The Enigmatic Small Size Of Brunei: Why?

Brunei, officially the State of Brunei, Abode of Peace, is a small country located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is bounded by the North China Sea to the north and the East Malaysian state of Sarawak on all other sides. Brunei's current small landmass is a result of territorial losses to the White Rajahs of Sarawak during its period of decline in the 19th century. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate, which further contributed to its reduced size. Today, it consists of two unconnected sections, physically separated by Malaysia, making it almost an enclave within the larger country.

Brunei's territory decreased due to treaties with the British and Sarawak

Brunei's territory decreased significantly in the 19th century due to treaties with the British and Sarawak.

In 1841, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin II granted the British army officer James Brooke control of Sarawak as a reward for helping to quell a civil war. Brooke thus became the White Rajah of Sarawak and gradually expanded his territory.

In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate, ceding control of its foreign affairs to the British. This treaty, negotiated by Sir Hugh Low, stated that the Sultan required British consent to cede or lease territory to foreign powers. However, when the Brookes annexed the Pandaruan District in 1890, the British took no action, considering Sarawak to be a domestic power. This final annexation left Brunei with its current small land mass.

In 1846, the British captured Brunei Town and forced Sultan Saifuddin II to cede the island of Labuan to Britain. In 1847, he signed the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce with the British, and in 1850, a similar treaty with the United States.

Over time, the Sultans of Brunei ceded further stretches of territory to Sarawak and the British North Borneo Chartered Company. Eventually, the British occupied most of Brunei's coastline.

It lost land to the White Rajahs of Sarawak

The decline of the Bruneian Empire accelerated in the nineteenth century when Brunei gave much of its territory to the White Rajahs of Sarawak, resulting in its current small landmass and separation into two parts.

The White Rajahs of Sarawak were a dynasty established by Englishman James Brooke, who became the first White Rajah of Sarawak in 1841. Brooke was an English former soldier and adventurer who arrived at the banks of the Sarawak River in 1839. He helped the Sultan of Brunei quell a rebellion and was granted control of Sarawak as a reward. Brooke established a proper Western-style administration and civil service, drew up laws, and fought piracy, which was endemic in those parts.

Over time, Brooke and his nephews, who succeeded him, leased or annexed more land. Brooke's nephew, Charles Brooke, encouraged the migration of Chinese workers to boost the economy, especially in the agricultural sector. Sarawak prospered under his rule and became one of the world's major producers of black pepper, in addition to oil and rubber plantations.

The Brookes ruled Sarawak for 105 years, during which they extended their influence and domain, built roads and waterworks, and abolished slavery and headhunting. The dynasty came to an end in 1946 when the third and final White Rajah, Vyner Brooke, ceded Sarawak to the British Crown in return for a substantial financial settlement for him and his family.

Brunei was a British protectorate from 1888 to 1984

In the 1880s, the Bruneian Empire continued its decline. The Sultan granted land (now Sarawak) to James Brooke, who had helped him quell a rebellion, and allowed him to establish the Raj of Sarawak. Over time, Brooke and his nephews (who succeeded him) leased or annexed more land. Brunei lost much of its territory to him and his dynasty, known as the White Rajahs.

Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin appealed to the British to stop further encroachment by the Brookes. The "Treaty of Protection" was negotiated by Sir Hugh Low and signed into effect on 17 September 1888. The treaty said that the sultan could not cede or lease any territory to foreign powers without British consent. It provided Britain with effective control over Brunei's external affairs, making it a British protected state.

However, when the Raj of Sarawak annexed Brunei's Pandaruan District in 1890, the British did not intervene. They did not regard either Brunei or the Raj of Sarawak as 'foreign' under the Treaty of Protection. This final annexation by Sarawak left Brunei with its current small land mass and separation into two parts.

In 1906, British residents were introduced in Brunei under the Supplementary Protectorate Agreement. The residents were to advise the sultan on all matters of administration. Over time, the resident assumed more executive control than the sultan. The residential system ended in 1959.

In 1959, a new constitution was written, declaring Brunei a self-governing state, while its foreign affairs, security, and defence remained the responsibility of the United Kingdom. On 29 September 1959, the Constitution Agreement was signed in Brunei Town. The agreement was signed by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Sir Robert Scott, the Commissioner-General for Southeast Asia. It included the following provisions:

• The Sultan was made the Supreme Head of State.
• Brunei was responsible for its internal administration.
• The British Government was responsible for foreign and defence affairs only.
• The post of Resident was abolished and replaced by a British High Commissioner.

In 1962, a small rebellion erupted against the monarchy, which was suppressed with the help of the UK. Known as the Brunei Revolt, the rebellion contributed to the Sultan's decision to opt out of joining the emerging state of Malaysia.

On 7 January 1979, another treaty was signed between Brunei and the United Kingdom. It granted Brunei the authority to take over international responsibilities as an independent nation. Britain agreed to assist Brunei in diplomatic matters. In May 1983, the UK announced that Brunei would gain independence on 1 January 1984.

On 31 December 1983, a mass gathering was held in the main mosques across all four districts of the country. At midnight, on 1 January 1984, the Proclamation of Independence was read by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The sultan subsequently assumed the title "His Majesty", and Brunei was admitted to the United Nations on 22 September 1984.

The country's small size is partly due to its geography and location

Brunei's small size is partly due to its geography and location. The country is located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia and is surrounded by the South China Sea to the north and the East Malaysian state of Sarawak on all other sides. This makes it almost an enclave within Malaysia, as it consists of two unconnected sections physically separated by Malaysia.

Brunei's total land area is 2,228 square miles (5,770 square kilometres), which is slightly smaller than the US state of Delaware. The terrain comprises a flat coastal plain that rises to mountains in the east and hilly lowland in the west. The country's highest point is Bukit Pagon, also known as Pagon Peak, at 6,069 feet (1,850 metres) in the southeast.

Brunei's small size is also due to historical factors, particularly the loss of territory to European colonial powers and regional rivals. In the 19th century, Brunei ceded the island of Labuan to Britain, reducing the country to its present size. Earlier, in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Bruneian Empire lost territory to the Spanish and the British, including the areas that became North Borneo, Sarawak, and Labuan.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Brunei faced further territorial losses due to the expansion of the "White Rajahs" of Sarawak, led by the British adventurer James Brooke. Despite resistance from the Sultan of Brunei, Sarawak gained control of Limbang and other regions, contributing to Brunei's separation into two parts and its reduced landmass.

Thus, Brunei's small size is a result of its geography, location, and historical circumstances, including colonial expansion and regional rivalries.

Brunei's land area is slightly smaller than the US state of Delaware

Brunei's total land area is 2,228 square miles (5,770 square kilometres), consisting of two unconnected sections physically separated by Malaysia. This makes Brunei almost an enclave within Malaysia. The terrain comprises a flat coastal plain that rises to mountains in the east and hilly lowland in the west. The highest point is Bukit Pagon, at 6,069 feet (1,850 metres).

Brunei's small landmass and separation into two parts are due to the White Rajah period, referring to British adventurer James Brooke, who became governor and later "White Rajah" of Sarawak in northwest Borneo. Brooke expanded the territory under his control and attempted to gain control of Brunei.

Brunei's current land area is also a result of the decline of the Bruneian Empire in the 19th century, when Brunei gave much of its territory to the White Rajahs of Sarawak. This decline was accelerated by the arrival of Western powers, such as the Spanish and British, who disrupted traditional trading patterns and destroyed the economic base of the Bruneian Empire.

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