These are the summarised notes of History, so if you need to take down some notes or some stuffs, I would suggest you taking out a pen and a foolscap pad.
Please note that the blog is protected and you are unable to just copy and paste down the notes.
Teehee!
So anyway, this post will be on the first chapter that will be tested, which is:
- Chapter ONE: Was there Singapore before 1819
So, let us begin. I will only post the points that are important and those that Mr Edgerton (History teacher) said that would be tested.
Chapter ONE = Was there Singapore Before 1819?
With the help of Artifacts and Written evidence, Singapore was known to exist as a fishing village before the 1819.
It was then known as Temasek.
Let us look further into the two types of evidence.
Artifacts
Artifacts are human-made objects, such as a tool, weapon or ornament, especially those of archaelogical or historical interest. There are 2 important and main artifacts which proved that Singapore existed before the 1819.
1. Singapore Stone
- One of the earliest artifacts left behind in Singapore
- A large rock measuring 3 meters wide and high
- Found 150 years ago, located at the mouth of Singapore river
- Some inscriptions were seen on the stone, but historians could not decipher it, they believed that writing dates back to the 12th or 13th century.
- Shows that there were people who lived in the ancient times could read and write, but in an unfamiliar language, unknown to use today
- Tells us that Singapore, better known as Temasek then, existed a long time ago
2. Jewellery, Porcelain, stoneware and earthern ware
- Found at Fort Canning Park
- Dated the 14th Century
- Believed to have been brought by visitors/traders from Majapahit as they were similarly designed to those produced by the Majapahit Empire
- Blue & White porcelain pieces reflected that there were ancient Chinese traders who traded in Singapore
Written Evidence
These are historical records such as maps, minutes of meetings, official court documents etc. It helps us to better understand things that happened in the past.
1. The Melayu Sejerah
- Proved that Singapore was called 'Temasek' in the 13th and 14th centuries
- Was believed to be founded by a Malay ruler from Sumatra called Sang Nila Utama, who renamed 'Temasek' into 'Singapura', meaning Lion City
- Singapore was said to be often attacked by its stronger neighbours like the Siamese and Javanese who both wanted to make it part of their empire
- A fort was then built to ward off these attacks, at Fort Canning Hill
- Was dangerous to trade in Singapore due to the many pirate attacks
2. Chinese Records
- Earliest written records on Singapore was by a Chinese traveler called Wang Dayuan, who visited Singapore in the 14th century
- Recored that Singapore was a great and famous place with many foreigners visiting
- Singapore then was a trading centre where Chinese traders brought valuable goods to sell
- Proved to have some Chinese living on the island who dressed like the local people
Archaeologists
- Tries to find artefacts that existed long time ago by digging anywhere that was appropriate
Decline of Singapore
- A Malay chief named Parameswara murdered the local ruler and made himself the new ruler of Singapore
- Parameswara was soon driven away, Singapore lost its important place
- He fled from Singapore and found a new city at Malacca, which became the biggest trading city in Southeast Asia
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Thankyou!
Weishi!
Labels: History