Archaeologist John Miksic’s book on Singapore and its Silk Road of the Sea, 1300-1800 has won the inaugural NUS Singapore History Prize. This work shows how fragmented historical records such as literary references to Temasek had pointed towards its existence long before Sir Stamford Raffles arrived here in 1819.
This book details how undisturbed layers of soil and artefacts found at Fort Canning indicated at least seven centuries of settlement here prior to Chinese trader Wang Dayuan writing about Southeast Asia in the 13th century. Archaeological digs unearthing glass shards, bronze bowls, and coins lent support to Prof Miksic’s case, while on Thursday (Jan 11), when receiving his award, he expressed both humility and gratitude at having received it.
His prize is one step towards meeting its main purpose of “stimulating engagement with Singapore’s history broadly understood (this may include pre-1819 history).” Prof Mahbubani is a Distinguished Fellow at NUS Asia Research Institute and was appointed head of this year’s jury by NUS Asia Research Institute President Nils Petersen. According to legendary American social historian Benedict Anderson, nations are imagined communities. Knowledge of history is therefore vital in maintaining peaceful societies.”
This year’s shortlisted works represent an eclectic mixture of non-fiction and fiction writing, from an examination of an iconic Indian poet’s life to histories about Malaysian migrants here or the history of their Malay community here. One work, written by Kamaladevi Pillai with help from Anitha Pillai as co-researcher, presents historical events through layperson’s eyes.
In 2014, as part of Singapore’s 50th Anniversary program (SG50), The NUS Singapore History Prize was established. Hosted by the Centre for Asian Studies of NUS and recognised important publications on Singapore history.
The Prize is an annual award presented by the Department of History at NUS to published works covering Singaporean and regional history prior to and during its independence movement. The prize will be judged by a panel of five judges appointed by the NUS President, with the winner receiving S$50,000 and runners-up receiving S$20,000 respectively. Both local and foreign authors can submit works for consideration. Six publications have been shortlisted for this year’s prize, and members of the public can vote for their favourite book by filling out a ballot form at any Singapore Pools outlet until October 2, 2023. Ballot forms are available in Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil and voting requires only an active Toto membership card to participate.