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Origins & History
ORIGINS & HISTORY 12
Industrial age
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Trade and other jobs were at its peak. Due to its prime location, Serangoon road was a popular point for goods to be transported to. Other jobs such as cattle trade and jobs in the brick kiln attracted many Indians to settle in the area.
Early 19th Century
H I S T O R Y & O R I G I N S TIMELINE
Serangoon Road
Serangoon road was built in the late 19th century by Indian convict. Together with other Indian settlers, their presence led to the birth of an Indian district. However, frequent fires in their slum-like dwellings motivated them to change.
Late 19th Century Improvement
The Kampong Kapor Improvement Scheme was initiated. The scheme aimed to drain the Kampong Kapor area to make way for commercial development. Since land had to be cleared, many water dependent industries had to be terminated.
1911
H I S T O R Y & O R I G I N S TIMELINE
Commercialisation
In 1915, Tekka market was built to provide an area for retailers to sell their produce. Many roads such as Rowell road and Kampong Kapor road were created. In the 1940s, Little India became a commercial- residential area with a significant Indian population. However, residents started moving out in the 1970s as public housing projects such as the Tekka Centre and Rowell Court public housing estate were built.
1910s to Late 20th Century Conservation
Many buildings including former houses, hotels, and places of worship are under conservation status. Little India has again become a popular residential area and tourist attraction due to its rich heritage.
Today
H I S T O R Y & O R I G I N S ORIGINS
Industrialisation
Serangoongot its name from the Malay word ‘saranggong’ whichis derived from a bird’s name ‘ranggong’ being added tothe word‘one’ in malay,‘satu’. Anotheraccount suggests thatthe name was derived from aMalay phrase ‘di-serang dengan gong’ which translates to ‘surround with gongs’ as they used to use gongs to scareaway birds and other animals.
Due toits location that was along therouteto Serangoon Harbour, it containedmany other waterways such as Kallang River and Rochor River. This led to Serangoon being an important spot whereloading and unloading ofgoods was pinnacle.
In the late 19th Century, Indian convicts that were brought to Singapore by the British were taskedto build Serangoon road. Jobs that were mostly carried out by the Indians , such as jobs at the brickkiln that was introduced by the British and cattle trade and related industries, became popular. Thisled tothebirth of a districtIndiandistrictin the area, inclusive of other Indian settlersand those who provided trade.
View of the Convict Jail between Bras Basah Road and Stamford Road, c. 1870 Little India Arcade, 1990 Tekka Centre
Commercialisation
After frequent fires started in theirslum-likedwellings, the community was determined to have a change. In 1911, the KampongKaporImprovement Scheme was initiated. Land was cleared tomake way for new commercial development. However, this led to many water dependent industries to terminateas the areawas once a swampy ruralarea.
New developments such as theTekka market, Little India Arcade, and other roads such as Rowell Road, Kampong Kapor Roadand Upper Perak Road were built.
In the 1940s, Little India becamea commercial-residentialarea with a significant Indian population. However in the 60s-70s, there was a nationwide desire to clean and renew the city. Hence, residentsstarted to moveout to make space for commercial developments such as Tekka Centre. Little India becamea primarilycommercial centre.
Little India was gazetted asa conservation area in 1989 and today, Little India is a traditionalhub of the Indian communityin Singapore which isrich in heritageand culture thatattractsbothtourists and locals.
Origins
In 1911, the KampongKaporImprovement Scheme was initiated to drain the area of all its water activitiesin order tomake way for commercial development. One of the commercialdevelopmentsbuilt was the Tekka market(formerly known asKandangKerbau Road) in 1915. Its was constructed at the junction ofSerangoonRoad and BukitTimah Road and provided a space for many retailers to sell or trade their goods and produce and to preventany clutter on the roadwaysandverandas.
However, in the 1960s-70safterindependence, therewas a nationwide desire to renew ourland. Decisions were made to clear up theLittle India areaand hence, the Tekka market was demolished tomake way for new developments.
In 1982,a new market was constructed across the demolished market’s site with a hanyupinyin rendition of ‘Tekka’, Zhujiao, as its name. However, many residents disliked its new name as it bore little resemblance toits old name. Hence, in 2000, the Zhujiao market was renamed Tekka Centre.
Today
In 2008, Tekka Centre was closed downfor renovation works and reopened in 2009, providing marketgoers with a refreshing experience with its clean andorganised place. It also underwentrefurbishment that was completedin 2017.
Origins
Little India Arcade was constructed along the intersection of Serangoon Road andSelegie Road. It is made up of several shophouses that were builtin 1913 and is currentlyowned by the Hindu Endowments Board. The shophouses displayed a neoclassical architectural style
A key historicallegacy of theLittle India Arcade is P. GovindasamyPillai (also known as PGP)’s shop, which is situated at the very frontof the building. He was a prolificphilanthropist that contributed generously to his community and many of the older Indian temples situated in Little India, aregreatly beholden to him for theirreconstruction projects.
P. Govindasamy Pillai's shop at Little India Arcade, 1990 PGP’s career
It was is the 1910s that PGP found a job as aclerk cum coolie ata provision shop along Serangoonroad. He was a diligent worker who rose early whilegoing to bed late at night. When his employer passedaway, he took a risk and tookout a loan to buy his employer’s shop. This was whenhis big break came as he started selling spicesand slowly expanded into thetextile and clothingbusiness.
Little India Arcade, 2021
Today
In 1995, Little India Arcade was reopenedafter conservation to commemorate the spirit of commerce of early Indian settlers. In 1996, the URA awarded the buildingwith the Architectural HeritageAward for its heritage and conservation efforts. It its now a prominent landmark in Little India that offers traditionaleateriesand boutiques.
