 A political exception in its day, Sarawak in the late 19th century was an oriental principality founded by Sir James Brooke in 1841, who expanded the boundaries of Sarawak, until his death in 1868, leaving a sizable amount of land to his nephew, Charles Brooke.Rajah Charles Brooke had been in his uncle's service throughout his adult life.He thoroughly knew and loved Sarawak.