Is It True That Majapahit Dominates The Archipelago?

By Arif Saja

Sejarah Dunia dan Nusantara (SDN) Official

Majapahit Kingdom is an empire centered in East Java, Indonesia, which once stood around 1293 to 1500 AD. The kingdom reached the peak of its glory as an imperialism that dominated vast areas of the Peninsula during the reign of Hayam Wuruk, which ruled from 1350 to 1389.

The Majapahit Empire was the last Hindu-Buddhist-like empire that supposedly ruled the Peninsula and is considered to be the largest empire in the history of Indonesia. According to Negarakertagama, its power spreads from Java, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaya, Kalimantan, to eastern Indonesia, although its territory is still being disputed.

Misunderstanding about Majapahit dominates the whole Nusantara, due to the founding fathers of Indonesia, especially Muh. Yamin, are looking for a formula to create one unity Indonesia (nation building). At that time Indonesia was still surrounded in tribal spirit with the presence of Jong Java, Jong Celebes, and Jong Sumatera. That's why it is mentioned that the concept of Nusantara that existed in the era of Singhasari under the name Dipantara and was strengthened in the era of Majapahit.

The base is because of the famous Patih Gajah Mada oath. In fact, the origin of the oath is the book of Pararaton in which there are also many fairy tales, such as Ken Arok can fly and others. In reading Pararaton one should also be careful because Pararaton is very instanacentric and confuses facts with myths. Muh. Yamin once wrote a book titled Elephant of Mada, Hero of the United Archipelago that was first published in 1945 and has been reprinted a dozen times. The book shows the heroism of Gajah Mada as the Patriarch of Majapahit Kingdom.

In the book Yamin describes the figure of Elephant Mada like Bima, a visual figure in the Mahabharata who is considered to be the most powerful. Her face is round fat, her cheeks are swollen, and her lips are round. This is because Yamin imagined the image of Elephant Mada from a piggy bank in Trowulan, which in front of it has a face and it just happens to be similar to Yamin and then because of a little narcissist, he later assumed the piggy bank's face to be a figure of Elephant of Mada.

In the book, Yamin also attached a map of the Indonesian region "stretching from Sabang to Merauke, from Timor to Talaud" with the title "Nusantara Region in the Kingdom of Madjapahit". About the idea map of this association, by historians has been interpreted as Majapahit region, until it seems there was a conquest. It's wrong and it should be fixed.

Evidence that suggests that Majapahit did not control the Archipelago is that no Prasasti evidence found which mentions the word Wilwatikta / Majapahit outside Java-Bali. Then only the Negarakertagama books and Pararton notes. It should be known that the Kitab Negarakertagama is the order book from Hayam wuruk and Pararaton itself was cut several hundred years after Majapahit collapsed. This states that the level of validity of the data is less accurate because it is mixed with myths and legends.

Still lacking ? Let's see the title name of Adityawarman who used to intern at Majahapit. When he returned to Sumatra and served as king, his abhisek title was Maharajadiraja Srīmat Srī Udayādityawarma Pratāpaparākrama Rājendra Maulimāli Warmadewa. It is written here Maharajadiraja which when interpreted as the highest King of all kings, if the Majapahit is indeed dominating the Peninsula then the Dharmasraya territory is also included in the Majapahite territory, but the title of the king himself can be interpreted as Dharmasrayan is a country that has the highest king and there is no one higher.

Further proof is that the remains of Majapahit government are mostly in the state. Well, when a government with a wide cover of power must have left a trail. Same goes with Majapahit Kingdom. Stayed up late as the Ruler of the Archipelago, Majapahit only has remains that are mostly in Java. Name a few of them are Sukuh and Cetho Temples in Karanganyar Central Java, Candi Pari, Jabung, Gapura Wringin Lawang which are in East Java. Where is the monumental evidence of Majapahit that the so-called Great Kingdom of the Archipelago rulers.

It can be concluded that relations with other countries are more than relations of friendship (partnership). It's not reflected that Nusantara territories and other governments in South East Asia like, Syanka, Ayodhyapura, Dharmmanagari, Marutma, Rajapura, Singha-nagari, Champa and Cambodia are territories of power or Majapahit colony.

Majapahit is actually a kingdom composed of unity of countries or provinces. Under a Majapahit king, there are a number of rulers who ruled each of the states as paduka bhattara who are usually relatives of the king.

The number of countries that are in Majapahit environment is not always the same. For example, based on the Waringinpitu Inscriptions (1447), during the rule of Dyah Kertawijaya, there were at least 14 regional countries.

The number of countries mentioned in the alphabet depends on how many kings relatives have positions as rulers. In the script, the padukas bhattara are commonly referred to as high officials accompanying the king's orders. Based on the Waringinpitu Inscriptions, the Trawulan III Inscriptions, and Nagarakrtagama, since the golden age of Majapahit, there have been 21 states that are part of Majapahits. The 21st of the countries are among others Daha, Jagaraga, Kahuripan, Tanjungpura, Pajang, Kembangjenar, Wengker, Kabalan, Tumapel, Singhapura, Matahun, Wirabhumi, Keling, Kalingapura, Pandansalas, Paguhan, Pamotan, Mataram, Lasem, Development, and Pawawanawawan.

Source :

• Al-Fayyadl, Muhammad, & Muljana, Congratulations, (2005), Towards the Peak of Magnificence: History of Majapahit Kingdom, Yogyakarta: LKIS,
• C. C. Mountain. The realm of the five-fold Buddha (Treatments of the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences, Department of Literature, vol. 69 no. 1) Amsterdam: N.V. North Holland Publishers Society, 1962; cited in M.C. Ricklefs, A History of Modern Indonesia Since c. 1300, 2nd ed. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1993, pages 18 and 311
• Mangkudimedja, R.M., (1979), Pararaton Fiber. Changing the alphabet and changing the language of Hardjana HP. Jakarta, P and K Department, Indonesian and Regional Literature Book Publishing Project.
• Muljana, Congratulations, (2006), Interpretation of the History of Nagarakretagama, Yogyakarta: LKIS
• My son, Muhammad. Mada Elephant, Heroes of the Archipelago Union. Jakarta: The Library.

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26 May 2024 > 18 Zulkaedah 1445H: 9.02 p.m