Bruneian Sultanate

Brunei, 1368–1888. Draft, not yet reviewed

The Sultanate of Brunei was a Malay sultanate centred around Brunei on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Brunei became a sovereign state around the 15th century, when it substantially expanded after the fall of Malacca to the Portuguese, extending throughout coastal areas of Borneo and the Philippines, before it declined in the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1888, Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin appealed to the British to stop further encroachment. In the same year, the British signed a protectorate agreement with Brunei and made Brunei a British protectorate.

Seat of power: Mukim Kota Batu

Rulers

Nasruddin of Brunei

Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, 1690–1710

He is described as a smart monarch who was very interested in state government and administration. Nasruddin's succession to the throne was unsurprising due to his active role in governance and war planning under Sultan Muhyiddin during the 12-year-long Bruneian civil war.

Husin Kamaluddin of Brunei

Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, 1710–1730

The nation flourished during his rule, food was easily obtained, and he also introduced Brunei pitis, the nation's first unit of money. Husin Kamaluddin first ascended the throne in 1710 succeeding his cousin, Sultan Nasruddin and ruled until his abdication in 1730.

Husin Kamaluddin of Brunei

Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, 1737–1740

He is the only sultan to have held the throne twice.

Muhammad Kanzul Alam of Brunei

Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, 1807–1826

Kanzul Alam succeeded Muhammad Tajuddin as sultan of Brunei in 1807, but since he had broken a contract with his predecessor, his rule was marked by internal conflict. In 1795, Muhammad Tajuddin started Brunei's commerce with Portuguese Macau, which Kanzul Alam continued.

Muhammad Alam of Brunei

Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, 1826–1828

Due to his tough and strict attitude, he was given the Malay nicknames Raja Api (King of Fire) and Sultan Marak Berapi. His rise to power as the Sultan was disliked by most of the population of Brunei and ignored royal Bruneian tradition which led to the second civil war between him and his successor, Pengiran Muda Omar Ali Saifuddin.

Omar Ali Saifuddin II of Brunei

Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, 1828–1852

During his reign, Western powers such as the United Kingdom and the United States visited the country. His reign saw the British adventurer James Brooke becoming the White Rajah of Sarawak.

Portrait of Omar Ali Saifuddin II of Brunei: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file

Abdul Momin of Brunei

Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, 1852–1885

Abdul Momin sought British support as he blocked Charles Brooke's attempts to acquire more Bruneian land in 1868. In 1885, he issued the Amanat, prohibiting further land concessions to foreigners, but it lacked enforcement power.

Portrait of Abdul Momin of Brunei: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file

Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin of Brunei

Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, 1885–1906

Sultan Hashim requested British help in the late 19th century to stop Rajah Charles Brooke's territorial expansions, which resulted in the 1888 Protectorate Agreement. Under the 1905-1906 Supplementary Agreement, a British resident could advise the Sultan on most issues, with the exception of those pertaining to Islam and Malay customs.

Portrait of Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin of Brunei: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file

Culture

Rice cultivation was the main source of income for the people of Brunei, whose land was said to be extremely productive.
In 977, a Chinese merchant of Arab descent named P'u-lu-shieh (Fairuz Shah) arrived in Brunei for trade, receiving a warm welcome from the king and the local populace.
The best known account of the water settlements on the Brunei River is arguably by Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian explorer who visited Brunei as part of the Magellan expedition in 1521.

Picture

Kampung Ayer is a prominent traditional settlement in Bandar Seri Begawan, with neighbourhoods of traditional houses, schools and mosques built on stilts above the Brunei River.

Image: the Tourism Development Department of Brunei, CC BY 4.0, file

Sources

Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.