Majapahit Kingdom Essay ⋆ History Essay Examples ⋆ EssayEmpire

After the decline of the Srivijayas, who were based in Palembang, Sumatra, the Singahsari dynasty tried to assert their authority in the Malay Archipelago. Unfortunately for them the powerful Mongol warrior Kubilai Khan interfered with their efforts by trying to subjugate them. He initially sent peaceful missions to make the Singahsari ruler pay tribute to him. When the last Singahsari ruler, Kertanagara, refused, Kubilai Khan sent a military force to Java to subdue him forcefully. By the time the Mongols reached Java, the Singahsari ruler Kertanagara had been assassinated by the forces of his brother-in-law, Jayakatwang of Kediri, who coveted the throne. In 1292

Nararya Sanggrama Wijaya, later known as Kertarjasa Jayawardhana, the son-in-law of Kertanegara, went on to establish his own line of dynasty, known as the Majapahit dynasty. He managed to do so through an early alliance with the Mongols, who had come to attack him. After defeating his uncle, Kertajasa managed to expel the Mongols in 1293.

The Hindu-Javanese Majapahit dynasty reigned from about 1293 to 1500 from eastern Java. The name Majapahit is derived from a bitter fruit. Their empire included Borneo, Sumatra, Bali, and the southern part of the Malay Peninsula. It stretched from Irian Jaya in the east to Langkasuka in Malaya in the west. Either a king or a queen was able to rule. The royal family consisted of the king’s parents, sisters, their husbands, aunts, and uncles, and their respective spouses shared in the administration of the kingdom. They formed the Royal Advisory council, and the Royal Privy councils were consulted by the king before he made any decision.

The Majapahit kingdom achieved great prosperity especially in the 14th century. A key figure in the Majapahit era is Gadjah Mada, who acted as regent and prime minister from 1331 to 1364. Queen Tribuana Tunggadewi, regent for her son Hayam Wuruk, appointed him prime minister. Gadjah Mada was a skilful politician and was responsible for the glorious period of Majapahit rule. His famous oath, known as Sumpah Palapa, was recorded in the Pararaton or the Book of Kings. He swore to conquer the rest of the Malay Archipelago before indulging in the pleasures of life. In fact, he named specific locations in his oath, such as Bali, Tumasik (present-day Singapore), Pahang, and Palembang. He succeeded in spreading Majapahit rule in the Malay Archipelago, beyond present-day Indonesia. His conquests even extended to the Muslim city-state of Palembang Sumatra, effectively ending Srivijaya rule. True to his word, he headed a military expedition that conquered Bali in 1343.

In 1350 Queen Tribuana Tunggadewi stepped down and Gadjah Mada served her son, Hayam Wuruk, who ruled until 1389. The young king, who was only 16 years old, gave free rein to his prime minister. Thus Gadjah Mada was free to conquer as many places in the archipelago as he wanted. During this time he succeeded in gaining the islands of the Indonesian Archipelago under Majapahit rule. During the early 15th century Majapahit rule declined with the rise of the Malacca Sultanate, who were becoming increasingly powerful. Toward the end of their rule, many members of Majapahit aristocracy moved to Bali, where they lived in isolation till the island was colonized.

Bibliography :

Phalgunadi, Gusti Putu, trans. The Pararaton: a Study of the Southeast Asian Chronicle. New Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan, 1996;
Shaffer, Lynda Norene. Maritime Southeast Asia to 1500. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 1996;
Slametmuljana, The Structure of the National Government of Majapahit. Jakarta: Balai Pustaka, 1966;
A Story of Majapahit. Singapore: Singapore University Press, 1976.

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