History of Singapore City

The Naming of the City

The medical tourism destination of Singapore has been known by various names throughout its history.  However, the history behind its current name is arguably the most interesting.  During the days when the city was under the control of the Srivijaya Empire, one of the nobles took shelter on the island during a storm. He thought he saw a lion on land, and proceeded to name the island “Singapura” or the “city of the lion” (there are no records of indigenous lions in Singapore, so this story is either a legend or the noble saw a tiger instead).  Singapore slipped into the hands of the Johur kingdom in the 16th century, and thereafter began a period of inactivity till the arrival of Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819.   

British Rule

Sir Stamford Raffles, then the Lieutenant Governor of Bencoolen, arrived in Singapore on 29^th January 1819 with the aim of setting up a new trading port.  He quickly signed a treaty with the ruling Sultan of Johur, and in 1867, Singapore became a part of the British Empire.  For all practical purposes, Singaporeans regard Raffles as the founder of their island, and you’ll find dozens of landmarks commemorated him during your medical tourism vacation.  Under the administration of the British Crown, Singapore developed rapidly and was soon a strategic economic center in the region. 

Modern History

In 1941, the Japanese marched into Singapore and used it as a launch pad during their quest for SE Asian domination.  When the Japanese surrendered after the end of WWII, the city reverted back to the crown until 1963 when the country joined the Malaysian federation.  When Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Yuan Kew refused to allow special economic privileges to the Malays, Singapore was expelled from the Malaysian federation.  On August 9, 1965 Singapore was declared an independent state.  In the years since, Singapore has blossomed into a modern-day success story.  Its economy is one of the most robust in the world, and the city remains a major hub of finance, hospitality, multiculturalism and medical tourism.

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