Penang's history

Penang it is known throughout the world as the Pearl of the Orient. It is an island located off the northwest coast of Malaysia. In the local language of Malaysia, the island is called Pulau Pinang. Penang is also the name of the state that includes the island and part of the mainland. George Town it is the state capital. The island has a heritage embedded in British colonial history. Back in 1786, Penang and the entire state belonged to the Sultan of Kedah.

He has always been under threat of attack from his neighbor Siam (Thailand). As long as he struck gifts for the King of Siam, Kedah was safe. The sultan got tired of this agreement and asked the British government for help. In exchange for protection, Kedah He agreed to give the island to the British and was persuaded to give up part of the continent so that the British could better defend the area in the event of an attack.

So, in 1786, Sir Francis Light took over Penang and established a trading post there. Soon after, the island became a major trading port for spices and tea. Apart from many beautiful beaches, Penang offers many unusual local attractions, such as the well-known Fort cornwallis.

It was built at the Sir Francis Light landing site on the island. Originally it was a wooden palisade, but later in 1804, with the help of prison inmates, the fort was rebuilt in concrete. Another of the sites that you should visit is Kek Lok Si, which is a Buddhist temple built on a hill. The temple took over 20 years to build. It has a turtle pond and different sculptures and altars.

Penang's History, My Story (May 2024)