History of Sarawak

At last, for the first time after more than 2 weeks, I'm finally able to update the blog. Currently, I am starting my new life as an engineer in the largest state in Malaysia, Sarawak. This magnificent land also fondly known as 'the Land of Hornbill' is larger than any other state in Malaysia, bigger even if compare to the whole Malaysian peninsular. And, I think it is only right to present about the State's history in my first blog update. In present day, Sarawak is one of four non-monarchy State in Malaysia. Nevertheless, the State is very much exist as a Sultanate and a Kingdom before exist as a non-monarchy State in 1946.

The State for a brief period of time exist as a Sultanate of Sarawak before becoming a territory in the Sultanate of Brunei. Later in 1841, the State becoming a Kingdom ruled by the White Rajah of Sarawak until the abdication of Charles Vyner Brooke, the last White Rajah of Sarawak in 1946.

HISTORY

Since the early age, Sarawak was under the ruled of the Sultanate of Brunei. Previously, the size of Sarawak is only limited to the area from Tanjung Datu in the west to Samarahan River in the east.

Sultanate of Sarawak

The Sultanate were only ruled by a single Sultan, Sultan Tengah who is the first and last Sultan of Sarawak. Sultan Tengah was installed by the Sultan of Brunei at that time, Sultan Abd Jalilul Akbar who is also his elder brother. When their father, Sultan Muhammad died in 1598, Pangeran Muda Tengah claimed that he is the rightful heir to the crown. His claimant based on the fact that he was born after their father became Sultan while his brother was not. In other word, when Sultan Abd Jalilul Akbar was born, he was only the son of a Prince. While Pangeran Muda Tengah when he was born, was the son of a Sultan.

To prevent any bloody tragedy occur, Sultan Abd Jalilul Akbar proclaimed his brother as the Sultan of Sarawak, taking a reigning name of Sultan Tengah. Sultan Tengah died in 1641 and the Sultanate of Sarawak ended. He was assassinated during his travel on his way back to Sarawak from Makun. The descendant of Sultan Tengah ruled the State of Sambas located at present day West Kalimantan, Indonesia. The Prince of Sultan Tengah, Radin Sulaiman becomes the Sultan of Sambas on 9th July 1631, 10 years before the death of his father. Below is the tomb of Sultan Tengah of Sarawak

Kingdom of Sarawak

The Kingdom of Sarawak was founded in 1841 when James Brooke were proclaimed has the Rajah of Sarawak by Pangeran Muda Hashim as a reward for his service in defeating pirates and insurgents. James Brooke later established an independent Kingdom of Sarawak and expand the territory by acquiring the other territory belong to the Sultanate of Brunei. The Kingdom of Sarawak were ruled by three White Rajahs of the Brooke dynasty.

1. James of Sarawak (1841 - 1868)
2. Charles of Sarawak (1868 - 1917)
3. Vyner of Sarawak (1917 - 1946)

The Brooke Dynasty had left many of its legacy in their over 100 years of ruled. Here is the Royal Family of Sarawak during the reign of Charles Vyner Brooke.

While below is the last Rajah Muda of Sarawak, Anthony Brooke

That's all for this article. Until next time.