Contributions of Immigrants to Singapore as a Trading Centre.

Contributions of Immigrants to Singapore as a Trading Centre

B. Building the Settlement

Indian Labourers From 1824 to 1854, the convict population in Singapore numbered about 3,000.

Important source of labour in early Singapore: cleared jungles, constructed buildings and built roads. Sometimes, they were made to perform tasks such as hunting tigers and dealing with gangsters.

Recap: Source B from Historical Investigation

From 1825 to 1867, criminals and people banished from India were sent to Singapore. These convicts built roads and well-known landmarks such as St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sri Mariamman Temple and Government House. They reclaimed land from marshy areas, which created more land for development in Singapore.

Adapted from an account by Rajabali Jumabhoy, a prominent Gujerati businessman who arrived in

Singapore in 1916.

B. Building the Settlement

Sri Mariamman Temple in 1890s

Why would the building of Sri Mariamman Temple aid traders and settlers in Singapore?

Sri Mariamman Temple in 21st Century

Look at this tablet about the early history of Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Who were the main contributors?

Social Services such as medical services initially left to private organizationsMost schools often run by clan associations or funded by missionaries and local philanthropists.

Provision of Social Services

Tan Tock Seng Helped to provide social

services to improve the lives of the people

Built the Chinese Paupers' Hospital

Provision of Social Services

Tan Tock Seng Hospital

Why did the British decide to provide social services?

The prosperity of Singapore depended entirely upon its use as a commercial emporium. This use is so gravely threatened by dangerous infectious diseases that other places had begun to impose quarantine regulations against Singapore. His Excellency (the Governor) earnestly urge the Commissioners in Singapore to strengthen their Health Department so as to fight the diseases.

Adapted from “Contesting Space: Power Relations and the Urban Built Environment in Colonial Singapore” by

Brenda S.A. Yeoh

Death Rate: Very high in the first half of the 19th Century.

Provision of Social Services

Singapore’s death rate was higher than that of Hong Kong, Ceylon or India, ranging between 44 and 51 per 1,000. Although large-scale outbreaks of diseases were rare, common killing diseases such as tuberculosis, beri beri and malaria were serious. These diseases were caused by poverty, overcrowding, malnutrition and dirt. There was neither adequate water supply nor a proper system of waste disposal.

Adapted from “A History of Singapore, 1819-1988” by Constance Mary Turnbull

Provision of Social Services

King Edward VII College of MedicineThe General Hospital(1925), now known as the Singapore General Hospital

Source D A table on health care expenditure for the Straits Settlements during the late British colonial period from the Straits Settlements Blue Book

Year Health Care Expenditure * SS$

Annual Rate of Increase Per Cent

1877 77,412 - 1883 93,911 3.5 1900 193,551 6.2 1901 195,422 1.0 1911 4,178,742 203.8 1921 8, 747,969 10.9 1931 11,755,555 3.4 *Includes Singapore.

Provision of Social Services Recap: Source D from Historical Investigation

Singapore Quarantine Station on St John’s Island, 1900 The crowd of people were waiting for their health examination.