The Brooke Gallery at Fort Margherita
Kuching, Sarawak

exterior of the Brooke Gallery in Kuching

The Brooke Gallery helps visitors to understand how an English adventurer called James Brooke managed to become the Rajah of Sarawak and how his successors were able to pacify, stabilise and expand the state.

bronze bust of Rajah BrookeBronze bust of Sir James Brooke, first Rajah of Sarawak by Thomas Woolner, 1858.

The Gallery, which is managed by the Brooke Trust, is housed in historic Fort Margherita on a low hill overlooking the Sarawak River and Kuching old town. It explores the history of Sarawak covering the period from the 1830s up until 1946 when the Brooke family handed over control of Sarawak to the British Government.

Fort Margherita exteriorFort Margherita. The museum fills the three floors of the tower.

James Brooke in 1839 helped the emissary of the Sultan of Brunei to quell a rebellion in Sarawak and, in return, was offered the title of Rajah and the province surrounding Kuching.

model of James Brooke's shipModel of The Royalist, James Brooke's schooner which, armed with six cannons and other weapons, was strong enough to quell the rebellion and to see off the many pirate vessels infesting the waters off Borneo.

The Borneo Company Limited was established in 1856 and granted a monopoly over mineral resources in the territory. However the company never lived up to its full potential as, among other reasons, Rajah James and his successor Rajah Charles would not allow the company to exploit or threaten the interests of the local communities.

the crest of the Borneo Company 1856Borneo Company logo.

A major fire in 1884 destroyed 196 wooden shop-houses in Kuching. Rajah Charles decreed that shop-houses were to be built of brick going forward.

Map showing the dates when the main landmark buildings of Kuching were constructed.Map showing the dates when the main landmark buildings of Kuching were constructed. Note that there used to be a railway line which, at its peak, only reached 10 miles in length.

The economy of Kuching struggled in its early years. Rice, pepper and other crops were grown. Planting rubber and the development of the oilfields near Miri put Sarawak's prosperity on a stable footing in the early 20th century.

Sarawak River in 1910 busy with vessels.Trading vessels in Kuching around 1910.

The Museum provides an overview of the different ethnic groups making up the Sarawak population during the Rajahs' time. There is also information regarding the establishment of the Sarawak Museum, the growth of schooling, including for girls, by Christian missionaries, and a description of the Brookes' style of government.

The Brooke Family crest has a badger at the top.The Brooke family coat of arms formed the basis of the Sarawak flag. The family motto Dum Spiro Spero (while I breathe, I hope) can still be found above the entrance to Fort Margherita and elsewhere in the city. The creature above the shield is supposed to be a badger or 'brock' which is the origin of the name Brooke. Presumably this is how the Badger Bar in the Sarawak Club acquired its name.

A simplified family tree on display helps us to understand the relationship between the various members of the Brooke family.

The third (and final) Rajah was Vyner Brooke. Some UK press articles are displayed in the Gallery which appear to show that Vyner's three daughters were somewhat frivolous. Since succession passed only through male heirs the next in line after Vyner was Anthony Brooke, the son of Vyner's brother Bertram but he never became Rajah because in 1946 Sarawak was annexed by the British Crown and the rule of the 'White Rajahs' was ended.

The Fort building itself is an important landmark and monument in Sarawak's history. It was built in 1879 during the reign of Charles Brooke and was designed to protect Kuching from attacks by pirates or rebellious raiders. It is named after Ranee Margaret of Sarawak, the wife on Charles Brooke.

view from Fort Margherita overlooking the Sarawak River and the city skylineVisitors can climb the stairs to the roof of the tower and enjoy a good view of the fort's battlements and beyond to the river and city.

Review Verdict

An interesting variety of exhibits providing a good introduction to Sarawak's unique history. Well worth the visit and best to combine with a trip to the Ranee Museum on the opposite bank of the river. I visited both museums on the same day with a combined ticket (see below).

Opening Hours & Admission Charges

Open Daily 9am - 4.45pm

Ticket Prices

  • Local RM 10
  • Foreigner RM 20
  • Concession RM 5
  • Children under 7 Free

A combined ticket for both museums (Ranee Museum and Brooke Gallery) is available:

  • Local RM 15
  • Foreigner RM 30

How To Get to Brooke Gallery

The exact location is marked on this map:

Address:

The Brooke Gallery
Fort Margherita
Petra Jaya
93050 Kuching
Sarawak, Malaysia

Nearby


See a full list and details of other Kuching attractions here.

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