Ipoh's main landmark is a central clock tower. It was constructed by the British in 1909 to commemorate James Birch, the first British resident in Perak, the state for which Ipoh is the capital. The clock itself is nice, but the real interest are the four panels that depict the growth of civilization, at least how the British saw it in 1909. Some hubris included.
Panel A, ancient human ages. You get a hunter, fisherman and on to the civilizations of Egypt, Persia, etc...
Panel B, religion in the Mid and Far East, Greeks, Romans.
Panel C explores the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and up to Shakespeare. Mohammad makes an appearance. Oops. Everyone knows it's forbidden to present a likeness of Mohammad. Once muslim Malaysia gained independence, it scrubbed the image.
Panel D, a sprint from Isaac Newton into the modern age.
It's quite a history lesson to glean when you just want to know if you're late for lunch. One more view of the clock tower.
The clock tower.
Panel A, ancient human ages. You get a hunter, fisherman and on to the civilizations of Egypt, Persia, etc...
Panel B, religion in the Mid and Far East, Greeks, Romans.
Panel C explores the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and up to Shakespeare. Mohammad makes an appearance. Oops. Everyone knows it's forbidden to present a likeness of Mohammad. Once muslim Malaysia gained independence, it scrubbed the image.
Panel D, a sprint from Isaac Newton into the modern age.
It's quite a history lesson to glean when you just want to know if you're late for lunch. One more view of the clock tower.
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