Lion City Narratives: Singapore Through Western Eyes fulfils four aims. First, it is a study of subjective Western impressions of Singapore's 145 years (1819-1963) of colonial history. The study is not meant to be an in-depth historical analysis of Singapore, but rather to give the reader an impressionistic account of how Western residents viewed Singapore over the decades. Second, this study could be seen as a short biography of Singapore's evolution as a city. The chapters on the imageability of Singapore and its urban morphology provide a holistic perspective of Singapore's urban dynamics. Third, this book provides a cultural insight into Singapore's population, both White residents and transient visitors, as well as the locals or Asians. Fourth, it opens a window into Singapore's development at a time when the West was at its cultural zenith and when Great Britain was the principal superpower of the 19th century. Hence Singapore carried twin colonial legacies — it was the archetype trading emporium between East and West, and it became, for the British, the major point d'appui for defence. Finally, the Singapore colonial narrative is set in a broader academic discourse that allows the reader to see a wider picture of Singapore's colonial development.The book does not attempt to make a definitive statement about the Western involvement in Singapore; it deals more with an association of many subjective Western perspectives that add colour to the liveability of the tropics, perceptions of the exotic Orient, and the myriad views of ethnic groups. Without the Western writings, paintings, and maps, academia would have minimal records of Singapore's development. As a new colony in the early 19th century however, Singapore's growth has been extremely well documented.This book will appeal to Singaporeans interested in understanding Singapore's colonial past, Westerners interested in the Western cultural persona in the development of Singapore, researchers dealing with the urban development of less-developed countries and colonial development in the tropical world, and lastly, academics who are interested in Singapore and the region's political and economic development as a case study.

Now that this study is completed and I wish to make due acknowledg ment to all those who have in any degree contributed towards its realization, my thoughts turn in the first place to the one to whom this book is dedicated. It is a great grief to me that he who took such an intense interest in my work has not lived to see its conclusion. It was he who in the beginning urged me to venture upon this course of study and whose encouragement helped me in moments of de spondency. The high standard which, with his keen and critical judgment, he set for his own work, was an example to me, and I shall strive to maintain it in my future studies. Not only did he help me to lay the foundation of my knowledge of archive science, but he was also my guide in a field new to me in many respects, that of Asian maritime trade. His wide knowledge of medieval European trade in the Baltic area led me to compare and contrast the two worlds of East and West and thus helped me to obtain a deeper insight into the differences and similarities between the various problems involved. I am greatly indebted to Prof. Dr. J. M. Romein, who has followed the progress of my studies with great interest all these years, and on whose help and support, sometimes in very difficult circumstances, I have always been able to rely.

I really applaud your efforts. It's really difficult to do a book like that.- WAZIRThanks again for your immense work, my family and I are indeed extremely grateful.- AZLANYour effort in writing about the early Muslim doctors is very commendable and would be good for present and future generations to read about.- TAHIRYou are doing valuable work by filling in the gaps in our history. Iwish more of our retirees would impart their memories to repositoriesof knowledge such as the USM.- TAWFIK

Chapters on Asia features selected papers written by scholars who have been awarded the National Library’s Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship. These works examine the history and heritage of Singapore and the region, and contain fresh research based on materials and resources from the collections of the National Library and National Archives of Singapore.

This history covers mainland and island Southeast Asia from Burma to Indonesia. Volume I is from prehistory to c1500. Volume II discusses the area's interaction with foreign countries from c1500-c1800. Volume III charts the colonial regimes of 1800-1930 and Volume IV is from World War II to 1999.

Human populations, to a skilled analyst, tell a dramatic story: In what direction is a country headed? What are its strengths and weaknesses, its potential disaster areas, its most promising human resources? What do the changes observed here—from the early history of Singapore to the present time—mean to the future of the country and the region? In South Asian studies, which have suffered from a lack of data, Singapore Population in Transition is a major contribution. It is more than the best and latest statistical study of the area. The author writes with the insight of a resident observer and throws light on race and culture contacts, cultural accommodation among the peoples, separatism, urbanization and political history.

Since the nation-state sprang into being in 1965, Singapore literature in English has blossomed energetically, and yet there have been few books focusing on contextualizing and analyzing Singapore literature despite the increasing international attention garnered by Singaporean writers. This volume brings Anglophone Singapore literature to a wider global audience for the first time, embedding it more closely within literary developments worldwide. Drawing upon postcolonial studies, Singapore studies, and critical discussions in transnationalism and globalization, essays unearth and introduce neglected writers, cast new light on established writers, and examine texts in relation to their specific Singaporean local-historical contexts while also engaging with contemporary issues in Singapore society. Singaporean writers are producing work informed by debates and trends in queer studies, feminism, multiculturalism and social justice -- work which urgently calls for scholarly engagement. This groundbreaking collection of essays aims to set new directions for further scholarship in this exciting and various body of writing from a place that, despite being just a small ‘red dot’ on the global map, has much to say to scholars and students worldwide interested in issues of nationalism, diaspora, cosmopolitanism, neoliberalism, immigration, urban space, as well as literary form and content. This book brings Singapore literature and literary criticism into greater global legibility and charts pathways for future developments.