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| Hastings Road, just along the Little India Arcade |
Some of the streets in Little India bear names of colonial politicians or army personnel who served in India. This one we came across was named after Warren Hastings (1732 - 1818), who held the position as the first governor-general of India from 1773 to 1784.
Why use street names to commemorate a Governor-general of India here in Singapore?
I think that it is interconnected, as India was also a colony under the East India Company like Singapore. Thus, to commemorate and recognise Warren Hastings contribution in India, the street right here in this area where it was designated to the Indian communities in the straits settlement, was named after him. However, he was accused by the British Parliament for corruption and arbitrary acts. Newspapers showed updates of his Trials here in Singapore at that time.
Ironic you may say, how do we relate Warren Hastings to Singapore history...?
But I find it interesting - as if I have travelled to India and learn about their history as well.
If you are as interested as us to know more about Warren Hastings, Click the links below!
http://www.indhistory.com/warren-hastings.html
http://www.heritage-history.com/www/heritage.php?Dir=characters&FileName=hastings.php
References
[1] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1835-1869), 24 February 1842, Page 2
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| Warren Hastings Source: http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/History/British/hastings.jpg |
Why use street names to commemorate a Governor-general of India here in Singapore?
I think that it is interconnected, as India was also a colony under the East India Company like Singapore. Thus, to commemorate and recognise Warren Hastings contribution in India, the street right here in this area where it was designated to the Indian communities in the straits settlement, was named after him. However, he was accused by the British Parliament for corruption and arbitrary acts. Newspapers showed updates of his Trials here in Singapore at that time.
Ironic you may say, how do we relate Warren Hastings to Singapore history...?
But I find it interesting - as if I have travelled to India and learn about their history as well.
If you are as interested as us to know more about Warren Hastings, Click the links below!
http://www.indhistory.com/warren-hastings.html
http://www.heritage-history.com/www/heritage.php?Dir=characters&FileName=hastings.php
References
[1] The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1835-1869), 24 February 1842, Page 2
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