Our visit to Singapore was a delightful experience. Previously, I had traveled to Singapore twice on a transit visa, but those visits only allowed me a brief glimpse of Marina Bay Sands for a couple of hours. This time, following my IGNOU MA Hindi examinations, we, a trip courtesy of my son, organized our itinerary as follows:
Day 1 – Buddha Temple, Art Gallery, Asian Civilizations Museum, and the light show at Marina Bay Sands.
Day 2 – Botanical Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Gardens by the Bay, and Marina Bay Sands.
Day 3 – Chinatown and Sentosa Island.
Regarding the duration of stay in Singapore, I believe that two days and one night would be adequate to experience the essence of the city. The overnight stay is essential to enjoy the illuminated views at Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay. The following day can be dedicated to visiting the Botanical Gardens and Sentosa Island before departing for Malaysia or returning to your home country by bus or flight.
As for accommodation in Singapore, most of the attractions mentioned are located within approximately 6 kilometers of Marina Bay Sands. Therefore, it is advisable to stay in that vicinity. Service apartments tend to be expensive, with rates starting at around INR 10,000 per day. These apartments come equipped with kitchens, but housekeeping services are provided only every three days. While staying in the Sentosa Island area is an option, I recommend choosing accommodations on the mainland.
In terms of transportation, Singapore does not have Ola or Uber services. Instead, it is recommended to download the GRAB app for taxi services. Given that Singapore is a compact nation, covering an area of 758 square kilometers, most major tourist attractions can be visited within 6 to 7 trips, each costing approximately S$10 if you are based in the Marina Bay Sands area. Due to the small size of the country, utilizing the “Big Bus” service is also practical, given most points of interest are within a 6-kilometer radius.
For dining, the GRAB app can also be used to order food. Indian cuisine is readily available, provided by Indian vendors, with meal prices ranging from S$7 to a maximum of S$10.
This account offers a perspective on the history of Singapore, informed by my explorations of various sites across the city-state. I traversed its streets in pursuit of historical inscriptions on granite stones, as well as monuments and museums, including forts.
Singapore’s most notable achievement is its establishment as a model cosmopolitan society, characterized by a rich tapestry of Malays, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indians, and other ethnicities. The nation rises above religious differences, promoting an extraordinary level of integration among its diverse communities. This unity was particularly evident in my observations of personnel in public offices, museums, and retail establishments. Such a harmonious coexistence is unmatched in any other nation. This integration may be a crucial element in Singapore’s advancement, as the country has consistently prioritized development while its citizens have placed their confidence in Lee Kuan Yew, who significantly influenced its political landscape from 1955 to 2015.
Reflecting on the historical narrative of Singapore, once again I reiterate, I have drawn insights from the statues, monuments, museums, and inscriptions etched in granite that are dispersed throughout the city.
In the 15th century, Singapore was governed by Parmeshwar, known as Sultan Iskander Shah in Malay records, who was the last ruler of the island. His reign was centered at Fort Canning, located approximately 3 kilometers from Marina Bay Sands. This fort has since disappeared from the landscape. Following Sultan Parmeshwar’s rule, the region came under the control of the Portuguese, Dutch, and subsequently the British.
In 1828, Singapore was formally placed under British administration through a treaty negotiated with the Sultan of Johor and British statesman Stamford Raffles. The Sultan received an annual payment of $5,000 in exchange of permitting the establishment of a seaport in Singapore. The state of Johor, a constitutional monarchy in southern Malaysia, continues to hold ceremonial significance, with coronations still occurring today.
Although few ancient monuments remain visible in Singapore, the government, led by Lee Kuan Yew, has made commendable efforts to preserve the nation’s history through the installation of numerous stone inscriptions, as well as the establishment of rich museums and art galleries. This initiative is truly noteworthy.
The following observations are derived from my engagement with these inscriptions. It is important to note that I do not claim to be a historian; rather, these reflections stem from my experiences as an ordinary traveler over the course of two to three days.
Let us begin with the Asian Civilizations Museum. Based on the information presented within this museum, it is evident that Singaporeans take great pride in the discovery of a shipwreck from the Java Sea. This vessel, which dates back to the 9th century during the Tang Dynasty of China, was laden with artifacts made of gold and ceramics. The museum showcases thousands of trade items, asserting that Southeast Asia has been a crucial hub for commerce since the 8th century. For a small nation that gained independence in 1965, this serves as a means to honor their ancestors, a vision that was emphasized by the Lee Kuan Yew administration. Today, the museum attracts thousands of visitors, both tourists and locals, on a daily basis.
We now proceed to Chinatown. We must transition directly from the 8th century to the 19th and 20th centuries, as there are no remaining monuments to commemorate King Parmeshwara, the Sultan of Iskander Shah from the 14th century. It is believed that his reign extended over the area of Fort Canning, which has largely disappeared. Currently, there is nothing of significance to observe in that location.
The following bronze statues are prominently displayed along the roadside of a street. They represent the Chinese migrants who arrived as laborers, often sharing a single 15×12 room with six to seven individuals, utilizing a communal bathroom and kitchen. These migrants faced extreme poverty, and the prevalence of diseases was significant. This street, known as Nankin Street, symbolizes the living conditions associated with squatter settlements.
The current Chinatown was a place of squatters and brothels during World Wars. A squatter is a person who is living in an empty building without the owner’s permission.
The situation during World War I in Singapore was relatively stable, with minimal direct impact. The British established a formidable naval base, constructing several forts, including Fort Canning and Fort Siloso. Presently, Fort Siloso is the only fort that has been preserved, situated on Sentosa Island. Unfortunately, this fort was rendered ineffective during the Japanese attack, which came unexpectedly from the north, an angle that the cannons were unable to target.
We intended to reach Sentosa Island via cable car, with each ticket priced at S$18. While Sentosa boasts numerous attractions, our visit was limited to Fort Siloso and the beach. It is important to note that the cable car journey requires two transfers.
During World War II, the British relocated their fleet from Singapore to other regions, which facilitated Japan’s occupation of Singapore and resulted in the surrender of 60,000 British soldiers. However, in 1945, the British successfully reclaimed Singapore.
The current state of Singapore, following its independence, can be attributed to the reforms implemented by its inaugural Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew. It is noteworthy that in response to concerns regarding a potential invasion from Malaya in 1965, Israel provided assistance to Singapore in developing its military capabilities, and Singapore has since become a significant purchaser of arms from Israel.
A war memorial is situated in the heart of the city, in close proximity to the Asian Museum. This memorial comprises three distinct monuments: one dedicated to the Indian National Army, another honoring World War veterans, and a third commemorating the “Struggle against Communist Malaya.” Singapore possesses a unique characteristic in that, despite having only a few remaining monuments, they have preserved these historical elements through stone inscriptions and model statues that authentically represent that era.
While Singapore experienced relatively minor impacts, it was still compelled to confront Japanese invasions, resulting in the loss of some of its citizens’ lives during these conflicts.
We conclude this article with a visit to the Buddha Maitreya temple. The year of its construction is not documented anywhere. This temple is also located in the heart of the city.
Epilogue
Modern Singapore has largely overshadowed its historical monuments as one explores the city. The British colonial rule, which began in 1818, neglected the preservation of its forts, leading to their destruction. However, Singapore has made significant efforts to revive these fleeting memories through the establishment of museums, art galleries, and the installation of inscriptions on granite stones throughout various streets.
I will talk about the modern part of Singapore in the next article—Singapore: Gibraltar of the East.
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