1600s – Trading Stopover
- Singapore remained a small, sparsely populated trading stop.
- Merchants from China, India, and the Malay Archipelago visited for spices, tin, and other goods.
1613 – Dutch Visit
- Dutch traders passed through Singapore while expanding influence in Southeast Asia.
17th Century – Regional Struggles
- Singapore came under influence of Johor Sultanate.
- Attacked occasionally by pirates and rival sultanates.
18th Century – Quiet Growth
- Local Malay villages thrived along rivers.
- The island was mainly a fishing and trading community, with pepper plantations starting to appear.
1818 – Pre-Colonial Era Ends
- By now, Singapore was recognized for its strategic location along the Malacca Strait.
- This set the stage for Sir Stamford Raffles’ arrival in 1819, which would transform Singapore into a major British trading port.