A panoramic view of Singapore taken from the top of the Cathay Building in 1945-46. Dhoby Ghaut and Bras Basah Road (Wet Rice Road) can be seen in the foreground. Dhoby Ghaut is reminiscent of Dhobi Ghat, an area where dhobis would wash and dry their laundry in India. In early Singapore, Indian dhobis used to wash their laundry in the Sungei Bras Basah (Bras Basah Stream), which flowed from Orchard Road to the sea, and dry their laundry in the open area between Bras Basah Road and Stamford Road, hence the name Dhoby Ghaut.
