The Straits Settlements were a group of British territories located in Southeast Asia. They were originally established in 1826 and controlled by the East India Company and came under direct British control as a Crown colony in 1867. The colony was dissolved in 1946. While under control of British East India Company, the Settlements were also penal settlements for Indian civilians and military prisoners, and there were uprisings in 1852, 1853, and 1857. The four original settlements were Malacca, Dinding, Penang, and Singapore.