Battle of Kampung Sembulan

Battle of Kampung Sembulan
Part of Twenty Years' War
Date 1788 Location Sabah, Kampung Sembulan Result Bruneian victory
Belligerents
Bruneian Empire Rajahnate of Mengkabong	Sulu Sultanate Pirates
Commanders and leaders
Muhammad Tajuddin Pengiran Temenggong Ampa Sharif Ali Raja Tua of Mengkabong [note 1]	Azim ud-Din II Datu Teting
Units involved
Bruneian Army	Sulu Army
Strength
Unknown 2,000 Sama-Bajau [1]	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The Battle of Kampung Sembulan was the final battle between the Sultanate of Sulu and the Bruneian Empire in the Twenty Years' War.

Background

During the nineteen-long conflict, the Sulu and their allies would seasonally would raid the coasts of Bruneian territory especially in Sabah. And during the last days of the war the Sulu attack multiple coastal villages. ^[1] And one of these was Kampung Sembulan which the Bruneian army were heading to foil their attacks. ^[1]

Battle

The Bruneians numbered maybe more than 2,000 soldiers ^[1] and the Sulu probably being outnumbered in this battle, probably thinking it would be easy to raid the village. The two forces then presumably skirmished and fought in close-quarters combat as many of their forces still used spears and swords as the village was fairly small and was one of many Bruneian water villages. The Sulu eventually retreated by suffering heavy casualties. Though this is mostly guessing.^{[ citation needed ]}

Aftermath

After defeating the Sulu, a Hulubalang who fought in the battle, Sharif Ali or Embo Ali became the official "caretaker" of Kampung Sembulan. ^[1]

Notes

1. "Raja Tua" is a title, not a name.

References

1. Santos, Jason (5 December 2020). "History of Sembulan: home to remnants of ancient Brunei army Part 1". The Vibe.