In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Britain wanted safe trading bases and repair ports along the Straits of Melaka to protect its trade route between India and China. Three port towns were slowly gathered under British control and later joined together.
Three ports, three ways
- Pulau Pinang (Penang) was obtained by Francis Light in 1786 from the Sultan of Kedah, who hoped for British protection against Siam.
- Singapore was founded by Stamford Raffles in 1819 after an agreement with local Malay rulers.
- Melaka was handed to Britain by the Dutch under the Anglo-Dutch Treaty (Treaty of London) 1824.
Key idea
The Treaty of London 1824 divided the Malay world along the Straits of Melaka: lands to the north (including Melaka) fell to the British, and lands to the south (including the Riau-Lingga islands) to the Dutch.
Birth of the Straits Settlements
In 1826, Britain combined Penang, Melaka and Singapore into one unit called the Straits Settlements (Negeri-negeri Selat). It was first administered by the English East India Company. The first capital was Penang, but because Singapore's trade grew so quickly, the capital was moved to Singapore in 1832. Joining the three ports made trade easier to defend and control, because they could share defence, laws and money under a single government instead of being run separately.
These free ports handled tin, spices and other goods flowing between India, China and the Malay states. Their success made them the base from which the British would later push their power inland into the Malay states.
Remember
- Penang 1786 · Singapore 1819 · Melaka 1824.
- Straits Settlements formed 1826 = Penang + Melaka + Singapore.
- Capital moved from Penang to Singapore in 1832.