Sign In

One of The Earliest Printed Views and Plans of Singapore

This rare early birdseye view and plan of Singapore (with text) offers a fascinating glimpse into the nascent stages of the city, approximately ten years following its establishment by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1819.  

The upper section of the piece features a serene and detailed birdseye view of early Singapore, as seen from Government Hill. The perspective covers pivotal areas such as the burgeoning commercial stretch along the Singapore River, the residential and administrative district known as the Plain, and the densely populated Chinatown. The view, originally based on a painting by Royal Navy Captain Robert James Elliot, encapsulates the city's early vibrancy, showcasing a multitude of buildings, thriving port activities, and a diverse mix of ships, suggesting Singapore's rapid growth as a regional trading hub.

Below the panoramic view is a meticulously drawn plan of the city, labelled "Plan der Stadt Singapore." This map segment provides a structured layout of streets, significant buildings, and the town's fortifications, offering insights into the urban planning and architectural style of early 19th-century Singapore. The delineation of the city is marked by clear and orderly streets, signifying the British colonial influence on urban development and organization.  This would seem to be a near exact copy of the highly influential Jackson Plan (see below).

The accompanying text on the verso, presented in German and French, elaborates on the historical context of this burgeoning colonial outpost. It notes the city's significant increase in population and diversity, with a considerable number of Chinese, Malays, and Indian inhabitants, alongside a smaller European community, giving facts up to 1827.   

Textual Analysis: The accompanying texts, in German and French, offer a profound narrative on Singapore's establishment and demographic evolution. The settlement, described as highly important and flourishing, was transformed from a minor fishing village into a crucial trade center and free port, attracting a diverse population due to its burgeoning commerce.

1. Founding and Sovereignty: Singapore was founded at the beginning of 1819 by the British and came under their full sovereignty in 1824, reflecting geopolitical changes in the region.

2. Population Growth: Starting from a few hundred Malay fishermen in 1819, the population surged to 10,683 by 1824, and by 1827, it reached 18,732, showcasing rapid growth and economic opportunity. This did not include 2,500 foreigners, 1,800 soldiers, and 600 convicts, indicating a complex, multi-ethnic community.

3. Demographic Details: The detailed demographics in 1827 showed a diverse population, including 6,088 Chinese, 4,700 Malays, 1,242 Bugis, 777 from the Coromandel and Malabar coasts, among other ethnic groups. This multicultural makeup underlines Singapore’s role as a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities from early on.

4. Urban Structure: The city was divided into three distinct areas: the Malay area housing the Sultan of Johore's residence; the European quarter with public buildings, barracks, etc.; and the Chinese city, indicative of the ethnic compartmentalization that characterized early Singapore.

The Jackson Plan

The Jackson Plan, also known as the Raffles Town Plan, represents an ambitious urban blueprint for the nascent colony of Singapore, conceptualized in 1822 and subsequently published in 1828. Named after Lieutenant Philip Jackson, the colony's engineer and land surveyor, the plan was designed to impose order on the burgeoning settlement founded just three years earlier. This plan, guided by the directives of Stamford Raffles, sought to transform Singapore into a well-organized and efficient hub, laying the foundation for its future growth and development. Although the plan was not fully realized, its influence persists in the city’s modern landscape.

Singapore's founding by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819 marked the beginning of a significant transformation for the island. Raffles envisioned Singapore as a strategic trading post and issued initial instructions for its development to William Farquhar, the colony’s first Resident and Commandant. Farquhar, prioritizing immediate economic growth, allowed the town to develop haphazardly to accommodate the rapid influx of trade and settlers. Upon his return in 1822, Raffles found the town in disarray, with merchants encroaching on designated government areas. Dissatisfied with this unplanned expansion, Raffles established a Town Committee, including notable figures such as Alexander Laurie Johnston, George Bonham, and Captain Charles Edward Davis, to oversee the development of a more structured urban plan.

Raffles issued comprehensive instructions on November 4, 1822, outlining his vision for the orderly development of Singapore.  Key elements of his plan included reserving the area between the Old Lines and the Singapore River for government use, allocating specific zones for different ethnic communities, and designating the sea front for public purposes. Raffles anticipated that the Chinese community would become the largest and accordingly allocated a significant area for them southwest of the Singapore River, with designated spaces for commerce and other activities.

The plan also detailed the placement of European and Indian settlements, as well as areas for the Bugis and Arab communities. Raffles advocated for regular and uniform street layouts, with specific recommendations for the width of streets, the intersection of roads at right angles, and the arrangement of buildings. His vision extended to the materials and features of the buildings, aiming for a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing urban environment.

While the Jackson Plan was a forward-looking scheme, not all of Raffles' instructions were implemented. The practicalities of immediate needs and the existing settlement patterns influenced the extent to which the plan could be realized. Nevertheless, the plan served as a crucial guideline for the early development of Singapore, promoting a structured approach to urban growth. The committee consulted representatives from various ethnic communities, ensuring that the proposed resettlement aligned with the interests of the diverse population.

The plan, as first published by John Crawfurd in 1828, remains a testament to the visionary planning that underpinned Singapore’s transformation from a modest trading post to a thriving metropolis.

Rarity

The view and plan are extremely rare.

The only source we could identify for this map suggests that it was included in a German Children's book, entitled Bertuch-Bilderbuch für Kinder enthaltend eine angenehme Sammlung von Thieren, Pflanzen, Blumen, Früchten, Mineralien, Trachten, published in Weimar from about 1790 to the 1820s, although curiously, the title page of the volume illustrated is the 11th Volume and dated 1824.