Bruneian Empire
Encyclopedia
The Bruneian Empire was founded in the early 7th century on the island of Borneo
in Southeast Asia. The empire was ruled by pagan or Hindu kings converted into Muslims by Indian, Arab and merchants from the other parts of the Malay Archipelago
who came to trade and spread Islam. Since no local and indigenous sources exist to provide evidence for any of this, Chinese texts have been used to construct a history of early Brunei. Boni in Chinese sources refers to probably Borneo as a whole, while Poli 婆利, probably located in Sumatra, is claimed by local authorities to refer to Brunei as well. The earliest diplomatic relations between Borneo (Boni 渤泥) and China are recorded in the Taiping huanyuji太平環宇記 (978).
During the rule of Bolkiah
, the fifth Sultan, Brunei expanded into a strong empire with its territory covering almost all of Borneo and parts of the Philippines, mainly the island of Mindanao
. This was the Bruneian empire's symbol of might and therefore that time was its golden age. Brunei's army consisted of a strong naval force, many of whom worked as pirates in the South China Sea
and the coastal areas of Borneo. The pirates could be summoned by the Sultan whenever they were needed in an expedition. Actually, they were also highly experienced sea captains called the 'Nakhoda'.
The earliest recorded documentation by the west about Brunei was by an Italian known as Ludovico di Varthema
. Ludovico was at the time on a route to the Moluccan Islands when he landed in Borneo and met with the people of Brunei. The record of his documentation dates back to 1550.
Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
in Southeast Asia. The empire was ruled by pagan or Hindu kings converted into Muslims by Indian, Arab and merchants from the other parts of the Malay Archipelago
Malay Archipelago
The Malay Archipelago refers to the archipelago between mainland Southeastern Asia and Australia. The name was derived from the anachronistic concept of a Malay race....
who came to trade and spread Islam. Since no local and indigenous sources exist to provide evidence for any of this, Chinese texts have been used to construct a history of early Brunei. Boni in Chinese sources refers to probably Borneo as a whole, while Poli 婆利, probably located in Sumatra, is claimed by local authorities to refer to Brunei as well. The earliest diplomatic relations between Borneo (Boni 渤泥) and China are recorded in the Taiping huanyuji太平環宇記 (978).
During the rule of Bolkiah
Bolkiah
Sultan Bolkiah was the fifth Sultan of Brunei. He ascended the throne of Brunei upon the abdication of his father, Sultan Sulaiman. He ruled Brunei from 1485 to 1524. His reign was known as the Golden Age because Brunei became the superpower of the Malay archipelago...
, the fifth Sultan, Brunei expanded into a strong empire with its territory covering almost all of Borneo and parts of the Philippines, mainly the island of Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
. This was the Bruneian empire's symbol of might and therefore that time was its golden age. Brunei's army consisted of a strong naval force, many of whom worked as pirates in the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
and the coastal areas of Borneo. The pirates could be summoned by the Sultan whenever they were needed in an expedition. Actually, they were also highly experienced sea captains called the 'Nakhoda'.
The earliest recorded documentation by the west about Brunei was by an Italian known as Ludovico di Varthema
Ludovico di Varthema
Ludovico di Varthema, also known as Barthema and Vertomannus was an Italian traveller and diarist, known for being the first non-Muslim European to enter Mecca as a pilgrim...
. Ludovico was at the time on a route to the Moluccan Islands when he landed in Borneo and met with the people of Brunei. The record of his documentation dates back to 1550.
"We arrived at the island of Bornei (Brunei or Borneo), which is distant from the Maluch about two hundred miles, and we found that it was somewhat larger than the aforesaid and much lower. The people are pagans and are men of goodwill. Their colour is whiter than that of the other sort....in this island justice is well administered..."