[WEEK 3] Chapter 3.2: Brunei Empire under Sultan Bolkiah
- NNZ
- Mar 26, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 12, 2020
(Refer to Social Studies Textbook, Page 28 - 30)
Under Sultan Bolkiah, the Brunei Kingdom was said to reach its Golden Age but he had to face many hurdles and challenges.
CHALLENGES
First Problem: Unfriendly Neighbours
Sulu Pirates often attacked and raided Brunei's ships and ports. (Find out more about Pirates of the Sulu Sea from https://youtu.be/PZuB6Yf61uY). They threatened the peace of Brunei's villages too.
Second Problem: Outdated Trade Methods
Sultan Bolkiah was a visionary and frequently travelled in search of new ideas and outlook for the development of his empire. He soon realised that Brunei's trade methods were outdated and wanted to implement better trade systems to make Brunei rich and successful.
SOLUTIONS!!!!
Hence, the Sultan overcame these two main problems with several solutions.
1) Built new friendships with neighbouring countries
He established a good relationship with the Chinese emperor. He also forged an alliance with the King of the Majapahit Kingdom.
He believed that it was crucial to be friendly to everyone and even settled things with the Sulu Kingdom and built trade links with the Portuguese.
2) Conquest
Sultan Bolkiah built his army and navy to defend Brunei against its enemies and to conquer smaller kingdoms.
The whole of Borneo and parts of the Philippines were under Brunei's powerful command and as a result, other kingdoms wanted Brunei's protection and friendship.
3) Welcoming foreigners
Muslim merchants and traders fled and came to Brunei after Malacca was taken over by Portuguese in 1511.
Sultan Bolkiah accepted them. Their experience and trading skills greatly benefited Brunei. He even welcomed the Europeans!!!
4) Travels
One of Sultan Bolkiah's passions was travelling. He visited places that he ruled to understand his people better.
These experiences gave him new ideas on how to rule his empire and improve the trading system too.
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