EXPANDING SINGAPORE'S HISTORY

Singapore's history has hitherto been a rather straightforward narrative of progress. It usually begins with the founding of the island by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1819, and continues after that by paying close attention to the political, economic and social developments which helped lay the foundations for the successes present-day Singapore enjoys. Such a narrative tells only part of the story and is moreover told from a particular perspective which elevates the status of the nation-state of Singapore at the expense of other just as significant historical factors, such as physical geography, and regional and international geopolitics.

The publication of Singapore – a 700-Year History: From Early Emporium to World City hopefully marks the beginning of a shifting of historical perspectives and emphasis on Singapore history. It challenges the view that there is nothing of historical significance before the founding of Singapore by Raffles in 1819. Indeed, the founding of Singapore by Raffles is only dealt with in the seventh of fifteen chapters of the book. The preceding chapters discusses the position of the island in the broader contexts of regional histories and mythologies, as an outpost for successive Malay and Southeast Asian kingdoms, as one of many nodal points for the China trade and European rivalries, which resulted in the contest for the waters around Singapore. By the time Raffles stepped onto the island in 1819, the reader is already well aware that Raffles' actions were by historical comparison not very unique.

Singapore – a 700-Year History pulls together a variety of historical sources, both conventional and unconventional. The pre-1819 histories found in the first five to six chapters have their roots in the archaeological evidence uncovered since the early 1980s and a more systematic searching of the Dutch, Portuguese and lesser extent, Spanish archives for a new reconstruction of what was happening on and around Singapore between the fall of Melaka and Raffles' arrival.

Published by the National Archives of Singapore,Singapore – a 700-Year History is perhaps one of the better-illustrated history books on Singapore. One possibly unique feature of the book is the use of contemporary art to demonstrate the transformation of Singapore's landscape after independence in 1965, featuring works by Singaporean artists in their attempt to capture construction and reclamation work, a Housing and Development Board (HDB) estate, and even an image of a three-dimensional collage of an artist's impression of the Singapore River before its clean-up during the 1980s.

The appearance of Singapore – a 700-Year History seems timely in what appears to be an exciting time for the writing of Singapore history. There is a younger generation of Singaporean historians and scholars who, unfettered by the trials and tribulations of national development after 1965, are challenging the narrow historical narratives of progress and development.