Early history of Temasek

Chinese traders en route to India had plied the waters around Temasek for at least the 5th century AD, though the records of Chinese sailors as early as the 3rd century refer to an island called Pu Luo Chung.

By the 10th century at the peak of Srivijaya’s powers Temasek was at most a small trading post.

According to Malay legend around 1390, Sumatran prince Parameswara rebels against Majapahit and is driven out by the Javanese. He established himself as ruler of Temasek from 1391 to 1397.

As early as the 14th century, Temasek was viewed as the nexus of the trade routes in Southeast Asia. 

Archeological evidence dating from the late fourteenth century suggests that Temasek is engaged in prosperous commerce.

In 1398, Temasek is attacked by invading Majapahit. While Majapahit Empire seems to have conquered Temasek, its practice was not simply to take control of a territory and govern it as its own. Instead, the Majapahit raided a city, looted the wealth, enslaved the population, and burned any structures still standing. 

The departure of Parameswara was precipitated by a Siamese intervention in 1400 and the island’s commercial activity practically ended. It then became a center of piracy closely connected with the Sultanate of Malacca.

The Johor-Riau-Lingga Empire, a Malay maritime empire, made a living from ships passing through the Straits of Malacca.

At that time Temasek competed with rival polyglot ports along the Straits of Malacca coasts, such as Palembang, Jambi, Kota Cina, South Kedah, Lambri and Samudera.

Portuguese writer, Joe de Lisboa, reported in 1526 that a town in Temasek had been destroyed by the Portuguese.

Reports from the late 1500s continue to mention Temasek, as well and both Portuguese and Dutch documents from the early 1600s mention the presence of a harbor master, which is a person of great significance in the Malay royal establishment.
Early history of Temasek