Brooke Dynasty heritage
…if I want a crown I must go and hunt it for myself.![]()
– Rudyard Kipling, The Man Who Would Be King
The Kingdom of Sarawak began with James Brooke, English adventurer and soldier, first of the White Rajahs, and the inspiration behind Kipling’s ‘The Man Who Would Be King’. Sailing aboard his schooner, the Royalist, he made himself known in the Malay Archipelago from 1838 onwards, and this military man soon set about helping the Sultan of Brunei to quell an Iban rebellion against taxation. For his efforts Brooke was handsomely rewarded with the Governorship of Sarawak in 1841, a responsibility that he and his family took very seriously.
For a colonial leader, Brooke ruled his dominion effectively and relatively fairly, inviting rebels to work with him, fusing the customs of Malay monarchy with the traditions of the British civil service, and building forts to protect the region against the widespread piracy. Kuching, a humble riverside settlement at the time Brooke landed, would soon be transformed.
Our Sarawak Vacations
Borneo 8 day tour, the wild heart of Borneo
A unique experience in the untouched, beautiful Sarawak.
From
£855
8 days
ex flights
Singapore and Sarawak vacations
A wildlife and Cultural Vacation to Singapore and Sarawak
From
US $2875
14 days
inc UK flights
Sarawak wildlife & beach vacation
Encounter an orangutan & hike through virgin rainforest
From
US $1556 to US $2150
10 days
ex flights
Borneo wildlife vacation, Sarawak
A light trekking and jungle adventure vacation in Sarawak
From
US $2760
13 days
ex flights
Sarawak family vacation
An action-packed vacation got the whole family to enjoy!
From
£1088
9 days
ex flights
Sarawak and Singapore vacation
Discover beautiful Sarawak with a 2 night Singapore stopover
From
£1720
15 days
ex flights
Wild Borneo vacation, private departure
Highlights of Malaysian Borneo including Deramakot
From
£4340
18 days
inc UK flights
Luxury beach vacation in Borneo & Orangutans
Relaxation in one of nature's most picturesque settings
From
£1915
13 days
inc UK flights
Borneo tour, Sarawak, Sabah & Brunei
Exotic Trans-Borneo Overland from Rainforest to Beach
From
US $1398
13 days
ex flights
Borneo wildlife cycling vacation
Ultimate Borneo wildlife experience on two wheels
From
MYR 8242
9 days
ex flights
Orangutan conservation vacation in Borneo
Meet Iban tribes and encounter orangutans in Borneo
From
£1195
13 days
ex flights
Sarawak rainforest cycling tour, Borneo
Discover the sights, sounds & taste of authentic Sarawak
From
MYR 6600
8 days
ex flights
Borneo tailor made tour
A Borneo vacation tailor-made for the adventurous traveler.
From
£2175
12 days
ex flights
Sarawak Rainforest music festival vacation
Explore Malaysia's diverse flavours and gastronomic delights
From
US $2145
11 days
ex flights
Sarawak vacation, wildlife adventure
Tailor-made wildlife and turtle vacation to Sarawak
From
US $2395
14 days
ex flights
Iban longhouse experience in Sarawak, Malaysia
Take a 3 Day Tour to be part of the Iban Tribe!
From
£595
3 days
ex flights
Orangutan volunteering in Borneo
Volunteer at an orangutan rehabilitation center in Borneo
From
£795 to £1995
8 days
ex flights
Borneo homestays vacation
Stay at homestays with the locals of Borneo
From
€1060 to €1230
14 days
ex flights
Highlights of Borneo group tour
Small-group culture and wildlife tour of Borneo
From
US $3585
12 days
ex flights
Sarawak cultural tour in Borneo
A cultural jungle adventure through Sarawak
From
£3515
15 days
inc UK flights
Sabah & Sarawak vacation in Borneo
Wildlife, jungles, culture and idyllic beaches
From
US $2495
13 days
ex flights
Sarawak and Sabah vacation, tailor made
Tailor made Sarawak and Sabah adventure vacation
From
US $3625
16 days
ex flights
Borneo tour, Orangutans and Iban
Spotting wild orangutans and meeting indigenous tribes
From
£3499
22 days
ex flights
Borneo wildlife vacation
Showcasing the best of Borneo - wildlife, rainforests and tropical beaches
From
US $4849 to US $4979
15 days
ex flights
Sarawak and Sabah tour, Orangutans & Ibans
Explore Borneo's unique culture, heritage and wildlife
From
£1653
13 days
ex flights
Borneo vacation, Sarawak highlights
Wildlife, Orangutans, longhouse stay & beach in Sarawak
From
US $1895
13 days
ex flights
Sarawak off the beaten track tour
Explore Remote Sarawak’s Coastal and Interior Region
From
MYR 3646 to MYR 5814
7 days
ex flights
Sarawak 5 day cultural tour
Explore Sarawak’s remote and fascinating coastal region
From
MYR 3568 to MYR 5201
5 days
ex flights
The White Rajahs
The Brooke dynasty ruled Sarawak for over a century, gradually expanding their territory, and building an economy around antimony, gold, rubber and oil, later opening a dockyard. The White Rajahs – James Brooke, his nephew Charles and Charles’ son Vyner – took a largely paternalist approach to Sarawak and its indigenous peoples, protecting them from capitalist exploitation and encouraging traditional practices – with the notable exception of headhunting. Charles was the great builder of the family, expanding public welfare infrastructure such as a hospital and a school, and encouraging Chinese immigration for agricultural labour.
In 1946, after a period of Japanese occupation during World War II, Vyner Brooke secretly and controversially ceded Sarawak to Britain as a crown colony, and nearly 18 years later it gained independence, joining the Malaysian Federation as the state of Sarawak.
In 1946, after a period of Japanese occupation during World War II, Vyner Brooke secretly and controversially ceded Sarawak to Britain as a crown colony, and nearly 18 years later it gained independence, joining the Malaysian Federation as the state of Sarawak.
The Brooke architectural legacy
I visited parts of Borneo where no European had ever been before, and … the people … mentioned with delight the name of Brooke … in fact, wherever I went, I found the name was a sort of talisman.![]()
– Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, R.N.
When compared to many colonial-era rulers, the reputation of the Brooke dynasty is for the most part a favourable one. The architectural influence of the White Rajahs can still be seen across the state to this day, and there are ongoing projects to rebuild both Brooke’s Royalist schooner and the cottage where he first lived when he arrived in Sarawak.
Despite all this, perhaps James Brooke’s greatest legacy is the annual Sarawak Regatta, the boat races he established to encourage sportsmanship and settle tribal disputes, a perfect illustration of his unusual approach to ruling.
Astana
This whitewashed, wooden-roofed palace was a gift from the second Rajah, Charles Brooke, to his wife. Its landscaped gardens, which visitors can explore, lead down to the Kuching waterfront while the building itself now serves as the official governor’s residence.
Brooke Dockyard
A key part of the Brooke dynasty heritage, the dockyard was opened in 1912 and rapidly became a major source of employment in Kuching. It is currently closed, and plans are underway to turn it into a maritime museum, where the reconstructed Royalist will be on display.Our top Sarawak Vacation
Singapore and Sarawak vacations
A wildlife and Cultural Vacation to Singapore and Sarawak
From
US $2875
14 days
inc UK flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Sarawak or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Brooke Gallery at Fort Margherita
Fort Margherita, named for the wife of Charles Brooke, was built to guard the river approaches from pirates, and in recent years has been superbly renovated. To coincide with the 175th anniversary of the state’s founding, the Brooke Gallery was opened showcasing a wealth of documents, artworks and memorabilia exploring the history of Sarawak and the Brooke dynasty. You can also see inside the fort’s prison cells, and the cannon which in years gone by was fired every evening to mark the Rajah’s dinnertime, and therefore the end of the government work day.
Main Post Office
The handsome Neo-classical architecture and Corinthian colonnades of the Kuching Post Office make it one of the most distinctive buildings in the city. Before it became the post office, it was used as a police station, and the stables of the third Rajah, Charles Vyner.Old Courthouse
With its colonnaded terraces and clock tower the Old Courthouse is an impressive sight on its own, but it is now a celebrated tourism complex that houses a textile museum in the Pavilion, the Charles Brooke Memorial and the Ranee Margaret Exhibition, featuring artifacts owned by the wife of the second White Rajah including her impressive collection of keringkam, Malay woven cloth.Sarawak Museum
Originally designed to resemble a Normandy townhouse, the Sarawak Museum has barely changed in appearance since it was built in 1891. A new museum is currently being built, which will be one of the largest in Southeast Asia with exhibits including models of longhouses from Sarawak’s various ethnic groups, traditional wood carvings, musical instruments and a number of traps for fish and animals.
The Forts
Over the course of their rule the White Rajahs built at least 18 wooden forts across Sarawak to fend off pirates and prevent tribal conflict. While most are little more than ruins nowadays, others have been carefully restored and several, such as Fort Margherita, Fort Hose, Fort Sylvia and Fort Limbang, now serve as museums.The Pavilion
First used as a medical center, the award-winning Pavilion is an impressive architectural feat blending themes of English renaissance and colonial. It houses the Textile Museum where you can see handicrafts made by various Sarawak ethnic groups. You can watch the intricate process of wood carving or basket weaving, and even have a go on the loom yourself.The Round Tower
Mystery surrounds the reason the Round Tower was built, though it’s thought it was originally intended as a fort. The whitewashed structure was rebuilt after a fire and is intended to become a fine dining restaurant with a colonial theme, but will continue to offer outstanding views across Kuching.
Responsible Travel would like to thank the Sarawak tourist board for their sponsorship of this guide
More about Sarawak
Learn the best time to visit Sarawak in terms of the weather with our month by month guide.
Make the most of your time with our map of highlights and suggested itineraries.
There's lots to do in Sarawak from trekking in national parks to tribal homestays.
The culture and heritage of the Lun Bawang people is at the core of Sarawak community tourism.
There are some 30 Sarawak national parks, all extraordinary, all very different.
Sarawak adventure vacations take you into some of Asia's most spectacular natural landscapes.
The Rainforest World Music Festival is one of Sarawak's greatest cultural events.
Community led conservation projects in Sarawak offer life affirming experiences for visitors.
With over 20 Important Bird Areas and plenty of national parks too, Sarawak is birdwatching bliss.
Batang Ai National Park is a superb place to see endangered orangutan in the wild.
Exploring the culture in Sarawak is one of the key reasons to visit the Land of the Hornbills.
Discover the picturesque riverside gateway to Sarawak and Malaysian Borneo - Kuching.
The joys of a short tour to Sarawak are as clear as the waters of its many dive sites.
Sarawak wildlife ranges from endangered orangutans to proboscis monkeys and sea turtles.
Sarawak multi activity vacations let you experience stunning natural landscapes and tribal culture.
Sibu is the gateway to the Rajang river basin, which offers a distinct tribal culture.
Narrowing our Sarawak trips down to just 10 was a tricky business, but we managed...just.
Traveling in Sarawak with kids involves activities they'll enjoy and learn from at the same time.
If you’re searching for Sarawak travel advice , check out these tips from our friends.
Wildlife issues are integral to responsible tourism in Sarawak - read on to learn more.
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: charles taylor] [James Brooke illustration: Public Domain]
[Astana: Cerevisae]
[Fort Margherita: Akml5599]
[Hornbill carving: Thomas Quine]
Back to the top
- Recently viewed
