Commissioned during British rule in Malacca, the lighthouse was completed in 1849 as an additional beacon for ships travelling along the Strait of Malacca. The lighthouse is also notable for its location within the old harbour town of Malacca, atop St. Paul's Hill on the south side of the harbour and affront the ruins of St. Paul Church . The lighthouse was eventually deactivated; the functionality of the lighthouse diminished further as the Malaccan harbour underwent land reclamation during the late-20th century. The building is now part of Malacca City tourist attractions.