Marudu

On the 19 August 1845, Marudu, situated in North Borneo, was destroyed by the British marine forces under the command of Admiral Cochrane. That military action was initiated by James Brooke, the Raja of Sarawak, who could only get the support of the navy by accusing the leader of Marudu, Syarif Osman, of being a pirate. Thus, Brooke eliminated a possible rival for his influence over parts of Borneo, which were not yet occupied by other Western powers. Syarif Osman had not only built up a strong, economically expanding and independet polity on Marudu Bay, but moreover was in contact with many important leader personalities of the region. His far-reaching authority was considered too dangerous by James Brooke. The destruction of Marudu can be viewed as a typical case of winner-written history. In 1845, Marudu was not only existentially destroyed, but also the memory of it as a coastal state. Due to Brooke's statements, Syarif Osman is occasionally still considered a pirate. This book represents an attempt to reconstruct the history of Syarif Osman of Marudu.