Raffles and Hastings

Private Exchanges Behind the Founding of Singapore

Nonfiction, History, Asian, Southeast Asia
Cover of the book Raffles and Hastings by John Bastin, Marshall Cavendish International
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: John Bastin ISBN: 9789814634786
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish International Publication: September 25, 2014
Imprint: Marshall Cavendish Editions Language: English
Author: John Bastin
ISBN: 9789814634786
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish International
Publication: September 25, 2014
Imprint: Marshall Cavendish Editions
Language: English
The founding of Singapore has typically been attributed to the strategic genius of one man, Stamford Raffles. Frequently overlooked is the part played by his superior in the East India Company, the Marquess of Hastings. It was Hastings who, as Governor-General of India, made the fateful decision to establish a British trading post at the southern entrance of the Malacca Straits, and once this was executed with great daring by Raffles in early 1819, it was Hastings again who supported the retention of Singapore against opposition from all quarters. This book provides an intimate account of Singapore’s founding by drawing on the personal correspondence between these two men, which they maintained separately from their official exchanges. Published here for the first time, these private letters reveal at first-hand the challenges that Raffles and Hastings faced in manoeuvring within the Dutch-dominated East Indies. Just as significantly, they reveal the complex relationship between the two men evolving from mutual suspicion at the outset to cooperation and admiration, but nonetheless peppered throughout with backbiting, hidden agendas and the clash of personal ambitions. Historian John Bastin brings rigorous scholarship to bear on this work, at the same time presenting it in a clear, readable style that will engage specialist and general readers alike.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
The founding of Singapore has typically been attributed to the strategic genius of one man, Stamford Raffles. Frequently overlooked is the part played by his superior in the East India Company, the Marquess of Hastings. It was Hastings who, as Governor-General of India, made the fateful decision to establish a British trading post at the southern entrance of the Malacca Straits, and once this was executed with great daring by Raffles in early 1819, it was Hastings again who supported the retention of Singapore against opposition from all quarters. This book provides an intimate account of Singapore’s founding by drawing on the personal correspondence between these two men, which they maintained separately from their official exchanges. Published here for the first time, these private letters reveal at first-hand the challenges that Raffles and Hastings faced in manoeuvring within the Dutch-dominated East Indies. Just as significantly, they reveal the complex relationship between the two men evolving from mutual suspicion at the outset to cooperation and admiration, but nonetheless peppered throughout with backbiting, hidden agendas and the clash of personal ambitions. Historian John Bastin brings rigorous scholarship to bear on this work, at the same time presenting it in a clear, readable style that will engage specialist and general readers alike.

More books from Marshall Cavendish International

Cover of the book It's Easy to Cry by John Bastin
Cover of the book Living With Intelligence and Learning Issues by John Bastin
Cover of the book High Net Worth Investing by John Bastin
Cover of the book Moving Forward by John Bastin
Cover of the book CultureShock! Canada by John Bastin
Cover of the book Financial Fraud by John Bastin
Cover of the book Invisible Gold in Asia by John Bastin
Cover of the book CultureShock! San Francisco by John Bastin
Cover of the book Hello Goodbye Little Island by John Bastin
Cover of the book Indian Heritage Cooking by John Bastin
Cover of the book The First Time Manager in Asia by John Bastin
Cover of the book Cooking Classics China by John Bastin
Cover of the book Best of Malaysian Cooking by John Bastin
Cover of the book Magicienne by John Bastin
Cover of the book CultureShock! South Africa by John Bastin
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy