Singapore’s Name Reflects Deep Historical Links with Ancient India, Says Former Deputy PM

Singapore’s longstanding cultural and historical ties with India came into renewed focus after former Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean underscored the South Asian roots of the island nation’s very name. Speaking at a public event, Teo noted that “Singapore,” or its older form “Singapura,” is derived from Sanskrit—an enduring reminder of ancient India’s influence across Southeast Asia.

Teo highlighted that this linguistic connection is far more than symbolic, pointing to historical interactions that shaped the region’s early identity. The Sanskrit-origin name, widely interpreted as “Lion City,” offers evidence of deep civilizational linkages between India and Southeast Asian kingdoms that predate modern political boundaries.

He further recalled that until 1867, Singapore was administered from Calcutta (now Kolkata) during the period of British colonial rule. This administrative arrangement, he explained, reflects a significant chapter in the intertwined histories of the two regions, when governance, trade, and cultural exchange moved fluidly across colonial centers.

The remarks provide a renewed perspective on the heritage shared between India and Singapore—one that continues to inform the countries' diplomatic, cultural, and economic engagement today. As both nations deepen their partnership in the contemporary era, the ancient roots embedded in Singapore’s name stand as a powerful reminder of a relationship shaped over centuries.

Singapore’s longstanding cultural and historical ties with India came into renewed focus after former Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean underscored the South Asian roots of the island nation’s very name. Speaking at a public event, Teo noted that “Singapore,” or its older form “Singapura,” is derived from Sanskrit—an enduring reminder of ancient India’s influence across Southeast Asia.

Teo highlighted that this linguistic connection is far more than symbolic, pointing to historical interactions that shaped the region’s early identity. The Sanskrit-origin name, widely interpreted as “Lion City,” offers evidence of deep civilizational linkages between India and Southeast Asian kingdoms that predate modern political boundaries.

He further recalled that until 1867, Singapore was administered from Calcutta (now Kolkata) during the period of British colonial rule. This administrative arrangement, he explained, reflects a significant chapter in the intertwined histories of the two regions, when governance, trade, and cultural exchange moved fluidly across colonial centers.

The remarks provide a renewed perspective on the heritage shared between India and Singapore—one that continues to inform the countries' diplomatic, cultural, and economic engagement today. As both nations deepen their partnership in the contemporary era, the ancient roots embedded in Singapore’s name stand as a powerful reminder of a relationship shaped over centuries.