Sang Nila Utama

Sang Nila Utama, a prince of Palembang, is portrayed in the Malay Annals as the founder of the Kingdom of Singapura. He spotted Temasek across the sea; in 1299, sailing there, he was caught in a storm and cast his crown into the sea before reaching the island. There his minister identified a beast as a lion, an omen that led him to build a city and name the island Singapura, Sanskrit for Lion City.

He took the title Sri Tri Buana and ruled Singapura until his death in 1347. His son Sri Wikrama Wira succeeded him.