1. Welcome to
Nagore Dargah
Indian Muslim Heritage Centre
Singapore

2. This presentation
briefs you the
history of this
building

3. History
The 180 years old National Monument was
constructed by the first immigrants from
the coromandel coast in Tamil Nadu, South
India.
They are identified as the Chulia Muslims
in Singapore.

4. History
Nagore Dargah is located at 140 Telok Ayer
street. The National Monument will now
feature as the Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim
Heritage Centre, a showcase of the unique
stories of the Indian Muslims in Singapore.

5. Who Built it?
It was built between 1827 and 1830, by
Chulia Tamil Muslims from the Coromandel
Coast of India. It is one of the earliest
religious monuments in Singapore.
It was gazetted as a National Monument by
the Preservation Board of Singapore on 29
November 1974

6. What does it illustrate?
It Illustrates the stories of Indian
Muslims, the memories relating to their
immigration and travel to Singapore from
India and other significant events from
that period to the present.

7. Who are Indian Muslims?
Muslims who trace their ancestry to the
Indian subcontinent are referred to as
Indian Muslims.
They were part of a whole line of coastal
communities from Africa to East Asia
involved in shipbuilding, trade of goods and
transmission of cultures, languages and

8. How did the Indian Muslims
contribute to Singapore?
The Indian Muslims have contact with
Singapore for more than 200 years. They have
established lot of businesses in Singapore
like Levi stock, Gemstone, Textiles,
Stationary, Ship building, Restaurants,
Perfumes and Money changing

9. How did the Indian Muslims
contribute to Singapore?
They has worked under the British colonial
powers as Lawyers, Judges, Army Officers,
Police Officers and Labourers. With these
ways they have contributed much to this
nation.

10. the famous merchants of
Singapore
The Indian ocean proved ideal for sailing
and trading with other countries. People
from the Coromandel coast and Malabar coast
of India came to Singapore for trade. They
were called the Chulia and Malabari
Merchants respectively.

11. How did they set up their trade
in Singapore?
British Trading post in Singapore attracted
Indians to arrive here as merchants, petty
traders, drivers and peons. They also joined
as police officers in Singapore.

12. Why did they travel?
Islam encourages Muslims to involve in
trading. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself
has been a trader. There are many verses in
the Quran about business ethics and
transactions.

13. Why did they travel?
The sayings of prophet Muhammad (PBUH) like
“Pay your workers before his sweat dries
up”
“Go as far as China in search of
knowledge” served as a powerful guide for
the Muslims to involve in trade.

14. Now let’s explore the
galleries in this
heritage Centre

15. There are four
galleries in this
heritage Centre

16. Gallery A
This gallery covers:
 Origins of Telok Ayer
 Journey to Telok Ayer
 Development of Telok Ayer
 Conserving Telok Ayer (Conservation)
 A view of Singapore from Mount Wallich 1856
 Community Notice Board& Acknowledgement Board

17. Gallery B
This is the heart of the Heritage. In this
gallery, 85% of the artefacts and images are
donated from the members of the Indian
Muslim community during the community public
appeal event on 8th and 9th January 2011.

18. Gallery B
The Gallery tells the story through several
selective themes
 Who are the Indian Muslims?
 Journey to Singapore
 Trades & Professions
 Literature, Journalism & Education
 Weddings & Festivals

19. Gallery B
 Conserving the Indian Muslim Identity
 Associations & Institutions, Indian Muslims in
Singapore Society
 Contemporary Photomontage of Indian Muslim
Community involvements
 Featured Artefact - Wrought iron Spatula

20. Gallery C
This gallery covers:
 Indian Muslim Culinary Heritage
 Visitors can try the popular Indian Muslim foods as
well as find out what it constitutes
 Discovering Indian Muslim Culinary History
 Tea Story
 Conserving Telok Ayer (Conservation)
 19th Century Historical Prints

21. Gallery C
Collections of original 19th century
commercial prints depicting the natural
history and scenes of India. These items
here are more decorative in nature than
Storytelling.

22. Gallery D
History of Nagore Dargah:
 The origins of Nagore Dargah in Singapore and
India
 Shahul Hamid, the saint of Nagore.
 Architecture of Nagore Dargah
 Kandoori Festival

23. Gallery D
The Highlights of Gallery D:
 1873 Watercolour of Nagore India
 1753 French Map of Coromandel Coast
 Prayer Strip and Stone from Nagore India

24. Thank You for visiting Nagore
Dargah
Indian Muslim Heritage
Centre, Singapore
Have a Pleasant Day!