Many would remember that Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles
founded Singapore in 1819. However, during the 15th century,
Singapore (or Singapura at that time) was a vassal state to Siam.
But a Sumatran prince named Parameswara killed the then ruler of
Singapore, greatly angering the Siamese king. The Siamese king sent
troops to attack Singapura, successfully reconquering it.
Parameswara fled for his life and Singapura quickly became
forgotten. However, even before Parameswara was a Chinese traveller
Wang Dayuan during the 14th century who documented the early
history of Singapura. His records are one of the few existing
documents that are still around today.
In conclusion, Raffles only rediscovered Singapore but it was he
who founded modern Singapore.
