Historic Background Of Brunei

The empire of Brunei reached its zenith during the 16th century, when the country’s territories extended right up to Manila in the Philippines. The Europeans soon arrived in the region - the Spanish and the Portuguese were followed by the British, who swiftly downsized Brunei’s empire. Brunei was forced to give up Sarawak in the 1800s, and gradually conceded other territories. The state was ultimately declared a British protectorate in 1888. Two years later, Limbang was given away to Sarawak and Brunei was on the verge of losing its geographical identity, but in 1929, black gold was discovered. This saved Brunei from dissolution, and even emboldened the natives to revolt in 1962. The Sultan suspended the constitution and opted for independence of Brunei, which eventually came about in 1984. Since then, the country has become one of the richest in the region - all because of oil!