Chapter 1. Splendour of the Past

MAKING OF A TRADING POST

Singapore’s strategic location along the key shipping route connecting Europe, West Asia and India with China, Southeast Asia and Australia facilitated its development as an essential port for trade and commerce.

The history of Singapore can be traced back to the 14th century, when the island, then known as Temasek, was a trading centre for the Malay and Javanese empires. In the 16th century, when Singapore fell under the control of the Johor Sultanate, it became a thriving trading hub, with merchants from China, India, and the Middle East flocking to the island to conduct business.

Eighteenth-century Singapore was just a rainforest with a natural harbour, but that changed in 1819 when Sir Stamford Raffles arrived on its shores. During the early 19th century, the island attracted businessmen from across Europe who were keen on exploring economic opportunities through ocean routes. Moreover, the British rule facilitated commerce in the region, giving the Southeast Asian trading port a boost

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Chapter 2. Gujarati Business Acumen – Key to Success

The innate fearless spirit of the Gujarati explorer has always been feted, especially in business and trading. Centuries of outbound trade from coastal Gujarat created lasting commercial corridors for entrepreneurs who exported commodities. Within Gujarat, social, cultural, and economic factors elevated the commercial status of the Gujaratis. They integrated socially with the rulers and ruling class outside of India.

At a community level, they built strong relationships with other traders at the ports where they conducted business. The Gujarati proverb and outlook, “સ િં હ નચિં બચ્ચિં છે , ગ િં જયો જાય તેવો નથી (Sinh nu bacchu che, gaanjyo jaay tevo nathi) - He is a lion cub and will not be intimidated”, is emblematic of their resilience, which has been critical to their success.

Gujarat became a part of the Mughal empire in 1573, making its ports a gateway for supplies to reach North India. In 1587, the Portuguese East India Company started managing Gujarat’s maritime trade, importing goods from Asia, China and Europe to Khambat or Cambay. The easily approachable Gujaratis and their good business ethics made it easier for the Portuguese to settle in and around Gujarat as traders, bringing further commercial success. The traders from Gujarat – Hindus, Muslims, Jains and Parsis – followed different faiths, but what kept them connected to each other was the Gujarati language. Their business practices also remained largely similar in how they conducted trade and their engagement with other traders.

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Chapter 3. Vision for Community Development

Singapore evolved into more than just an economically viable destination for Gujarati entrepreneurs pursuing their dreams in the 19th and 20th centuries. As they put down roots in their new homeland, the ties to the families they had left behind in Gujarat were enriched by new connections and affiliations formed in Singapore, fostering a deep sense of belonging. The smaller size of the community facilitated ease of communication across various religious groups. Since the residences and shops of most Gujaratis across all faiths were situated in the same geographical area, they nurtured mutual respect towards one another’s cultural traits, ways of living and religious beliefs. Gujaratis tend to say, “આપણે વેંત નમીએ તો મો હ થ નમે (Aapne venht namiye to saamo haath namey) - As you respect, so you will be respected”.

The individual and collective journeys of these early entrepreneurs fostered social sustainability, inspiring them to connect with the broader local community and contribute to the well-being of those around them. This drive led to the establishment of amenities tailored to local needs and the formation of sub-communities based on religious and societal practices. These included community centres, temples, mosques, regional language schools, prayer halls, various business and social institutions or associations

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Chapter 4. The Captivating Gujarati Culture

The pulsating magnificence of Gujarati culture lies in its rich traditions, customs, diverse art forms — folk, classical, and semi-classical — cuisine, costumes, and the mesmerising celebration of festivals, both religious and communal.
This cultural vibrancy is shaped by the confluence of Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism, which have collectively influenced Gujarat’s eclectic socio-cultural practices. The Indo-Aryan language that unites the community, Gujarātī, is the 26th most spoken native language in the world. It was the first language of prominent architects of Indian independence, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and remains the mother tongue of India’s current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. In Gujarat, the saying goes, “બાર ગામે બોલી બદલાય (Baar Gaamey Boli Badlaay)” — meaning "the dialect changes every twelve villages" — reflects the state’s linguistic diversity. This holds even today, with people across urban and rural regions speaking various dialects, each infused with unwritten lore: legends, songs, proverbs, and tales that carry forward the rich heritage of Gujarati culture.

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Chapter 5. Leading Lights

Over the decades, Singaporean Gujaratis have pursued their rising aspirations with a keen eye on ever-expanding opportunities. In many families, the entrepreneurial ventures established by their forefathers, once synonymous with their family names, have faded into history. The gradual transition from traditional family-owned businesses to diverse careers in banking and finance, law, medicine, manufacturing, academia, research, and the armed forces began several generations ago.

The Millennial generation and those before them have thrived in the globalised era, reaching new heights and gaining recognition. Among them are individuals whose strong values and sense of purpose drive them to achieve remarkable success, setting examples for others to follow. Their extraordinary accomplishments stem from their personal ambition and trailblazing spirit. Not only have they taken on leadership roles in their respective fields, but they have also remained deeply engaged with the Singaporean community, serving with passion and dedication. Ancient wisdom says, “ગ ય બકર ન વ ડ , ક ઈિં વ ઘ ન વ ડ હોય? (Gaay bakra na wada, kain wagh na wada hoy?), meaning, Eagles fly alone, they are but sheep that flock together”.

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Chapter 6. Perceiving Tomorrow

The communal energy and cultural outlook of Singapore’s thriving Gujarati community are most evident in the diverse events organised by various groups.

This chapter explores the aspirations and connections of a community that is global in outlook yet distinctly Singaporean in approach and lifestyle. Despite their deep-rooted ties to Singapore, many Gujaratis maintain strong cultural links to India, the land of their ancestors.

While Gujarati-speaking Singaporeans have embraced the nation's rise as a globalised economy with characteristic zeal, greater efforts are needed to bridge the gap between long-established community members, some with roots spanning three or more generations, and the younger generation and diaspora. Singapore’s economic ascent has also attracted new waves of Gujaratis who have seamlessly integrated with the established community, creating opportunities for deeper engagement and unity.

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