Chapter 2 – In the Beginning – The Lion City
2 different recounts of the birth of Singapore
Who / Year
How it started
When the reign ended
Why he left
Sejarah Melayu
Seri Teri Buana, Prince of Palembang / 1299
Decided to stay after he saw the merlion and renamed Temasek as Singapura
After 5 generations / 1396
Last king, Iskandar Shah betrayed by his official who opened the gates for invading Javanese forces
Portuguese recounts
Parameswara, Prince of Palembang / 1392
Fled Majapahit forces despatched to crush the rebellion he staged
After 4 years / 1396
Assassinated host who welcomed him. Fled the ensuing Thai forces set to avenge for the dead ruler
Accounts on the birth of Singapura
Sejarah Melayu
Portuguese accounts
“Singapura as an auspicious location, a new city to be established”
1299: Seri Teri Buana leaves Palembang, arrives, discovered and renamed the place as Singapura
Ends his reign after 48 years when he died, succeeded by his son
Reign ended after 5 generations, in 1396
Singapura was powerful and able to challenge Majapahit, the major hegemon in the archipelago
Why singapura had power?
Second ruler of Singapura, son of Seri Teri Buana, married to daughter of Tamil ruler of Kalinga
Singapura had standings among the indian kingdoms
Reason for its end: 1396, Last king, Sultan Iskandar Shah was betrayed by one of his officials , to the invading Majapahit
Iskandar Shah fled singapura, went to Melaka to set up a port-city
“Singapura as a refuge”
1392: Parameswara arrives after fleeing an unsuccessful uprising against Majapahit in Palembang; he then kills his host, and takes over Singapura
Reason for its end: 1396, Parameswara forced to flee from an invading Thai force sent to avenge the murder of its vassal
Chapter 3: Lure of the Chinese Market
Great civilizations of Asia: China, India and Middle East
Affected economic, social and political history of the coastal