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Military of the Bruneian Sultanate

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Military of the Bruneian Sultanate
Tentera Kesultanan Brunei (Malay)
Royal swords in the Royal Regalia Museum
Active
Disbanded1888 (main army of the Bruneian Sultanate)
1984 (as a regiment of the British Empire)
Country Bruneian Sultanate
British Empire (1961–1984)
Allegiance Bruneian Sultan,
British King (1961–1984)
Branch Bruneian Sultanate:
Royal Guard (referred as Warriors)
Ship
Boat
Galley
British Empire:
Recruit
Typearmy
Role
  • Military force (until 1888; 1906)
  • Regiment (1961–1984)
Size1520: 2,620 (including equipment)
1578: 1,112 (including equipment)
1961: 60 recruits
Colours
  Yellow
Equipment(1363/68–1888):
Hand Cannon, Cannon and Boat
(during Bolkiah's reign):
Hand Cannon, Cannon, Ship, Galley and Boat
(during Saiful Rijal reign):
Istinggar (imported from the Jambi Sultanate), Cannon, Ship, Galley and Boat
(during Muhyiddin's war against Abdul Hakkul Mubin)
Engagements Bruneian Sultanate:
Bruneian–Igan War
Bruneian–Tundun War
Castilian War
Bruneian Civil War
Manila conflict (1769)
Sabah conflict (1771)
Commanders
Leader Bruneian Sultan
British King
De facto leader Bendahara (1578)
Notable
commanders

The Military of the Bruneian Sultanate (Malay: Tentera Kesultanan Brunei; Jawi: تنتيرا كسلطانن بروني) was the land force of the Bruneian Sultanate from 1368 to 1888.[1]

History

[edit]

Early history (1363–1408)

[edit]
Main article: Bruneian–Igan War

The first known battle between Brunei and foreign armies was the Battle of the Igan Valley. The Igan River flowed through this valley and was located in the traditional lands of the Melanau-speaking people. There are two accounts of the fight: the first, more legendary, tells of a nine-month struggle between three Brunei heroes and Bilanapura, a genie that Jerambak finally defeated using a miraculous fish skin he stole from an ogre. According to the second, Awang Jerambak's Brunei men came up against Basiung and his 9,000-strong allied armies from Sambas, Matu, Sadung, and Sarikei. The Brunei army, aided by the Dayaks, overpowered Basiung's warriors despite their superior numbers; as a result, Igan was destroyed and war spoils were taken. Following this, Jerambak made Igan accept Awang Alak Betatar's dominance.[2]

The Bruneian soldiers persisted in their conquests, subduing Igan's allies, such as Sarikei, Rajang, Sadung, Sarawak, Tanjung Datu, and Lingga, and stealing and capturing the traditionally Melanau regions of Oya, Matu, and Mukah.[3]

Golden age of Brunei (1408–1888)

[edit]
Main articles: Castilian War, Bruneian Civil War, and Bruneian-Tundun War

After the Bruneian Sultanate declared independence from Majapahit Empire in 1408, the Sultan, Sulaiman of Brunei re-established the Bruneian Sultanate's military, it is unclear what they used, but it is suspected that officers who bears the royal regalia of the Sultan of Brunei such as the Panglima Asgar, Perwira Asgar, and the Hulubalang Asgar carried the royal weapons of a kalasak (shield) and a kampilan (sword).[4]

A cropped portrait of Bolkiah.

A 15th-century Chinese shipwreck[5] containing hand cannons was found near Brunei during Bolkiah's reign, Bolkiah paid 40 Javanese blacksmiths to teach metal casting in Brunei, possibly introducing cannon casting. Those 40 Javanese introduced cannon technology to Brunei.[6]

In 1521, Antonio Pigafetta reported Brunei's military had a fleet of more than 100 boats (ships) which were involved in an attack with a faction in the south.[7]

Sultan Bolkiah was renowned for frequently traveling overseas in an effort to get fresh perspectives and information that would aid in the development of his nation. But he really started to gather traction in 1500, when he made the decision to visit the Kingdom of Tondo in an effort to increase his power. Bolkiah founded the city of Selurong; later named Maynila, on the other side of the Pasig River shortly after taking over Tondo from its monarch, Lakan Gambang.[8]

Following the Sultan's victory in Tondo, the customary Rajahs, referred to as the Lakandula, kept their titles and possessions,[9] but the House of Soliman, which housed the Manila Rajahs, gained control of them. Following this triumph, Brunei ruled over Borneo and the western Philippines for almost a millennium, until starting to decline in influence in the 18th century.[citation needed]

Royal boat of Brunei, armed with swivel guns.

The Bruneian military prior to the Castilian War of 1578, was still had a strong army and navy. But despite this, they lost two battles against the Spaniards,[citation needed] after the Spaniards captured Kota Batu, Saiful Rijal changed to country's capital to Saragua (Sarawak), later they regained their strength after the Spanish force occupying the capital greatly weakened by an outbreak of cholera and dysentery.[10][11] Before the Spanish retreated, the Spanish burned and destroyed the city's mosque. After just 72 days, the Spanish would later returned to Manila on 26

Bruneian forces fighting against Spanish forces

June.[citation needed]

In 26 June 1578, (the same day as the Spanish retreat to Manila) the Bruneian forces under Bendahara Sakam fought against Bruneian defectors who defected to Spain under Pengiran Seri Ratna. The Bruneian forces under Bendahara Sakam would win the Battle of Muara and kill Pengiran Seri Ratna (during the battle).

During Muhammad Hasan's reign, Muhammad Hasan commanded the attack on Milau of the Kelabitic group in Sarawak,[12] to be carried out by Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Lela.[13] After the Bruneian troops put an end to the uprising, Milau returned to Brunei and submitted.[12]

In 1660, the Bruneian Civil War would start and again spilt into two forces: Abdul Hakkul Mubin and Muhyiddin. During the civil war, Muhyiddin was concerned that the civil war was dragging on for too long and asked the help of the Sultan of Sulu to send for his forces. He reportedly promised the land of eastern Sabah as a reward for the latter's assistance.[14] During the civil war, Abdul Hakkul Mubin fled to Kinarut (in present-day Papar, Sabah, Malaysia) where, he stayed there for ten years, repelling repeated attacks by Sultan Muhyiddin.[14] They returned to Brunei after a final attack by Muhyiddin's forces in which they failed to defeat Abdul Hakkul Mubin.[14] It also noted that Muhyiddin finally defeated Abdul Hakkul Mubin in Cermin Island, by of the purchasing of gunpowder,[15] which came from Jambi Sultanate.

The Sulu army was supposed to help Muhyiddin forces in Cermin Island, but when they arrived the Sulu army in their ships arrived just to watch Muhyiddin forces fight Abdul Hakkul Mubin forces instead of helping the Muhyiddin forces, they landed after the battle to take war booty and to enslaved prisoners. This would infuriated Muhyiddin, who ordered the Sulu army to leave without giving eastern Sabah to them. Brunei denied giving eastern Sabah to the Sulu Sultanate. There is no written evidence of the transfer,[16] and the civil war ended in 1673.

Artillery Flag of Brunei in 1846

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin learned about the situation in Manila of the Philippines, due to it being Bruneian territory, he was not pleased. As a result, he gave command to attack Sultan Alimuddin in Manila with his forces under the command of Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Lela Awang Aliwaddin in 1769.[17] The mission didn't arrive in Manila until 1769 because the expedition's preparations took so long. Sultan Alimuddin had already departed Manila for Sulu, therefore Manila was under Spanish rule when the siege began.[18] The siege would go on to be a success as Manila was captured by the Brunei sultanate.[19]

Treaty of Labuan in 1846

The conflict over North Borneo, also known as Sabah, began after which a promise made by Sultan Muhyiddin to the Sultan of Sulu after Sulu helped him win the Brunei Civil War that went in his favor. Sulu attacked Brunei in 1771 after he had become severely weakened. Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin signed a deal with the British Empire in June 1774 to secure outside support. The British were looking for a storehouse along the way to Canton and received exclusive rights to the pepper trade in exchange for their military assistance.[20] When Sulu despatch a force under the command of Datu Teting to attack Balambangan in 1775, its leaders sought safety in Labuan after the British quickly established a presence in Brunei.[20] When the two forces clashed, Datu Teting surrendered and his troops fled back to Sulu after learning that the warriors of Brunei, led by Pengiran Temenggong Ampa, were far too strong for them to defeat.[21][22] Thomas Forrest visited Brunei in February 1776.[23] Despite Labuan's offer, the British left Brunei in 1777 due to the financial collapse of Balambangan, losing the entire East India Company.[20][24]

In 18th to 19th century, the Bruneian military was in bad shape, and later disbanded by the last sultan after signing the Treaty of Protection[25] and then became a regiment of the British Army in 1961.[1]

British protectorate (1888–1961)

[edit]
A Dayak with a Lee–Enfield during a river patrol with Australian soldiers, serving as guides for the patrol in 1945
The Sultan and Maeda Yoshinori's forces in 1942–1945

Brunei's military was characterised by its dependence on British protection due to the kingdom's inherent limitations and the sultans' helplessness, as evidenced by the 1888 Treaty of Protection signed with Britain to preserve Brunei's geographical sovereignty, which was compromised when Brooke took control of the Limbang District in 1890, and a significant turning point occurred in 1906 when Sultan Hashim signed a Supplementary Treaty. The British did not deploy troops in Brunei at this time, therefore the sultans had no responsibility for maintaining state security. Instead, they offered military support. When the British departed during the Japanese occupation in 1941, Brunei's weakness was exposed. This showed the monarchy lacked fortifications and aided in its subsequent attempts to develop its own military capabilities.[26]

Brunei was to gain from this approach as Britain prepared to sever its colonial connections with Malaya and northern Borneo following the Pacific War. After being enthroned in May 1951, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III started deliberations to draft Brunei's first written constitution, which included the notion of creating a military regiment. The Brunei Malay Constitutional Advisory Committee, also known as Tujuh Serangkai, advocated for the formation of the Brunei Regiment, a Malay-led army to uphold state security and protect the reputation of the Sultan's government without depending on outside military forces, unless absolutely required and approved by the State Council and District Councils.[27]

The Sultan agreed with the Tujuh Serangkai's suggestion to create Brunei's own regiment in order to boost the country's prestige, provide palace guards, salute, and assist local law enforcement with internal security responsibilities. The notion of creating a Malay regiment was not new; the first was formed during British Ceylon in 1798, and the second was formed in British Malaya in 1933. Brunei was the third country to create a Malay regiment. Furthermore, Brunei was part of the British Empire throughout World War II. In 1939, Malays, Ibans, and Chinese from the area formed the Volunteer Force, which helped destroy oil wells in preparation for the Japanese invasion while safeguarding important resources including rice stocks and oil fields. Concerns over the expanding Chinese population and the possible effect of the insurgency led by the Communist Party of Malaya in surrounding nations led to the establishment of a crude Special Branch in Brunei following the Chinese Communist Revolution in 1949. Apart from that, military worries during this era led to the stationing of a Sarawak Field Force in Brunei from 1954 to 1961, which was mostly made up of Ibans and numbered around 300.[28]

Regiment period (1961–1984)

[edit]
Malay soldiers of the RBMR in 1967
Main article: Royal Brunei Armed Forces

In 1961, The Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (RBMR) was formed, when the first intake of 60 recruits began training. The formal foundation of the regiment occurred in June 1962, when men of the first three intakes were formed into the regimental headquarters and three rifle companies.[29] In 1965, the regiment received the 'Royal' prefix, becoming the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment. Initially stationed at Port Dickson in Malaya, the regiment was soon moved to a purpose-built barracks in Brunei itself. The Royal Brunei Malay Regiment established two new units, the Boat Section and the Air Service in 1965 to increase its capabilities further. These two units, together with the infantry, were amalgamated into a single task force in 1966.[30]

In 1972, the regiment's structure was changed, with the infantry, aviation, and naval sections split into separate units once again. The infantry companies became the 1st Battalion, Royal Brunei Malay Regiment, with a total of five rifle companies. Three years later, the 2nd Battalion, Royal Brunei Malay Regiment was formed by taking B and E Companies from the 1st Battalion.[30]

In 1984, Brunei achieved full independence from the United Kingdom. At that time, the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment was renamed as the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF), part of the wider Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).[citation needed]

Organisation

[edit]

The Bruneian army in 1521 had around 1,000 men (royal guards sometimes referred as 'warriors'), plus 100 boats[7] and 62 artillery, served as defence and invasion force,[citation needed] total numbered 2,620 men, ships and artillery pieces. During the reign of Bolkiah (r. 1485–1524), military was still 1,000 men and 62 cannons. But decreased down to 50 boats. During the reign of Saiful Rijal (r. 1533–1583), the army reduced itself further to a 60 recruits[29] when it became a regiment of the British Empire.

Pendekar

[edit]

The Pendekar or local mujahideen were usually the ones who fought outside of the Sultanate, due to them being easier to mobilise for larger campaigns. They were usually commanded by local chiefs. They were armed with traditional weapons, and possibly hand cannons (during Sultan Bolkiah reign),[5] and later a type of matchlock musket manufactured in West Sumatra and bought from Jambi Sultanate which was imported to Brunei during the Bruneian Civil War (during Muhyiddin reign).[15] They began to acquire Flintlock Muskets in the late 17th century and early 18th century[31] from most likely from European merchants and regional powers. It is unknown what they would have worn, however it is safely concluded that they usually wore leather armor,[32] however they also used Baju Rantai (chainmail) or Baju Lamina armour (mail and plate armour) combined with normal Malay Clothing.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b History Page 1 Royal Brunei Land Force Archived 20 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Yunos, Rozan (2010). The Early Brunei Conquests. The Brunei Times. p. 2.
  3. ^ Yunos 2010, p. 1.
  4. ^ Siti Norkhalbi Haji Wahsalfelah (2007). Textiles and identity in Brunei Darussalam. White Lotus Press. ISBN 978-974-480-094-7.
  5. ^ a b de Vienne, Marie-Sybille (2015). From the age of commerce to the 21st century. NUS Press. p. 50. ISBN 9789971698188.
  6. ^ Jalil, Ahmad Safwan (2012). South-east Asian cannon making in Negara Brunei Darussalam (MA thesis). Flinders University. pp. 10–11.
  7. ^ a b Gin, Ooi Keat; King, Victor T. (29 July 2022). Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Brunei. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-56864-6 – via Google Books.
  8. ^ "Reading Song-Ming records on the pre-colonial history of the Philippines" (PDF). Journal of East Asian Cultural Interaction Studies. 1: 256. 31 March 2008. hdl:10112/3180.
  9. ^ Ptak, Roderich (1998). "From Quanzhou to the Sulu Zone and beyond: questions related to the early fourteenth century". Journal of Southeast Asian Studies. 29 (2): 280. doi:10.1017/S002246340000744X. JSTOR 20072046. S2CID 162707729.
  10. ^ Frankham, Steve (2008), Footprint Borneo, Footprint Guides, p. 278, ISBN 978-1-906098-14-8
  11. ^ Atiyah, Jeremy (2002), Rough guide to Southeast Asia, Rough Guide, p. 71, ISBN 978-1-85828-893-2
  12. ^ a b Awang, Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri (Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Diraja Dato Seri Utama Haji) (1997). Tarsilah Brunei: Zaman kegemilangan dan kemasyhuran (in Malay). Jabatan Pusat Sejarah, Kementerian Kebudayaan Belia dan Sukan. p. 108.
  13. ^ "Pusat Sejarah Brunei – Sultan – Sultan Brunei". History-Centre.gov.bn. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  14. ^ a b c "Civil war wrecks chaos in the country". BT.com.bn. The Brunei Times. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
  15. ^ a b Asrul, Nurul Nadhirah Ahmad (11 December 2017). "Warkah Kesultanan Brunei yang tertua". Warkah Kesultanan Brunei yang tertua. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  16. ^ Asbol, Awang. Persejarahan Brunei (in Malay).
  17. ^ Masa silam sarana masa depan: kumpulan kertas kerja Seminar Sejarah Brunei II (in Malay). Jabatan Pusat Sejarah, Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan. 1999. p. 18. ISBN 978-99917-34-16-3.
  18. ^ al-Sufri (Haji), Awang Mohd Jamil (2002). Survival of Brunei: A Historical Perspective. Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. p. 36. ISBN 978-99917-34-18-7.
  19. ^ 50 Years Historical Moments of Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, 1958-2008 (in Malay). Ministry of Religious Affairs, Negara Brunei Darussalam. 2008. p. 68. ISBN 978-99917-922-0-0.
  20. ^ a b c Vienne, Marie-Sybille de (9 March 2015). Brunei: From the Age of Commerce to the 21st Century. NUS Press. p. 74. ISBN 978-9971-69-818-8.
  21. ^ "Pusat Sejarah Brunei - Sultan - Sultan Brunei". www.history-centre.gov.bn. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  22. ^ History, Borneo (29 December 2014). "Borneo History: Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien I". Borneo History. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  23. ^ Masa silam sarana masa depan: kumpulan kertas kerja Seminar Sejarah Brunei II (in Malay). Jabatan Pusat Sejarah, Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan. 1999. p. 18. ISBN 978-99917-34-16-3.
  24. ^ al-Sufri (Haji), Awang Mohd Jamil (2002). Survival of Brunei: A Historical Perspective. Brunei History Centre, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. p. 37. ISBN 978-99917-34-18-7.
  25. ^ Gin, Ooi Keat (14 December 2015). Brunei – History, Islam, Society and Contemporary Issues. Routledge. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-317-65998-3.
  26. ^ Hussainmiya 2012, p. 6.
  27. ^ Hussainmiya 2012, p. 6–7.
  28. ^ Hussainmiya 2012, p. 7–8.
  29. ^ a b History Page 1 Royal Brunei Land Force Archived 20 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine – Retrieved 23 April 2007
  30. ^ a b History Page 2 Royal Brunei Land Force Archived 25 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine – Retrieved 23 April 2007
  31. ^ Saunders, Graham (2003). A History of Brunei (2nd ed.). London. ISBN 9781315029573.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  32. ^ W. Charney, Michael (2004). Traditional Warfare in Southeast Asia: 1300-1900. ISBN 9789004142404.
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