Military of the Bruneian Sultanate

Former army of the Bruneian Sultanate

Royal Brunei Armed Forces

Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (Malay)
Active| 1368–1888
Disbanded| 1888 (de jure)
1906 (de facto)
Country|  Bruneian Sultanate
/ British Protectorate of Brunei (1888–1906)
Allegiance|  Sultan of Brunei
Queen Victoria (1888–1901)
King Edward VII (1901–1906)
Type| army
Role|

* Military force (until 1888; 1906)

Size| Usually above 1,000 soldiers
Motto(s)| ملايو اسلام براجا
Melayu Islam Beraja
Malay, Islam, Monarchy
(1425–1888)
Colours|

Yellow

Equipment| Many primarily Keris
Engagements|  Bruneian Sultanate:
Bruneian–Igan War
Bruneian–Tundun War
Castilian War
Bruneian Civil War of 1660
Bruneian–Sulu War
Pacification of Lanun
Bruneian Civil War of 1826
Sarawak Uprising of 1836
Anglo-Bruneian War
Battle honours| War spoils
Commanders
De jure leader|  Sultans of Brunei (1363–1888)
Monarchs of the United Kingdom (1888–1906)
De facto leader|  Wazirs
British residents (1888–1906)
Notable
commanders|

* Bendahara Sakam
* Abdul Hakkul Mubin
* Muhyiddin of Brunei
* Bolkiah
* Awang Jerambak

Military unit

The Military of the Bruneian Sultanate (Malay: تنتيرا كسلطانن بروني, romanized: Tentera Kesultanan Brunei) officially the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (Malay: رايول بروناي آرميد فوس, romanized: Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei) was the land force of the Bruneian Sultanate from 1368 to 1906.[1]

This article is part of a series on the

History of
Brunei

Imperial era

* Sultanate of Sulu
* Rajahnate of Maynila
* Sultanate of Sarawak

Colonial era

* Barisan Pemuda
* Borneo campaign
* BMO Borneo
* Brunei People's Party
* Brunei revolt
* North Borneo Federation
* Bruneian Independence
* Japanese occupation
* National Development Plan
* State Council
* White Rajahs
* Sarawak
* Labuan
* North Borneo

Post-independence

* Brunei National Solidarity Party
* Amedeo Crisis
* National Development Party
* Golden Jubilee of Hassanal Bolkiah

Topics

* Capital punishment
* Constitution
* Diplomacy
* Education
* Islam
* LGBT
* Military
* Navy
* Monarchy
* Slavery
* Sultan
* Transport

See also

* List of years in Brunei

* v
* t
* e

## History

[edit]

### Early history (1363–1408)

[edit]

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 (1408–1828)

[edit]

Main articles: Castilian War, Bruneian Civil War of 1660, and Twenty Years' 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]

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.[8][9] 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 June.[citation needed]

Bruneian forces fighting against Spanish forces

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,[10] to be carried out by Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Lela.[11] After the Bruneian troops put an end to the uprising, Milau returned to Brunei and submitted.[10]

It has been suggested that the insurrection of the Maruts (sic) - i.e. the Lun Bawangs \- and Chinese had led to the Brunei Sultan requesting assistance from the Sulu sultanate to suppress the rebellion in 1658, which resulted in the Brunei Sultan ceding his territory of Kimanis until Tapean Durian to the Sultan of Sulu as a sign of gratitude.[12]

In 1660, the Bruneian Civil War would start and again split 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.[13] 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.[13] They returned to Brunei after a final attack by Muhyiddin's forces in which they failed to defeat Abdul Hakkul Mubin.[13] It also noted that Muhyiddin finally defeated Abdul Hakkul Mubin in Cermin Island, by of the purchasing of gunpowder,[14] 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,[15] and the civil war ended in 1673.

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.[16] 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.[17] The siege would go on to be a success as Manila was captured by the Brunei sultanate.[18]

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 of 1660 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.[19] 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.[19] 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.[20][21] Thomas Forrest visited Brunei in February 1776.[16] Despite Labuan's offer, the British left Brunei in 1777 due to the financial collapse of Balambangan, losing the entire East India Company.[19][22]

In 1788, a Sulu army attacked Kampong Sembulan as an attempt to invade Brunei. They were defeated by Sharif Amir who later became the caretaker of Kampong Sembulan.[23]

In 1826, the Bruneian Civil War would start all over again into two forces: Omar Ali Saifuddin II and Muhammad Alam. With Omar setting his capital in Kampong Burong Pingai and Muhammad Alam setting his at Chermin Island. The civil war would end in 1828 when Muhammad Alam was assassinated by assassins sent by Raja Isteri Nooralam, the mother of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien II and the half-sister of Muhammad Alam.[24]

### Weakening (1828–1906)

[edit]

Main articles: Sarawak Uprising of 1836, Anglo-Bruneian War, and War on piracy (Brunei)

Treaty of Labuan in 1846

The power of the Bruneian army was weakening due to Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin II impacting the army's performance. Omar Ali Saifuddin II was known to have a double thumb and a "dull mind". He was also known to be called by Western observers as a "fool". He is considered the "John of Brunei", due to his incompetency.

He ceded important territories such as Labuan, which hampered Brunei's military capabilities. Not only that, a rebellion in Sarawak exposed Brunei's weakness. Worsening Brunei's position in the global stage.

The shrinking territories was worsen during Abdul Momin, he realised his nation would become extinct if they kept ceding territories, declared the "Amanat"[25] which was an oath between the Sultan, Wazirs, Manteris, and holders of Tulin rights not to cede or lease any remaining territories to the foreign powers[26][27] and which was signed on 20 February 1885.[28]

But even so, it was already too late. Brunei's military effectiveness was weaken due to Omar Ali Saifuddin II incompetency. And one of the signatories named Pengiran Temenggong Pengiran Anak Hashim ceded Terusan shortly after, raising doubts about the Amanat's efficacy. Although their intentions were commendable, their shortcoming was that there was no consequence for defying them. This flaw would emphasised Amanat's failure to stop Brunei from shrinking.

By the time of Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin. Brunei was a shadow of its former self. And in 1888, Brunei would sign the Protectorate Agreement of 1888, officially ending Bruneian independence in 1906. In 1984, Brunei gained it's official independence from the United Kingdom.

## Organisation

[edit]

The army had around ~1,000–5,000 warriors[7][29][30] in the 16th century. In the 17th century to 18th century they had around ~1,000–4,000 warriors.[31][32][23] In the early 19th century, they had around ~500–1,500 warriors but slowly decreased to only around ~300–1,200 active troops by the mid and late 19th century.[33] They fought in both conventional warfare and unconventional warfare.

### Pendekar

[edit]

The Pendekar (English: Warrior) were usually the ones who fought outside of the Sultanate, due to them being easier to mobilise for wars. They were commanded by local chiefs who later on, became semi-autonomous.[34] They were armed with traditional weapons like bows and arrows,[35] Keris, spears and others. The first ever "firearm" in Brunei were hand cannons probably Huochong hand cannons were used during the reign of Sultan Bolkiah,[5] Istinggars bought from Jambi Sultanate which was imported to Brunei during the Bruneian Civil War.[14] They later began to acquire flintlock muskets like pemuras and terakol in the late 17th century and early 18th century[32][36] from most likely from European merchants and regional powers in Asia. Which they used during the War on piracy, the Twenty Years' War, the Bruneian Civil War of 1826, the Sarawak Uprising of 1836 and the Anglo-Bruneian War. Many high ranks were also armed with talwar or barong.[23] Like Datu Patinggi Ali and Embo Ali.

As they were warriors, they did not have a uniform system as it was very uncommon in many Southeast Asian sultanates. However it was common to find Bruneian pendekars to wear a coat, a tanjak and trousers which usually covered the knee. High rank used sinjangs combined with their sashes. Some wore a white shirt inside of their coat. The common colours of their clothing were mostly dark red, black and indigo.

* The signing of the Treaty of Labuan between the Sultan of Brunei and the British delegation on 18 December 1846 at the Brunei palace with guards (Pendekar), armed with spears, keris and swords.

* A Bruneian warrior in the 18th century

* Traditional Malay weapons used by Bruneian Malays

### Mujahideen

[edit]

the term "Mujahideen" usually refers to levies used by Islamic kingdoms like for example the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Osman I who used the similar ghazi. Unlike the pendekar where they fought both outside and inside of the Sultanate. They mostly were raised against invading armies, a popular example is the Castilian War. Where they were taught new fighting techniques by Ottoman expeditionary forces. They also fought in the Bruneian-Sulu War. They were distinguished from the high class due to them wearing songkok, a cap still used in modern day Brunei.

### Artillery

[edit]

The usage of artillery is very well known, Sultan Bolkiah started to use artillery when he paid 40 Javanese blacksmiths to teach metal casting possibly introducing cannon technology to Brunei.[6] He also used artillery in wars famously presumably in his war against Tondo. He would also indirectly spread it to the Sulu Sultanate and the Sultanate of Maguindanao where they used it up until the Moro Rebellion.

Later on, the Castilian War began, Ottoman expeditionary forces began teaching Aceh, Brunei and other nearby Malay sultanates how to forge Ottoman cannons.[37] who began introducing Ottoman styled cannons, however despite this Brunei still used their traditional cannons though it's unknown if they used them in combat or not.

However, prior to this Brunei presumably had bigger cannons prior to the arrival of Ottoman expeditionary forces that had to be carried by horses and elephants, as Antonio Pigafetta said:

> "the Malays had been in Brunei for a long time and had a high level of civilization. Forts were built that mounted heavy guns and were equipped with horses and trained elephants."

— Antonio Pigafetta[38]

Treaty of Labuan in 1846 with cannons visible.

### Native troops

[edit]

Often acting as Militias, though they were not documented much in Bruneian history there are records of them existing, For example, in the Bruneian–Igan war, the Dayaks (Iban) supported Bruneian forces lead by Awang Jerambak (one of Awang Alak Betatar's brothers) against the forces of Igan.[39] It is also apparent that the Bajau people participated in the navy of Brunei due to their expertise in naval warfare and also at land due to Sulu raids in Sabah attempting to invade Brunei. There is also a possibility that the Iranun and Bugis as well may have participated in some wars due to them ruling parts of Borneo that were later conquered by Brunei under the reign of Sultan Bolkiah. The Lun Bawang also fought with the Bruneians as well.[40]

Rentap and Sharif Masahor continued to resist the Rajah of Sarawak after 1841.

An illustration of Iban forces attempting to resist attack from James Brooke forces in the south-western lands of the Sultanate of Brunei

## References

[edit]

1. ^ 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. ^ a b 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. ^ Frankham, Steve (2008), Footprint Borneo, Footprint Guides, p. 278, ISBN 978-1-906098-14-8
9. ^ Atiyah, Jeremy (2002), Rough guide to Southeast Asia, Rough Guide, p. 71, ISBN 978-1-85828-893-2
10. ^ 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.
11. ^ "Pusat Sejarah Brunei – Sultan – Sultan Brunei". History-Centre.gov.bn. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
12. ^ J Hunt Esq, ed. (1812), Sketch of Borneo or Pulo Kalamantan, vol. VIII, Bencoolen: Sumatran Mission Press, p. 10, retrieved 26 September 2010
13. ^ 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.
14. ^ a b Asrul, Nurul Nadhirah Ahmad (11 December 2017). "Warkah Kesultanan Brunei yang tertua". Warkah Kesultanan Brunei yang tertua. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
15. ^ Asbol, Awang. Persejarahan Brunei (in Malay).
16. ^ a b 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.
17. ^ 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.
18. ^ 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.
19. ^ 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.
20. ^ "Pusat Sejarah Brunei - Sultan - Sultan Brunei". www.history-centre.gov.bn. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
21. ^ History, Borneo (29 December 2014). "Borneo History: Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien I". Borneo History. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
22. ^ 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.
23. ^ a b c Santos, Jason (5 December 2020). "History of Sembulan: home to remnants of ancient Brunei army Part 1". The Vibe.
24. ^ Saunders 1994, p. 72. sfn error: no target: CITEREFSaunders1994 (help)
25. ^ Ooi 2015, p. 103. sfn error: no target: CITEREFOoi2015 (help)
26. ^ Sidhu 2009, p. 9. sfn error: no target: CITEREFSidhu2009 (help)
27. ^ CHANGDER, NARAYAN (7 January 2023). BRUNEI: THE AMAZING QUIZ BOOK. Changder Outline. p. 141.
28. ^ Rabiqah Natasha Halim Binti Mohamed Yusof 2017, p. 56. sfn error: no target: CITEREFRabiqah_Natasha_Halim_Binti_Mohamed_Yusof2017 (help)
29. ^ Tomé Pires 1515. sfn error: no target: CITEREFTomé_Pires1515 (help)
30. ^ Nicholl, Robert (1975). European sources for the history of the Sultanate of Brunei in the Sixteenth Century. Muzium Brunei. OCLC 4777019.
31. ^ Blair & Robertson. sfn error: no target: CITEREFBlairRobertson (help)
32. ^ a b Saunders, Graham (2003). A History of Brunei (2nd ed.). London: Routledge. ISBN 9781315029573.
33. ^ Spenser St. John 1862. sfn error: no target: CITEREFSpenser_St._John1862 (help)
34. ^ Andaya, Barbara Watson (1982). A History of Malaysia. New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 76–77\. ISBN 978-0-312-38120-2.
35. ^ de San Agustín, Gaspar (1698). Conquistas de las Islas Filipinas [Conquests of the Philippine Islands] (in Spanish). Spain. ISBN 8400040724. `{{cite book}}`: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
36. ^ Keppel, Captain (1846). "THE EXPEDITION TO BORNEO OF H.M.S. DIDO FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF PIRACY: WITH EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF JAMES BROOKE, ESQ., OF SARAWAK". The Daily Brunei Resources. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
37. ^ Cambridge illustrated atlas, warfare: Renaissance to revolution, 1492–1792 by Jeremy Black p.16 [1]
38. ^ Guillemard 1908, p. 215.
39. ^ Yunos 2010, p. 2.
40. ^ Metcalf, Peter (2010). The Life of the Longhouse: An Archaeology of Ethnicity. Cambridge University Press. p. 188\. ISBN 978-0-521-11098-3.

* Hussainmiya, B. A. (1 January 2012). "Royal Brunei Armed Forces 50th anniversary commemorative history". RBAF 50th Golden Anniversary Commemorative Book. South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
* Guillemard, Francis Henry Hill (1908). Volume 2 of Stanford's compendium of geography and travel - Malaysia and the Pacific Archipelagoes. Edward Stanford.

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