Following their acquisition of Malacca from the Dutch in 1824, the British sought to formalize their economic dominance by enforcing a one-tenth tax on Naning’s annual agricultural yield. Dol Said refused to comply, arguing that Naning had never been a vassal of Malacca and thus was not obligated to pay taxes to the British. This bold stance sparked a series of military confrontations between Dol Said’s forces and the British. The initial British expedition in 1831 was ill-prepared for the guerrilla tactics employed by Dol Said and his men. Using their intimate knowledge of the terrain, the Naning forces inflicted heavy losses on the British, leading to their retreat and a humiliating defeat.
Determined to assert control, the British launched a second expedition in early 1832. This time, they committed a larger, more organized force, bolstered by support from local allies who were hostile to Dol Said. After months of intense fighting, Dol Said’s defenses crumbled under the sustained pressure of the British assault. By mid-1832, Naning was defeated and formally annexed into the district of Malacca.
Despite their victory, the British found the campaign costly and difficult, prompting them to reconsider their approach to other Malay states. The resistance led by Dol Said, though ultimately unsuccessful, became a symbol of defiance against colonial rule. In modern Malaysia, Dol Said is celebrated as a nationalist hero, remembered for his resistance to foreign domination and his defense of Malay sovereignty. The Naning War highlighted the complexities of colonial expansion in Southeast Asia and the determined resistance of local leaders like Dol Said.
Resistance and Defeat: The Naning War of 1831-1832
