Bolkiah of Brunei

Bolkiah ibni Sulaiman (Jawi: ; died 17 July 1524) or commonly known as Nakhoda Ragam (Jawi: ), was the sixth sultan of Brunei from 1485 until his death in 1524, he ascended the throne upon the abdication of his father, Sultan Sulaiman. His reign was known as the "Golden Age of Brunei" due to its dominance throughout Borneo and the southern Philippines.

He is considered the first sultan to have used cannons, as the Sultan paid forty Javanese blacksmiths to teach metal casting in Brunei, possibly introducing cannon casting, introducing cannon technology to Brunei.

Bolkiah was mentioned in the , a 19th-century Bruneian stone tablet which describes the genealogy of the Sultans of Brunei. He was also mentioned in the Silsilah Raja-Raja Berunai, a 19th-century manuscript which also describes the same genealogy. The Spaniards refer to him as Sultan Salan in the Boxer Codex, a 16th-century Spanish manuscript.

Title Bolkiah was known in Bornean and Malay traditions by the title . However, it is argued that the title is also given to another Sultan of Brunei and other figures in the Malay Archipelago. Among other instruments, he was known to like playing the lute and drums. Known more for his unwavering diplomacy and opposition to violence, he was an adventurous navigator who frequently traveled to examine his territory and a figure who inspired numerous stories.

Reign Succession The reign of Sultan Bolkiah is said to be the golden age of Brunei. His dominion is said to have included present-day Sarawak and Sabah in Borneo, as well as Manila and the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines. There is also the possibility that his sovereignty also extended to Kalimantan, including Sambas, Kotaringin, Pontianak, Banjar, Barau and Bolongan. He was mentioned in as the Bruneian sultan who "defeated the states of Suluk and Seludang".

The early history of the Sultanate of Brunei, including the early years of its foundation and the Bruneian sultans who established the country, is the subject of study. The first Sultan of Brunei, Awang Alak Betatar, and his brothers, Awang Semaun, were among them. Ong Sum Ping, and Sultan Bolkiah are a few tales that center on the early history of the Brunei Sultanate, aside from that.

Antonio Pigafetta's visit to Brunei

Early 16th century Portuguese accounts shed light on Brunei's economic links. One such report, from Tomé Pires in 1515, cites Brunei's merchant ships arriving at Malacca with those from Tanjungpura and Labai in West Kalimantan. This demonstrates the importance of Borneo's trading powers at the time, with Brunei and Java depending on Labai (Laoe)'s advantageous location at the mouth of the Kapuas River. By recording Brunei's reconquest of Labai and providing firsthand accounts from his contact with Ferdinand Magellan's expedition, Antonio Pigafetta's 1521 visit and report emphasises Brunei's great influence. It also shows Brunei's reach over Borneo and the Philippine islands.

Arriving at a harbour on Borneo's northwest coast, Magellan's alguacil, Gonzalo de Espinosa recognised it as Bruni (the capital of Brunei). The Spaniards safely moored close to the coast, receiving a warm welcome from the villagers, who were used to seeing European ships. Even though they kept a close eye on things, the night was uneventful and there were no conflicts, so the crew and officers slept well. Early in the morning, Espinosa welcomed the leaders of Bruni aboard his flagship, the Trinidad, where they arrived in a grand, gilded barge accompanied by musicians. They brought gifts including livestock, fruits, betel-filled containers, and arrack, initiating diplomatic exchanges characterized by mutual respect and cultural exchange.

Following their journey to the flagship Trinidad and the Victoria with comparable offerings, the chiefs' friendly welcome encouraged Bolkiah to dispatch three further barges, each carrying a group of chiefs and musicians. As the musicians performed loudly from these barges around the Spanish ships, Espinosa gave the order to salute and raised flags in recognition. The rice, honey, and egg cakes that the Bornean ruler gifted the Spaniards were quickly consumed. Bolkiah replied shortly afterward, allowing the Spaniards to freely trade with his people and purchase goods on shore. Then, Espinosa sent seven of his more experienced menamong them Pigafettato the town to see the monarch. A Turkish cloak, velvet seats, linen, a glass, a vase, and a gold pen and ink box were among the presents they brought for Bolkiah. Additional gifts were made for the queen consort and the Sultan's courtiers. and went by the name Nahoda Ragam (Nakhoda Ragam). One tradition states that Bolkiah married a Javanese princess. It is also said that her followers intermarried with the Bruneian people, which became the ancestors for the Kedayan ethnic group.

Bolkiah's victory over Seludang as well as his marriage to Puteri Laila Menchanai, the daughter of Sulu Sultan Amir Ul-Ombra, widened Brunei's influence in the region. This increased Brunei's wealth as well as extending Islamic teachings in the region, resulting in the influence and power of Brunei reaching its peak during this period. His rule reached essentially all of coastal Borneo, and as far north as the island of Luzon, including the Philippines. Kampong Bolkiah is a village and housing development located in Bandar Seri Begawan, near Kampong Ayer. Kampong Bolkiah Religious School serves as the village's principal Islamic religious education institution since 1999. Jalan Bolkiah is a road in Seria, Brunei.