Description of the attraction
The Dalhousie Obelisk is located in downtown Singapore, next to the Victoria Theater and the Museum of Asian Civilizations.
The author of the obelisk project is the British civil engineer John Turnbull Thompson. This representative of the colonial administration made a significant contribution to the development of the infrastructure of Singapore in the 19th century. In the urban planning of the island, he left behind such iconic buildings as the Horsburgh lighthouse, the Hajja Fatima Mosque, the European sailor's hospital, etc.
The prototype and source of inspiration for the creation of the Dalhousie obelisk was apparently a very ancient Egyptian obelisk brought by the British from Alexandria at the beginning of the 19th century. It was installed in the center of London and was given the name "Cleopatra's Needle".
The history of the appearance of the Dalhousie obelisk is interesting. Singaporeans pay tribute to two centuries of British colonization of the island. It was the British who drained the swamps, abolished slavery, and built schools. In general, they laid the foundation for the economic development of Singapore. But over time, the costs of maintaining a significant apparatus of the colonial administration grew. This displeased prominent merchants of the island. They believed that it would be more useful to direct the funds to the development of the port's infrastructure. The Governor-General of India could help resolve the issue. Then this post was held by the Marquis of Dalhousie.
For his visit to the island in 1850, all measures were taken to ensure the loyalty of the distinguished guest. In honor of him, the pier was named, on which the eponymous obelisk was erected.
Later, in connection with reclamation work, it was moved several times to other places - for better preservation. At the beginning of the 20th century, the obelisk took its current place, on the north bank of the Singapore River, near the Anderson Bridge. The majestic memorial obelisk fits perfectly into the historical landscape.
