History of the Majapahit Kingdom: The Beginning of Its Establishment and Legacy

The Majapahit Kingdom is one of the kingdoms often referred to as the largest kingdom in the history of Indonesia. The history of the Majapahit kingdom itself began with its establishment around 1293 AD until 1500 AD. The rise of this kingdom started due to the collapse of the Singasari kingdom and the fall of Kertanegara.

The Establishment of the Majapahit Kingdom

After Singasari fell and Kertanegara was killed due to the attack by the king of Kadiri, all relatives of Kertanegara fled, including Raden Wijaya, who was Kertanegara's nephew. Raden Wijaya then fled to Madura and sought help from Jayakatwang.

After that, Raden Wijaya turned around and attacked Jayakatwang, with the help of Aria Wiraraja. At that time, Chinese troops also arrived because they were sent to punish Kertanegara. Raden Wijaya then declared his loyalty to China and requested assistance to eliminate Jayakatwang.

Raden Wijaya disguised that Jayakatwang was the successor of Kertanegara, which made China accept the request. 

After Jayakatwang surrendered to the Chinese forces, Raden Wijaya took over and defeated thousands of Chinese soldiers with the strength he had gathered.

Thus began the history of the Majapahit kingdom founded by Raden Wijaya in 1293 AD, after which Raden Wijaya received the title Kertajasa. 

The Majapahit kingdom itself was built on the Terik Forest, which is around the banks of the Brantas River. The selection was made because the Brantas River was the access in and out of the kingdom's main area in East Java.

The Lineage of Kings and the Golden Age of Majapahit

1. Raden Wijaya (1293 - 1309)

Raden Wijaya was the founder of the Majapahit kingdom who held the title Sri Kertajasa Jayawardhana. He reigned from the beginning of the establishment of the kingdom in 1293 AD until 1309 AD. As a king, at that time Raden Wijaya married the four daughters of Kertanegara, who was his uncle.

From the queen Gayatri, Raden Wijaya had two daughters, namely Rajadewi Maharajasa and Tribuanatunggadewi. Meanwhile, from Tribuana, he had a son named Jayanegara. During his reign, Raden Wijaya granted high positions to his loyal followers.

However, there were still those who were dissatisfied, resulting in many rebellions at that time. Then in 1309 AD, Raden Wijaya was declared deceased and was cremated near Blitar, namely Antahpura. After the king's passing, his son named Jaya Negara ascended the throne with the title Sri Jayanegara.

2. Jayanegara (1309 - 1328)

The history of the Majapahit kingdom was continued by Jayanegara, who was the son of the previous king. During his reign, he experienced many rebellions. Eventually, he had to flee to Badandea and was rescued by the Bhayangkari troops under the leadership of Gajah Mada.

Due to Gajah Mada's brilliant strategy, the rebellions in Majapahit could be suppressed. As a reward for his services, Gajah Mada was then appointed as Patih in Kahuripan and Patih in Daha or Kediri. Jayanegara himself was killed in 1328, murdered by Tabib Israna Ratanca and was cremated in the temple.

3. Tribuanatunggadewi (1328 - 1350)

Since Jayanegara had no son, the throne of the Majapahit kingdom was succeeded by his younger sister, Tribuanatunggadewi, who then held the title Tribuanatunggadewi Jaya Wisnu Wardhani. During the reign of Tribuanatunggadewi, there were rebellions that were suppressed by Gajah Mada.

Tribuanatunggadewi sat on the throne for twenty years, after which in 1350 she abdicated. Subsequently, her son named Hayam Wuruk was crowned as king, holding the title Sri Rajasanagara. 

During his reign, Hayam Wuruk was assisted by Mahapatih Gajah Mada, who had successfully conquered many regions in the archipelago.

4. Hayam Wuruk (1350 - 1389)

The Majapahit kingdom reached its peak during the reign of Hayam Wuruk, as Gajah Mada's ambition to conquer the archipelago was successfully realized. 

However, the Bubat war between Pajajaran and Majapahit ended Gajah Mada's political efforts in 1357.  Gajah Mada passed away in 1364 AD, followed by Hayam Wuruk in 1389.

Read Also: Once Prosperous, This is the History of the Sriwijaya Kingdom from the Beginning

The Fall of the Majapahit Kingdom and Its Legacy

After the death of Gajah Mada and Hayam Wuruk, the Majapahit kingdom gradually weakened and entered a period of decline following conflicts over the throne. 

The end of the Majapahit kingdom is estimated to be around 1478 to 1527, just before the entry of Islamic kingdoms into Java. Here are some legacies of this kingdom.

1. Candi Cetho

Candi Cetho is located in Dusun Ceto Kec. Jenawi, Karanganyar Regency, Central Java. It is estimated that this temple was built around the 15th century AD, at the end of the collapse of the Majapahit kingdom. In addition to Candi Cetho, several other temples from this kingdom include Candi Pari, Jabung, Brahu, Tikus, and Sukuh.

2. The Negarakertagama and Sutasoma Books

The Negarakertagama and Sutasoma books are also legacies of the Majapahit kingdom. The Negarakertagama is a work by Mpu Prapanca and contains the history of the Majapahit kingdom and its journey. 

Meanwhile, Sutasoma is a work by Mpu Tantular created in the 14th century, which contains several terms used as slogans for the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

Until now, the legacies of the Majapahit kingdom are still well preserved as a form of historical heritage. Even the ongoing contributions from the Majapahit kingdom include the architecture of pendopo, which is still widely used today. Although the kingdoms that existed afterward had an Islamic character.

Read Also: Exploring the History of the Aceh Kingdom in the Past

cc image: merdeka.com