Kingdom of Marudu

The Kingdom of Marudu traces its origins in the Apostate War, where it was used as a base of operations for Sulu privateers, pirates and soldiers.^[3]

Before the appointment of Sharif Uthman, Marudu was split into two, Sungai Besar ruled by Sharif Muhammad under the Sulu Sultanate and Bengkoka ruled by an unidentified orang kaya under the Bruneian Empire.^[2]

After becoming the governor of Marudu, Uthman transformed Marudu into a Kingdom,^[1] leaving his protectorate status from the Sulu Sultanate.^{[citation needed]} He had strong influence on eastern Sabah, making alliances amongst other Sabahan princes.^[1] British attempts to drive the Sultan of Sulu's followers out of the region failed. And a punitive expedition by the "White Rajah" James Brooke in 1845 with the alibi of Marudu being a base of operations for pirates.^[1]

After firing a cannon shot at the British at Kota Marudu, battle ensued, Talbot's men were exposed to cannon fire for about an hour. Of the six to eight British dead and about twenty wounded, most fell during this initial exchange of fire. It is unclear whether Uthman's men fired at any significant volume afterward. Stephen Evans attributed the relatively rapid end of the battle to an operator's error by the fortress gunners^[4]

Abbas/Bali explained Uthman's defeat as treason and underestimation of the naval gunfire, as Uthman had not expected the guns to reach his fortress. The interpretation that Uthman lost the battle due to the enemy's superior force may be the most accurate. Shortly after the initial exchange of fire, Talbot landed some of his men on the right bank and aimed rockets at the fortress. The rocket party landed on the right bank and fired with good effect into the stockade.^[1]

Sharif Uthman likely didn't expect the British to have weapons with such a range at their disposal. The rockets caused devastating damage to the fortress. Nevertheless, the defenders tried to use the still-functioning cannons to prevent the British from penetrating the fortifications. The persistent bombardment and defense of the barrier may have been Uthman's only real chance to prevent the storming of his fortress and city. What Rutter described as the daredevil spirit of Uthman's men was more likely an expression of a desperate defense. When the British finally broke through the barrier, some hand-to-hand combat still took place, but most of the defenders probably had no doubt that the battle was finally decided. They fled, even though they might have had the best chance against the numerically inferior British in close combat. Perhaps the loss of capable fighters due to the rocket fire was too great for an effective defense.^[1]

Sharif Uthman order to gather camphor, tortoise shells, sea cucumbers and timber from its territories to trade with neighbouring states, Singapore, the Sultanate of Sulu and the Bruneian Empire.^[5][1] They were also involved in the lucrative bird nest trade in Sabah, through strategic alliances, they mostly brought said high quality bird nests from the Kinabatangan region and sold them in premium prices, targeting Chinese merchants to buy them.^[1]

• Sandokan