The
history of Singapore began as early as the 3rd Century when a Chinese account
described the island at the tip of the Malay peninsula. Singapore rose in importance
during the 14th century under the rule of Srivijayan prince Parameswara and
became an important port until it was destroyed by Portuguese raiders in 1613.
The modern history of Singapore began in 1819 when Englishman Sir Thomas Stamford
Raffles established a British port on the island. Under British colonial rule,
it grew in importance as a centre for both the India-China trade and the entrepôt
trade in Southeast Asia, rapidly becoming a major port city.Five centuries later, it was again the scene of significant fighting during World War II. Singapore was considered an impregnable fortress, but the Japanese overran the island in 1942. After the war, Singapore became a Crown Colony. The growth of nationalism led to self-government in 1959 and on 9 August 1965, Singapore became an independent republic.
History Tours Reservation Form
