Straits Settlements, 1893–1912: Transition from India to West Africa

Abstract

Imperial policies in the Straits Settlements is useful to analyse as a mid-way point between policies in India and in West Africa, where the currency board was formally established. The Straits consisted of four separate British settlements on the Malayan peninsula: Singapore, Malacca, Dinding and Penang. ¹ Originally ruled by the British East India Company, it became a subdivision of the Presidency of Bengal in India in 1830. In 1867 it became a British colony proper, ruled directly from the Colonial Office.