History

Illustration of Penang Port

Before British came, Penang was originally a part of the Kedah Sultanate. At that time, Penang was known as ‘harbour of pirates’. In 1786, Francis Light landed and made Penang as a trade center for British. Light persuaded and took the possession of the Island of Penang from Sultan Abdullah, the ruler of Kedah by guarantee the protection of army from Siamese and Burmese. 

Monument of Captain Francis Light

In August 1786, Captain Francis Light names the Island as “Prince of Wales Island” after George V and the strip on the mainland which was christened Province Wellesley, after the Governor of India. The former was later named George Town, after King George III.

In 1970, Sultan Abdullah knew about the plans and created his own army to chase British from the land but failed. Later, Sultan Abdullah had to sign an agreement to hand over Penang to the British. Light promised to pay the Sultan 6,000 Spanish dollars every year. 

Example of Spanish notes

In 1832, Penang formed part of the Straits Settlement with Malacca and Singapore. Penang became a trade center for tea, spices like clove and nutmeg from local farms, china, and pepper from Aceh and textiles from India. Next, the regional trade grew with the inclusion of tin, and then rubber.

The Pearl of the Orient was known as a beautiful island and more known as Pulau Pinang. This paradise got its name from the abundance of betel nut palms scattered across her soft, sandy beaches.

The betel or 'pinang' in Malay

Other than that, instead of Malacca, George Town also was listed as the United Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World heritage Site on July 7, 2008 due to its well-preserved heritage buildings Penang’s capital, Georgetown.

Armenian Street, the heart of Penang UNESCO heritage city