How Tanjong Pagar And Redhill Got Their Names

Tanjong Pagar
When Paduka Sri Maharaja ascended the throne, the people of Singapura soon learnt that he had a quick temper.

There was an incident that involved a renown magician from Pasai. His name was Tun Jana Khatib. Accompanied by two friends, he arrived in Singapura one fateful day. He was eager to explore the island after hearing so much about it.

The Queen happened to look out the window just as the magician was passing by and she caught his eye. Noticing a betel palm beside the palace gave him an idea. The Queen watched in amazement as a bolt of lightning struck the betel palm, neatly splitting it into two.

The noise brought the Raja into the Queen's quarters. His concern disappeared when he saw the amusement on the Queen's face. He angrily demanded an explanation, "Who is this man and what is he to you?"

Although the Queen tried to explain that the magician was just an inconsequential traveler passing by, it was no use. The Raja ordered the arrest and immediate execution of the hapless magician.

As the magician's blood spilled onto the ground, his body suddenly vanished. No one was able to explain this strange occurrence. Many believed that the body was magically whisked away to Langkawi.

Some time later, an unusual phenomenon occurred when swordfish started terrorizing the entire village. They were killing the villagers with their sharp snouts. No one went out to sea that morning. The Raja thought this ridiculous and concluded that the fishermen must be spreading this rumours so that they won't have to work. But the villagers were not exaggerating.

The situation became desperate and a village representative pleaded with the Raja to take immediate action. Still unconvinced, the Raja nevertheless made his way to the village that afternoon.

As he urged his elephant towards the shore with his brave bodyguards, the swordfish struck. The Raja was left astounded, as his bodyguards lay dead before his eyes. Suddenly, one of the creatures leapt high and tore at his sleeve!

His men swiftly brought the Raja to higher and safer grounds. He commanded that the villagers must be protected at all costs. He ordered a human barricade along the shore. The men obeyed but suffered terribly. Soon, hundreds lay dead along the shore.

He ordered a retreat and that everyone should stay inside his home until he came up with a better solution.

Back at the palace, the Raja racked his brains without success. His mind kept replaying the terrible scene he witnessed earlier.

Desperate for answers, he returned to the beach. Suddenly, a small little boy said to him, "Your Majesty, I know how to deal with this problem".

Humouring the little boy, the Raja stooped down and listened. The boy suggested they make a barricade using banana stems. When the fish attack, their sharp snouts will get stuck on the stems. Then, the people can go into the waters and kill them.

The Raja was impressed and thought it might just work. He ordered his men to start chopping down the banana trees and line their trunks up along the shore.

The little boy became an instant celebrity and as a result of this, the area became known as Tanjong Pagar (translates as 'Cape of Stakes').

Redhill
Unfortunately, the Raja became jealous of the boy's popularity. That night, he called a special meeting with some of his most trusted guards. He feared that the boy might be too smart for his own good and he might grow into a powerful wizard and destroy him.

He told his guards to kill the boy secretly, displaying a grave concern at the same time. If the men discovered his hidden motive, he would surely be ousted from his position.

Under the cover of darkness, the guards made their way to the little boy's hut, where he stayed with his grandmother. Deeply troubled, they nevertheless set out to carry out their mission.

Soon the walls of the hut were covered with blood.

The next morning . . . . . . . . . .

Strangely, the boy and his grandmother could not be found anywhere. Even the Raja was mystified, as the three guards were also missing.

As the day progressed, the hill turned a strange blood-red colour. Because of this, the villagers called it 'Redhill'.
As for Paduka Sri Maharaja, it was said that he passed away several years later, after ruling Singapura for 12 and a half years.