East India company strategies in the development of Singapore

Israt Ara, Aniba and Islam, Arshad (2021) East India company strategies in the development of Singapore. Social Science, Humanities and Sustainability Research, 2 (3). pp. 37-55. ISSN 2690-3628 E-ISSN 2690-3636

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Abstract

Singapore in the Malay Peninsula was targeted by the British East India Company (EIC) to be the epicentre of their direct rule in Southeast Asia. Seeking new sources of revenue at the end of the 18th century, after attaining domination in India, the Company sought to extend its reach into China, and Malaya was the natural region to do this, extending outposts to Penang and Singapore. The latter was first identified as a key site by Stamford Raffles. The EIC Governor General Marquess Hastings (r. 1813-1823) planned to facilitate Raffle’s attention on the Malay Peninsula from Sumatra. Raffles’ plan for Singapore was approved by the EIC’s Bengal Government. The modern system of administration came into the Straits Settlements under the EIC’s Bengal Presidency. In 1819 in Singapore, Raffles established an Anglo-Oriental College (AOC) for the study of Eastern languages, literature, history, and science. The AOC was intended firstly to be the centre of local research and secondly to increase inter-cultural knowledge of the East and West. Besides Raffles’ efforts, the EIC developed political and socio-economic systems for Singapore. The most important aspects of the social development of Singapore were proper accommodation for migrants, poverty eradication, health care, a new system of education, and women’s rights. The free trade introduced by Francis Light (and later Stamford Raffles) in Penang and Singapore respectively gave enormous opportunities for approved merchants to expand their commerce from Burma to Australia and from Java to China. Before the termination of the China trade in 1833 Singapore developed tremendously, and cemented the role of the European trading paradigm in the East.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Bengal Presidency, British East India Company, Malay Peninsula, Marquess Hastings, Singapore, Stamford Raffles
Subjects:	D History General and Old World H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) > H51 History
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of History & Civilization
Depositing User:	Dr. Arshad Islam
Date Deposited:	07 Sep 2021 10:58
Last Modified:	07 Sep 2021 10:58
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/92013

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