The background of the conflict
The military conflict between the forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and the Netherlands is necessary to consider in broader historical context. Firstly, it was caused by Dutch colonialism,which was typical for European powers of that time.
Sultanate of Sulu was among rare non-European countries that were strongly resisted European colonialism in the mid-18th century. It controlled the trade routes and waterways in the Sulu Sea and the Celebes Sea, which are linking Sulu Archipelago, north coastal areas of Borneo, southern coast of the island of Mindanao, and rest of Philippine Archipelago. These waterways were of great trading and strategic importance.
Long wars and the struggle for colonial supremacy in the East between the Netherlands and Spain, were of great importance for the Dutch – Sulu conflict. These Dutch – Spanish wars were dating, with occasional interruptions, ever since the establishment of the Dutch Republic.
There were different kinds of relationships between the Sultanate of Sulu and the Netherlands. It is known that the Dutch in the in 17th century attacked Jolo, but at that time as allies of the Sultanate of Sulu. The attack was directed against the Spanish occupation troops, which were located in the Jolo. The Dutch, along with troops of Sulu, in July 1645 conducted a combined artillery and infantry attack on a Spanish fort in the town. This action led to the withdrawal of the Spaniards from Jolo.
The course of the conflict
In the period leading up to the clash with the Dutch, Sultan Alimud Din I originally had capital in the island Dungun Tawi – Tawi (Sulu Archipelago). In year 1736, the seat of his court was transferred from there to Jolo, the old capital of Sultanate of Sulu.
There are recorded opinions of some historians, whose assurance we could not find in other sources, that in 1744. and 1746. the Dutch East India Company attacked Jolo by cannons from its ships. on the island of Basilan in the Sulu Archipelago. Soon after, in 1746, they have established their base in Maluso, the fortress which they called Port Holland. The Dutch attacked Taguima on the island of Basilan in 1747, with two of their ships. Their troops were defeated by one of the commanders of the Sultan of Sulu, known to the sources by name Bantilan. He was able to permanently oust the Dutch East India Company troops from Port Holland. On this occasion, fort was completely burned, but its name is still known as part of the settlement Malusa. The rest of the Dutch withdrew in Batavia on Java.
Shortly after the victory over the Dutch, namely in 1749, Datu Bantilan overthrows his elder brother Alimud Din I and became the new Sultan of Sulu. His ruler name was Muizud Din I. The former sultan was forced to withdrew to the Taguima on the island of Basilan, together with members of his immediate family and loyal followers. After that, in 1750, Alimud Din I moved to Manila, where he was greeted with all royal honors. At his return to Sulu, in Zamboanga on Mindanao island, because of the alleged conspiracy, he was captured by the Spaniards, and sent into captivity in Manila, specifically in the local Fort Santiago. Alimud Din I returned on the throne in 1764. and held position of Sultan of Sulu until 1773.
Because of the decisive struggle Sultanate of Sulu and its people for freedom and independence, the pressure of the Dutch on this monarchy was significantly reduced. The Dutch held their own territory in the Dutch East Indies long after these events, until the Second World War and the period immediately after it.
Clashes between the Spaniards and the Sultanate of Sulu continued shortly after this period. Both sides were attacking and devastating the enemy strongholds. Further developments in relations between the Sultanate of Sulu and the Spanish Empire are beyond the scope of this paper.
The conflict between the Sultanate of Sulu and the Netherlands in the 18th century had its main roots in the expansionism of the European powers in previous centuries. This expansionism was reflected not only by winning the non European territories and the capturing of local government and tribal organizations, but also in intense fighting between the colonial powers at the global level. A significant influence on the background of this war had a long, intense conflict of interest between the Netherlands and the Spanish Empire.
During the period of a few years, as the conflict lasted, there were two main phases. The first is the Dutch attack on the Sultanate of Sulu, when the initiative was in the hands of the Dutch East India Company. The culmination of this phase was the establishment of the Dutch fort and base on the island of Basilan. The second phase, in which the forces of the Sultanate of Sulu had the initiative, led to the defeat of the Dutch East India Company forces in the Sulu archipelago, destruction of Port Holland, expulsion of the Dutch, and minimizing of their impact on the area.
Internally, this conflict to some extent influenced the temporary change of government of Sulu. Only after a number of years, and the great difficulties, Sultan Alimud Din I managed to return to the throne of this island monarchy.