The Man Who Would Be King: James Brooke and the White Rajahs of Sarawak

Here's a coin I recently picked up, with a fascinating history steeped in the British colonial adventurism of the 18th and 19th centuries.

SARAWAK
Time of James Brooke, Rajah, 1841-1868
CU Cent (28.9mm, 9.32g, 12h)
Dated 1863. Heaton & Sons mint, Birmingham, UK
Obverse: J. BROOKE RAJAH, bust of James Brooke left
Reverse: SARAWAK above wreath containing ONE CENT in two lines; date below
References: Numista 15540
Mintage: unknown​

The Raj of Sarawak was a kingdom in northwestern Borneo established in 1841 under the personal rule of British soldier and adventurer James Brooke, after he had assisted Brunei Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin II in suppressing a revolt in the area.

Portrait of Sir James Brooke by Francis Grant, 1847
By Francis Grant - http://www.oxforddnb.com/public/themes/95/95425-content.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3383971​

In return for Brooke’s help, the Sultan gave him governorship of Sarawak, which Brooke and his descendants, known as the White Rajahs, ruled for the next 105 years. Over the years, the territory of the Raj greatly expanded: from the small area around the city of Kuching originally granted to James Brooke, it grew to include most of the northwest coast of Borneo, and inland more than one hundred miles.

The expansion of Raj of Sarawak c. 1920
By Unknown author - Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61228961​

The White Rajahs ruled as a benevolent autocracy, suppressing piracy and headhunting, establishing Western institutions of law, order, and administration, and encouraging trade and commerce, while respecting local customs. Important economic exports included rubber, oil, and pepper. The Raj was temporarily ended by Japanese occupation during World War II, and shortly afterward, in 1946, the last White Rajah, Charles Vyner Brooke, ceded the territory to the British government as a Crown colony.

Thanks for taking a look! Feel free to comment and/or post your own coins of Sarawak.

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Charles Brooke, nephew of James Brooke and the second White Rajah of Sarawak. Ruled 1868-1917:


By Alexander Bassano - https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/V0037393.html, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33751373

Charles Vyner Brooke, son of Charles Brooke, the third and last White Rajah. Ruled 1917-1946:


By Bassano Ltd Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68637426
​

 

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I got a couple of C. Brooke

 

Nice coins!
Someday I'd like to get a silver Sarawak coin. I tried bidding on one awhile back but was defeated.

 

I used to have a cent coin from Sarawak. I have no clue where it is now.

 

I am curious, by the way, how many of you recognized in the thread title the reference to the Rudyard Kipling story? Kipling mentions James Brooke a few times in the story, though Brooke definitely fared better than Dravot and Carnehan!

 

I did not get that, but of coarse the Jungle Book is what I know him for.
He surely is an interesting fellow.
Very nicely done write -up and photos. As per usual.
Thanks, You give enough to lead the reader into other interesting information.

 

Thanks Alurid! The Man Who Would Be King was a short story, about two former British soldiers who decided to try to carve a kingdom out for themselves in the hinterlands of Afghanistan, using just their wits, military training and know-how, and 20 modern Martini-Henry rifles. Things went well, then poorly for them. It's a worthwhile read so I won't spoil it for you!

 

It's also an entertaining movie starring Sean Connery and Michael Caine. I should read the original Kipling story.

A favorite local craft beer of mine is called "White Rajah" but I never made the connection until reading your post.