Muhammad Alam
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Pulau Chermin, Brunei–Muara, Brunei
| Muhammad Alam محمد عالم | |
|---|---|
| Sultan of Brunei | |
| Reign | 1826–1828 |
| Predecessor | Muhammad Kanzul Alam |
| Successor | Omar Ali Saifuddin II |
| Died | c. 1828 Pulau Chermin, Brunei–Muara, Brunei |
| Burial | Pulau Chermin, Brunei–Muara, Brunei (Allegedly) |
| House | Digadong |
| Father | Muhammad Kanzul Alam |
| Mother | Pengiran Anak Salamah |
| Religion | Islam |
| Signature |  |
Muhammad Alam ibnu Muhammad Kanzul Alam (died c. 1828) was the self-proclaimed 22nd sultan of Brunei from 1826 to 1828, the year he is alleged to have died.[1] Due to his tough and strict attitude,[2] he was given the Malay nicknames Raja Api (King of Fire) and Sultan Marak Berapi.[3] Despite being perceived as a fragile and progressively protective kingdom, Brunei managed to hold onto its lands under his rule, which stretched from Tanjong Datu in Sarawak to Kimanis in Sabah.[4]
His rise to power as the Sultan was disliked by most of the population of Brunei and ignored royal Bruneian tradition which led to the second civil war between him and his successor, Pengiran Muda Omar Ali Saifuddin.[3] Muhammad Alam may have briefly assumed the title of Sultan because he portrays Sultan Muhammad Alam, who ruled from 1826 to 1828, in the 1986 family tree.[5] When a second civil war broke out between him and Raja Noor Alam in the period between 1826 and 1828, the Bruneian royals once more had a harsh ordeal.[6]
Pengiran Muda (Prince)[7][8] Muhammad Alam @ Mutalam ibnu Sultan Muhammad Kanzul Alam is oldest son of Pengiran Digadong Ayah Pengiran Muda Muhammad Kanzul Alam ibnu Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin I. His father's second wife, Pengiran Anak Salamah Ibnu Pengiran Seri Rama, was his mother. Since his father was Sultan Muhammad Tajuddin's half-brother, Muhammad Alam is a nephew of Sultan Muhammad Tajuddin ibnu Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien. His most prominent half-sister from his father's first marriage to Pengiran Anak Saleha, is Raja Isteri Noralam, the eldest daughter of the aforementioned Sultan. His brothers are Pengiran Muda Hashim and Pengiran Badaruddin.[4]
Early life
Muhammad Alam became well-known both domestically and globally during the reign of his father. He and his father had considerable economic influence, as shown by their direct communication about commercial issues in Brunei with William Farquhar. Muhammad Alam, despite his wealth, respected his father's power by submitting to him to reply to Farquhar's correspondence, demonstrating submission to the ruling Sultan. According to Annabel's analysis, his cooperative relationship with his father highlights his influential yet submissive role within the royal court. Muhammad Kanzul Alam referred to him as "our friend" (sahabat kita) instead of "our son" (anakanda kita), suggesting that he held significant authority in his father's administration.[9]
A British officer came in Brunei during the 1809 incident known as the challenge of Si Merah. He disobeyed royal custom by going straight to Muhammad Alam rather than through the Sultan. Tensions increased when he physically intervened during the Lapau audience, throwing the lieutenant several feet away, even though it was made clear where he was seated. Local accounts claim that this action was taken in retaliation for Si Merah's challenge concerning a hunting dog named "Commerce," which was supposed to represent his ambition to take territory from Brunei. His resolute reply was interpreted as a protecting of Brunei's interests against colonialism and a defence of his father's dignity.[10]
Sharif Hasan Al Habsi of Hadhramaut, who claimed he could take Brunei in half a day, challenged Muhammad Alam, once again demonstrating his importance in maintaining Brunei's sovereignty. he challenged Al Habsi in Ujung Sapoh Muara Besar with the help of his siblings and the local leaders. Al Habsi gave in after seeing his tenacity, asked the Sultan and Muhammad Alam for forgiveness, and was pardoned despite his prior threat. At times, it seemed as though he had more sway than his father, Sultan Muhammad Kanzul Alam.[11]
Throughout the 19th century, piracy was growing in Borneo's coastal cities and ports, seriously endangering trade routes and the stability of the area. In response, the British Government dispatched Captain Robert C. Garnham to enforce a blockade of Bornean ports, with the exception of Pontianak, Banjarmasin, and Brunei. The aim of this action was to reduce piracy and concentrate commerce. Garnham and other foreign envoys thought Muhammad Alam was harsh and irritable, and he resisted them during their assignment.[12] Garnham asked his father's aid in 1813 by constructing authorised ports at the three locations. Muhammad Alam's observant demeanour at an audience ceremony made Garnham anxious, so he hurriedly wrapped up his business.[13]
Muhammad Alam seems to have had a great deal of authority and control over his father's administration; it's possible that he even took on the position of Deputy Sultan before to his father's death. There are indications that he assumed greater responsibility and power in ruling Brunei at this time, including his father's sickness in 1826 and the Sultan accepting a Dutch ambassador in substitution of the Sultan in 1823. His father granted his desire to take the throne, but he kept symbolic objects like the crown and the Kris Si Naga, preserving a division of power between them.[12]
Muhammad Alam's character is further shown by the "Spiers Incident," as H. R. Hughes-Hallett has noted. This incident happened because Captain Spiers treated Muhammad Alam more like a fellow trader than a member of the royal family, which was disrespectful. Due to Captain Spiers' egotistical behavior, which included departing Brunei before the scheduled trading time of 2 pm, the Prince asked his father to find out if Brunei was being played with by the British. The Sultan replied with a forceful statement calling on foreign commerce to 'behave,' but Farquhar settled the dispute by directing Captain Spiers to report for disciplinary action to the British Government in Bengal.[14]
