Map of Fort Canning and its surrounding environs ( above) Notice the two rivers and the hills commanding position overlooking the town.While the rest of the Singapore was inhabited by small bands of fishing villagers such as the Orang Seletar and the Orang Luat , who were sea gypsies , the start of every major settlement in Singapore since the 14th Century seemed to cluster roughly along where the mouth of the Singapore river is today.
Undoubtedly, the presence of a water source was useful for both navigation inland as well as to possible sources of drinking water further upstream. However , early arrivals would have summised that it was impossible to have any flourishing rice cultivation around the river mouth as Singapore's soil , topography and seasonal rains made the growing of rice unlikely.
The site in and around Fort Canning or Bukit Larangan was protected from both sides by two rivers namely , the Singaproe river and what is today the Rochor river. To the back was Fort Canning to which inhabitants could seek rufuge in the event of an invasion. The elevation would give the inhabitants some defensive advantages. The two rivers also acted as natural boundaries that would slow aggressors down.
Undoubtedly, the presence of a water source was useful for both navigation inland as well as to possible sources of drinking water further upstream. However , early arrivals would have summised that it was impossible to have any flourishing rice cultivation around the river mouth as Singapore's soil , topography and seasonal rains made the growing of rice unlikely.
The site in and around Fort Canning or Bukit Larangan was protected from both sides by two rivers namely , the Singaproe river and what is today the Rochor river. To the back was Fort Canning to which inhabitants could seek rufuge in the event of an invasion. The elevation would give the inhabitants some defensive advantages. The two rivers also acted as natural boundaries that would slow aggressors down.
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