# Military of the Bruneian Sultanate

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.

## History
### Early history (1363–1408)

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.
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.

### Golden age of Brunei (1408–1828)

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).
A 15th-century Chinese shipwreck 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.
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.
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, 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. 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.
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, to be carried out by Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Lela. After the Bruneian troops put an end to the uprising, Milau returned to Brunei and submitted.
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. 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. They returned to Brunei after a final attack by Muhyiddin's forces in which they failed to defeat Abdul Hakkul Mubin. It also noted that Muhyiddin finally defeated Abdul Hakkul Mubin in Cermin Island, by of the purchasing of gunpowder, 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, 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. 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. The siege would go on to be a success as Manila was captured by the Brunei sultanate.
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. 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. 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. Thomas Forrest visited Brunei in February 1776. Despite Labuan's offer, the British left Brunei in 1777 due to the financial collapse of Balambangan, losing the entire East India Company.
In 1788, A Sulu army attacked Kampong Sembulan as an attempt to invade Brunei who were defeated by Sharif Amir who later became the caretaker of Kampong Sembulan.

### Weakening (1828–1888)

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.
The shrinking territories was worsen during Abdul Momin (though this was not because he was incompetent). though eventually, he realised his nation would become extinct if they kept ceding territories, declared the "Amanat" 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 and which was signed on 20 February 1885.
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. Ending Bruneian independence until 1984.

### British protectorate (1888–1961)

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.
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.
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.

### Regiment period (1961–1984)

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. 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.
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.
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).

## Organisation

The Bruneian army in 1521 had around 1,000 men, plus 100 boats and 62 artillery, served as defence and an invasion force, 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 when it became a regiment of the British Empire.

### Bruneian Sultanate (1363–1888)
#### Pendekar

The Pendekar 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. They were armed with traditional weapons, and possibly hand cannons in the reign of Sultan Bolkiah, Istinggars bought from Jambi Sultanate which was imported to Brunei during the Bruneian Civil War. They later began to acquire flintlock muskets like pemuras and terakol in the late 17th century and early 18th century from most likely from European merchants and regional powers in Asia.
As they were warriors, they did not have a uniform system as it was uncommon in many Southeast Asian sultanates. However it was common to find Bruneian pendekars to wear a coat, a tanjak and shorts usually covering the knee. Some used sashes or sinjangs. Some wore a normal Baju Melayu shirt inside of their coat. The colour of their clothing is presumably was probably a variety of earthy colours like tan, brown and so on.

#### Mujahideen

the Mujahideen were the medieval levies of the Bruneian army. Unlike the pendekar where the 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 were used as well against the many Sulu attempts of invading Brunei, for example one of their attempted invasion of Brunei was when they attacked Kampong Sembulan. They were later repelled by the Bruneian army lead by Sharif Amir who later became the caretaker of Kampong Sembulan, forcing them to retreat back to Sulu.

#### Artillery

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. 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.

#### Cavalry and War elephant

Cavalry and War elephant recorded battle usage in Brunei is close to zero however according to Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian explorer who stopped at Brunei in July 1521, he records that:
   "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."
It is heavily assumed that these were disbanded prior to the Castilian War due to zero records of these being mentioned.

#### Auxiliary Troops

Auxiliary troops though not documented much in Bruneian history. There is some evidence that Brunei used what we call "Auxiliaries". In the Bruneian–Igan war, the Dayaks supported Bruneian forces lead by Awang Jerambak against the Igan forces. It is also apparent that the Bajau people participated in the navy of Brunei due to their expertise in naval warfare. There is also a possibility that the Iranun and Bugis people as well may have participated due to them ruling parts of Borneo that were conquered by Brunei during Bolkiah's reign.
This is mostly speculation as we know nothing about these "Auxiliaries". There is high possibility of these existing due to James Brooke having to raise Dayak troops in his army.

#### Luzones Mercenaries

Luzones mercenaries, though not well documented as well however, Antonio Pigafetta records that they performed many professions, such as traders, sailors, shipbuilders, mercenaries, governors, and slaves.
Information about these mercenaries continued to existing well into the 19th century is practically zero. But we can assume that at the reign of Omar Ali Saifuddien II. They stopped being active. Due to no British sources mentioning Luzones warriors serving under Brunei.