Singapore historian on Indian community dies at 101

SINGAPORE: (Mar 20) Renowned historian Dhoraisingam Stephen Samuel, who spearheaded efforts to preserve Singapore’s heritage, including the Chetti Communities of Indian descendants, died on March 14 at the age of 101, reported Friday weekly tabla!

Through his research on the community, Samuel shed light on an important part of Singapore’s early heritage and strengthened the cultural bridge between the Indian-origin Chetti Melaka communities of Singapore and Malaysia, said former ambassador K. Kesavapany in a tribute to the historian and author of seven books on the island state’s history and heritage.

Among the books was Singapore’s Heritage: ‘Through Places Of Historical Interest’. Written and published in 1991, it remains a key compilation of 180 important sites in Singapore. His 2005 book, Peranakan Indians of Singapore and Melaka, is another notable chronicle of the Chetti Melaka community.