; appoints Major William Farquhar as Resident.
1824: Signing of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty formally designating Singapore under British control.
1826: EIC forms the Straits Settlements by grouping Penang, Melaka, and Singapore.

Singapore's advantages included:
- Natural sheltered harbor.
- Unoccupied status by the Dutch.
- Accessibility for large vessels; freshwater supplies.
- Strategic halfway point for trade between India and China.

Post-Mahmud Shah, leadership shifts to his younger son; Raffles recognizes Sultan Hussein as the true heir to secure trade rights.

1824 Anglo-Dutch Treaty ensured the Dutch acknowledged British influence in Singapore.
*Treaty of Friendship and Alliance: Grants British full control over Singapore after negotiations between Crawfurd, Hussein, and Abdul Rahman.

Major William Farquhar's Contributions:
- Established defenses against the Dutch.
- Implemented free port policy, attracting trade by exempting fees.
Raffles’ Vision: Designed town planning suitable for ethnic groups, ensuring order in administration.
Dr. John Crawfurd's Role: Continued trade policies and governance post-Raffles.

Encourages trade without taxes, contributing to rapid economic growth and attracting diverse traders.

Transitioned governance from EIC to India Office and later to Crown Colony status.

Population escalated from 150 in 1819 to about 6000 by 1821.
Challenges of Law and Order: Rising crime rates coincided with population growth; demands for an enhanced police force led to developments in policing under figures like Thomas Dunman.