In our early days, British Commissioners from the East India Company who named our streets often got their inspiration from outstanding leaders who played a huge part in the formation of our nation, or from ethnic enclaves that developed in the area. The stories that complete our history are unraveled as we delve deeper into the meaning behind street names like Chitty Road and D’Almeida Street.

Jalan Tan Tock Seng

The street, which houses Tan Tock Seng Hospital, is named after the well-known philanthropist Mr. Tan Tock Seng

Tan Tock Seng moved from Malacca to Singapore at the age of 30 in 1819, where he rose from his humble origins to become a successful merchant. Through his diligence and foresight, the merchant carved a name for himself in the business of trade with his good friend and business partner John Horrocks Whitehead.

In time, Tan bought over large tracts of land around the Padang, rows of shophouses and plantations. He was an influential leader within the Chinese community, and people often turned to him for advice and conflict resolution. He was thus the first Asian to be made a Justice of the Peace by Governor Butterworth.

Throughout his life, Tan believed in giving back to the society every way he could. Besides helping out the community with their problems, he was also known to pay for the burial of poor Chinese. In 1844, he founded a hospital named after himself, which is the second largest acute care general hospital in Singapore today.

Unfortunately, he died at an early age of 52 to an unknown disease in 1850.

Chitty Road

Chitty Road in Little India is named after the community of Chitty, which means merchant in Tamil, as the majority of these migrants settled along the area.

Chitty, or Peranakan Indians, are descendants of the early South Indian merchants who married Malays in Melaka. Though Indian in ethnicity, many are assimilated into the Malay culture and could only speak Malay and English.

In the 19^th century, a handful of Chitty sold their properties in Melaka and moved to Singapore, forming their Chitty enclave along Selegie Road, Race Course Road, Serangoon Road, and of course, Chitty Road. One such prominent figure was the late Mr. Muthu-Krishnan Tevanathan Pillay, who worked as an accountant at the Accountant General’s office. He led many other Chitty from Melaka to Singapore, and subsequently helped them attain employment in both the private and public sectors. MT Pillay was also awarded the Member of the British Empire (MBE) for his contributions and loyal service.

Today, the population of Chitty in Singapore and Melaka has dwindled to just 2,000.

* To read more of Singapore's unique street names, click here.