The following is a list of forts constructed across the territory of the Raj of Sarawak during the period of Brooke rule (1841–1946). Forts played a central role in the administration, defense, and expansion of the Raj, serving simultaneously as military posts, government offices, symbols of authority, and centers of local administration. The Sarawak Tourism Board notes that the Brookes built more than twenty forts across the country,[1]; state reporting in 2025 stated that twenty‑three forts once existed, with fourteen still standing.[2]
List of forts
edit1840s
edit- Fort Lingga (Simanggang); built 1849.[3]
- Fort James (Skrang); built before 1864; materials later reused for Fort Alice in Sri Aman.[1]
1850s
edit1860s
edit- Fort Brooke (Sibu); built 1862; demolished in 1936.[7]
- Fort Keppel (Bintulu); built 1862; named for Sir Henry Keppel; destroyed during World War II.[7]
- Fort Alice (Simanggang); built 1864; named after Margaret Alice Lili de Windt.[1]
1870s
edit- Fort Baleh (confluence of Rajang and Baleh Rivers); built 1875.[5]
- Fort Limbang (Limbang); built 1879.[5]
- Fort Charles (Kabong); built 1878; rebuilt after collapse in 1893.[7]
- Fort Margherita (Kuching); built 1879; named for Margaret Alice Lili de Windt.[7]
1880s
edit- Fort Sylvia (Kapit); built 1880; named after Sylvia Brett.[7]
- Fort Vyner (Belaga); built 1884; named for Charles Vyner Brooke.[5]
- Fort Florence (Trusan), built 1887; named for Florence Brooke.[5]
- Fort Ranee (Saratok), built 1888.[5][8]
1890s
edit- Fort Hose (Marudi); built 1898; named after Charles Hose.[9]
1910s
edit1920s
edit1930s
editSee also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 4 "A Look at Sarawak Forts". Sarawak Tourism Board. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ↑ "Only 14 forts remain: Sarawak pushes UNESCO bid to preserve Brooke-era landmarks". Malay Mail. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ↑ "Conquering Sadok: Brooke's victorious expedition". Sarawak Tribune. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ↑ "Sarikeians (Historical Overview of Sarikei)". Sarikeians (local historical archival group). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Bala, Poline (2019). The Forts and Its People: Social History and Collective Memory of Local Communities in Sarawak (Report). Sarawak Tourism Federation.
- ↑ "Conservation – Fort Lili". PAM e-Resources. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "18 impressive forts in Sarawak built during the Brooke Era". KajoMag. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ↑ Bong, Karen (19 May 2022). "Ministry working to get Fort Ranee gazetted as heritage building". DayakDaily. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- 1 2 "A Walk Through Forts in Sarawak". Sarawak Museum Department. Retrieved 4 March 2026.