History of Singapore

Singapore is one of the well known tourist destination of Southeast Asia. It is a small city state situated at the southernmost tip of Malayan land. Every year millions of tourists visit this amazing destination. But only a few known that the land also has an amazing history. The history of Singapore is as fascinating as the city-state itself. You are sure to find the history of Singapore very interesting. Knowing the history of Singapore will also help you to understand the city in a better way.

The present site of Singapore was known by several names in different time in history. The written record of Singapore dates back to 2nd century. At that time this small island was a small fishing village in the mouth of the Singapore River. It was also a trade port that had some influence on the trade of the country. There are many cartographic references for the city being an important trade port. In the writings  of the  Greek  astronomer Claudius Ptolamaeus we  can  find  mention of the  place  where Singapore is situated  today. 

In the  Chinese  account  that dates back  to  third  century Singapore is  mentioned  as the  island of Pu Luo Chung as  the island  at the  end. The  mythological  Sejarah  Melayu has  was  a state  of  a prince of  Srivijaya dynasty who  landed  in  the island in 13th century. Here he saw a  lion and founded  a  settlement there and  named  it Singapura – the  Sanskrit  meaning  of  which  is  Lion City.

This is an interesting account of how the small fishing village got its present name.  You are sure to find the historical account of naming Singapore very interesting.   Though the city state is not  very large it  has a wide and  varied  history  that  can be very  interesting  to  people who are interested in  history of places.