After visiting the Lee Kuan Yew memorial exhibition on level 2 of the National Museum, I proceeded to the basement to visit yet another exhibition - Singapura: 700 Years.
History is one of my favorite subject in school so how could I miss it?
I studied South East Asia history in school and I would like to attribute my keen interest in the subject to my history teacher, Ms Lau Gek Moi who managed to make her lessons unboring.
I studied South East Asia history in school and I would like to attribute my keen interest in the subject to my history teacher, Ms Lau Gek Moi who managed to make her lessons unboring.
Entering the gallery, I was thrown back into the pre-Colonial days when the then Temasek was still a Sultanate. Bit by bit, like fragments of a long forgotten memory, the story of Parameswara and the invasion from the Majapahit Kingdom all came flooding back.
Yes, Singapore began as a Malay fishing village ruled by Sultans. According to the Sejarah Melayu, Temasek was an uninhabited island until Sri Tri Buana decided to settle there around 1299.
Sri Tri Buana
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Princely descendent of
Alexander the Great |
Founded Singapura
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-
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Ruled for 48 years
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Sri Pikrama Wira
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Elder son of
Sri Tri Buana
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Fended off an attack by Majapahit forces
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-
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Ruled for 15 years
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Sri Rana Wikerma
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Son of
Sri Pikrama Wira
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Badang was his war chief
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-
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Ruled for 13 years
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Paduka Sri Maharaja
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Son of
Sri Rana Wikerma
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Killed the boy who defended Singapura against a Swordfish attack
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-
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Ruled for 12 years 06 months
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Sri Sultan Iskandar Shah
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Son of
Paduka Sri Maharaja
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Betrayed by his treasury officer in revenge for humilitating his daughter
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Majapahit forces attacked Singapura
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Ruled for 03 years
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During the 1800s, the British arrived.
Singapore was colonized and turned into a bustling port.
Singapore was colonized and turned into a bustling port.
A diorama depicting a view of Commercial Square in the 1850s
All along, I have thought that "Keling" was a generic derogatory term to call the Indian/Tamils
In 1942, the Japanese Forces forced their way into our homeland. General Percival surrendered to General Yamashita at the Ford Factory thus began our darkest history.
A Japanese language guided tour for some Japanese ladies. I wonder what went on in their mind as they learnt about the atrocities committed by Japan during the Japanese Occupation.
Ration card to purchase cooking oil
Operation Sook Ching
This is a diorama depicting Japanese soldiers screening Chinese men during the Japanese Occupation in Singapore. From 21 February to 04 March 1942, the Japanese carried out Operation Sook Ching to weed out anti-Japanese elements among the Chinese community.
In 1966, the Japanese government agreed to pay $50 million in compensation. Part of this compensation money was used to fund the building of the Civilian War Memorial in Beach Road.
After the Japanese Occupation ended, the people began to rebuild their lives and homeland. I believe this is where Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his political life came in in the history of Singapore.
Who do you think this person resembles?
On 09 August 1965, Singapore was kicked out of Malaysia.
Unemployment, poverty and unsanitary living conditions needed immediate solutions. Those were tumultuous times but under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew, HDBs were built - we had a roof over our heads and our standard of living improved.
We may be a relatively young nation but we have definitely come a long way. Do visit Singapura: 700 Years exhibition at the National Museum Of Singapore if you are interested to learn more about our nation building.
This exhibition is held at galleries 1 and 2 at the basement of the National Museum from 10am to 6pm daily. The exhibition is from now till 10 August 2015.
Admission is free for citizens and PRs. Admission fee is applicable for international visitors.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE
93 Stamford Road
Singapore 178897
Telephone:
(+65) 6332 3659 / (+65) 6332 5642
Opening Hours:
10am - 6pm daily
Last admission at 5.30pm
http://www.nationalmuseum.sg
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