Early History of George Town, Penang

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Early History of George Town A UNESCOWorld
Cultural Heritage Site
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1st Century The Straits of Malacca is part of
the historic trading route between East and West.
Map source http//www.flickr.com/photos/doremon36
0/3730036366/in/photostream/
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5th-18th Century Growth of several small ports
in the Straits of Malacca.
Map source http//www.pinebrookmaps.com/servlet/t
he-2347/antique-Indochina-Southeast-Asia/Detail
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Photo source The Encyclopedia of Malaysia Early
History
Bujang Valley
5th-13th Century Sungai Batu (Bujang Valley) of
Kedah was a popular transhipment centre for
merchant ships traveling between Arab, India and
China.
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In the 15th century, the port of Melaka prospered
and overshadowed Bujang Valley as an important
entrepot in the Straits of Malacca.
Photo source Malaysia A Pictorial History
1400-2004
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The 15th century navigational chart by the
Chinese Admiral Cheng Ho - marked Melaka as a
significant port Pulo Pinang as a rest and
re-fitting stop in the Straits of Malacca.
Photo source Historical Origins of Malaysian
States
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In the late 16th century, a British investor
James Lancaster, in search of spices, stopped at
the isles of Pulo Pinaom (Penang Island) for
water and supplies.
Photo source Glimpses of Old Penang
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European traders competed to capture the existing
ports in the Straits of Malacca in order to
control the lucrative trade.
In the 18th century, the British set their eyes
on Penang with intention to exert their control
over the Straits.
In the 16th century, the Portuguese captured the
port of Melaka.
In the 17th century, the Dutch captured Melaka
from the hands of the Portuguese.
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Photo source Penang under the East India Company
1786-1858
The island of Penang (belonging to the Sultanate
of Kedah) was inhabited by indigenous Malay
communities from the region. In 1786 (18th
century) Captain Francis Light, on behalf of the
EIC, negotiated the rental of Penang Island from
the Sultanate of Kedah. He developed Tanjong
Penaga, a cape on the northeast of the island, as
a trading settlement.
State of Kedah
Penang Island
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Photo source Malaysia A Pictorial History
1400-2004
11 August 1786 - Light took possession of the
island in the name of King George III of England
for the EIC. The island was named Prince of
Wales Island and the town George Town.
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1790s - To kick-start the trading settlement
Francis Light invited prominent traders and
settlers from other ports along the Straits to
set up business and settle down in George Town.
Photo source Penang Views 1770 1860
Photo source Penang Views 1770-1860
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This trading settlement, governed by the British,
attracted several waves of migrants from Asia and
Europe. Peoples of different origins contributed
to the settlements growth.
Photo source Penang Views 1770 1860
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European Settlers in George Town
First Wave of Europeans Late 18th Early 19th
Century
The majority of early Europeans were from the
Asian region. They were EIC officials and their
relatives, merchants, traders, plantation owners
and some professionals such as doctors, churchmen
and teachers.
Europeans already in the Asian region
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Second Wave of Europeans Mid-19th Century
Scottish
German
English
Austrian
Swiss
Arrival of steamships brought investors,
merchants and traders, government officials and
employees of European companies. They brought
European women and family members.
Photo source Ti n Mining Dynasty
Photo source Malaysia A Pictorial History
1400-2004