Historians believe there was a antecedent to the present Brunei Sultanate. Chinese records suggest that this ancient trading kingdom existed at the mouth of the Brunei River as early as the 7th century A.D. This early kingdom was apparently defeated by the Sumatran Hindu empire of Srivijaya in the early 9th century, which later controlled northern Borneo and the Philippines. It was defeated briefly by the Java-based Majapahit Empire but soon regained its freedom and once again rose to prominence.

In 1967, Sultan Omar renounced in favor of his eldest son, Hassanal Bolkiah, who became the 29th ruler. The former Sultan remained as Defense Minister and assumed the royal title Seri Begawan. In 1970, the national capital, Brunei Town, was renamed Bandar Seri Begawan in his honor. The Seri Begawan died in 1986.

On January 4, 1979, Brunei and the United Kingdom signed a new treaty of friendship and cooperation. On January 1, 1984, Brunei Darussalam became a fully independent state.