Rade de Sincapour / Homme et femme Malais

Title

Rade de Sincapour / Homme et femme Malais

Description

Representation of the cotiy of Singapore and inhabitants of Malaysia

ca. 1830

Artist

Sainson de

Historical Description

The first records of Singapore come from Chinese texts of the 3rd century. The island served as the outpost of Srivijayareiches, which is native to Sumatra. Singapore originally had the Javanese name Temasek. In January 1819 Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, sales representative of the British East India Company, came to Singapore and founded the first British branch a month later in the same year. Therefore, he is considered the founder of modern Singapore. The island was previously populated by only 20 Malay fishing families and a hidawy for pirates. In 1867, the colonies in East Asia were reorganised and Singapore came under the direct control of Britain as part of the Straits Settlements. During the Second World War, Singapore was occupied by Japan in 1942 but returned to British control as a separate crown colony following Japan's surrender in 1945. Singapore gained self-governance in 1959, and in 1963 became part of the new federation of Malaysia, alongside Malaya, North Borneo, and Sarawak. Ideological differences led to Singapore being expelled from the federation two years later, thereby becoming an independent country.