Singapore's Strategic Significance During The Different Periods

Numerous evidence had been uncovered, and reports and archaeological findings especially, certainly suggest that Singapore was largely strategic between the period of Temasek, in the 14th century, and late 17th century. However, to conclude that Singapore was hence always strategic would probably be too much of an overstatement. This essay will discuss Singapore's strategic significance, with the support of this evidence, during the different time periods. During the 14th century, trade was already ongoing between the West, South Asia, and East Asia. The Melaka Straits was crucial for traders to sail to and fro the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea. Sailing in the past depended on wind direction, thus ships had to stop in Southeast Asia (SEA) to wait for a change in wind direction to bring them towards either China or India [1].

Singapore was hence a strategic port because she was located in the SEA and along Melaka Straits, making it a convenient stopover hence the center of international trade [2]. Bits of celadon (from China), Chinese coins [3] , fragments of stoneware (mainly from Guangdong and South Fujian) and earthenware (from Sumatra, Java and Borneo) [4] and under-glazed blue and white stem cup (more expensive of porcelains from Jingdezhen during Yuan Dynasty) [5] recovered support the above claim as they suggest extensive trade links Temasek had with China and SEA, and that its inhabitants, especially the wealthier ones inhabiting Fort Canning, were able to afford the more exquisite products of Jingdezhen [6] .

Temasek then was able to attract maritime trade by providing unique products that rival ports were unable to supply. Recorded by Wang Da Yuan in Daoyi while [7], Temasek supplied indigenous products like hornbills casques of excellent quality. Found only between north of Malay Peninsula and South of Borneo, traders can only lay their hands on it at Temasek or Palembang [8]. Though Lakewood was in abundance, Temasek was one of the five ports that offer those of middle-quality [9]. Celadon, whitewares, and stonewares uncovered at Riau Archipelago, dating back to the period of Temasek, had patterns and craft similar to those imported from Temasek [10].

Furthermore, the origin of glass beads of Riau Archipelago and Temasek should be identical given similar compositions [11]. Hence, Temasek probably served as a collection center and an entry to export for Riau Archipelago [12]. In this case, the evidence does suggest that Singapore was prospering and had an influence on the regional economy and was thus strategic. During the 15th to 17th centuries, though Singapore declined slightly when Temasek was relocated to Melaka, fragments of under-glazed blue porcelains found at Kallang River [13] , and Portuguese maps which indicate the presence of a shahbandar's office [14] , as elaborated in (b), suggest that she retained some of its strategic significance as a port by maintaining some trade with China. As mentioned, is one of the strategically situated along the Melaka Straits, the power that was able to erect a strategic dominance around the waters around Singapore would be advantaged in terms of security and economically. The Dutch had wanted to destroy Luso (Portuguese-Spanish) monopolies in the SEA when they first started attacking Portuguese trading ships around Singapore waters and declared war with the Portuguese when they raided Santa Catarina and auctioned off its products [15]. This saw the naval battles between the Dutch and Johor Sultanate, and Portuguese and Acehnese in the early 17th century and gave rise to the considerations of fortifying Singapore by both powers [16]. Jacques De Coutre proposed to build forts at the east coast of Singapore and Muar River estuary and station a naval fleet at Sentosa to protect Portuguese trading ships from the Dutch [17]. Dutch had the same places in mind for their fortification plans [18].

Till this point, the Dutch and Portuguese reports do suggest that Singapore was strategic. However, the plans never realized, which made us rethink if Singapore was really that strategic after all. Singapore's strategic significance took a turn in the 18th century. There was not much evidence to prove this period of time, but by reference to my contextual knowledge, we know that the Dutch shifted their focus from the Melaka Straits to the Sunda Straits, Portuguese diverted their trade to Japan having difficulties trading in the Melaka Straits and Johor Sultanate relocated their capital to the Lingga Archipelago, shifting the maritime silk road southwards [19] .

Singapore lost its value with the declination of Melaka Straits and was abandoned. She no longer held any strategic significance to participants of the maritime trade. Perhaps it is precisely that not much evidence was found that dates back to this period of time that it suggests that trading activities in Singapore were kept to its minimum. Moreover, no coins or porcelains were uncovered that dates beyond the Song and Yuan Dynasty, and the Ming Dynasty respectively [20], further supporting my contextual knowledge.

It is evident that Singapore's strategic significance changes with time, depending on human-related factors such as politics and economics, and hence is relative. The evidence may seem to imply that Singapore was always strategic, but when viewed from another angle, they can also suggest otherwise as stated in the previous paragraph. Therefore to say that they suggest that Singapore is always strategic may be a little too extreme.