Early Singapore · Semester 1

The Five Kings of Singapura

A look at the rulers mentioned in the Malay Annals who governed the island during its early golden age, and the eventual fall of the kingdom.

About This Topic

This topic explores the lineage of the five kings who ruled the Kingdom of Singapura during the 14th century, as recorded in the Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals). Students learn about the succession of rulers following Sang Nila Utama, including Paduka Seri Maharaja and the final king, Iskandar Shah. The curriculum focuses on the rise of Singapura as a regional power and its eventual fall due to internal betrayal and external attacks from the Majapahit Empire.

By studying these rulers, students understand the political structure of early Singapore and the challenges of leadership. They learn about the legendary events associated with their reigns, such as the attack of the swordfish and the story of Hang Nadim. This topic connects to the MOE syllabus by highlighting the importance of leadership and the consequences of disunity in a nation's history.

Students grasp this concept faster through structured discussion and peer explanation, where they can analyze the causes of the kingdom's decline and the lessons for modern Singapore.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the sequence of rulers of Singapura as presented in the Malay Annals.
• Explain the key events and circumstances surrounding the decline and fall of the Kingdom of Singapura.
• Evaluate the historical reliability of the Malay Annals as a source for early Singaporean history.
• Compare the reigns of the five kings of Singapura based on their portrayal in the Malay Annals.

Before You Start

Introduction to Historical Sources

Why: Students need a basic understanding of what historical sources are and why they are important before evaluating the reliability of the Malay Annals.

Early Settlements in Southeast Asia

Why: Context about the region's historical landscape is helpful for understanding Singapura's position as a kingdom.

Key Vocabulary

Sang Nila Utama	The legendary founder of Singapura, said to have discovered the island and named it after seeing a lion.
Malay Annals (Sejarah Melayu)	A historical record of Malay kingdoms, including the early history of Singapura, written in Malay.
Iskandar Shah	The last king of Singapura, whose reign ended with the fall of the kingdom according to the Malay Annals.
Majapahit Empire	A powerful Javanese empire that played a role in the decline and eventual fall of the Kingdom of Singapura.
Succession	The process by which one ruler or leader takes over from another, often through inheritance or appointment.

Active Learning Ideas

Formal Debate: The Fall of Singapura

The class is divided into two groups. One side argues that the kingdom fell because of external enemies (Majapahit), while the other argues it was due to internal betrayal (the story of the Sang Rajuna Tapa). They must use evidence from the legend to support their points.

⏱ 40 min·Whole Class

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Role Play: The Swordfish Attack

Students act out the legend of the swordfish attacking the coast of Singapore. They portray the king's advisors suggesting a wall of legs and the young boy, Hang Nadim, suggesting a wall of banana trunks, illustrating the value of clever ideas.

⏱ 30 min·Small Groups

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Gallery Walk: The Five Kings Timeline

Create stations for each of the five kings with their names and key events from their reigns. Students move in groups to create a visual timeline, noting one major achievement or challenge for each ruler.

⏱ 30 min·Small Groups

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Real-World Connections

Historians and archaeologists in Singapore use ancient texts like the Malay Annals, alongside archaeological findings, to piece together the island's early past and understand its development.

Museum curators at the National Museum of Singapore often interpret historical narratives, like those found in the Malay Annals, to create exhibits that explain Singapore's origins to the public.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The five kings are just fairy tales with no basis in reality.

What to Teach Instead

While the stories are legendary, the existence of a kingdom and its final ruler, Iskandar Shah, is supported by historical records from China and Portugal. Peer discussion about 'oral history' helps students see these stories as a mix of cultural memory and fact.

Common Misconception

Singapore was always a peaceful place before the British.

What to Teach Instead

The 14th century was a time of great conflict between regional empires like the Majapahit and Siam. A gallery walk showing the 'fortified' nature of the hill helps students realize that early Singapore had to defend itself constantly.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Ask students to write down the name of one king of Singapura and one event from their reign as described in the Malay Annals. Then, ask them to write one sentence about why the Malay Annals might not be a completely reliable historical source.

Discussion Prompt

Facilitate a class discussion using the prompt: 'Imagine you are advising a new leader today. Based on the story of Singapura's fall, what are two important lessons about leadership and unity you would share?'

Quick Check

Present students with short descriptions of events related to the five kings. Ask them to identify which king is associated with each event and whether the event contributed to the kingdom's rise or fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who were the five kings of Singapura?

According to the Malay Annals, they were Sri Tri Buana (Sang Nila Utama), Paduka Seri Wikrama Wira, Paduka Seri Rana Wikrama, Paduka Seri Maharaja, and Iskandar Shah. They ruled Singapore for about 100 years before the kingdom was moved to Melaka.

What is the story of the swordfish attack?

Legend says swordfish attacked the shores of Singapore, killing many. The King ordered his men to stand in the water to block them, but they were poked. A clever boy named Hang Nadim suggested building a wall of banana trunks instead. The swordfish got their beaks stuck in the trunks, saving the city.

How can active learning help students understand the five kings?

Active learning, such as role playing the swordfish legend or debating the kingdom's fall, makes these ancient figures feel like real people with real problems. By analyzing the 'betrayal' of the final king, students engage with complex themes of loyalty and leadership. This makes the historical narrative much more engaging than just memorizing a list of names.

What happened to the last king, Iskandar Shah?

After Singapura was attacked by the Majapahit Empire, Iskandar Shah fled north. He eventually founded the Melaka Sultanate, which became one of the greatest empires in Southeast Asian history. This shows that Singapore's early history is directly linked to the birth of Melaka.