Talk:History of Brunei

Improvement Drive
The article on Brunei is currently listed to be improved on This week's improvement drive. You can support the nomination with your vote there. --Fenice 06:35, 6 August 2005 (UTC)

ctrl-c &ctrl-v stuff
This huge article was found on the article. I moved it here because it might be useful later. I doubt the article is free though. __earth 18:07, 19 October 2005 (UTC)

'Barunah!' exclaimed early settlers who reached the Brunei River. The classical Malay expression meant excellence of the site for settlement, security, access and richness of the surrounding. In short, "Oh, Yeah!". It is said the exclamation became the name of the new city-state. Barunah later changed to Barunai.

Barunai, of Sanskrit origin, comes from the word Varuna. In its Malay context, it referred to a nation of seafarers and traders. Brunei and Borneo were among early European references to the state and the island.

The second sultan, Sultan Ahmad, was the first to name 'Brunei' from the word 'Barunah'.

Darussalam, Arabic terms for Abode of Peace, was added in the 15th century by the third sultan, Sharif Ali, to emphasise Islam as state religion, and to enhance its spread.

Old Brunei was a nation of Malay Hindu-Buddhists, according to a Chinese account of Puli, believed to be an early Chinese reference to Brute Old Brunei was said to have Similar Malay-Hindu Buddhist traditions and customs as Funan or Kumlun, Chinese names for the first Malay state in Indochina during the early Christian era. Indians knew it as Sailendra, and Arab traders called it Kamrun.

The early king of Brunei was called Sang Aji, or Reverend Monarch, a title of Sanskrit origin. The Brunei ruling dynasty changed during the early 1360s when Awang Alak Betatar, a prince from a powerful kingdom in western Borneo, ascended the Brunei throne. He became the first Brunei ruler and the present ruler is his descendant.

Awang Alak Betatar was the first Brunei Raja to accept Islam, changing his title and name to Sultan Muhammad Shah (1363-1402) in honour of the Prophet.

With Islam, Brunei asserted and expanded its role as an independent and dominant trading power in the region. Its trade and territories grew with the spread of Islam to encompass existing Malay kingdoms in Borneo and the Philippines.

During the early spread of Islam in Brunei, many Arab Muslim missionaries married into Brunei royal family. The most notable was Sharif Ah from Taif, Arabia, who married a daughter of the second sultan, and later ascended the throne as the third Sultan in 1425.

Before Brunei became a Muslim Sultanate in the 14th century, Chinese accounts told of the dominance of Muslim traders in the 9th and 10th centuries.

In 977, for example, the Brunei Raja (then a Hindu-Buddhist) sent three Muslim traders as Brunei's envoys to the Sung court of China, mainly to represent Brunei in Brunei-China trade. It is believed that there was a community of influential Muslims in Brunei during this period.

The royal genealogy of Brunei's sultans dates back nearly 600 years when in 1365, Awang Alak Betatar embraced Islam, married a Johore princess, and assumed the title Sultan Muhammad, according to early chronicles.

A Persian missionary and direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, Sharif Ali, as Brunei's third sultan, further spread Islam, built mosques, and the first defence barriers at Kota Batu and across the Brunei river.

The sultanate's golden age dawned with the reign of the fifth sultan, Nakhoda Ragam or the singing captain, Sultan Bolkiah, who was famous for many conquests.

His voyages took him to Java, Malacca and the Philippines, where he seized Seludong (Manila). His rule extended over the Sultanates of Sambas, Pontianak, Banjarmasin, Pasi Kotei, Balongan, the Sulu Archipelago, and Islands of Balabac, Banggi, Balambangan and Palawan.

Antonio Pigafetta, the Italian chronicler during Ferdinand Magellan's world voyage, visited Brunei during Sultan Bolkiah's reign, and he wrote about the splendour of the sultan's court and a view of the state capital.

Legends have Brunei founded some 29 reigns ago by 14 brothers of heroic stature and semi-divine descent, according to a Monograph of the Brunei Museum Journal.

The exploits of the 14 founding heroes of Brunei are recounted in a very lengthy poem called the "Sha'er Awang Semaun."

Awang Alak Betatar was not the eldest, but was chosen to be their leader because of his intelligence and good looks. He married the daughter of the Sultan of Johor, and he was installed Sultan of Brunei.

Sultan Ahmad (1408-1425) ascended the throne in 1402. While not mentioned in any of the Salasilah Raja Raja Brunei (Laws and Regulations of Bruneian Kings), he was recorded in Chinese history. In 1406, he sent an envoy to China where he was known as Ma-na-je-ka-na.

Before Sultan Ahmad (1408-1425) was installed as sultan, he was Pateh Berbai (Pengiran Bendahara Seri Maharaja, and the eldest of the 14 brothers). In the Brunei chronicles version of where Sultan Ahmad was Pateh Berbai, he married the younger sister of Ong Sum Ping and was the father-in-law of Sultan Sharif Ali. He was once head of a mission from Brunei to China. He died in 1425.

There were close Brunei-China trade and royal relations during the reign of the first and second sultans until about 1425. During the period, a Ming prince, Ong Sum Ping (later known as Pengiran Maharaja Lela) married a princess of Sultan Muhammad.

A Ming princess (known in Brunei as Puteri Kinabatangan) married Sultan Ahmad, the second sultan. Sultan Berkat (Blessed) (1425-1432) or Sultan Sharif Ali was an Arab and a descendant of Prophet Muhammad. Married to the daughter of the second Sultan of Brunei, he was the first to build a mosque and reinforce the Islamic faith in Brunei. He also built the Kota Batu (Stone Fort), a mile and a half east of Brunei's present capital, Brunei Town, now Bandar Seri Begawan, and introduced the sword of Bongkok and flags of Brunei.

His son Sultan Sulaiman, (1432-1485) who continued the work of building Kota Bata and propagated the Islamic teaching, succeeded Sultan Berkat. He was well known as Adipati or Sang Aji Brunei. He descended from the throne in 1485 and died in 1511.

Sultan Bolkiah, whose conquests covered the whole of Borneo and as far north as Luzon in the Philippine Islands, where he initiated the spread of Islam, succeeded Sultan Sulaiman. He was known as Nakhoda Ragam. His queen was known as Puteri Laila Menchanai.

The reign of Sultan Bolkiah (1485-1584) was the height of the Brunei Sultanate in territory, influence and power. Brunei'5 sovereignty then extended to encompass other kingdoms in Borneo and the Philippines (then dominated by the Kingdom of Manila and the Sultanates of Sulu and Maguindanao). There were inter-marriages between the royal family members of Brunei and the royalties of other Malay and Japanese kingdoms to strengthen relationships.

Sultan Bolkiah was succeeded by his son Sultan Abdul Kahar (1524-1530), a pious person endowed with supernatural powers (berkeramat). In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan and Antonio Pigafetta visited him while he was a deputy (Pemangku Sultan).

During his time, many Islamic theologians came to Brunei to spread the Islamic teachings. He created the currency unit 'pitis'. He descended from the throne in 1530 and was known as Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Abdul Kahar.

Sultan Saiful Rijal, who propagated Islamic teachings throughout Borneo as well as the Philippines, succeeded Sultan Abdul Kahar, whose death was recorded by the Spaniards in 1578. Brunei became well known as the Islamic Development Centre. He was mentioned by name in Spanish accounts and is the first Sultan of Brunei to be identified by any non-indigenous account.

Sultan Saiful Rijal was succeeded by Sultan Shah Brunei (1581-1582), who had no heir, so he handed over his throne to his younger brother, Sultan Mohammad Hasan.

Famous for his strength, Sultan Muhammad Hasan (1582-1598) had the same power as Sultan Iskandar Muda Nahkota Alam, Acheh. His reign was known as Pengiran Di Gadong and Pengiran Pemancha. He was very active in propagating Islamic teachings.

Sultan Muhammad Hasan was succeeded by Sultan Abdul Jalilul Akbar (1598-1659), who developed a relationship with the Spaniards.

Sultan Abdul Jalilul Jabbar made himself a great name for his fairness and peace and harmony was maintained during his rule from 1659-1660.

Sultan Haji Muhammad Ah succeeded him in 1660, who was killed at Asar on Nov. 6, 1661. He was well known as "Marhum Tumbaang Di Rumput."

Sultan Muhyiddin (1673-1690) was well known for his wisdom, strength and capabilities of uniting the people after the civil war.

In the latter half of the 17th century between the reign of Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin (the 13th Sultan) and Sultan Muhyiddin (the 14th Sultan) there was civil war in Brunei which, among other factors, caused the break up of Brunei territories in many parts of Borneo and the Philippines. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Brunei borders were the Sambas River in the west and Sibuku River in the east.

Sultan Nasruddin (1690-1710) introduced gold coins during his reign in 1690-1710.

Sultan Husin Kamaluddin ascended the throne twice, in 1710-1730 and 1737-1740. Endowed with supernatural powers, he was able to transform 'buah ngirih', a fruit, to 'pitabu', another fruit. He ascended the throne twice and finally lived in Luba.

Sultan Muhammad Alauddin (1730-1737) documented the Laws of Regulations of Bruneian Kings, (Sala-silah Raja Raja Brunei) and produced the currency "pitis". He was well known as "Marhum di Brunei".

Sultan Omar Ah Saifuddien I (1740-1795) in 1769 ordered the attack to Manila, which was captured. He had abdicated in favour of his son, Sultan Muhammad Tajuddin, in 1780.

Sultan Muhammad Tajuddin (1795-1804 and 1804-1807) ordered the building of houses for the Brunei pilgrims in Mecca.

Sultan Muhammad Kanzul Alam (1826-1828) acted for Sultan Muhammad Tajuddin and looked after the Bruneian government for the latter's son, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien II. Sultan Muhammad Kanzul Alam (1826-1828) was well known for his strength and power and was also called Raja Api (King of Fire).

The reign of Sultan Omar Ali Saiffuddien 11(1828-1852) marked the beginning of direct European involvement in Brunei. Between 1842 and the end of the century saw the Brookes' involvement in Sarawak and the British Chartered North Borneo company in Sabah, which further eroded Brunei territory to its present split-halves.

Sultan Omar Ali Saifudien II ruled until his death in 1852. He surrendered Labuan Island to the English in 1846. He signed a treaty with the English on trade and good relationship.

Sultan Abdul Momin (1852-1885) had no heir. He was well known for his fairness, wisdom, and was endowed with supernatural powers. In 1877 he signed a treaty concerning the leasing of Brunei's territory in Sabah. In 1884, he ordered Pengiran Temenggong Pengiran Anak Hashim to attack Limbang to restore peace.

Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin (1885-1906) made a written proposal in 1887 to have a British residency in Limbang but was rejected by the Queen's government as too expensive.

Sultan Hashim signed a British Protectorate treaty in 1888 to entrust Brunei's foreign affairs under British administration.

The signing of the 1905/1906 Treaty brought in the British Residential System. A British Resident was placed in Brunei to advise the Sultan on state matters, excluding Malay tradition and religion. The treaty brought changes to the sultanate's traditional Malay ruling systems.

The Custom Department and Land Department were set up with the introduction of the British department system beginning in 1906. The Land Department handled land issues and Kuripan territorial rights and instituted the British system of land grants under the administration of the land office.

Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam II (1906-1924) ascended the throne at 17. In 1906, he formed the Brunei Police Force. In 1911, he introduced Malay schools. Oil drilling exploration commenced. The palace was transferred from Kampong Ayer to Istana Majlis.

Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin (1924-1950) in 1927 officially opened the Brunei-Tutong highway. Two years later, oil was discovered in Seria. In 1932, he visited England. In 1941, the Japanese landed in Brunei.

In 1945, the federated army landed in Brunei. In 1946, the Brunei National Song was composed.

In 1946, the Sultan took over the government from British Military Administration. In 1949, he celebrated his Silver Jubilee.

The most revered 20th century ruler of Brunei was Al-Marhum Sultan Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the Bandar Seri Begawan (1950-I967), the younger brother of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin, the 27th ruler.

Sultan Haji Omar Ah Saifuddien III ascended the throne in 1950. He used Brunei's oil revenues to finance for the first time a five-year development plan (1953-1958) which gave Brunei an intensive infrastructure and transformed it from a dull and quiet back- water into a thriving state.

In 1953, the national song, Allah Peliharakan Sultan was official declared. Government English schools were set up and the mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan was built. In 1957, the first Brunei Radio programme was broadcast.

The year 1959 saw the promulgation of a written constitution, which gave Brunei internal self-government and changed the post of British resident, started in 1906, to High Commissioner, who continued to advise the Sultan on matters other than those affecting the Islamic religion and Malay Custom.

In 1959, the Brunei Shell Petroleum Company started its first offshore drilling. In 1962, a rebellion was defeated. In 1967, Brunei had its own currency. During his 17-year reign, he did so much to develop the country and was regarded as "the architect of modern Brunei."

In 1967, after 17 years of benevolent reign, Sultan Haji Sir Muda Omar Ah Saifuddien voluntarily abdicated it favour of his second-eldest son, His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who pledged to carry on his father's policies.

Educated in Malaysia and Britain, in 1991 the sultan introduced a conservative ideology called Malay Muslim Monarchy, which presented the monarchy as the defender of the faith.

Apparently aimed at pre-empting calls for democratisation, it is said to have alienated Brunei's large Chinese and expatriate communities.

In September 2004 the sultan reopened Brunei's parliament, 20 years after it was suspended. Observers saw the move as a tentative step towards giving some political power to the country's citizens.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di Pertuan Brunei Darussalam ascended the throne on October 5, 1967 as the 29th Sultan. He further pushed Brunei Darussalam on the road to greater economic and social development.

Brunei gained full independence in 1984.

Brunei did not control the Philippines rather it had influence over it. - Isao


 * The text is from this page
 * The Minist  e   r of War   (Peace) 18:22, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

List of rulers
There are discrepancies between the reign dates stated in the article and the enumerated list taken from the List of Sultans of Brunei. Is there a better source? Neoplatonic 22:10, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

History of China Brunei relations
http://www.asean-cn.org/Item/4834.aspx

http://www.bt.com.bn/art-culture/2010/03/08/golden-history-islam-brunei

http://english.cpiasia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2123:malay-history-whats-missing-from-the-textbooks&Itemid=171

http://mnlfnet.com/History/How%20Islam%20Came%20to%20Mindanao.htm

http://books.google.com/books?id=X_wNaey3d7EC&pg=PA256&dq=p'u+kung+chih+mu+brunei&hl=en&sa=X&ei=7XJlUpzsL9jd4AOxp4Fg&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=p'u%20kung%20chih%20mu%20brunei&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=Muoj7z9IOI8C&pg=PA20&dq=pu+kung+chih+mu+brunei&hl=en&sa=X&ei=wHJlUqzCOvOn4AOh04DgDA&ved=0CEgQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=pu%20kung%20chih%20mu%20brunei&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=nZaaAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA186&lpg=PA186&dq=brunei+arab+pu+islam&source=bl&ots=-WCeg20-5M&sig=yd-Jfb9-i-KK3iPjiOY45A0TX8k&hl=en&sa=X&ei=6GVlUpOKLtPE4AO-l4GYBw&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=brunei%20arab%20pu%20islam&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=nCIPD1V39QkC&pg=PA163&dq=brunei+arab+pu+islam&hl=en&sa=X&ei=PXNlUpeUE-3iyAGinICABw&ved=0CF0Q6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=brunei%20arab%20pu%20islam&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=jGtUKhMz8v4C&pg=PA148&dq=brunei+arab+pu+islam&hl=en&sa=X&ei=UnRlUs2COOWN2gWAi4HQCg&ved=0CGMQ6AEwCTgK#v=onepage&q=brunei%20arab%20pu%20islam&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=t8JGP4RRA1cC&pg=PA214&dq=brunei+arab+pu+islam&hl=en&sa=X&ei=PXNlUpeUE-3iyAGinICABw&ved=0CEsQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=brunei%20arab%20pu%20islam&f=false

http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=6145849

http://www.daphne.cnrs.fr/daphne/viewNotice.html;jsessionid=43C05537410D48D60869C9FEB9E85EBE?daphneIdentifier=INIST-526-92-01604&sort=dateSort&dir=asc&page=0&maxPages=1&searchIndex=5&lastPage=false&nbResults=7&mode=full

Page 43

http://books.google.com/books?id=gCRXAAAAMAAJ&q=stèle+funéraire+découverte+dans+le+cimetière+de+la+Jalan+Residency,+aujourd'hui+dans+une+réserve+du+Brunei+Museum,+Les+titres+arabes+de+sultan+et+sanskrit+de+Maharaja+s'y+trouvent+inscrits,+comparaison+avec+une+série+de+stèles+très+semblables+découvertes+à+Quanzhou,+Cette+stèle+aurait+été+préparée+par+un+lapicide+de+Quanzhou+et+expédiée+à+Brunei+avant+la+rébellion+des+Ispah.&dq=stèle+funéraire+découverte+dans+le+cimetière+de+la+Jalan+Residency,+aujourd'hui+dans+une+réserve+du+Brunei+Museum,+Les+titres+arabes+de+sultan+et+sanskrit+de+Maharaja+s'y+trouvent+inscrits,+comparaison+avec+une+série+de+stèles+très+semblables+découvertes+à+Quanzhou,+Cette+stèle+aurait+été+préparée+par+un+lapicide+de+Quanzhou+et+expédiée+à+Brunei+avant+la+rébellion+des+Ispah.&hl=en&sa=X&ei=yTJlU7HPNo3QsQTt74CABQ&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA

Rajmaan (talk) 18:24, 3 May 2014 (UTC)

Poor referencing
The reference to the year 835 as the earliest date for a Brunei-China date is not found in the accompanying source text. Tamadun (talk) 21:49, 31 July 2022 (UTC)

The maritime jade road references are all to the Philippines and not to Borneo. Tamadun (talk) 21:50, 31 July 2022 (UTC)

Muja is not an ancient Arabic name for Brunei as suggested by R. Nicholl, but more likely a fictional location, as for instance suggested by G.R. Tibbetts. Tamadun (talk) 21:52, 31 July 2022 (UTC)

In addition, there is no evidence for Brunei and the Philippines waging war against China. Tamadun (talk) 21:54, 31 July 2022 (UTC)

The transcription P'o-ni is wrong as well as the suggestion that it referred to Bumi. Tamadun (talk) 21:55, 31 July 2022 (UTC)

A travel guide is used to establish a Vijayapura in Borneo. This idea, prevalent amongst non-specialists like R. Braddell and I. Moens, has no foundation. Tamadun (talk) 21:58, 31 July 2022 (UTC)

This depiction of Brunei history rests mostly on unsubstantiated claims, references of dubious nature, quotations from legends and myths, but no genuine historical research. It appeare that it serves to create a long national history that otherwise cannot be documented. Tamadun (talk) 22:02, 31 July 2022 (UTC)

Note that not one of the more recent publications on Borneo history in Chinese sources is made use of, that paint a very different picture to the one presented here. Tamadun (talk) 22:05, 31 July 2022 (UTC)

The Nanhai zhi does not talk about a Bruneian invasion of its neighbors. It merely lists place names. Tamadun (talk) 22:06, 31 July 2022 (UTC)

J. Kurz, The creation of a shared past: Two thousand years of shared 'historical' relations. JAH 54.1 (2020): 157-183 Tamadun (talk) 22:11, 31 July 2022 (UTC)

Ottoman Turks
Was "Wayang dance" a popular form of art?

Did the "Ottoman Turks" really reach Brunei.

07:05, 30 January 2023 (UTC)07:05, 30 January 2023 (UTC)43.242.178.225 (talk)//////07:05, 30 January 2023 (UTC)07:05, 30 January 2023 (UTC)
 * Ottoman did not reached Brunei, not even reached Aceh - Ustad abu gosok (talk) 13:59, 19 January 2024 (UTC)