artist: J.T. Thomson, Government Surveyor
location: Empress Place
patron: The Government of the Straits Settlements
The obelisk is the first public monument in Singapore, built in 1850. It is modelled after Cleopatra's Needle, an ancient Egyptian stone pillar that had been brought to London and erected on the banks of the River Thames.
It was built to commemorate the second visit to Singapore of Gov-General of India, The Marquis of Dalhousie (Gov Gen fm 1848 to 1856). The object of his visit was to consider the reduction of administrative expenditure. The memorial was built to remind merchants of the benefits of free trade. First sited at Dalhousie Pier, but in 1886 it was moved to another site on the same line but nearer the sea wall (where the Cenotaph stands now). In 1891 it was moved again, this time to its present site.
text of the label:
Inhabited by the European, Chinese and native inhabitants of Singapore to commemorate the visit in the month of February 1850 of the most noble
The Marquis of Dalhousie, Governor General of British India, on which occasion he emphatically recognized the wisdom of liberating commerce from all restraints. Under which enlightened policy this settlement has proudly attained its present rank among British possessions and with which future prospects must ever be identified.