Articles for the History Category

History

The Nazi-Japan axis in Penang

The Nazi-Japan axis in Penang

Himanshu Bhatt I RECENTLY came across a television documentary about the activities of U-boats, as German submarines were called during the first and second world wars. It reminded me of an incredible story I once covered about U-boats actually coming to Penang during World War II as part of an amazing but little-known cooperation with [...]

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History

Historian: First botanic garden in Penang set up in 1794

Historian: First botanic garden in Penang set up in 1794

IT may come as a surprise to many people that the first botanic garden in Penang was established in the middle of the Air Itam valley in 1794, according to Australian-based historian Marcus Langdon. He said Irish botanist Christopher Smith set up a small garden on a 10.5ha plot in the valley. “Smith later set [...]

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History

Penang’s link with ocean made waves

Penang’s link with ocean made waves

By DERRICK VINESH Historians and researchers from across the globe recently converged on George Town to discuss the diverse links between Penang and the Indian Ocean. PENANG has a spicy past, literally. The island’s first pepper plants were introduced in 1790 by a Chinese Kapitan, who brought in pepper vines from Acheh with funds from [...]

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History

Old Penang: Weld Quay

Old Penang: Weld Quay

Here you can see a trolleybus passing by the Railway Jetty along Weld Quay. The Railway Jetty was located at the site of the present-day Church Street Pier. You can see a newspaper vendor and money-changer at the entrance to the Jetty. Trolleybuses, ferries and trishaws and not a car in sight. People used to [...]

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History

History of Penang

History of Penang

The history of Penang began in 1786, when Captain Francis Light struck a deal with the Sultan of Kedah. He acquired Pulau Pinang (Penang lsland) from the Sultan on behalf of the East lndia Company, which in retum promised Kedah protection against the powerful neighbours. By 1800, Light had also managed to negotiate for a [...]

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