CHINESE ANTI-RAJAH MOVEMENT 1857

Before James Brooke became Rajah of Sarawak in 1841, Chinese miners under the leadership of Liu Shanbang had already established themselves at Man San for the past 20 years. They were controlled by the Twelve Kongsi and they even used their own currency. Due to the loose control and poor administration by Ihe Ruler from Brunei, the Chinese miners were quite contented in their free way of life.

Chinese Miners in 1823 (Sarawak Musium Collections)

After Rajah James Brooke had taken over the control of Sarawak from the Sultan of Brunei, he imposed 'Cukai Kepala' on the Kongsi, prohibited the Kongsi from directly importing and trading with foreign countries in opium, wine and other goods. He also prohibited the Kongsi from directly exporting gold and antimony to foreign countries. At the same time, the Rajah also allowed the formation of Borneo Company in 1856 to mine gold in Bau. Due to ihe above factors, the Chinese rebelled against the White Rajah. They wanted the Kongsi's old way of life to continued rather to obey the rules of the White Rajah Government which was too much for them.

One of the existing 'Flagpole' after the Chinese Rebellion 1857 (Mr. William N.P. Chai)


Liu Shanbang led 600-armed miners from Bau Lama to attack Kuching on 18.2,1857. He succeeded in the attack but James Brooke escaped unhurt. In actual fact, Liu became the de facto 'Rajah' of Sarawak for 5 days from 19-2.1857 to 23,2,1857. Liu and his men retreated to Bau when Tuan Muda Charles Brooke with his Dayak force from 2nd Division (Sri Aman) retaliated. Liu Shanbang was killed at Jugan, Siniawan on or about 24.2.1857. His men and their families were mostly killed or suffocated to death by the Rajah's men at Mau San and Ghost Cave areas, Some managed to escape to Indonesia.