The founding father of modern Singapore and the first prime minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, passed away on March 23, 2015 aged 91. Known for his market-friendly policies and his sharp tongue, quick wit and controversial remarks, Lee was in power for 31 years, overseeing the island's transformation from a port city battling crime and poverty into one of Asia's most prosperous nations. A tribute to the architect of modern Singapore in pictures.

People take pictures of tributes and well-wishes to Singapore's former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, at the Singapore General Hospital. Photo: Reuters

The hearse carrying the body of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew arrives at the Istana in Singapore. Photo: Reuters

The Singapore High Commission flies its flag at half-mast to mark the death of Singapore's first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Reuters

Lee Kuan Yew was Singapore's first prime minister and the architect of the tiny Southeast Asian city-state's rapid rise from a British tropical outpost to a global trade and financial centre. Photo: Reuters

In his lifetime, Lee drew praise for his market-friendly policies. Photo: Reuters

Lee, a British-educated lawyer, is credited with building Singapore into one of the world's wealthiest nations on a per capita basis with a strong, pervasive role for the state and little patience for dissent. Photo: Reuters

Lee Kuan Yew, architect of modern Singapore, and his wife Kwa Geok Choo (R) celebrate his 80th birthday in Singapore in this September 16, 2003 file photo. Photo: Reuters

Lee's leadership was seen as a model for many developing countries across the world, and politicians of all stripes said they took inspiration from his policies. Lee Kuan Yew climbs up the steps at the City Council Chambers following the People's Action Party's (PAP) win in the national elections in Singapore in this file still-image taken from video June, 1959. Photo: Reuters

Singaporeans had been bracing for the news for days, and a sea of flowers had already piled up at the hospital where he was being treated. Residents light candles in support of former Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, who was critically ill, in this March 22, 2015 photo. Photo: Reuters

The government has declared a period of national mourning until his funeral on Sunday. A combination photo of well-wishes laid by members of the public for former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Singapore General Hospital in Singapore on March 21, 2015. Photo: Reuters

Lee Kuan Yew with the then President of India V V Giri in New Delhi, in 1970. Photo: The Hindu Archives

Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao welcoming former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kwan Yew (right) during their meeting in New Delhi on January 04, 1996. Photo: The Hindu Archives

Lee Kuan Yew seen with the then Indian Prime Minister Morarji Desai when he called on him in New Delhi on December 13, 1978. Photo: The Hindu Archives

Lee Kuan Yew with the then Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi in New Delhi on September 01, 1970. Photo: The Hindu Archives

Lee Kuan Yew and Madam Lee at the historic Taj Mahal in this September 3, 1970 picture. Photo: The Hindu Archives

M. Karunanidhi, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, with Lee Kuan Yew (Left), then Prime Minister of Singapore at Raj Bhavan in Chennai on August 30, 1970. Photo: The Hindu Archives

Lee Kuan Yew, the then Prime Minister of Singapore, and his wife called on the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and had lunch with him in New Delhi on April 23, 1962. Photo: The Hindu Archives

Published on March 23, 2015