What was Singapore like before 1819

11 September 2014

Introduction:

Singapore was bustling and popular with maritime trading  before 1819 when Sir Stamford Raffles came. It was a prosperous trading port. Singapore was rich as many countries traded there, hence it usually faced danger as pirates attacked it for goods. Below are political, economical and social aspects of Singapore before 1819. 

Political Aspect( Done by Elroy)

 Source 1: Javanese style gold ornaments( from National Museum)

This armlet bears a repousse plaque of the javanese kala,which traditionally adorns the top of main entrances of temples,and are still found in many parts of Indonesia. The rings each with socket joint and wire hinge are set with diamonds. These were found at Fort Canning Hill in 1928 by labourers excavating for a reservoir. The site engineer recorded that the ornaments were lying just beneath the top of the pre-colonial soil strata, indicating their existence before the British arrived in 1819. These East Javanese style of these solid gold ornaments is a reminder that in the 14th century, the island of Singapore was under the political and cultural ambit of the East Java-based kingdom of Majapahit.

Source 2: Stemcup (online resourse)

A fragment of a blue and white stemcup possibly for wine, of a type used mainly by the Chinese elite, turned up at the Fort Canning Park site. This shows that the elite class living on the hill could afford the best products of the Chinese kilns at Jingdezhen. Perhaps it was owned by a denizen of the royal palace at the “hollow summit”, as described by 14th-century Chinese traveler Wang Dayuan.

Economical Aspect( Done by Cindy)

1st Source(Artefact from the National Museum):

Blue and white porcelain stem cup and shards

 The porcelain shards was possibly from pots and bowls. They were only produced at Jingdezhan during the Yuan Dynasty in the early 13th Century. They were found at the Fort Canning Park site. Which means that these was brought to Singapore for trading when trading took place in the 14th Century. 

2nd Source(Artefact from the National Museum):

Chinese coins

These Chinese coins were found at Fort Canning Hill. The oldest dates to the Tang Dynasty(618-906)and most dates back to the Song Dynasty(960-1279). People from China came to Singapore with their Chinese coins probably used for trading for something more valuable. Thus, we can infer that Singapore had many immigrants coming in and there were economic trading.

3rd Source(Book resourse):

Headless horseman

This artefact was possibly from Java, found near The Singapore River in 1998. This statue was the only statue found in that area. As a result, it might not have been locally produced but traded with someone from Java.

Social Aspect( Done by Ying Jie&Jeric)

Source 1:Chinese coins (online resourse)

Chinese coins found at Fort Canning Hill which bore inscriptions as Yuanfeng Tong Bao which replaces locally-minted gold and silver as currency in the 14th century. This shows that chinese culture had influenced the people living in Temasek which resulted them to change their coins previously to chinese coins.

Source 2: Wang Da Yuan's Account

The source stated that Wang Da Yuan, a Chinese merchant that traveled to Asia, had seen Singapore and wrote that Singapore had rich hinterland and local products were in demand. He also wrote that there were local Malays and Chinese living together. From this we can infer that the lifestyle the people had was probably peaceful and the people had lived together harmoniously.

Acknowlegding Copyright

For political sources:
Source 1

Title: Javanese-style gold jewellery discovered at Bukit Larangan (Fort Canning Hill)
Site accessed: http://www.sgcool.sg/eMP/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=collection&objectId=328681&viewType=detailView
Date accessed:16th Sep 2014


Source 2
Title: World of Temasek
Site accessed:http://worldoftemasek.com/index.php/article/archaeology
Date accessed:20 Sep 2014

For economic sources:

Source 1

Title: Chapter 2 (Section 5) Singapore's connections with the world from 13th to 15th c

Site accessed: http://prezi.com/94nyz9jh5sqf/chapter-2-section-5-singapores-connections-with-the-world-from-13th-to-15th-cen/

Date accesed: 9 Sep 2014

Source 2

Title: Singapore before 1819

Site accessed: http://prezi.com/wutay3aspsni/singapore-before-1819/
Date accessed: 9 Sep 2014

Source 3

Title: In New Textbook, the Story of Singapore Begins 500 Years Earlier
Author: JANE A. PETERSON
Publisher: The New York Times
Date of publication: May 11 2014

For social sources:

Source 1:
Title: History of early Singapore
Site accessed:source : http://lovaticshiproject.blogspot.sg/2014/03/historians-learn history.html?m=1
Date accessed:16 Sep 2014

Source 2:

Title: Singapore before 1819
Site accessed: http://prezi.com/wutay3aspsni/singapore-before-1819/
Date accessed: 20 Sep 2014

Our Group Reflection

Through this historical investigation and the trip to the national museum , our group have learnt how to infer about the past by using the artefacts found online , in books and at the museum . We also learnt how to research and find information to support our stand . Through this historical investigation , our group have learnt more about the past before 1819 through the different aspests, social, economical and political. We have also found out that we have to acknowledge our findings either through internet or books.

Group members:

Elroy Seah (Group Facilitator)

Chua Ying Jie (Secretary)

Jeric Poh (Checker)

Cindy Chua (Archivist)