​For centuries, Chinese records knew Singapore as "(Kingdom of) Malayu," from CE 644 to CE 1301. However, a different name emerges in Chinese texts between the early 13th and early 14th centuries: "Long Ya Men," meaning Dragon Teeth. Intriguingly, the term "(Kingdom of) Malayu" disappears from these records between CE 1025 and CE 1281.

Could the powerful Chola kingdom of South India offer insights into this shift? Examining Chinese, Malay, and Tamil sources reveals compelling evidence of the Chola influence on Singapore's history. This lecture offers a new perspective, moving beyond the idea that the Chola only plundered Southeast Asia. Instead, drawing connections with accounts in the Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals), it explores how their presence in Singapore might have led to a change in how the island was identified.

It appears the Chola may have referred to Singapore not by its former name, but by a striking geological feature at Keppel Bay. Furthermore, this lecture proposes that the Chola's arrival was not just a brief stop, but part of a larger effort to establish contact with China's Song Dynasty. This potentially opened a crucial and unobstructed trade route linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

This peaceful maritime trade route likely played a significant role in Singapore's growth. By CE 1225, evidence suggests Singapore's trade volume was substantial, estimated to be at least half that of San Fo Qi (Jambi), a major maritime power in Southeast Asia at the time. Join us to explore this fascinating period and discover a new understanding of Singapore's ancient connections within a wider regional and global context.