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Shah Berunai of Brunei

1505 – 1582

Sultan of Brunei

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About Shah Berunai of Brunei

Lived 1505 – 1582 (aged 76–77). Shah Berunai of Brunei was a Bruneian politician.

Shah Brunei ibni Saiful Rijal (died ) was the Sultan of Brunei from 1581 until 1582, the year he is alleged to have died.

Pengiran Muda Besar Shah Berunai ascended the throne in 1581 on the death of his father Sultan Saiful Rijal. The Flemish trader of precious stones named Jacques de Coutre described him as "more a pirate than a king" and most of his followers as "Borneo Bajaus." He died in 1582 without any male descendants and was succeeded by his younger brother Pengiran Muda Tengah Muhammad Hassan. He was noted to be buried in Kianggeh.

Uncertainties The Boxer Codex indicates that in 1589, the heir apparent was Saiful Rijal's eldest son, Raja Borney. According to Hugh Low, Shah Brunei died without leaving any children, although he notes in a footnote that some accounts claim the sultan abdicated in favour of his brother. The Silsilah states that Shah Brunei was succeeded by his brother, Muhammad Hasan. However, the circumstances surrounding Shah Brunei's succession are more complicated. On 26 December 1600, Olivier van Noort arrived in Brunei Bay and was informed by local officials that the king was under the guardianship of his uncle, who served as regent. This suggests the existence of an infant son of Shah Brunei, possibly Raja Ghafur, who was mentioned by Manuel Godinho de Erédia as the ruler of Brunei in 1600, although he does not appear in any version of the Silsilah. If Muhammad Hasan acted as regent for his nephew, he could not have been the ninth sultan. Consequently, the absence of any mention of the infant in either version of the Silsilah suggests that he likely died shortly afterward, enabling Muhammad Hasan to ascend to the throne sometime in 1601.

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Important facts

Born
1505
Birth century
Died
1582, Bandar Seri Begawan
Occupation
Nationality
Positions held
Sultan of Brunei Darussalam

People in Shah Berunai of Brunei's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Shah Berunai of Brunei's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Shah Berunai of Brunei?

Sultan of Brunei

When was Shah Berunai of Brunei born?

Shah Berunai of Brunei was born in 1505.

When did Shah Berunai of Brunei die?

Shah Berunai of Brunei died in 1582 in Bandar Seri Begawan.

What was Shah Berunai of Brunei's occupation?

Shah Berunai of Brunei was a politician.

What nationality was Shah Berunai of Brunei?

Shah Berunai of Brunei was Bruneian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Shah Berunai of Brunei

· Wikidata: Q31868

· DBpedia: Shah Brunei

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Shah Berunai of Brunei. https://biography.guide/shah-berunai-of-brunei/

MLA: "Shah Berunai of Brunei." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/shah-berunai-of-brunei/.

Chicago: "Shah Berunai of Brunei." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/shah-berunai-of-brunei/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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