The National University of Singapore

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

South Asian Studies Programme

Semester 1, 2020-2021
GES1007: South Asia in Singapore

Lectures

Wednesday 6-8pm [Zoom e-lecture]

Contact
A/P Rajesh Rai (Coordinator, Lecturer, Tutor) can be contacted at his office in AS8 #06-40 (contact
hours: Tuesday 1200-1400); Tel: 6516 3607; sasrr@nus.edu.sg. Notwithstanding the hours set out above,
you can contact A/P Rai at any time should you have an urgent query.

Aims and Objectives

This module is aimed at guiding students to a process of social scientific inquiry. The course will: a)
Provide students with the necessary framework to study and analyze issues concerning South Asians in
Singapore. b) Enhance knowledge about South Asians in Singapore through a study of the historical and
socio-economic development of these communities, and issues pertaining to their identity and concerns.

It will examine;

(i) The migration and establishment of South Asian communities in Singapore during the colonial
period, from the early 19th century to the middle of the 20 th century, and the new movement of
‘professional’ migrants from the sub-continent in the late 20 th century;

(ii) The interplay of state policies in Singapore, local conditions, and linkages with South Asia
and their impact on the social, economic and political development of these communities in
Singapore;

(iii) Aspects of the everyday life of South Asians in Singapore including language, religion, and
popular culture.

(iv) How South Asians in Singapore are portrayed and how they perceive and present themselves
in questioning these images.

The study of South Asian communities in Singapore, is a subject that is not only of interest to students of
South Asian background in Singapore, but also affords the opportunity for all students interested in the
development of these communities, their inter-relationship with other communities in the Singaporean
context and the historical and contemporary linkages between Singapore and South Asia. In particular,
the course will enable students to carry out ‘hands on’ primary research - an enriching experience for
students from all faculties.
General References

The following will give you a general orientation to some of the useful sources available for the module.
They are not compulsory readings but for reference purposes.

- Kesavapany, K., A. Mani & P. Ramasamy (eds.), Rising India and Indian Communities in
Southeast Asia, Singapore: ISEAS, 2008.
- Mani, A., “Integration and identity creation among Indians in Southeast Asia” in Proceedings of
the Symposium, Human Flow and Creation of New Cultures in Southeast Asia, December 3-5,
1996, Tokyo: Institute for the Study of Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa, 1998.
- Pillai Gopinath & K. Kesavapany (eds.), 50 Years of Indian Community in Singapore, Singapore:
World Scientific Press, 2016.
- Purushottam, Nirmala Srirekam, Negotiating Language, Constructing Race: Disciplining
Difference in Singapore, (Berlin; New York: Mouton de Gruyter, 1998).
- Raghuram, Parvati (et.al.) (eds.), Tracing an Indian Diaspora: Contexts, Memories,
Representations, New Delhi: Sage, 2008. [Chapter Two on Singapore].
- Rai, Rajesh, Indians in Singapore: Diaspora in the Colonial Port City, New Delhi: Oxford
University Press, 2014.
- Rai, Rajesh, 'Race' and the construction of the North-South divide amongst Indians in colonial
Malaya and Singapore in South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, v.27, no.2, London: Carfax,
2004, pp. 245-264.
- Rai, Rajesh, “Indians in Singapore” in Brij V. Lal, Peter Reeves, Rajesh Rai (eds.), The
Encyclopedia of the Indian Diaspora, Singapore: Editions Didier Millet, 2006, pp.176-188.
- Rai, Rajesh & Peter Reeves (eds.), The South Asian Diaspora: Transnational networks and
changing identities, London: Routledge, 2009.
- Sandhu, Kernial Singh, Indians in Malaya: Some Aspects of their Immigration and Settlement
(1786-1957), London: Cambridge University Press, 1969.
- Sandhu Kernial Singh and A Mani (eds.) Indian Communities in Southeast Asia, Times
Academic Press: ISEAS, Singapore, 1993.
- Siddique, Sharon & Puru Shotam, Nirmala, Singapore’s Little India: past, present and future,
Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 1990.
- Walker Anthony R. (ed.), New Place Old Ways: essays on Indian culture and society in modern
Singapore, Delhi: Hindustan Pub. Corp., 1994, pp.1-46. [DS 599.4 New]

Assessment

There are three elements in the assessment of your performance in the module:
· Discussion Group (DG) (See DG Handout) participation:
o 20% Class participation & attendance
o 10% Class participation & attendance

· A group project: 40% (See Project Handout) [students can request instead to do an individual
essay of at least 2500 words for the purposes] [Due end Week 10]

· Book Review or Review of Key readings: 30% [Due end Week 13]
 Lectures and Discussion Groups: Summary of the Programme
Week Subject
No.
1 Introduction: The Study of the
Diaspora
2 South Asian emigration to
Singapore (1)
3 South Asian Emigration to
Singapore (2)
4 South Asian Settlement in
Singapore: ‘Little India’ &
other key locales
5 Pre-WWII Political Currents,
The Indian National Army & Migration and the making of the
the Japanese Occupation South Asian diaspora in Singapore.
6 The Construction of South
Asian Identities in Singapore
Mid-Semester Break
7 South Asian Communities in
Singapore: Sikhs, Chettiars,
Malayalis, Hindustanis
8 South Asian Religions and
Festivals in Singapore (I):
Hinduism.
9 South Asian Religions and
Festivals in Singapore (II):
Islam.
10 South Asian Languages and
Identities in Singapore
11 New economic linkages
between India and Singapore.
12 Positioning the South Asian
Diaspora in Singapore.
LECTURE PROGRAMME
DG
Topic
-
-
Topic I: ‘Ice Breaker’,
Perceptions of South Asians in
Singapore & Article or Artifact.
Topic I:‘Ice Breaker’,
Perceptions of South Asians in
Singapore & Article or Artifact.
Topic II:
Topic II:
Migration and the creation of a
South Asian diaspora in Singapore.
No DG during break
Topic III:
Settlement & Socio-Political
Features – Indians in Colonial
Singapore
Topic III:
Settlement & Socio-Political
Features – Indians in Colonial
Singapore
Topic IV:
Multiculturalism & National-
building – Re-shaping South Asian
Identities
Topic IV:
Multiculturalism & National-
building – Re-shaping South Asian
Identities
Topic V:
Key features of the South Asian
Diaspora in Singapore in the 21st
century
Topic V:
Key features of the South Asian
Diaspora in Singapore in the 21st
century
Lecture 1 : Introduction to the course & overview of South Asian emigration during the colonial period

a) This lecture will provide an introduction to the module. The structure and operation of the
module: the organization of the module in terms of Lectures and DGs; the assessment for the
module, especially in terms of the CA requirements (choice of assignment topics; and
presentation of the assignment; field-trip and group project)
b) The session will consider the concept of ‘diaspora’ and it’s usefulness in the study of South Asian
emigration. The session will provide an overview of the global movement of South Asians
beyond the subcontinent.

Lecture 2: South Asian Emigration to Singapore (1)

What were the push and pull factors that led to the movement of South Asians to Singapore? The session
will provide an overview of South Asian emigration during the colonial period including, the forced
movement of convicts, indenture & other systems of ‘assisted’ migration, traders & other types of free
labour migration.

References:

*Rai, Rajesh, ‘Indians in Singapore’, in Brij V. Lal, Peter Reeves, Rajesh Rai (eds.), The Encyclopedia
of the Indian Diaspora, (Singapore: Editions Didier Millet, 2006), pp. 176-188.

*Sandhu, K.S. ‘Indian Immigration and Settlement in Singapore’, in K. S. Sandhu & A. Mani (eds.)
Indian Communities in Southeast Asia, Times Academic Press: ISEAS, Singapore, 1993, pp.774-787.

(+) For further research see, Rai, Rajesh, Indians in Singapore, 1819-1945: Diaspora in the Colonial Port
City, pp. 3-35; pp. 67-132.

Lecture 3: South Asian Emigration to Singapore (2)

The session will provide background information on the development of the community in independent
Singapore and the forces that resulted in the advent of South Asian migrant professionals from the late
20th century. The lecture will also look at the movement of migrant labourers and domestic workers (from
South India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh) to Singapore.

* Mani A., “Indians in Singapore Society”, in K. S. Sandhu & A. Mani (eds.) Indian Communities in
Southeast Asia, Times Academic Press: ISEAS, Singapore, 1993, pp. 788-809.

* See Chak Mun, Singapore and India: Towards a Shared Future, Singapore: Institute of South Asian
Studies, 2015, pp. 164-168.

Video: My migrant soul [Videorecording]: A story of modern day slavery/ producer and director Yasmire
Kabir.

(+) Walker, Anthony R. (ed.) “Indians in Singapore: The Background” in Anthony R. Walker (ed.) New
Place Old Ways: essays on Indian culture and society in modern Singapore, Delhi: Hindustan Pub. Corp.,
1994, pp.1-46. [DS 599.4 New]

Lecture 4: South Asian Settlement in Singapore

The session will provide an overview of South Asian settlement in Singapore since early times. The
lecture will then focus on a specific area of Indian influence-i.e. Serangoon Road (‘Little India’). It will
consider the factors that led to the development of ‘Little India’ as an important location for Indian
settlement; analyse aspects of change at various points in time and reflect on some of the socio-cultural &
economic factors underlying its transformation in the contemporary period.

References:

*Chang, T C, “Singapore’s Little India: A Tourist Attraction as a Contested Landscape”, Urban Studies,
Feb. 2000 v.37, pp.

(+) For further research see, Siddique Sharon, Nirmala Puru Shotam, Singapore's little India : past,
present, and future, Singapore : Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 1990.

(+)Martini, Fadhel & Wong Tai Chee, “Restaurants in Little India: A Study of Spatial Organisation and
Pragmatic Cultural Change”, Sojourn, April 2001, v.16, pp.

See also references in Lecture 2.

Lecture 5: The Japanese Occupation and the Indian National Army in Singapore

The Japanese Occupation of Singapore extended over a period of three and a half years, and is
remembered by all inhabitants of the port city as an era of darkness – characterised by scarcity
and a fear of Japanese brutality. Yet, for many Indians here, the Japanese Occupation was also an
extraordinary episode because Singapore (renamed Syonan by the Japanese) functioned as the
nerve-center of what was commonly referred to as the Indian Independence Movement in East
Asia, with the Indian National Army (INA) as its military wing and the Indian Independence
League (IIL) as the civilian-political arm of the Movement. This lecture will look closely at the
Indian experience during the Japanese Occupation

*Rai, Rajesh, “Imperatives of the New Order” in Indians in Singapore, 1819-1945: Diaspora in the
Colonial Port City, pp. 203-238.

*Rai, Rajesh, “The Price of Freedom” in Indians in Singapore, 1819-1945: Diaspora in the Colonial Port
City, pp. 239-279.

Lecture 6: The Construction of South Asian Identities in Singapore

This lecture focuses on the forces that have influenced the development of South Asian Identities in the
Singapore context. The lecture posits that identities are constructed through an interplay of structure and
agency, and looks at some of the key structural factors that have gone into the making of South Asian
identities in Singapore. The lecture goes on to study closely how a specific form of identification, along
north and south Indian lines emerged as salient in the Singaporean context.

*Rai, Rajesh, ‘The Construction of the north-south divide amongst Indians in colonial Singapore and
Malaya’, South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, 2004.

Mid-Semester Break – No Lectures

Section 2: The South Asian Diaspora in Singapore – Select Themes

Lecture 7: South Asian Communities in Singapore

The lecture will provide an overview of select South Asian communities in Singapore. We will look at
key features of the development of the Chettiars, the Sikh, the Malayalee and the Hindustani Community.

References:
*Dusenbery, Verne A., ‘Socializing Sikhs in Singapore: Soliciting the State’s Support’, in Pashura Singh
and N Gerald Barrier, eds., The Transmission of Sikh Heritage in the Diaspora, New Delhi, Manohar,
1996. pp 113-148

*Evers, Hans-Dieter and Jayarani Pavadarayan, “Religious Fervour and Economic Success: The Chettiars
of Singapore” in K S Sandhu and A Mani (eds.) Indian Communities in Southeast Asia, Times Academic
Press: ISEAS, Singapore, 1993, pp.848-866.

*Gomez, James, “Consolidating Indian Identities in Post-independence Singapore: A Case Study of the
Malayalee Community”, Southeast Asian Journal of Social Science, Vol. 25, n.2, 1997, pp.39-58.

*Rai, Rajesh, “Sepoys, Convicts and the ‘Bazaar’ Contingent: The Emergence and Exclusion of
‘Hindustani’ pioneers at the Singapore Frontier”, Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, v. 35, no.1, Feb.
2004, pp.1-19.

Lecture 8: South Asian Religions & Religious Festivals in Singapore (1): Hinduism

The lecture will study the development of Hinduism in Singapore. The lecture will cover the development
of Hindu institutions in Singapore, consider aspects of worship and some of the key elements (such as for
example state policies and transnational ‘Hindu-oriented’ movements) that have had an impact on the
practice of Hinduism in the Singaporean context.

References:

*Lawrence Babb, “Patterns of Hinduism” in Riaz Hassan (ed.) Singapore: society in transition, New
York: Oxford University Press, 1976, pp. 189-204.

*Sinha, Vineeta, “‘Religiously-inspired’, ‘India-derived’ Movements in Singapore” in Lai Ah Eng (ed.)

Religious Diversity in Singapore, Singapore: ISEAS, 2008.

*Rai, Rajesh, “Homogenisation and fragmentation, inclusivism and exclusivism in the development of
Hinduism in Singapore”, South Asian Diaspora, Vol. 1. No. 1, March 2009, pp. 3-17.

Lecture 9: South Asian Religions & Religious Festivals in Singapore (2): Islam

The Lecture will look at the development of South Asian Muslim communities in Singapore and focused
on the development Tamil-Muslim institutions in Singapore. The lecture will go on to consider how state-
policies vis-à-vis religion and multiculturalism have had an impact on Tamil-Muslim religious practices.

References:

*Mani, A. “Aspects of Identity and Change Among Tamil Muslims in Singapore”, in Journal Institute of
Muslim Affairs, Vol. 13:2, July 1992.
*Bibijan Ibrahim, ‘Behavioural Malayisation among Some Indian Muslims in Singapore’, Tamil Peravai
1 (1976/77), 99-123.
 
*Lee Geok Boi, The Religious Monuments of Singapore. Faiths of Our Forefathers. Singapore: Landmark
Books 2002.

Lecture 10: South Asian Languages in Singapore

The session will look closely at the development of South Asian languages in Singapore. It will consider
the influence of the Tamil reform movement in India on Tamils in Singapore and go on to consider how
national education policies have effected the development of the Tamil language here. The session will
also look closely at the development of minor South Asian languages in Singapore, specifically Hindi,
Punjabi, Bengali, Urdu & Gujarati, their position prior to the 1990s and consider the key influences that
have led to the ‘re-emergence’ of these languages in the Singapore context over the last two decades,
including national education policies, developments in media, and the advent of migrant professionals to
Singapore.

References:
*Rai Rajesh, “The attrition & survival of minority languages: The development of non-Tamil South Asian
languages in the Singapore ‘Indian’ Diaspora”, in Asian Diasporas: Re-visiting the Chinese and South
Asian Experiences, Singapore, 5-7 April 2004.

*Sobriello, Amy, “Language Maintenance and Shift among Tamils in Singapore” in A Manimaran (ed.)
Tamil Language and Tamil Society in Singapore, v.6, Singapore: National University of Singapore Tamil
Language Society, 1989.

*Jain, Ritu and Lionel Wee, “Multilingual education in Singapore: beyond language communities?”,
pp.73-85

*Schiffman, F.Harold, “Tongue-tied in Singapore: A Language policy for Tamil?”, University of

Pennsylvania.

Lecture 11: India and Singapore: Diplomatic and Economic Relations

Diplomatic and economic relations between India and Singapore have changed considerably since 1991.
In the economic sphere, the liberalization of the Indian economy, has enhanced economic linkages with
Singapore. In 2005, India and Singapore signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement
(CECA). Since then bilateral trade between India and Singapore has grown considerably, as have linkages
in a variety of sectors, information technology (IT), tourism, telecommunications and banking. The
lecture will consider the development of diplomatic and economic relations between India in Singapore,
and the resonance this has had on South Asian communities here.

Reference:
*Tan Tai Yong and See Chak Mun (2009) The Evolution of India-ASEAN Relations, India Review,
8:1, pp.20-42

Lecture 12: Positioning South Asians in Singapore – A comparison with other Southeast Asian countries
& Overview and Summing Up: South Asians and the Singapore nation

The lecture will look at the position of the South Asian communities in Singapore and compare key
features of the political, economic and social development with that of South Asians located in other
Southeast Asian countries. The lecture is also intended as an overview of the course, and to discuss
aspects of the exam.

Reference:
*Rajesh Rai “ ‘Positioning’ the Indian Diaspora: The Southeast Asian Experience” in Raghuram, Parvati
(et al) (eds.), Tracing an Indian Diaspora: Contexts, Memories, Representations, New Delhi: Sage, 2008.

DISCUSSION GROUP PROGRAMME

1. Discussion Group Topic I:

‘ICE Breaker’ – The session will enable us to get to know each other better. It will allow students the
opportunity to query various aspects of the course in terms of focus, structure and content. Future sessions
of discussion activities where students will be required to do presentations will be organized.

‘Perception’ of South Asians in Singapore – Students will be asked to provide their views on what are
some of the dominant perceptions of South Asians in Singapore. Furthermore, students are required to
bring to class and discuss a newspaper article, magazine cutout, or any artifact linked to South Asians in
Singapore.

2. Discussion Group Topic II:

● Migration and the Making of a South Asian diaspora in Singapore

The aim of the session is to consider the key features of South Asian movement to Singapore. What were
the key push and pull factors that led to the movement of South Asians in Singapore? What were the
various types of migrants? How did the specific trajectory of migration have an influence on the
development of the community?

a) Indian Labour Migration in 19th and early 20th century. The largest number of South Asians
arrived in Singapore as labourers. What were the factors that led to the movement of labourers to
Singapore? What were the different types of labour employed, and what were the systems used to
‘recruit’ labour. In which sectors of the economy were these labourers employed in? What are
their contributions to the development of Singapore? Examine aspects of their movement and
living conditions in Singapore during that period.

b) South Asian Merchants in the 19th and early 20th century – Examine and explain the arrival of
South Asian merchant groups in Singapore. Identify the different groups and explain the key
aspects of their trade. What were the key institutions that they developed?

c) Imperial Auxilliaries, skilled workers and professionals in the late 19 th and early 20th century.
Where did the main groups in these sectors come from? What were the reasons for their
emigration to Singapore. What were the key features of these groups and what sectors were they
employed in? What role did these groups come to play in the budding South Asian community in
Singapore?

3. Discussion Group Topic III:

● Settlement patterns and Socio-political features of the South Asian Community in Singapore in
the late 19th century and the 1st half of the 20th century.
The aim of the session is to consider various aspects of the social, cultural and political development of
the South Asian community in the 1st half

a) What were the main areas of South Asian Settlement in Singapore? Which were the groups living
in these areas? Discuss aspects of the social and economic life of these groups in these locations.
How is ‘Little India’ different from other areas of South Asian settlement and how did the area
transform in the 20th century?

b) How did the sojourning patterns of Indians impact on their social & political affiliations in
Singapore? Examine the key features of any of the following events/movements:
1. 1915 Indian Mutiny and/or
2. The Dravidian Movement and/or
3. The Indian National Army and/or
What do these tell you about the nature of the wider-community they identified with.

c) Examine the types of institutions South Asians formed in the 19th and early 20th century. Who
were the key groups involved in the formation of these organizations. How far did class, religion,
political affiliation, language, region and culture influence the formation of these organizations.
Where there changes in the type of institutions being formed in the period?

4. Discussion Group Topic IV:

● Multiculturalism, nation-building, state policies and the impact on South Asian Identities in
Postcolonial Singapore

Using specific South Asian communities as examples, consider the impact of living in a
multicultural setting alongside state policies on the following markers of South Asian
Identity:
Religion (Hinduism or Islam)
Language (Tamil or Minor South Asian Languages)

5. Discussion Group Topic V:

● Key features of the South Asian Diaspora in Singapore in the 21st century
Discussion

The aim of this session is to consider some of the key features of the South Asian
diaspora in the 21st century.
‘Temporary South Asian migrant labourers and domestic workers’.
With regards to this issue, students may want to consider aspects of the experience of
these workers in Singapore, and to compare the similarities and differences with the
earlier system of migration linked to indenture.
Examine the key features of South Asian popular culture in Singapore in the 21st
century? What impact has the development of communications (such as cinema,
satellite television, internet) had on the South Asian diaspora? Students may want to
consider aspects of the expansion of these facets of South Asian popular culture in
Singapore over the last decade.
 c) Closely examine the role of the South Asian community in Singapore’s economic
life. How has the position changed over time? What are the factors that inform this
change. What are the difference within the community and what factors inform these
differences? What impact do you think this will have in the future

GROUP PROJECT

The project will be undertaken by a small group (of either 3 or 4 students) that will include an
individual component. The project will involve thorough documentary research, including archival,
newspapers and other primary sources, on site observation of phenomena of interest to the group.
Based on this students will be required to do a write up on the topic of interest. An individual can
request for a personal project, however this is subject to approval. The guidelines for an individual
project are different from that listed below.

Individual Component

(1) An analytical write-up of approximately 1200 (per person) on a select area of interest based on the
project. (50% of total mark).

Combined Component (50% of total mark)

(2) Collective introduction and conclusion to the final project (1500 words).
(3) A 200-400 word write up on the methods used in collecting data for the project and a discussion
of difficulties encountered if applicable.
(4) Systematic data collection & documentation of sources (archival documents, key articles,
newspapers reports, magazine articles etc.) on the chosen research area. The group should hand in
alongside their write-up, a systematized file containing these documents.

Groups will be divided at the 1st Discussion session.

Every group is required to put in a project proposal that will be discussed in consultation with lecturer
of the course. The lecture will consider whether the project proposal is suitable and provide feedback
as to how members can go about it. You should have completed and discussed the proposal with your
respective tutor by Friday of Week 5. The proposal should include:
a) The title of the project
b) Name of members in the group
c) An outline of the proposed project including a statement on the methodology of research, and a
bibliography.
d) A short paragraph of the individual section of each student

· The final project must be submitted:

a) In hard copy to (AS8 #06-40);
You should ensure that when you hand the assignment in at the SASP office it is marked off
against the class list for GES1007/SSA2219 which is held there. The deadline for submission of
the project/assignment is Friday of Week 10.
· All assignments must have a cover sheet giving the following details:
o the title of the project;
 o full name and matriculation number of all members & indication of the section each
member has done;
o your Discussion Group number and time and your DG tutor’s name
· All project write-ups must have a full bibliography of the materials (books, articles, websites
etc) consulted in researching and writing the essay.
· Please Note: whether it is drawn from books, articles, newspapers, the worldwide web (www.)
or any other source, all material that you use in the project has to be fully ‘documented’:
o in the case of printed and published material, ‘documentation’ means that the full
details of author, title, publisher, place of publication and publication date, together
with specific page references, must be provided in footnotes or endnotes in a consistent
style;
o in the case of web materials, ‘documentation’ means that full website details, together
with date accessed, must be provided in footnotes or endnotes.

· You are reminded that any attempt in the project, to pass off, as your own work, material from
other sources – whether from printed sources, web sources, or work written by other students –
will be treated as plagiarism and will lead to a zero score.

· The FASS policy on plagiarism is at:

www.fas.nus.edu.sg/undergrad/notices/plagiarism_warning_144-02.pdf
A copy is attached to this handout. Another useful link, which is maintained by the Centre for the
Development of Teaching and Learning, is at
www.cdtl.nus.edu.sg/cdtlhome/special.htm#Plagiarism
which contains essential materials on various forms of plagiarism and how to avoid them.

The following are suggested areas for the project. The intention is to secure a tighter focus for your
research. You have the freedom to pick your own topic outside this list, subject to the approval of your
tutor/lecturer.

a) Socio-political developments in the South Asian community from the end of the Japanese
Occupation to Singapore’s independence in 1965 or alternatively, socio-political
developments in the South Asian community from Singapore’s independence in 1965 till the
late 1980s.
- Students should begin by looking at key texts that cover socio-political developments in
Singapore and Malaya during this period. The search can continue into Singapore
newspapers that are easily available online. You can also listen to some oral interviews.
In the process of the research, you may want to define the topic further. This is
encouraged as it will be a more focused piece.

b) The formation and development of minor religious communities (South Asian

Muslims/Christians/Sikhs) or minor South Asian regional communities in Singapore.
- The project should have a historical background of the movement of any these minor
communities to Singapore. Key features of the community in the early period, such as for
example in terms of their economic activities etc. What are the demographic features of
the group you are studying?
- Students should consider how multiculturalism, nation-building, and so on has impacted
on the development of these communities in Singapore.
- What are crucial issues that emerged which influenced the identities of these group?
- You can choose a single South Asian Muslim community (for eg. Tamil Muslims or you
may take up a wider group). You are also free to look only at a specific time period.
c) The historical and contemporary development of one South Asian organisations in
Singapore

d) Key binaries that have emerged amongst South Asian groups.

- At various historical periods, there have been key issues of conflict that have emerged
amongst South Asian groups. Occassionally – this may take the form of a conflict on the
issue of language, for example Tamil vs. Hindi or ‘ethnicity’ such as for example North
Indian vs. South Indian. A contemporary cleavage may also exists between those South
Asians who have settled here for longer periods as compared to those who have arrived
recently. Focus on one such binary only. Provide a context to understand how this
division has arisen, and look at specific issues that explicate and provide light on the
development of these binaries. They may be historical or contemporary.

f) Immigrant South Asian professionals in contemporary Singapore

- Look closely at the changes in migration policy from the late 1980s onwards that had led to the
arrival of new migrant South Asian professionals in Singapore.
- Examine key issues pertaining to this groups as they have come to increasingly settle in the
Singapore context.

h) South Asian business communities

- You can study any South Asian ethno-religious community that is prominent in Singapore.
Examples include Sindhis, Gujaratis, Chettiars, certain Punjabi castes, Marwaris amongs others.
- Focus on their business history here. What types of trade/business did they undertake in the
past. How has this changed over time. What are the problems that they might still be confronting.

*Special Option. Students who have difficulties with coordinating for a group project can do an
individual project of 2500 words, details of which will be provided by your tutors.