MY TRAVEL INFO: FORT CANNING, SINGAPORE (1980 's)

In the 1980s, Fort Canning underwent a significant transformation, evolving from a restricted military site and a neglected hill into the vibrant Fort Canning Park we know today.  

Fort Canning Hill was named after Viscount Charles John Canning, the first Viceroy of India. The Malays called the hill Bukit Larangan or Forbidden Hill since ooden times. This is due to the belief that it is the place where the kings of ancient Singapore were laid to rest, and it was believed to be haunted. 

Here is what was happening at Fort Canning during that decade:

1. The Birth of the Park (1981)

While the hill had been handed over to the Singapore government in the 1970s, it wasn't until November 1, 1981, that it was officially renamed Fort Canning Park. Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew marked the occasion by planting a fruit tree, signaling the hill’s new life as a public "green lung" for the city.

2. A "World-Class" Squash Hub

The large white building today known as the Fort Canning Centre (and formerly British barracks) had a very different life in the early 80s.

• It housed the Singapore Squash Centre, which was at the time the world’s largest squash facility with 25 courts.
• Squash was a major trend in Singapore then, and the hill was a buzzing social spot for athletes and enthusiasts.
• By the late 80s, the courts were closed to make way for the building's conversion into an arts hub.

3. The End of the National Theatre (1984–1986)

At the base of the hill (along River Valley Road) stood the iconic National Theatre, famous for its five-pointed facade.

• In 1984, it was declared structurally unsafe and closed.
• In 1986, it was demolished, leaving a gap in Singapore’s skyline and cultural memory. Today, only a historical marker remains on the grassy slope where it once stood.

4. The 1984 Archaeological Breakthrough

A pivotal moment in Singapore’s history occurred in 1984 when the first major archaeological excavation was led by Dr. John Miksic.

• Digging near the summit, they discovered 14th-century artifacts, including Chinese porcelain, glass beads, and gold.
• These finds proved that Singapore was a thriving trading port long before Raffles arrived in 1819, forever changing the national historical narrative.

5. Transition to an Arts Hub

In the late 80s, the government began the "Master Plan for the Civic and Cultural District."

• 1987: The vacant barracks (after the squash centre left) were allocated to arts groups like TheatreWorks and Singapore Dance Theatre.
• ASEAN Sculptures: During this decade, five sculptures were installed as part of an ASEAN Sculptures Symposium, some of which still stand in the park today.

Both the 1984 archaeological dig and the National Theatre are central to the "soul" of Fort Canning. Here is a deeper look into both:

1. The 1984 "Forbidden Hill" Dig

Before 1984, the idea of an ancient Singaporean kingdom was often dismissed as legend. Dr. John Miksic’s 10-day excavation near the Keramat Iskandar Shah changed Singapore's history books forever.

Key Discoveries:

• The Rare Chinese Compass: One of the most significant finds was a Chinese porcelain compass (fragment). It is one of the only such artifacts from that era found in Southeast Asia, proving that 14th-century Singapore was a sophisticated maritime hub.
• Gold and Glass Workshops: The team found large quantities of glass beads (over 10,000) and fragments of glass bangles. More importantly, they found "waste" from gold and glass working, suggesting that royal artisans lived and worked on the hill, creating jewelry for the elite.
• Imperial Ceramics: They uncovered high-quality Yuan Dynasty porcelain, including blue-and-white wares. These weren't just common kitchen plates; they were luxury items that only royalty or high-ranking officials could afford.
• 14th-Century Soil Layer: The dig revealed a distinct "dark layer" of soil. Everything below that layer was 14th-century (pre-colonial), and everything above was 19th-century (British). There was almost nothing in between, confirming the hill was largely abandoned for centuries—matching the legend of it being "forbidden."

2. The Old National Theatre (1963–1986)

If you walked along River Valley Road in 1980, you couldn't miss this building. It was known as the "People’s Theatre" because it was partially funded by a "a-dollar-a-brick" public campaign.

Architecture & Symbolism:

• The Five Stars: The most famous feature was its facade—five vertical diamond-shaped bays. These represented the five stars of the Singapore flag.
• The Crescent Moon: A large fountain in front of the theatre represented the crescent moon, completing the national symbol.
• Open-Air Design: It had a massive 150-tonne cantilevered steel roof, but no side or rear walls. This allowed for natural ventilation but meant the audience would sometimes get sprayed by rain during tropical storms!

Why was it demolished in 1986?

The 1980s were the beginning of the end for the theatre due to a "triple threat":

• Structural Issues: In the early 80s, defects were found in the cantilever roof, and it was declared structurally unsafe.
• The Central Expressway (CTE): The government was building the CTE tunnel, which was planned to run directly near/under the theatre.
• Modern Competition: By the 80s, Singaporeans wanted air-conditioned comfort. The open-air National Theatre was seen as "old-fashioned" compared to newer indoor venues.

The Final Act: The theatre held its last show in January 1984 and was torn down in 1986. Today, all that remains are the memories and a heritage marker on the grassy slope.

A Fun Fact from the 80s:

In 1984, while Dr. Miksic was digging up 700-year-old gold at the top of the hill, the National Theatre was closing its doors for good at the bottom. It was a year where Singapore was literally digging up its ancient past while saying goodbye to its early independence history.

BUKIT LARANGAN

Bukit Larangan (Malay for "Forbidden Hill") is the original name for Fort Canning Hill. It is a place of deep mystery and is considered the most sacred ground in Singapore’s history.

Before the British arrived in 1819, the local Malays avoided the hill entirely because they believed it was haunted by the spirits of ancient kings.

1. The Seat of the Ancient Kings

In the 14th century, the hill was the center of the Kingdom of Singapura.

• The Palace: Legend says the palace of Sang Nila Utama (the prince who named Singapore) and his descendants stood at the summit.
• The Forbidden Spring (Pancur Larangan): A freshwater spring once flowed on the western slope. It was "forbidden" because it was reserved exclusively for the royal ladies of the palace to bathe in.
• The Royal Burial Ground: The hill was believed to be the resting place of the five kings who ruled Singapore before the 15th century. Because it was a cemetery for royalty, commoners were forbidden from stepping foot on it.

2. The Keramat Iskandar Shah

Even today, you can visit the Keramat Iskandar Shah on the hill.

• A keramat is a traditional Malay shrine dedicated to a holy or royal figure.
• This shrine is believed by many to be the tomb of the last king of Singapura, Iskandar Shah (also known as Parameswara), though historians still debate whether he is actually buried there or in Melaka.
• Throughout the 1980s and even now, people of various faiths visit the shrine to offer prayers and seek blessings.

3. How the "Taboo" was Broken

When the British arrived in 1819, Major William Farquhar wanted to build a post on the hill.

• The local Malays were terrified and refused to go up with him, fearing the wrath of the spirits.
• Farquhar eventually climbed it himself, cleared some of the jungle, and hoisted the Union Jack.
• To prove it was safe, he reportedly fired a cannon from the top. When no "ghosts" attacked, the fear began to fade, and the hill was eventually renamed Government Hill.

4. Archaeological Proof

For a long time, the stories of Bukit Larangan were treated as mere myths. However, the 1984 excavation (mentioned earlier) changed everything. Archaeologists found:

• Chinese Imperial Porcelain: Suggesting a very high-status (royal) household.
• Gold Ornaments: Including a "Kala" head armlet (a Hindu-Javanese style worn by royalty).
• Glass Beads: Evidence of a thriving trade hub long before the 1800s.

5. TEMASEK

• In 1330, Chinese traveller Wang Dayuan visited the island of Singapore, he named it Danmaxi (Temasek). 
• John Crawfurd, the last resident of Singapore,  found indication of the ruins of an ancient orchard, shards of pottery and Chinese coins, the earliest of which dating the 10th century Song Dynasty. 

6. FACTS & ATTRACTION

1. 6 February 1819 : Major William Farquhar climed the hill accompanied by few Malaccan Malays, drew up the first gun and set up the post to hoise the Union Jack on top of the hill. 
2. In 1822, Sir Stamford Raffles approved the construction of Raffles House, a wooden bungalow with attap roof. Raffles also established Singapore's first botanical gardens on the hill. The garden was abandoned in 1829.
3. 2 August 1824 - The Treaty of Friendship and Alliance was signed at the hill between Temengong Abdul Rahman, Sultan Hussein and John Crawfurd.
4. In 1859, the Government Residence was abolished, the hill was being used for military role where a fort with an arms store, barracks and a hospital was built. The fort was demolished in 1907, a military HQ known as HQ of Malaya Command Operations Bunkers was built. 
5. In 1955, The Van Kleef Aquarium was constructed at the foot of Fort Canning Hill known as King George V Jubilee Park facing the River Valley Road. It was the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. However, it was closed on 31 May 1991 and the building was demolished in 1998. 
6. 8 August 1963, National Theatre was opened here as a venue for various international performances, universities convocation and National Day rallies. It was demolished in August 1986 making way for the nearby construction part of Central Expressway along Clemenceau Avenue. 
7. The Battle Box, underground Far East Command Centre, it was used by Lt.Gen. Arthur Ernest Percival, Commander of British Forces during World War II as his Commanding Base. 
8. James Brooke Napier Memorial: Dedicated to James Brooke Napier, the infant son of William Napier, who was Singapore's first Law Agent, and Maria Frances Napier, the widow of George Coleman. The memorial was the largest erected in the cemetery, reflecting the status of William Napier.
9. Keramat Iskandar Shah: Keramat Iskandar Shah is a sacred place dedicated to Iskandar Shah (believe to be the same person as Parameswara), the last ruler of 14th century Singapore before he fled to Melaka to escape an attack from the Siamese. Although named after him, scholars thought that the keramat could not be Iskandar Shah's tomb as he had died in Melaka and was buried to the north of Melaka. No evidence of burial has been found at this keramat site and it is unclear how it became associated with Iskandar Shah.
10. Fort Canning Lighthouse: Fort Canning Lighthouse, originally built in 1903, was one of the 13 important lighthouses guiding ships crossing the Strait of Malacca. It was decommissioned in 1958 due to the increasing number of high-rises in Singapore blocking its visibility from the sea. A replica was erected later on Fort Canning Hill to commemorate its role in Singapore's maritime history.

Today, the park has been redesigned with 9 historical gardens, including a restored "Forbidden Spring" (Pancur Larangan) area where you can see murals of the ancient royal life.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

31/12/2025: 2.02 a.m