THEME 3

BRUNEI’S RELATIONS WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD

1

THE ARRIVAL OF THE SPANISH IN BRUNEI

1520The first trip around the world from Spain began.

There were FIVE ships which set sail for the journey.

The man in-charge of the journey was Ferdinand Magellan.He was killed in the Philippines while fighting with the locals.

1521One of the five ships, the Victoria (Vittoria) reached Brunei.

Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian reporter was one of the men on board of the Victoria.

Antonio Pigafetta wrote about his visit to Brunei.

THE CITY OF BRUNEI IN 1521

1. The King was a Moro (Muslim) and was called Raja Sripada. He was 40 years old.

2. The officials communicated with the king through a speaking tube.3. There were 25 000 families in the city.4. The entire city was built on salt water, except for the houses of the king and

some officials.5. The houses were built of wood and stilts.6. There was a large brick wall in front of the king’s house. This was a fort for

defense.7. Women went in boats through the settlement selling foods (called Padians)

2

BRUNEI’S RELATIONS WITH THE SPANISH

1521Victoria reached and left Brunei in 1521.

The Spanish stayed away from Southeast Asia for 30 years.

1557The Spanish controlled Manila and other lands which belonged

to Brunei.The Spanish also competed with Brunei for trade.

The Spanish wanted to:Spread Christianity

Forced Brunei to stop spreading Islam in the Philippines.

Brunei and the Spanish became rivals because of trade and religion.

THE CASTILLE WAR BROKE OUT

THE CASTILLE WAR1578

WHEN 14 / 4/ 1578WHO

BRUNEISultan Saiful Rijal

Pengiran Bendahara Sakam

VS.

THE SPANISHDr Francisco de Sande

HELPED BYPengiran Seri Lela

Pengiran Seri Ratna

CAUSES1576

Dr Francisco de Sande sent a mission to Brunei wanting:1. To have a good relation with Brunei.2. To spread Christianity in Brunei.3. To stop the spread of Islam in the Philippines.

Sultan Saiful Rijal did NOT agree on the 2nd and 3rd terms.

EVENTSThe Spanish led by Dr Francisco de Sande attacked Brunei

They brought a fleet of 40 ships

Pengiran Seri Lela and Pengiran Seri Ratna helped the Spanish

The Spanish promised Pengiran Seri Lela as the next Sultanand Pengiran Seri Ratna as the next Bendahara

The Spanish succeeded in capturing Brunei Town

The Sultan moved to Meragang and later to Jerudong

War preparations were made to counter-attack the Spanish by Brunei

RESULTSOn 26 / 6 / 1578 Pg Bendahara Sakam fought the Spanish

The Spanish were driven out of Brunei after 72 days

Pengiran Seri Lela and Pengiran Seri Ratna were killed

Brunei and the Spanish continued to be rivals

Brunei’s control on Sulu weakened

3

4

THE SEPARATION OF SULU FROM BRUNEI

HOW DID SULU BREAK AWAY FROM BRUNEI?

Brunei was busy fighting with the Spanish

Many people of Mindanao in Southern Philippines supported

Sulu NOT Brunei

BECAUSE

Sulu protected the Muslims in Mindanao against the Spanish

Many sailors on Brunei’s ships (the Bajaus) left Brunei

and worked for Sulu

Mid-17th century

Sulu took the opportunity to break away from Brunei

Sulu became stronger than Brunei

Sulu controlled trade from Southern Philippines

Sulu also attacked some of Brunei’s lands

BRUNEI’S CIVIL WAR

WHEN 1661 – 1673

EVENTS BEFORE THE WAR

1. THE ROOSTER FIGHT

Sultan Muhammad Ali’s son-in-law (Pg Muda Bungsu) killed Pg Bendahara Pg Abdul Mubin’s son over the result of a cock fight

2. THE FATHER’S REVENGE

Pg Bendahara Pg Abdul Mubin took revenge of his son’s death by running amok in the palace

Sultan Muhammad Ali was killed by Pg Bendahara Pg Abdul Mubin

3. THE NEW SULTAN

Pg Bendahara Pg Abdul Mubin declared himself as the next Sultan (Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin)

He appointed Pg Muda Bongsu as the new Bendahara

This was to avoid anger among the families of Sultan Muhammad Ali.

However this did NOT settle the problem.

4. THE NEW BENDAHARA’S REVENGE

The new Bendahara planned to revenge Sultan Muhammad Ali’s death by creating chaos in the palace.

Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin was afraid and moved to Pulau Chermin

CAUSE

Pengiran Bendahara Bungsu declared himself as Sultan Muhyiddin

CIVIL WAR STARTED WHEN THERE WERE TWO SULTANS IN BRUNEI BECAUSE BRUNEIANS HAD TO TAKE SIDES

EVENTS DURING THE WAR

Sultan Muhyiddin controlled Kota Batu

Sultan of Sulu sent his soldiers to help Sultan Muhyiddin.

RESULTS

1. Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin was killed in Pulau Chermin.

2. Rivalry over the claim of Sabah between Brunei and Sabah

Sulu claimed Sultan Muhyiddin promised to give Sabah if Sulu helped Brunei.

Brunei denied this claim.

5

END OF 16TH

CENTURY The British first came to Southeast Asia.

1600 The British formed the East India Company (EIC)

AIM: To control their trade in Asia

18TH CENTURY Alexander Dalrymple (British trader)

Made agreement with Sultan of Sulu

To use:

1. Part of coast of North Borneo FOR TRADE

2. Nearby Islands

1773 The EIC Set up a trading post at Balambangan

1774 The EIC sent John Jesse (a British Agent) to Brunei

AIM: To buy peppers from the Chinese gardeners along the Brunei River.

1775 Balambangan was destroyed by local pirates.

The British searched for a safer place

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin I offered Labuan to the EIC

AIM: To get British help against Sulu

1777 The EIC left Brunei

BECAUSE: They lost money in Borneo

6

BRUNEI’S RELATIONS WITH THE BRITISH

BRUNEI IN THE 18TH CENTURY

1776THOMAS FORREST VISITED BRUNEI AND WROTE ABOUT BRUNEI TOWN:

Brunei Town was about 10 miles up the river from Pulau Chermin.

There was trade between China and Brunei.Every year, Chinese junks came from AMOY (Chinese port).The Chinese built junks at Brunei Town. The junks were later used to carry produce of Borneo island to China, including blackwood and other products.Trade was as busy as trade between Europe and America

There was a public market at the river side.The boat people (Padian) moved along the River with their large bamboo hats.