THE ISTANA , livre ebook

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175 pages

English

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As a working palace, the Istana is tradition firmly rooted in the present. It has links with Singapore's colonial past, being first a nutmeg plantation owned by a British businessman, then office to the colonial government and later becoming the seat of Singapore's first President after independence. Today, it houses the offices of the highest office holders in Singapore - the President and the Prime Minister. It is also a place where ordinary Singaporeans celebrate extraordinary achievements. The grounds of the Istana reflect Singapore's vision of its future as a city in a garden, flowing from its old rain trees, orchids, spice shrubs and formal gardens. From its perch on a slight hill, the Istana looks upon the heart of Orchard Road, in many ways acting as the country's heartbeat. This book presents the definitive work on the Istana - its history, its building, its grounds, and the people that are part of it. With authoritative, accessible text and stunning photography to guide you along the way, let us welcome you to the Istana.

Sujets

Histoire

Singapore

History of Asia

Singapour

Informations

Publié par	Marshall Cavendish International
Date de parution	24 octobre 2019
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9789814868808
Langue	English
Poids de l'ouvrage	7 Mo

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T he ISTANA
The arcaded verandah lends shade and shelter while ensuring thorough ventilation. Suspended from the ceiling of the verandah at regular intervals are bell-shaped white opaline glass pendants that impart a touch of muted elegance.
T he ISTANA
THIRD EDITION

CONTENTS

09
10
42
120
164
165
166
168

Foreword
The History
A Tour of the Istana
A Palace for the People
Acknowledgements
Image Credits
Bibliography
Index

FOREWORD

The Istana marks its 150th anniversary this year, in the same year that Singapore
is also commemorating its Bicentennial. This is a good moment to reflect on how
far we have come as Singaporeans, and how the Istana s evolution reflects our
shared history as one people.
From the building s hybrid design and the historic events that have taken
place within its walls, to the way the grounds serve as a living record of
Singapore s botanical and trading heritage, the Istana embodies Singapore s
rich multicultural tapestry and longstanding identity as a regional hub.
Over the years, the Istana has received many distinguished foreign leaders
and hosted many significant state events. It is also the site of Singaporeans
collective memories, where many outstanding contributors to our society have
been honoured and recognised. Since the first Open House in 1960, the Istana
has also been opened to public five times a year, attracting tens of thousands
of visitors each time.
More recently, the Istana has played host to many community groups at picnics
and garden tours. We have also invited the help of dedicated volunteers to guide
visitors, help tend the gardens, and organise activities for the disadvantaged.
I am glad that, over time, we have made many beautiful memories here at the
Istana. This book tells its story and the many people who are a part of this story.
I hope the book will inspire more to appreciate the Istana s place in the heart
and history of Singapore.
Halimah Yacob
President of Singapore
THE HISTORY
The British Union Jack still flew from the central tower of Government House during the twilight years of colonialism after the Japanese Occupation.
1822: THE FIRST GOVERNMENT HOUSE
Although Stamford Raffles, an administrator of the British
East India Company, is regarded as the founder of modern
Singapore, the total period of time he actually spent on
the island was quite brief. His longest - and final - stay in
Singapore occurred in 1822, lasting some eight months.
During this time, he commissioned the construction of a
dwelling that eventually became the first Government House,
the precursor of today s Istana.
More than two years after first landing in Singapore in
1819, Raffles returned to the island for a last visit in October
1822. He arrived from Bencoolen (now Bengkulu City,
Indonesia), where he had served as the Lieutenant Governor.
In poor health, he wanted a home conducive to recuperation,
and settled on a site on Bukit Larangan (present day Fort
Canning). The hill lay within the increasingly bustling
township that had grown up along the Singapore River, and
was free from the fevers and dysentery of the rural areas,
while its elevation ensured cooler temperatures.
The spot also had a rich history - it was believed to be the
seat of the ancient kings of Singapore. Bukit Larangan means
Forbidden Hill, and this name may have originated from a

Above: Sir Stamford Raffles, who founded Singapore in 1819, had his home at Government House. It was sited on Forbidden Hill and the slight elevation was thought to make the air cleaner and more congenial to his weak health.
Opposite: The first Government House took in a wide vista from its elevated position and overlooked the original St Andrew s Church, then without tower or spire.
The History 13
The Istana 14

royal practice of forbidding commoners to ascend the hill. Its
northern slope was purportedly the burial place of Iskandar
Shah, one of these kingly figures. In a letter, Raffles mused
that if [his] bones must remain in the East, they would have
the honour of mixing with the ashes of Malay kings .
Following the arrival of the British in Singapore in 1819,
Resident William Farquhar had planted a flagstaff flying the
British flag on Bukit Larangan, partly to dispel rumours of
ghosts and hauntings. Raffles bungalow was sited close to
this flagstaff, and it was designed and constructed by George
D. Coleman, a young Irish architect.

GEORGE D. COLEMAN
Coleman became a consequential figure in Singapore s early architectural and urban development. As an architect, he was responsible for iconic buildings such as the Armenian Church and the Old Parliament House (now The Arts House). As the first Government Superintendent of Public Works, he constructed North Bridge Road and South Bridge Road. Singapore s Coleman Street and Coleman Bridge are named after him.

Building commenced in the last week of December 1822,
and a mere fortnight and $900 later, the bungalow was
completed. It was 100 feet wide and 50 feet deep, and had
rough plank walls and a thatched roof of attap palm fronds.
Reviews of the new dwelling were mixed. Some praised
its picturesque surroundings and panoramic view of the
town s Commercial Square (later renamed Raffles Place and
still the heart of Singapore s financial district). Others felt it
was cramped and ramshackle, comparing it unfavourably
to grander establishments owned by some of the island s
European inhabitants.

Above: The view from the top of Bukit Larangan (Forbidden Hill) overseeing Boat Quay and the old harbour.
Opposite: Southern central Singapore in 1833 as captured on a map based on a survey by George D. Coleman shortly after he was appointed Superintendent of Public Works and Land Surveyor. The Irish architect also designed the first Government House, where Sir Stamford Raffles lived.
The History 15
The Istana 16

Raffles left Singapore for good in 1823, barely five months
after moving in. John Crawfurd, who succeeded Farquhar
as Resident, moved in, and undertook some renovations
- the first of many subsequent repairs, refurbishments and
additions made by Singapore s colonial administrators. In
1836, this building became the Government House when
the centre of administration for the Straits Settlements shifted
from Penang to Singapore, but plans and petitions for a more
presentable alternative continued to recur.
The fate of this Government House was only sealed in
1859. Two years earlier, a mutiny against British rule had
erupted in the garrison town of Meerut, India, and spread to
other parts of the country. This turn of events underlined for
Singapore s colonial authorities their need for a more robust
defence against threats both foreign and domestic. The latter
might include unrest sparked by local pirates, Chinese secret
society members, and Indian convicts.
In this context, the sweeping view from Bukit Larangan
became a strategic advantage for military fortifications. In
1859, the first Government House was demolished. The site
was renamed Fort Canning (after Charles John Canning,
who had served as the Governor-General of India during the
quelling of the 1857 Indian Mutiny), and became home to
seven 68-pounder cannons facing seawards.
1869: A NEW HYBRID EMERGES
In 1867, Singapore became a Crown Colony as a part of
the Straits Settlements, which also comprised Melaka and
Penang. This meant that the Colonial Office in London now
controlled its administration, rather than the government of
British India. Harry St George Ord became the first Colonial
Governor of the Straits Settlements, and put plans for a new
official residence into motion.
First, he found a site - a little over 100 acres of a
former nutmeg plantation, belonging to the estate of
merchant Charles Robert Prinsep. The undulating plot was
approximately 40 metres above sea level, and bounded by

Colonel William Farquhar was appointed Singapore s first Resident shortly after its founding by the British and he ran the island in Sir Stamford Raffles absence.
The History 17

Top: Paintings from the 1830s to 1840s depict views of the hill on which Government House was built. The top left image shows the perspective north of the Singapore River and Presentment Bridge (c. 1822, the first bridge built over the Singapore River, also known as the Monkey Bridge). The top right image captures the original Armenian Church (erected in c. 1835-1836) and on its right the Christian burial ground where early Europeans and Chinese Christian settlers were interred.
Bottom: Raffles described the view from the location of his future house, which included such sights as St Andrew s Church and the bay in the distance, as of unequalled beauty and interest in a letter to the Duchess of Somerset. Such a view is envisaged in the 1852 painting.
The Istana 18

Artist s impression of early Singapore showing the Singapore River and town centre. Beyond the river is the old harbour (Johnston s Pier area).
The History 19

Orchard Road to the south, Cavenagh Road to the west, Bukit
Timah Road to the north, and Mount Sophia to the east. It had
excellent views of the town and the harbour, and was close
to Commercial Square.
John Frederick Adolphus McNair, the Chief Engineer
at the Public Works Department, drew up plans for a new
Government House to be built on this site, and a foundation
stone was laid in July 1867. But the project met some hurdles.
Based on his first set of blueprints, McNair had estimated a
cost of $100,000 for land, furnishings and landscaping. The
Legislative Council accepted this budget, but this proved
to be insufficient when the final approved architectural plan
called for a much larger building than originally intended.

A painting capturing the activities that took place in and around the Padang. Wealthy residents would travel on horseback or in carriages.
The Istana 20
The Histor