de_RajahSarawak: 2011

Sunday 7 August 2011

Story of Sarawak through its stamps

– Rajah Sarawak era to Malaysia now

11th August 1839

James Brooke first arrived in Sarawak in the yacht Royalist.

24th September 1841

James Brooke granted government of Sarawak by Raja Muda Hassim

By 1855

Postal service in operation.

8th September 1867

Opening of Council Negri (State Council)

11th June 1868

On his death, James Brooke had bequeathed Sarawak to his nephew

Charles Johnson later renamed Charles Anthony Brooke

1st March 1869

First definitive stamp issued depicting James Brooke. Local postal service established.

1st January 1871

New definitive stamp issued depicting Charles Brooke.

1875

First "receipt" stamps issued.

10th November 1888

New definitive stamps printed by de la Rue.

1889

Revenue stamps issued.

February 1895

New definitive stamps printed by Perkins Bacon

1st July 1897

Sarawak joined UPU.

1899

Revenue stamps overprinted "Customs" issued.

10th November 1899

De la Rue definitives reissued without "revenue".

17th May 1917

Rajah Sir Charles Brooke died.

Charles Vyner Brooke installed as Rajah.

26th March 1918

New definitive stamps issued showing Charles Vyner Brooke

1st January 1932

New definitive stamps issued printed by Waterlow.

1st May 1934

New definitive stamps issued printed by Bradbury Wilkinson.

17th December 1945

New stamps issued overprinted BMA (British Military Administration)

15th April 1946

Sarawak transferred back to Rajah Charles Vyner Brooke.

18^th May1946

The Sarawak Centenary Commemorative stamps was issued.

To mark that a century of rule by three white Rajah.

1st June 1946

British Crown Colony of Sarawak established.

16th April 1947

Stamps reissued overprinted with Royal Cypher and Script CA watermark.

1st January 1950

George VI definitives issued.

1st June 1955

First Queen Elizabeth defiitives issued.

31st August 1963

Sarawak became self-governing.

16th September 1963

Sarawak joined Malaysia Federation.

15th November 1965

Orchid definitive stamps issued.

1st February 1971

Butterfly definitive stamps issued with Sarawak Arms printed by Bradbury Willkinson.

12th February 1977

Butterfly definitive stamps re-issued with Sarawak crest printed by Harrison.

30th April 1979

Flowers definitive stamps issued.

1983-86

Flowers definitive stamps reprinted on un-watermarked paper.

25th October 1986

Agro products definitives issued.

1st September 1993

Agro products definitives re-issued showing new shield.

Thursday 28 July 2011

Brooke’s Forts in Sarawak

15 Brooke’s Forts

Legacy of Rajah Sarawak

Rajah Sarawak coat of arm.

An interesting legacy left by the Brookes Rajah Sarawak are forts in every division they established in Sarawak. Brookes family ruled Sarawak for three generations, which ended in 1946. In that 105 years of rulling they has build a total of 15 forts altogether.

These forts were simple affairs, built of wood or rough stone, with armouries and quarters for the fort-men below and on the first floor an office and crude living quarters for the district officer. Only when the district was entirely pacified could the officer move out into a house of his own.
The Rajah liked the forts to be uniform as possible. The model which he thought should be copied was that at Simanggang. New precedents were to be avoided if possible *Outlines of Sarawak History

Fort Brooke in Sibu (1862)

Fort Keppel in Bintulu (1862)

Fort Vyner in Belaga (1884)

Fort Burdett in Muka - now called Mukah (1861)

Fort Sarikei in Sarikei (1850)

Fort Dayang Leonora in Engkilili (1850)

Fort Lingga in Simanggang (Sri Aman now) (1849)

Fort Charles in Kabong (1878)

Fort Florence in Trusan (1887)

Fort Margherita in Kuching, built 1879.

Called after Ranee’s (Ranee Margaret – Rajah Charles Brooke wife’s) first Christian names - Margherita.

Fort Alice in Simanggang (Sri Aman now), built 1864.

Called after Ranee’s (Ranee Margaret – Rajah Charles Brooke wife’s) second Christian names - Alice.

Fort Lili in Betong, built 1858.

Called after Ranee’s (Ranee Margaret – Rajah Charles Brooke wife’s) thrird Christian names - Lili.

Fort Sylvia in Kapit, built 1880.

Called after Rani Sylvia Brooke.

Fort Emma in Kanowit, built 1859.

Called after Emma Brooke, sister of Rajah Charles Brooke.

Fort Rose in Marudi, built 1883.

Called after the Second Resident, Dr Rose at Claudetown on Baram river side (now called Marudi) during the Brooke era. The Claudetown came after the first Resident of the division - Claude de Crespigny.

Sunday 24 July 2011

The History of Rajah Sarawak

The History of Rajah Sarawak

Rajah Astana by the Sarawak River

The history of Sarawak in unusual and colourful and Sarawakians to today can rightly look back on their heritage with a certain degree of pride. Much about the Brooke appears slightly ridiculous to modern eyes but the Sarawak people are better placed finally to judge the Brooke achievement.

Rajah Brooke family (Rajah Sarawak) and their rule lasted from 1841 to 1941.

James Brooke (1841-1868)

He was installed as the White Rajah of Sarawak in 1842. Rajah Brooke died in 1868 but not before expanding his territory. His nephew Charles Brooke successded him.

Charles Brooke (1868-1917)

It is recorded that Charles Brooke was a capable, organized ruler who brought about proper system of government and extension of Sarawak's borders. until 1917.

Charles Vyner Brooke (1917-1941)

He is the eldest surviving son of Charles, succeeded his father. Rajah Vyner did not interfere with local customs, but drew the line at headhunting, which was practiced by Dayak tribesmen.

During the Japanese occupation from 1941-1945, Charles and his family fled to Australia. By 1945, the Japenese surrendered. He return to Sarawak and saw his role as Rajah Sarawak ended on 15 April 1946, Sarawak had been placed under the Australian Military Administration. He than announce to relinquish Sarawak to British Military Administration.