National Museum of Singapore

Some photos about Singapore’s history, taken at the National Museum of Singapore, in chronological order.

Singapura (1299 - 1818)

Crown Colony (1819 - 1941)

Rickshaw (1880s - 1930s)

Rickshaws were in Singapore’s street between 1880s-1930s. Here is a video of Hock Lam Street (now replaced by Funan Centre) during 1920-1929. In 1911, the British colonial government banned double-seater rickshaws on humanitarian grounds. In 1947, all types of hand pulled rickshaws were banned thanks to the development of pedal trishaws in the 1930s.

Syonan-To (1942 - 1945)

Syonan-To means “Light of the South.”

British return (1945 - 1959)

In 1959, the British granted Singapore self-government, which marked the first general election of Singapore in the same year. Singapore wanted to be a part of Malaya (Malaysia) in order to ensure its economic survival and also halt the spread of communism. However, this merger survived for only 2 years from 1963 to 1965 due to political disagreements. “Thanks to” this separation, Singapore became independent on 9 August 1965.

Singapore (1965 - present)

Taken at National Museum of Singapore (30/09/2021)