Mohammad.Fahim: starting the article from scratch.

2026-04-30T21:33:59Z

starting the article from scratch.

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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Little India
| settlement_type = Subzone of [[Rochor]] Planning Area
| translit_lang1 = Other
| translit_lang1_type1 = [[Chinese language|Chinese]]
| translit_lang1_info1 = {{Lang|zh-hant|小印度}} <br>''Xiǎo Yìndù'' {{font|size=70%|([[Pinyin]])}}<br>''Sió Ìn-tō͘'' {{font|size=70%|([[Singapore Hokkien|Hokkien]] [[Pe̍h-ōe-jī|POJ]])}}
| translit_lang1_type2 = [[Malay language|Malay]]
| translit_lang1_info2 = {{lang|ms|Little India}}
| translit_lang1_type3 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| translit_lang1_info3 = {{lang|ta|சிறிய இந்தியா}} <br>''Siṟiya intiyā'' {{font|size=70%|([[ISO 15919|Transliteration]])}}
| translit_lang1_info6 =
| image_skyline = Little India (4048444495).jpg
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Shophouses in Little India
| image_map =
| mapsize =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = Singapore
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Little India within Singapore
| coordinates = {{coord|1.3065|N|103.8518|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[Singapore]]
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_blank1_title =
| area_blank1_km2 =
| population_footnotes =
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| blank_name_sec1 =
| blank_info_sec1 =
| blank1_name_sec1 =
| blank1_info_sec1 =
| blank2_name_sec1 =
| blank2_info_sec1 =
| official_name = Singapore
}}

'''Little India''' ({{langx|ta|லிட்டில் இந்தியா}}) is an [[ethnic enclave]] in [[Singapore]] located east of the [[Singapore River]], across from [[Chinatown, Singapore|Chinatown]], and north of [[Kampong Glam]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=IndianDiaspora.org |title=Little India of Singapore {{!}} Indian Diaspora |url=https://www.indiandiaspora.org/index.php/news/little-india-singapore |access-date=26 April 2025 |website=www.indiandiaspora.org |language=en}}</ref> Little India is commonly known as ''Tekka'' among the [[Indian Singaporean]] community.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Conservation Portal - |url=https://www.ura.gov.sg/Conservation-Portal/Explore/History.aspx?bldgid=LTIN# |access-date=10 January 2024 |website=www.ura.gov.sg}}</ref> The [[neighborhood|precinct]] is notable for its markets, including the [[Tekka Centre|Tekka Market]], and the festivals it hosts throughout the year, such as [[Diwali|Deepavali]] and [[Thaipusam]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |date=2 July 2025 |title=Indian Heritage Centre: From Pioneers To Present-Day - Little Day Out |url=https://www.littledayout.com/indian-heritage-centre-celebrating-a-rich-past/ |access-date=18 September 2025 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==History==
Little India was initially a [[district]] used by [[Ethnic groups in Europe|Europeans]] for cattle trading, where [[Indian people|Indian]] migrant workers found jobs, specializing in cattle rearing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singapore |first=National Library Board |title=Little India |url=https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=5daa9fec-5726-4b74-af78-fed5ee468bdb |access-date=10 January 2024 |website=www.nlb.gov.sg |language=en}}</ref> Its location along the [[Serangoon River]] provided good conditions for raising livestock, resulting in the growth of that industry.<ref name="KaehligKhong2008">{{cite book|author1=Carl-Bernd Kaehlig|author2=Swee Lin Khong|title=Sari, Sarong and Shorts: Singapore's Kampong Glam & Little India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D99uAAAAMAAJ|year=2008|publisher=SNP Editions|isbn=978-981-248-178-8|page=13}}</ref><ref name="SiddiqueShotam1982">{{cite book|author1=Sharon Siddique|author2=Nirmala Purushotam|title=Singapore's Little India, Past, Present, and Future|volume=3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HwNwAAAAMAAJ|year=1982|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|isbn=978-9971-902-31-5|pages=10, 58}}</ref> Eventually, the swamps were drained, and the European cattle farmers and traders moved out. Many of the cattle rearing migrant workers stayed, and the neighborhood became predominantly inhabited by South Asians, namely people of Indian descent. The [[Tamil Muslim|Tamil Muslims]], also known as Chulias, were among the earliest groups of Indian traders who arrived, engaging in commerce and various occupations, including infrastructure construction and serving in colonial positions.<ref name="auto1"/>

Little India was officially gazetted as a conservation area on 7 July 1989, with subsequent conservation of additional buildings along Desker Road, Syed Alwi Road, and Jalan Besar occurring over the following decades.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Conservation Portal - |url=https://www.ura.gov.sg/Conservation-Portal/Explore/History?bldgid=LTIN |access-date=9 December 2025 |website=www.ura.gov.sg}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Heritage Centre - Discover Little India |url=https://www.indianheritage.gov.sg/en/about-us/discover-little-india |access-date=9 December 2025 |website=www.indianheritage.gov.sg |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sg101.gov.sg/social-national-identity/multicultural/|title=Building a Multicultural Singapore|website=www.sg101.gov.sg}}</ref>

=== 2013 Little India riot ===
{{Main|2013 Little India riot}}
On 8 December 2013, a fatal accident occurred at [[Singapore Standard Time|SST]] 21:23 at the junction of Race Course Road and Hampshire Road. Sakthivel Kumarvelu, a 33-year-old Indian construction worker, was run over by a private bus, which was to transport migrant workers to their dormitories, and was killed.<ref name=":12">{{cite web |last=Torrijos |first=Elena |date=8 December 2013 |title=Deceased foreign worker in Little India riot tripped and fell after being ejected from bus: Police |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/fire--rioting-taking-place-in-little-india--reports-152651999.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715045557/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/fire--rioting-taking-place-in-little-india--reports-152651999.html |archive-date=15 July 2014 |access-date=11 July 2014 |website=Yahoo News}}</ref> While emergency vehicles arrived at the accident, the migrant workers started a riot over the accident. Twenty-five emergency vehicles were damaged in the riots, alongside five that were set on fire.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=Torrijos |first=Elena |date=8 December 2013 |title=Deceased foreign worker in Little India riot tripped and fell after being ejected from bus: Police |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/fire--rioting-taking-place-in-little-india--reports-152651999.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715045557/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/fire--rioting-taking-place-in-little-india--reports-152651999.html |archive-date=15 July 2014 |access-date=11 July 2014 |website=Yahoo News}}</ref> Video footage uploaded on the Internet shows rioters pushing police cars on their sides and setting an ambulance on fire.<ref name="cnn">{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Sophie |date=9 December 2013 |title=Dozens arrested in Singapore after foreign worker's death sparks riot |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/09/world/asia/singapore-little-india-riot/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209172653/http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/09/world/asia/singapore-little-india-riot/index.html |archive-date=9 December 2013 |access-date=9 December 2013 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref name="todayonline1">{{cite web |last1=Neo |first1=Chai Chin |last2=Chia |first2=Ashley |date=9 December 2013 |title=Little India riot: 200 injured, 27 arrested |url=http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/riot-breaks-out-little-india |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210215432/http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/riot-breaks-out-little-india |archive-date=10 December 2013 |access-date=28 April 2020 |work=Today}}</ref> 39 police, four civil defence and auxiliary officers were injured.<ref name=":1" />

There were an estimated 300 rioters<ref name="bbcnews">{{cite news |last=Nghiem |first=Ashleigh |date=9 December 2013 |title=Singapore bus death triggers riot |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25294918 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208214911/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25294918 |archive-date=8 December 2013 |access-date=9 December 2013 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="ft-8dec">{{cite news |last=Grant |first=Jeremy |date=8 December 2013 |title=Riot tarnishes Singapore's image as place of ethnic harmony |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/9266db8a-602e-11e3-b360-00144feabdc0.html |access-date=9 December 2013 |newspaper=[[Financial Times]]}}</ref> while the [[Singapore Police Force]] dispatched 300 riot police.<ref name="bbcnews" /> 27 arrests were made in relation to the riots<ref name="standardhk-a">{{cite news |date=9 December 2013 |title=Migrant labor activists suspect pent-up rage exploded in Singapore riot |url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=44133&icid=1&d_str= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213124242/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking_news_detail.asp?id=44133&icid=1&d_str= |archive-date=13 December 2013 |access-date=9 December 2013 |newspaper=The Standard |location=Hong Kong}}</ref><ref name="ft-8dec" /> where 24 were migrant labourers from India.<ref>{{cite news |author=Sim |first1=Walter |last2=Lim |first2=Joyce |last3=Cheong |first3=Kash |date=9 December 2013 |title=Little India Riot: 27 suspects from South Asia arrested in connection with the riot |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-27-suspects-from-south-asia-arrested-in-connection-with-the-riot-0 |access-date=28 April 2020 |newspaper=The Straits Times}}</ref><ref name="asiaone-27charged">{{cite web |date=9 December 2013 |title=Little India Riot: Singapore PR among 27 arrested: police |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-singapore-pr-among-27-arrested-police |access-date=28 April 2020 |work=The Straits Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=10 December 2013 |title=Singapore to charge 24 people for rioting – Australia Network News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-10/an-singapore-to-charge-24-people-for-rioting/5147754 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210101138/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-10/an-singapore-to-charge-24-people-for-rioting/5147754 |archive-date=10 December 2013 |access-date=10 December 2013 |newspaper=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref> Nine more labourers from [[Tamil Nadu]] were also arrested for their involvement in the riot with a total 33 workers who were eventually charged.<ref name="cna-11dec">{{cite news |last=See |first=Sharon |date=11 December 2013 |title=3 more charged with rioting at Little India |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/3-more-charged-with/918860.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214004849/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/3-more-charged-with/918860.html |archive-date=14 December 2013 |access-date=12 December 2013 |publisher=Channel NewsAsia}}</ref><ref name="sti-12dec">{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Khushwant |date=12 December 2013 |title=Little India Riot: Four more Indian nationals charged, remanded for further investigations |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/little-india-riot/story/little-india-riot-four-more-indian-nationals-charged-remanded- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215224307/http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/little-india-riot/story/little-india-riot-four-more-indian-nationals-charged-remanded- |archive-date=15 December 2013 |access-date=17 December 2013 |work=The Straits Times}}</ref><ref name="sti-14dec">{{cite news |date=14 December 2013 |title=Little India Riot: Two more Indian nationals charged in court |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/little-india-riot-two-more-indian-nationals-charged-court-20131214 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217030858/http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/little-india-riot-two-more-indian-nationals-charged-court-20131214 |archive-date=17 December 2013 |access-date=17 December 2013 |work=The Straits Times}}</ref> In addition, 53 workers were deported for offences ranging from obstructing the police to failing to follow police orders to disperse,<ref>{{cite web |date=20 December 2013 |title=Little India Riot: Police hold press conference on repatriation of workers involved in riot |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-police-hold-press-conference-on-repatriation-of-workers-involved-in-ri-0 |access-date=28 April 2020 |website=The Straits Times}}</ref> while 200 workers received formal advisories to obey the law.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Pearl |date=22 December 2013 |title=Little India riot: 200 foreign workers receive police advisories |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/little-india-riot-200-foreign-workers-receive-police-advisories |access-date=28 April 2020 |website=The Straits Times}}</ref>

The riot eventually led to the implementation of a new law, the [[Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015|Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act]] in 2015 banning consumption of alcohol in all public places from 10:30 pm to 7 am. This also included banning the sales of alcohol products such as Rum and Raisin ice cream<ref>{{cite web |title=Apparently, Cheers doesn't sell Rum Rum Raisin ice cream at night due to alcohol curfew – Coconuts Singapore |url=https://coconuts.co/singapore/news/apparently-cheers-doesnt-sell-rum-rum-raisin-ice-cream-night-due-alcohol-curfew/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712124322/https://coconuts.co/singapore/news/apparently-cheers-doesnt-sell-rum-rum-raisin-ice-cream-night-due-alcohol-curfew/ |archive-date=12 July 2018 |access-date=12 July 2018 |website=coconuts.co}}</ref> between the time periods,<ref>{{cite news |last=Han |first=Lim Yi |date=1 April 2015 |title=What you can or cannot do under the new alcohol law |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/what-you-can-or-cannot-do-under-the-new-alcohol-law |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708221316/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/what-you-can-or-cannot-do-under-the-new-alcohol-law |archive-date=8 July 2018 |access-date=12 July 2018 |newspaper=The Straits Times}}</ref> which was lifted in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 January 2019 |title=Update on MHA's Review Of Exemption of Food Products Containing Alcohol |url=https://www.mha.gov.sg/newsroom/press-release/news/update-on-mha-review-of-exemption-of-food-products-containing-alcohol |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024065410/https://www.mha.gov.sg/newsroom/press-release/news/update-on-mha-review-of-exemption-of-food-products-containing-alcohol |archive-date=24 October 2019 |access-date=24 October 2019 |website=MHA}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Goh |first1=Timothy |date=17 January 2019 |title=Food products with alcohol can be sold after 10.30pm as MHA lifts restrictions from Jan 18 |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mha-lifts-liquor-control-act-restrictions-on-food-products-containing-alcohol |access-date=24 October 2019 |website=The Straits Times}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:Deepavali, Little India, Singapore, Oct 06.JPG|thumb|Little India during [[Diwali|Deepavali]]]]

Under the Singapore government's policy of racial integration, Little India is deemed as a historical landmark. Many Indian businesses and [[cottage industries]] remain concentrated in Little India for the purpose of preserving cultural heritage. However, Little India is not the only zone in Singapore with a significant South Asian population, and Indian-dominant commercial zones can also be found in various [[Housing and Development Board]] estates.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Eng |first=Teo Siew |last2=Savage |first2=Victor R. |date=1985 |title=SINGAPORE LANDSCAPE: A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF HOUSING CHANGE |url=https://www.academia.edu/118910277/Singapore_Landscape_A_Historical_Overview_of_Housing_Change |journal=Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=48 |doi=10.1111/J.1467-9493.1985.TB00160.X |issn=0129-7619}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Language Shift in the Tamil Communities of Malaysia and Singapore: the Paradox of Egalitarian Language Policy. |url=http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/540/handouts/sparadox/sparadox.html |access-date=9 December 2025 |website=ccat.sas.upenn.edu}}</ref>

Little India is also home to [[Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations|Chinese Clan Associations]], places of worship for various religions, and a range of businesses, including those selling electrical supplies, hardware, second-hand goods, and traditional items such as spice grinders and groceries.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Henderson |first=Joan C. |date=June 2008 |title=Managing Urban Ethnic Heritage: Little India in Singapore |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13527250802155851 |journal=International Journal of Heritage Studies |language=en |volume=14 |issue=4 |pages=332–346 |doi=10.1080/13527250802155851 |issn=1352-7258|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Amenities==
[[File:Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, 2023 (02).jpg|thumb|[[Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple]], Little India]]
[[File:Leong San See Temple, 2012 0211.jpg|thumb|Leong San See Temple|290x290px]]

Along Serangoon Road are the [[Tekka Centre]], the [[Tekka Mall]], the Little India Arcade, Serangoon Plaza, and the [[Mustafa Centre]] (on a side road). [[Farrer Park Field|Farrer Park Fields]] is located in the district.

Little India is also home to several art houses. In 1985, the [[National Arts Council, Singapore|National Arts Council]] launched the Arts Housing Scheme, aimed at identifying and renovating old buildings for arts and cultural activities. A line of shophouses along Kerbau Road were designated for the project, and the area is currently known as the Little India Arts Belt. As of 2011, there are seven arts organizations in the Belt. Three are contemporary theatre companies, while the other organizations involve traditional arts such as Malay dance and Indian theatre.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=TC |first1=Chang |date=18 March 2014 |title='New uses need old buildings': Gentrification aesthetics and the arts in Singapore |url=https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098014527482 |journal=Urban Studies |volume=53 |issue=3 |pages=524–539 |doi=10.1177/0042098014527482 |s2cid=145702075 |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 May 2022}}</ref>

=== Places of worship ===

==== Churches ====

* [[Foochow]] Methodist Church
* [[Kampong Kapor Methodist Church]] (completed in 1929)

==== Temples ====

* The [[Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple]], along Racecourse Road, was established by a [[Bhikkhu|Thai monk]], Venerable Vutthisasara, in 1927.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.roots.gov.sg/en/places/places-landing/Places/historic-sites/sakya-muni-buddha-gaya-temple | title=Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple | access-date=31 August 2023}}</ref>
* Leong San See Temple was built in 1917 and is dedicated to [[Kuan Yin|Guanyin, Bodhisattva of Compassion]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.roots.gov.sg/en/places/places-landing/Places/landmarks/little-india-heritage-trail-walk-of-faiths/leong-san-see-temple | title=Leong San See Temple | access-date=31 August 2023}}</ref>
* Far Kor Sun [[Monkey]] God Temple

==== Hindu temples ====

* [[Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple]]
* [[Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple]]

==== Mosques ====

* [[Masjid Angullia|Angullia Mosque]]
* Jalan Mosque{{Clear}}

== Notable places ==

* [[House of Tan Teng Niah]]
* Sri Veerakaliamman Temple
* Indian Heritage Centre
* Srinivasa Perumal Temple
* Indian Heritage Centre
* Masjid Abdul Gaffoor
* Little India Arcade
* Tekka Centre
* Jothi Store And Flower Shop
* Mustafa Jewellery

==Transport==
[[File:Singapore little india 001 2002.jpg|thumb|Street in Little India]]
Serangoon Road is the main commercial thoroughfare in Little India. It intersects Rochor Canal Road and [[Bukit Timah]] Sungei Road.

The area is served by the [[MRT (Singapore)|MRT]] on the [[North East Line|North East line]] (at [[Little India MRT station|Little India]] and [[Farrer Park MRT station|Farrer Park]]) and [[Downtown Line|Downtown line]] (at [[Rochor MRT station|Rochor]] and [[Jalan Besar MRT station|Jalan Besar]]). [[Bus Services in Singapore|Bus services]] 23, 64, 65, 67, 131, 139, 147, and 857 pass through Little India via Serangoon Road.

{{Clear}}

==Gallery==
[[File:Little India, Singapore, panorama, Aug 06.jpg|thumb|600px|centre|Panoramic view of Little India. Taken from Farrer Park View Housing Estate.]]
[[File:Panoramic view of Serangoon Road, Little India, Singapore - 20080829.jpg|thumb|600px|centre|Panoramic view of Little India. Taken from Serangoon Road.]]

==See also==
* [[Collapse of Hotel New World]]
* [[City Square Mall]]
* [[Jalan Besar]]
* [[New World Amusement Park]]
* [[The Verge, Singapore]]
* [[Singapore]]
* [[Changi Airport|Changi Airport]]
* [[Lavender, Singapore|Lavender]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Little India, Singapore}}
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Singapore/Little India|Little India, Singapore}}

{{Places in Singapore}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Downtown Core]]
[[Category:Ethnic enclaves in Singapore]]
[[Category:Indian diaspora in Singapore]]
[[Category:Little Indias|Singapore]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Singapore]]
[[Category:Places in Singapore]]
[[Category:Rochor]]
[[Category:Kallang]]

Little India, Singapore - Revision history

Mohammad.Fahim: starting the article from scratch.