Location of Singapore
Note Malaya, Sumatra, Java
Now Raffles. Born to a struggling merchant captain and his wife on a homeward trip from Jamaica, Thomas Stamford Raffles (1781-1826) grew up in poverty. Leaving school at 14, he started working in the East India Co. in 1795 as a clerk. So he taught himself the sciences and languages, then he was appointed Ass Sec to Penang/George Town’s newly formed government, under Gov Philip Dundas.
Raffles portrait
by George Francis Joseph, c1817
In Penang in Malacca Strait, established to give Britain a centre in the Dutch-held East Indies, Raffles shaped his career by studying the language, history and culture of Malayans. His work attracted Lord Minto, Gov Gen of India, just when Napoleon was using Java to ruin UK’s long-distance ships to China. Keen to remove Java from French influence, Minto made Raffles his agent in 1807.
Entrusted with more authority than in Penang, Raffles established his headquarters in Malacca (SW Malaysia). Rewarded by an appointment to Minto’s staff, Raffles sailed with him to Java, where the expeditionary force landed in Aug 1811; after a short struggle with the Dutch-French forces, they invaded the island. Minto gave credit for the success to the very able Raffles and recognised the young man’s administrative ability and his anxiety for the Javanese. When Minto sailed for Calcutta, Raffles was immediately proclaimed Lieut Gov of Java!
Stamford Raffles statue, honoured at Victoria Memorial Hall & Theatre
Now the centre of discussions over his legacy and that of Singapore's colonial rule.
His successes in learned London society got him elected to the Royal Society, and in May 1817, Raffles received his knighthood from the Prince Regent later King George IV! Yet he never regained the Co.’s full confidence. Thus when he resumed his Eastern service, it was with limited authority; he became Lieut Gov of the decrepit, fever-ridden port of Bengkulu Sumatra. There he saw the Dutch regain possession of the Indonesian archipelago, enforcing a complete, commercial monopoly.
Raffles wanted to extend British influence in S.E Asia. In Dec 1818, he left for Calcutta, searching for a new British settlement to replace Malacca; it was one of the many British territories returned to the Dutch under the Treaty of Vienna. He used his wide knowledge of Eastern affairs and his persuasive skills to convince Gov Gen Lord Warren Hastings of India that forceful action was essential to safeguard British trade with the Far East. Hastings’ power to establish a fortified post east of the Straits of Malacca meant they opened the gateway to the China seas. Without a strategic British trading post in the Straits, the Dutch could have gained control of Straits trade.
In Dec 1818 Raffles left Calcutta, searching for a trading site for the East India Co. He landed at Singapore aboard the Indiana in Jan 1819. Ably assisted by Scotsman Maj Gen William Farquhar, Raffles met hereditary chief Abdul Rahman to negotiate for a British trading post to be established on the island. He quickly signed an official treaty with Chief Abdul Rahman, establishing Singapore as a British settlement and trading post. The Union Jack was proudly hoisted!
Disobeying orders about not offending the Dutch, Raffles withdrew his recognition of Sultan Abdul Rahman’s dominion over Singapore and installed Abdul Rahman’s elder brother Hussein instead. The Sultan had been under Dutch control, so the Dutch were not happy with Raffles’ actions! Worse still for the Dutch, Raffles inaugurated reforms to transform the Dutch colonial system, improving the locals’ lives.
In 1822, Raffles reorganised the administration and assigned Lieut Philip Jackson to build the first bridge across the Singapore River. Plus he needed a town plan to remodel Singapore into a modern city, so he formed a Town Committee for the project, including a navy leader and an important merchant. They had to design the Jackson Town Plan (1822) according to Raffles’ orders, comprising separate housing for the different ethnic groups, and providing roads, schools and government buildings.
Very busy Singapore River
after Raffles established the settlement as a free port
Raffles also organised the administration of justice to ensure peace and order in Singapore. He founded the Resident Court, appointed magistrates and implemented trial by jury. He also reduced immoral activities eg public gambling, slavery and cock-fights.
In Jan 1823 Raffles devised Singapore’s Harbour policies and regulations, to establish the settlement as a free port. NB Singapore had been chosen specifically because of its strategic geographical location, to compete with other ports under Dutch control.
Raffles was keen for an Institution of Higher Learning/later Raffles Institution to: educate the sons of the Malay chiefs; teach the native languages to East India Co. officers; and collect literature on the country’s traditions and laws. He laid the foundation in Jun 1823.
In 1824 an Anglo-Dutch treaty ceded Singapore Island to the British. In 1826 Singapore, Penang and Malacca were combined as the Straits Settlements to form an outlying residency of India. They were soon reduced to a residency under Bengal, and 2 years later Singapore became their capital.
Seeing his work in establishing Singapore was finished, Raffles sailed home. In London his vast collections of natural history won him acclaim as a skilled Orientalist. Sadly the young, overworked Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles died of a brain tumour in 1826. Raffles' important collection of Indonesian antiquities was later donated to the British Museum by his nephew.
later renamed as the Raffles Institution
12 comments:
Quite an amazing man, especially in administration and getting people on board with his ideas. I expect he had some very high level support to have such freedom.
Andrew
young men growing up in the nobility, with expensive silver spoons up their orifices, went to the most exclusive boys' schools and universities, and started their colonial careers well placed by their patrons.
But Raffles had none of those privileges. Yes he had major support from colonial leaders who saw his talents and commitments, but patronage for men like Raffles comes and patronage goes. I wonder what would have happened, had he lived a normal life span back in the UK.
Was Raffles literally the founder of Singapore? I have just been in Singapore and recommend that Raffles should see what his island state looks like now!
Joe
although William Farquar fans might want to split the credit, Raffles understood the importance of a strategically located centre for British trade in the Straits. I hope he is proud of his huge city now.
A behind-the-scenes look at Singapore's grand hotel, Raffles, as it undergoes restoration. An iconic structure synonymous with refinement, elegance and service, it stands in one of the world's most modern cities, unchanged for over a century.
1. Go behind the scenes at one of the world's most historic and iconic hotels: Raffles Singapore and meet the team of designers and workers charged with bringing raffles up to date.
2. Follow the interior teams, designers, restorers and workers as they chase around the clock in order to get Raffles ready for its grand reopening.
Foxtel thank you. Unbelievable that the hotel started in 1878, 50 years after Raffles died. Even now, people who have never heard of the founder of Singapore still know that Raffles Hotel is one of the most famous anywhere.
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JDS
thank you. Do you have a special interest in Raffles?
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