Kuching's birth from a primitive settlement by the bank of the Sarawak River to a thriving city today is stuff straight out of a romantic Victorian novel. It was said that when James Brooke arrived in Sarawak, the ruling sultan at the time enlisted his help to quell a local rebellion, which he successfully executed aided by his well-armed ship, The Royalist. As a reward, he was officially installed as the 'Rajah' of Sarawak on 18 August 1842.
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| Kuching History |
The Brooke dynasty subsequently ruled the fiefdom of Sarawak for a hundred years, bringing law and order to the country and establishing a trading post in Kuching. They built infrastructures and fine colonial buildings which today are the proud heritage of the city. Rajah James Brooke must have a good nose for Feng Shui. Having surveyed the land and surrounding, he chose the present site to set up his first settlement, capitalizing on the auspicious landscape, It was well sheltered with hilly topography ideal for defense against marauding pirates and headhunters and near the sea for easy access as a port.
Sprawled along the banks of the mighty Sarawak River, Kuching is a picturesque city oozing with colonial charm and native allure. It owes much of its charm and quaintness to the White Rajahs who built beautiful buildings reminiscent of their own homeland in England. But for the tropical heat and the local people, you could easily be fooled into thinking you are in a British city. Its fine buildings are indicative of its wealth since Brooke's rule.
One of the most magnificent buildings of the Brooke era is the Astana (Palace), now the official residence of the Governor of Sarawak. Built in 1870 by Rajah Charles Brooke for his wife, the Ranee Margaret, the palace stands on a rolling hill on the northern bank of the Sarawak River on a prime spot, facing the city center known as the Main Bazaar, a row of 19th century Chinese shop houses, which are still in used today as shops and offices.
The site of the Astana commands an excellent position on the crest of the 'water dragon' harnessing the yang energy from the river that meanders gently like a giant serpent towards the sea. Just a stone's throw away is the castellated Fort Margherita, strategically built in 1879, as a defense post. All the wonderful historical buildings of that era were built along the Sarawak River. The White Rajahs must have felt the good vibes of the site and appreciated the energy of the river.
The Blessing of the Water Dragon
The Sarawak River forms the main artery into the city since time immemorial. Its natural harbor and strategic geographical position lends itself to be a port and defense position in the Brooke era. The river is the lifeblood of the city for water supply, transport, recreation and industrial purposes. Kuching was built in the 'nest of the dragon' in Feng Shui speak, with the perfect landscape.
Surrounded by the Matang Range which sweeps into the plains towards the Sarawak River, Kuching nestles in an 'armchair' configuration well protected by the mountain ranges and complemented by the river that flows into the sea just a few miles away. The combination of mountain, river and sea is a potent formula harnessing the auspicious chi of the 'water dragon'.
The undulating landscape of the city helps to regulate the flow of the energy emanating from the water. In 1998 a Barrage and Shiplock was constructed near the river mouth to regulate the water level in order to control tidal and fluvial floods and to reduce the flow of muddy sediments to the foreshores of Santubong and Damai coastal regions which are prime tourist attraction. This barrier helps to retain the water energy of the river thereby enhancing the growth of the city.
Kuching has prospered into city status and today is a vibrant epicentre of trade, commerce and tourism of Sarawak. The once dilapidated waterfront of old warehouses and ramshackle buildings have been torn down and transformed into a wonderful promenade with landscaped gardens and fountains for the enjoyment of the locals and tourists.
What was once a very yin area is bursting with life and activities. The Main Bazaar is restored and given a facelift. The energy of the city is constantly refreshed and rejuvenated through its well maintained infrastructure and keeping the river clean. Kuching is poised for bigger prosperity in the future, thanks to the blessings of the 'water dragon', the Sarawak River. The cat will one day transform itself into a tiger. This ends Part 2. If you like to learn more about Kuching Feng Shui, you can check out Kuching History.