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History of Penang



Penang is one of the states located in Malaysia and comprises a variety of ethnic, cultures as well as religious characteristics. The history of Penang was first heard in 1591.


Sir James Lancaster


During that time, it was known as one of the first English voyagers, Sir James Lancaster, with his ship, namely, the Edward Bonaventure came for the purpose of trade. James Lancaster was born at Basingstoke which is located in the United Kingdom and he was not only a merchant, but a soldier as well. Since Sir James Lancaster and his ship was the first to arrive in Penang, it is known that Sir James Lancaster is the founder of Penang. Penang was known to be an uninhabited Island. The ship that sailed by the British was from England and sailed out to the East to find pepper and some spices from the native people in Malaya. The Island of Penang or Penang later known by people, especially traders.

Bonaventure

The Island of Penang was initially part of the Malay Sultanate of Kedah and known as a harbor for pirates during that time. Only after 1786, Francis Light persuaded the Sultan of Kedah to give up Penang to British East India Company (EIC). The Sultan of Kedah, Abdullah Marhum Shah of Kedah, was conscious about the whole  issue that was being taken place, realizing they were not powerful enough to stand alone then agreed to what had been offered to them, taking military protection for his state and lending Penang to EIC. Later on in 1867, the Strait Settlement became a British Crown Colony which included the state of Malacca, Singapore and Penang. The state held a strong strategic location in terms of trading route which sparks the interest of British


References:
Ooi Keat Gin, DISPARATE IDENTITIES: PENANG FROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, 1780-1941), 28.
Gullin, E., G., & Zehnder. “The Early History of Penang”. The Straits Echo, 1905.
 B, Rollins. "Francis Light and Penang." Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 38, no. 1 (207 (1965): 135-158


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