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The development of Brunei during the British residential era, 1906-1959 : a sultanate regenerated

Horton, A. V. M.

Authors

A. V. M. Horton



Contributors

D. K. (David Kenneth), 1931-1989 Bassett
Supervisor

Abstract

The revival of Brunei after centuries of seemingly-irreversible decline, dates from January 1906, when Mr MSH McArthur assumed office as the first British Resident in the Sultanate. In this study it will be shown hoer a moribund, bankrupt and isolated backwater, troubled by internal disaffection and living under a Brooke 'sword of Damocles', was regenerated by more enlightened British administration, coupled later with the fortuitous discovery of petroleum, into a peaceful, flourishing and prosperous little State, the 'Shangri-la of the East'. Originally the initiative rested firmly with the imperial powers but after the Second World War the balance shifted towards an increasingly literate and healthy local population. British administrators, instead of initiating policy (as formerly) found themselves obliged increasingly to react to demands made upon them by an emerging Brunei nationalist movement led by the charismatic Sheikh Azahari. In the end, however, it was the monarchy which was most strengthened during the Residential Era; and it was overwhelmingly to the crown, rather than to the people, that power was transferred when Brunei regained internal autonomy on 29 September 1959.

Citation

Horton, A. V. M. (1985). The development of Brunei during the British residential era, 1906-1959 : a sultanate regenerated. (Thesis). University of Hull. Retrieved from https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4212778

Thesis Type Thesis
Deposit Date Aug 14, 2012
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Keywords Southeast Asian studies
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4212778
Additional Information Department of South East Asian Studies, The University of Hull
Award Date Oct 1, 1985

Files

Thesis (47.7 Mb)
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Copyright Statement
© 1985 Horton, A. V. M. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the copyright holder.




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