Syarif Masahor facts for kids

Syed Masahor bin Muhammad Al-Shahab, also known as Syed Mashhor, was a brave Malay leader from Sarikei, Sarawak, Malaysia. He lived during a time when the Brooke family, known as the White Rajahs, ruled Sarawak. Syed Masahor was known for leading a rebellion against their rule. Later, he also played an important part in a conflict called the Klang War in Selangor. He was believed to be a descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Early Life and Leadership

Before James Brooke arrived in Sarawak, Syed Masahor was a powerful chief in Sarikei. He was in charge of the Rajang basin area. He also had strong connections with the Iban people from Saribas and Skrang. Syed Masahor was not happy when James Brooke started to take control of lands that Syed Masahor believed were his.

He joined forces with other local leaders, like Datu Patinggi Abdul Gapur from Kuching, to oppose the Brooke family's rule. Others who also disagreed with the Brookes included Pangeran Ersat and his son, Pangeran Nipa.

Conflicts and Suspicions

Not everyone opposed the Brookes. Pangeran Matusin, for example, supported them and was made a Native Officer in Mukah. In 1854, Pangeran Matusin had a conflict with followers of Pangeran Ersat. This led to a raid where Pangeran Mersat and his daughter were killed.

In response, Syed Masahor led his followers to Mukah in 1855. He tried to find Matusin and fought against some of Matusin's men. Matusin escaped, but he later lost his job because of problems with money.

In June 1859, two Melanau chiefs, Sawing and Sakalai, rebelled against the Brooke government. They killed two Brooke officers, Charles Fox and Henry Steele, at Kanowit Fort. Charles Brooke, who was the Rajah of Sarawak at the time, thought that Syed Masahor was behind this rebellion. He also suspected that Syed Masahor might have killed some people involved in the murders to hide his bigger plans.

Fighting for Control

James Brooke wanted to expand his territory, which caused problems in many parts of Borneo. The first agreement between James Brooke and the Sultan of Brunei only gave Brooke land from Tanjung Datu to the Maong River. Syed Masahor's territory was outside this area. Brooke's actions upset many local leaders, including Syed Masahor, leading them to fight back.

Attacks and Retreats

James Brooke left for England in late 1857, leaving his nephew, Captain John Brooke Brooke, in charge. This gave Syed Masahor a chance to act. In July 1859, Syed Masahor and his army attacked a Brooke outpost near Bukit Rejang in Kanowit. During this attack, officers Charles Fox and Henry Steele were killed by Melanau people led by Sawing and Sakalai. This event worried the Brooke government, especially after other rebellions had happened.

In 1860, Pangeran Matusin accused Syed Masahor of planning to attack Kuching. Charles Brooke, who was the heir to the Brooke government, worried that Syed Masahor was a serious threat. Charles stopped Syed Masahor's boats near Santubong when Syed Masahor was on his way to Kuching to deliver money.

Charles Brooke then tried to attack Mukah, a place where Syed Masahor was strong. Syed Masahor managed to escape to Brunei. He told the British Consul General, George Edwardes, that Charles's attack on Mukah was wrong. Edwardes then went to Mukah and told Charles to stop his invasion, which Charles did.

In early 1860, Syed Masahor planned a big attack on Kuching. He and his army tried to approach Kuching by the Sarawak River. However, the Sarawak forces, led by Charles Brooke, ambushed and destroyed all of Syed Masahor's ships. Facing defeat, Syed Masahor went back to Brunei to find safety.

The Brooke government later asked Britain to remove Edwardes from his job. This request was supported by British and Singaporean businesses. Edwardes was replaced by Spenser St John.

Exile and New Beginnings

On July 1, 1861, Spenser St John arrived in Mukah with many warboats. James Brooke took control of Mukah and sent Syed Masahor away to Singapore. It is believed that Syed Masahor either went willingly because fighting the Brookes seemed hopeless, or he was tricked into going to Kuching for a peace talk and then forced to go to Singapore. A month after Syed Masahor was sent away, Mukah and Kidurong were given to the Brooke government.

Charles Brooke later said that Syed Masahor "will never trouble more." He felt that Syed Masahor deserved punishment but was glad he was no longer a threat.

James Brooke also went to Brunei to convince the Sultan to send Syed Masahor even further away, to Selangor. Syed Masahor eventually arrived in Klang, where he became an adviser to Sultan Abdul Samad.

The Klang War

During the Klang War, a conflict over power in Selangor, Syed Masahor chose to support Raja Mahadi. Raja Mahadi was a local chief who did not accept Sultan Abdul Samad's rule. Sultan Abdul Samad asked for British help to win the war. This meant Syed Masahor ended up fighting against the British for a second time.

However, after Raja Mahadi and Syed Masahor surrendered, Sultan Abdul Samad forgave them both.

Later Life and Death

Syed Masahor spent the rest of his life in Singapore. The Brooke government gave him a small amount of money regularly until he passed away in February 1890 in Singapore. He is believed to be buried on one of the nearby islands. Another account states he died and was buried in Kerling, Selangor, in 1890.

Legacy

Even after Syed Masahor was no longer fighting, Datu Patinggi Abdul Gapur continued to resist the Brooke rule from Pontianak. However, the Dutch quickly captured him, and he was sent to prison.

Many Malays in what is now Kuching did not support Syed Masahor's fight. They felt loyal to James Brooke, seeing him as someone who saved them from the harsh rule of Brunei. However, they also respected Syed Masahor because he was believed to be a descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Malays, Melanaus, and Dayaks from areas outside Kuching, especially Kanowit, did support Syed Masahor.