Wednesday 29 September 2010

Singapore – old views – 1947 – 1948


Singapore in 1947 – 1948
Scenes from years past, some of which can still be seen today.
Raffles Hotel (top), Chinese Junk (bottom), The Golden Sultan Mosque (right) and a snake charmer.

How Singapore gets her name

During the 13th/14th century, in Palembang (situated in Indonesia) there lived a Prince called Sang Nila Utama aka Sri Tri Buana(who was the son of Raja Chulan, a great king of South India) Hunting wild animals and merry making was how he passed his time. Bored and tired with the usual 'Istana' (Palace) routines, he decided to set sail to a nearby island to search for new adventures.

While onboard the ship, Sang Nila Utama saw a small island, which he was told to be called 'Temasek'. He instructed his crews to stop at the island. While sailing, suddenly the sea turned violence, with great storm turning the great ship down, threatening to swallow the ship into the ocean. The Captain has thrown all cargoes and goods overboard hoping that it could lighten the ship's stability but it doesnt seems to work. He begged Sang nila Utama to throw overboard his heavy gold, bejeweled crown which the Prince was wearing. Ironically it seems to work, and they finally arrived to the island 'Temasek'.

It was a beautiful island with white beach, plants with bright flowers and birds chirping. Suddenly he saw a strange creature in the jungle, an animal which he has never seen before. It was large with black head, reddish body and white chest. It looks fierce and was passing bye arrogantly and it was simply magnificient.

He was then told by his assistant, the animal that he just saw was a lion. So Sang Nila Utama decide to name the island 'Singa Pura' (direct translation to English - Proud Lion) or Lion City and declared himself as the ruler.

(I found the legend here)

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