In 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the Lieutenant Governor of the British colony of Java, arrived in the Malay Peninsula in search of a new location for the British East India Company to establish a trading post. Raffles saw the potential of the small island of Singapore, which was then part of the Johor Sultanate, as a strategic location for British trade in Southeast Asia.

Raffles negotiated with the local Malay rulers and obtained permission to establish a trading post on the island. He then signed a treaty with Sultan Hussein of Johor, which gave the British East India Company exclusive rights to trade in Singapore in exchange for an annual payment to the Sultan.

Raffles took great care to plan and develop the new settlement, which he envisioned as a free port where goods could be imported, stored, and traded without restrictions. He encouraged the migration of Chinese and Indian traders to Singapore, and also implemented a system of laws and regulations to govern the settlement.

Under Raffles' leadership, Singapore grew rapidly into a thriving commercial center, attracting merchants and traders from all over Southeast Asia and beyond. The settlement's success was based on its strategic location, as well as its efficient administration, low taxes, and lack of trade barriers.

However, Raffles' tenure in Singapore was short-lived. He returned to England in 1824, and Singapore was transferred to the control of the British East India Company. In 1826, Singapore became part of the Straits Settlements, which also included the nearby British colonies of Penang and Malacca.

Raffles also encouraged the migration of Chinese and Indian traders to Singapore, and he took steps to preserve the island's natural environment and cultural heritage. He was a strong advocate for education and public health, and he promoted the study of Southeast Asian languages and cultures.

In addition to his role in establishing Singapore, Raffles also served as the Lieutenant Governor of Java, where he implemented a series of social and economic reforms. He was a strong supporter of the abolition of slavery and the promotion of free trade, and he was a key figure in the early development of the British Empire in Southeast Asia.

Raffles' legacy in Singapore and Southeast Asia is still widely celebrated today, and he is remembered as a visionary leader who played a crucial role in the region's development and modernization. His statue stands in front of the Victoria Memorial Hall in Singapore, and his name is commemorated in numerous places throughout the city.

Over the next century, Singapore continued to grow and develop as a major commercial hub, attracting large numbers of immigrants from China, India, and other parts of Southeast Asia. It became a center for finance, shipping, and trade, and also played a key role in the British Empire's military and strategic interests in the region.