James Brooke, the White Rajah of Sarawak

James Brooke (1803-1868), arrived in Kuching, Sarawak in August 1838 on a 142 ton schooner "The Royalist". With some "prompting", the Sultan of Brunei granted Brooke the title of "Raja of Sarawak" on 24 September 1841. He ruled Sarawak as a "white rajah" from 1841 - 1868. He was succeded by Charles Brooke, the 2nd White Rajah from 1868 - 1917. During his reign, he built Fort Margherita for his wife Ranee Margaret and opened the first dry dock in Kuching, the Brooke Dockyard. He founded the Sarawak Rangers to police and defend Sarawak.

After WW2, Vyneer Brooke, the 3rd Raja from 1917 - 1946, ceded Sarawak to the British Colonial Office.