Mike Nicholson Indonesian Heritage Society

Maja Pahit
Fruit Bitter
Mike Nicholson
Indonesian Heritage Society
Indonesia’s Greatest Empire
A step backwards
Sri Vijaya - Sriwijaya
•
Powerful ancient thalassocratic (sea power) Malay empire based on the island of Sumatra, which influenced much
of Southeast Asia
•
Srivijaya was an important center for Buddhist expansion in the 8th to 12th centuries.
•
In Sanskrit, sri means "fortunate", "prosperous", or "happy" and
vijaya means "victorious" or "excellence―
•
Earliest evidence of its existence dates from the 7th century; a Chinese monk, I-Tsing, wrote that he visited
Srivijaya in 671 CE for 6 months.
•
Between late 7th to early 11th century Srivijaya rose to become hegemon in Southeast Asia, involved in close
interactions — often rivalries — with neighboring Java, Kambuja and Champa
•
•
•
Srivijaya main foreign interest was nurturing lucrative trading rights with China - spanned from Tang to Song era
Srivijaya also had religious, cultural and trading links with the Buddhist Indian Pala Empire
Also having relations with Islamic Caliphate in the Middle East.
•
The kingdom ceased to exist in the 13th century due to various factors, including the expansion of
the Javanese Majapahit empire
•
After Srivijaya fell, it was largely forgotten and historians had not even considered that a large united kingdom
could have been present in Southeast Asia.
•
The existence of Srivijaya was only formally suspected in 1918, when French historian George Coedès of
the École française d'Extrême-Orient postulated its existence.
Majapahit
•
Vast thalassocratic (sea power) archipelagic empire
from 1293 to about 1527 CE.
•
Majapahit reached its peak of glory during the era of Hayam Wuruk, whose
reign from 1350 to 1389 was marked by conquest which extended
through Southeast Asia
•
His achievement is also credited to his prime minister, Gajah Mada Elephant General (circa 1290 – 1364) according to the Nagarakretagama
(Desawarñana) an old Javanese eulogy poem about Hayam Wuruk written
in 1365
•
Majapahit was an empire of 98 tributaries, stretching from Sumatra to New
Guinea; consisting of present day Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei,
southern Thailand, the Philippines, and East Timor
•
Majapahit was one of the last major empires of the region and is considered
to be one of the greatest and most powerful empires in the history of
Indonesia and Southeast Asia, one that is sometimes seen as the
precedent for Indonesia's modern boundaries.
An early 14th C sculpture
of Harihara, the god
combination
of Shiva and Vishnu.
It was the mortuary
deified portrayal of King
Kertarajasa (Raden
Wijaya), the first king of
Majapahit
Originally located at Candi
Simping, Blitar – now in
MNI
Gajah Mada and Majapahit history depicted in Monas, has become the
source of Indonesian national pride of past greatness.
Little physical evidence of Majapahit remains and some
details of the history are rather abstract
•
The main sources used by historians are:
– the Pararaton ('Book of Kings') written in the Kawi language, is focused
upon Ken Arok (the founder of Singhasari) but includes a number of shorter
narrative fragments about the formation of Majapahit and
– Nagarakertagama in Old Javanese an old Javanese epic poem written during
the Majapahit golden age under the reign of Hayam Wuruk, after which some
events are covered narratively
– There are also some other inscriptions in Old Javanese and Chinese.
•
Ming Dynasty admiral Zheng He, visited Majapahit between 1405 and
1433. Zheng He's translator Ma Huan wrote a detailed description about
Majapahit and where the king of Java lived
•
New findings in April 2011, indicate the Majapahit capital, Trowulan, was
much larger than previously believed
A step backwards
Rulers of Singasari
(1222–1227) Ken Angrok
(1227–1248) Rajasa Anuśapati, Panji Anengah [stepson]
(1248)
Panji Tohjaya [son of Ken Angrok]
(1248–1268) Ranggawuni, Wisnuwardhana [son of Anuśapati]
(1268–1292) Kertanagara, Siwabuddha [son]
1293 Singasari is incorporated into Majapahit
Rulers of Majapahit
(1294–1309)
Kertarajasa (Raden Wijaya)
(1309–1328)
Jayanagara (Kala Gemet) [son]
(1328–1350)
Tribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi [sister]
(1350–1389) Rajasanagara (Hayam Wuruk) [son]
(1390–1429)
Wikramawardhana (Bhre Hyang Wiśesa) [nephew]
(1429–1447)
Suhita [daughter] fantastic statue in MNI
(1447–1451)
Kertawijaya (Wijayaparakramawardhana) [brother]
(1451–1453)
Rajasawardhana (Sinagara) [son]
(1456–1466)
Giriśawardhana (Hyang Purwawiśesa) [brother]
(1466–1478)
Singhawikramawardhana (Bhre Pandan Salas) [brother]
(fl. 1513)
Girindrawardhana Ranawijaya Bhatara Wijaya
[grandson of Rajasawardhana]
(fl. 1516-1527)
Patih Udara [of the Patih family]
1527 Majapahit is conquered by Demak
Jakarta’s Birthday is June 22,1527
Liberated from Portuguese influence by Fatahila
The Golden Age
The graceful Bidadari
Majapahit, a golden
celestial Apsara - a female
spirit of the clouds and
waters (Hindu and Buddhist
mythology) perfectly
describes Majapahit as "the
golden age" of the
archipelago.
• Hayam Wuruk, also known as Rajasanagara, ruled Majapahit in
1350–1389. During this period, Majapahit attained its peak with the
help of prime minister, Gajah Mada. Under Gajah Mada's command
(1313–1364), Majapahit conquered more territories and become the
regional power.
• According to the book of Nagarakertagama pupuh (canto) XIII and
XIV mentioned several states in Sumatra, Malay Peninsula, Borneo,
Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara islands, Maluku, New Guinea, and some
parts of Philippines islands as under Majapahit realm of power.
•
This source mentioned of Majapahit expansions has marked the
greatest extent of Majapahit empire.This empire also serve as one
of the most influential empires in the Indonesian history. It is
considered as a commercial trading empire in the civilization of Asia.
• Hayam Wuruk launched naval and military expeditions and also was
involved in diplomacy and alliance. Hayam Wuruk decided, probably
for political reasons, to take princess Citra Rashmi (Pitaloka) of
neighboring Sunda Kingdom as his consort. The Sundanese took
this proposal as an alliance agreement.
• In 1357 the Sunda king and his royal family came to Majapahit, to
accompany and marry his daughter with Hayam Wuruk. However
Gajah Mada saw this event as an opportunity to demand Sunda's
submission to Majapahit overlordship. The skirmish between the
Sunda royal family and the Majapahit troops on Bubat square were
unevitable.
• Despite the courageous resistance, the royal family were
overwhelmed and decimated. Almost the whole of the Sundanese
royal party were viciously massacred. Tradition mentioned that the
heartbroken Princess committed suicide to defend the honour of her
country. The Battle of Bubat or Pasunda Bubat tragedy become the
main theme of Kidung Sunda, also mentioned in Carita
Parahyangan and Pararaton, however it was never mentioned in
Nagarakretagama.
• The Nagarakertagama, written in 1365 depict a sophisticated court
with refined taste in art and literature, and a complex system of
religious rituals.
• The poet describes Majapahit as the centre of a huge mandala
extending from New Guinea and Maluku to Sumatra and Malay
Peninsula.
• Majapahit's direct administration did not extend beyond east Java
and Bali, but challenges to Majapahit's claim to overlordship in outer
islands drew forceful responses.
• In 1377, a few years after Gajah Mada's death, Majapahit sent a
punitive naval attack against a rebellion in Palembang, contributing
to the end of the Srivijayan kingdom. Gajah Mada's other renowned
general was Adityawarman, known for his conquest in
Minangkabau.
• The nature of the Majapahit empire and its extent is subject to
debate. It may have had limited or entirely notional influence over
some of the tributary states in included Sumatra, the Malay
Peninsula, Kalimantan and eastern Indonesia over which of
authority was claimed in the Nagarakertagama.
• Geographical and economic constraints suggest that rather than a
regular centralised authority, the outer states were most likely to
have been connected mainly by trade connections, which was
probably a royal monopoly.
• It also claimed relationships with Champa, Cambodia, Siam,
southern Burma, and Vietnam, and even sent missions to China.
• Although the Majapahit rulers extended their power over other
islands and destroyed neighboring kingdoms, their focus seems to
have been on controlling and gaining a larger share of the
commercial trade that passed through the archipelago.
• About the time Majapahit was founded, Muslim traders and
proselytizers began entering the area.
Majapahit Economy
Taxes and fines were paid in silver or gold cash, until about 1300 in
the reign of Majapahit's first king: the indigenous coinage was
completely replaced by imported Chinese copper cash - most
scholars assume it was due to the increasing complexity of Javanese
economy and a desire for a currency system that used much smaller
denominations suitable for use in everyday market transactions. This
was a role for which gold and silver are not well suited. 10,388 ancient
Chinese coins, weighing about 40 kg were unearthed from a backyard
in Sidoarjo, in 2008.
These kepeng Chinese coins were thin rounded copper coins with a
square hole in the center. The hole was meant to tie together the
money in a string of coins. Piggy banks are commonly found in
Majapahit ruins.
• Piggy (and
other clay)
Banks were
very
common
during the
Majapahit
period.
• They
accepted
Chinese
copper
coins.
Internal Economy
•
The internal economy - The Canggu inscriptions dated 1358 mentions 78 ferry crossings in
mandala Java.
•
Majapahit inscriptions mention a large number of occupational specialities, ranging from gold and
silver smiths to drink vendors and butchers. The proportion of the population earning an income
from non-agrarian pursuits seems to have become even greater during the Majapahit era.
•
The great prosperity of Majapahit was probably due to two factors.
- Firstly, the northeast lowlands of Java were suitable for rice cultivation, and during
Majapahit's prime numerous irrigation projects were undertaken, some with government
assistance.
- Secondly, Majapahit's ports on the north coast were probably significant stations along
the route to obtain the spices of Maluku.
•
The Nagarakertagama states that the fame ruler of Wilwatikta (a synonym for Majapahit) attracted
foreign merchants from far and wide, including Indians, Khmers, Siamese, and Chinese among
others.
•
A special tax was levied against some foreigners, possibly those who had taken up semipermanent residence in Java and conducted some type of enterprise other than foreign trade.
Pair of door guardians from a temple,
Eastern Java, 14th century
Majapahit Influence
• Majapahit was the largest empire ever to form in Southeast
Asia. Although its political power beyond the core area in east Java
was diffuse, constituting mainly ceremonial recognition of suzerainty
• Majapahit society developed a high degree of sophistication in
both commercial and artistic activities. Its capital was inhabited by a
cosmopolitan population among whom literature and art flourished.
• Numbers of local legends had mentioned about the Majapahit
kingdom. The legend of Minangkabau mentioned an invading
foreign prince — associated with Javanese Majapahit kingdom —
that being defeated on buffalo fight. Others than Javanese sources,
mentioning Majapahit kingdom or its general Gajah Mada, can be
found; from Aceh, Minangkabau, Palembang, Malay Peninsula,
Sunda, Brunei, Bali to Sumbawa.
• Several Javanese legends were become popular during Majapahit
period. The Panji cycles, the tale of Sri Tanjung, and the epic of
Damarwulan, are popular tales in Javanese and Balinese literatures
• The tales of Panji was dated from older period during Kediri
kingdom, while the tale of Sri Tanjung and the epic of
Damarwulan took place during Majapahit period. These tales
have remained a popular theme in Javanese culture of later period
during Mataram Sultanate, and often become the source of
inspiration for wayang performances, ketoprak and topeng dance
drama
• Majapahit had a momentous and lasting influence on Indonesian
architecture. The descriptions of the architecture of the capital's
pavilions (pendopo) in the Nagarakertagama invoke the
Javanese Kraton also the Balinese temples and palace compounds
of today
• The Majapahit architectural style that often
employs terracotta and red brick had heavily influenced the
architecture of Java and Bali. The Majapahit style Candi Bentar split
gate Keraton Kasepuhan in Cirebon, the kori or paduraksa towering
red brick gate, and also pendopo pavilion has become ubiquitous in
Javanese and Balinese architectural features, as evidence
in Menara Kudus Mosque, Keraton Kasepuhan and Sunyaragi park
in Cirebon, Mataram Sultanate royal cemetery in Kota
Gede,Yogyakarta, and various palaces and temples in Bali.
• The Javanese Hindu civilization since the era of Airlangga to the
era of Majapahit kings has profoundly influenced and shaped the
Balinese culture and history. The ancient links and Majapahit
legacy is observable in many ways; architecture, literature, religious
rituals, dance-drama and artforms.
The elegant 16.5 metres tall Bajang Ratu gate,
at Trowulan, echoed the grandeur of Majapahit.
• The aesthetics and style of bas-reliefs in Majapahit East Javanese
temples were preserved and copied in Balinese temples. It is also
due to the fact that after the fall of the empire, many Majapahit
nobles, artisans and priests took refuge either in the interior
mountainous region of East Java or across the narrow strait to
Bali
• Large numbers of Majapahit manuscripts, such
as Nagarakretagama, Sutasoma, Pararaton and Tantu Pagelaran,
were being well-kept in royal libraries of Bali and Lombok, and
provides the glimpse and valuable historical records on Majapahit.
• The Majapahit Hindu-Javanese culture has shaped the culture of
Bali, that led to the popular expression; "without Java there is no
Bali".
• Majapahit expansion is believed to be responsible for the
widespread use of the keris dagger in Southeast Asia; from Java,
Bali, Sumatra, Malaysia, Brunei, Southern Thailand, to the
Philippines.
Jabung temple near Paiton, Probolinggo,
East Java, dates from Majapahit period
• For Indonesians in later centuries, Majapahit became a symbol of
past greatness. The Islamic sultanates of Demak, Pajang,
and Mataram sought to establish their legitimacy in relation to
the Majapahit. The Demak claimed a line of succession through
Kertabumi, as its founder, Raden Patah, in court chronicles was said
to be the son of Kertabumi with Putri Cina, a Chinese princess, who
had been sent away before her son was born
• Modern Indonesian nationalists, including those of the early 20thcentury Indonesian National Revival have invoked the Majapahit
Empire. The memory of its greatness remains in Indonesia, and
is sometimes seen as a precedent for the current political
boundaries of the Republic. Many of modern Indonesian national
symbols derived from Majapahit Hindu-Buddhist elements
• The Indonesian national flag "Sang Merah Putih" ("Red and
White") or sometimes called "Dwiwarna" ("The bicolor"), derived
from the Majapahit royal color
• The Indonesian Navy flag of red and white stripes also has a
Majapahit origin. The Indonesian national motto, "Bhinneka
Tunggal Ika", is a quotation from an Old Javanese poem "Kakawin
Sutasoma", written by a Majapahit poet, Mpu Tantular
• The Indonesian coat of arms, Garuda Pancasila, also derives
from Javanese Hindu elements. The statue and relief
of Garuda have been found in many temples in Java such
as Prambanan from the ancient Mataram era, and the Panataran as
well as the Sukuh temple dated from the Majapahit era. The notable
statue of Garuda is the statue of the king Airlangga depicted
as Vishnu riding Garuda.
• In its propaganda from the 1920s, the Communist Party of
Indonesia presented its vision of a classless society as a
reincarnation of a romanticized Majapahit.
• It was invoked by Sukarno for nation building and by the New
Order as an expression of state expansion and
consolidation. Like Majapahit, the modern state of Indonesia
covers vast territory and is politically centred on Java
• Palapa, the series of communication satellites owned by Telkom
has been named after Sumpah Palapa, the famous oath taken
by Gajah Mada. Gajah Mada swore that he would not taste any
spice as long as he had not succeeded in unifying Nusantara
(Indonesian archipelago). This ancient oath of unification signifies
the Palapa satellite as the modern means to unify the Indonesian
archipelago by way of telecommunication. The name was chosen by
president Suharto, and the program was started in February 1975.
Watch This Space
• During 2008, the Indonesian government sponsored a massive
exploration on the site that is believed to be the place where the
palace of Majapahit once stood. Jero Wacik, the Indonesian Minister
of Culture and Tourism stated that the Majapahit Park would be built
on the site and completed as early as 2009, in order to prevent
further damage caused by home-made brick industries that develop
on the surrounding area
•
However, the project concerns some historians, since constructing
the park's foundation on the Segaran site located on the south side
of Trowulan Museum, will inevitably damage the site itself
• Ancient bricks which are historically valuable, were found scattered
on the site. The government argued that the digging method was
less destructive than drilling
The red brick Candi Bentar split gate of
Keraton Kasepuhan in Cirebon, reveal Majapahit architectural influences.
Culture, Art and Architecture
• The main event of the administrative calendar took place on the first
day of the month of Caitra (March–April) when representatives from
all territories paying tax or tribute to Majapahit came to the capital to
pay court
• Majapahit's territories were roughly divided into three types:
1. the palace and its vicinity;
2. the areas of east Java and Bali which were directly administered by
officials appointed by the king; and
3. the outer dependencies which enjoyed substantial internal
autonomy
• The capital (Trowulan) was grand and known for its great annual
festivities. Buddhism, Shaivism, and Vaishnavism were all practiced,
and the king was regarded as the incarnation of the three
•
The Nagarakertagama does not mention Islam, but there were
certainly Muslim courtiers by this time
• Jabung temple near Paiton, Probolinggo, East Java, dated from
Majapahit period
• Although brick had been used in the candi of Indonesia's classical
age, it was Majapahit architects of the 14th and 15th centuries who
mastered it. Making use of a vine sap and palm sugar mortar,
their temples had a strong geometric quality. The example of
Majapahit temples are Brahu temple in Trowulan, Pari in
Sidoarjo, Jabung in Probolinggo, and Surawana temple near Kediri.
• Some of the temples are dated from earlier period but renovated
and expanded during Majapahit era, such as Penataran, the largest
temple in East Java dated back to Kediri era.
• Some of typical architectural style are believed to be developed
during Majapahit era; such as tall and slender roofed red brick gate
commonly called kori agung or paduraksa, and also split gate
of candi bentar. The large split gate of Wringin Lawang located at
Jatipasar, Trowulan, Mojokerto, East Java, is one of the oldest and
the largest surviving candi bentar dated from Majapahit era
• The candi bentar shape of typical Majapahit temple structure —
consists of three parts; foot, body and tall roof — evenly split into
two mirroring structures to make a passage in the center for people
to walk through. This type of split gate has no doors and provides no
real defensive purpose but narrowing the passage. It was probably
only to serve ceremonial and aesthetic purpose and to create a
sense of grandeur, before entering the next compound through tall
roof paduraksa gate with enclosed door.
• The example of kori agung or paduraksa style gate is the elegant
Bajang Ratu gate richly decorated with Kala demon, cyclops and
also the bas-relief telling the story of Sri Tanjung. This typical
Majapahit architectural style has deeply influenced the Javanese
and Balinese architecture of later period
• Clay pottery and brick masonry are a popular feature in Majapahit
art and architecture. Majapahit Terracotta Art also flourished in this
period. Significant numbers of terracotta artifacts were discovered
in Trowulan. The artifacts ranges from human and animal figurines,
jars, vessels, water containers, piggy banks, bas reliefs,
architectural ornaments, roof pinnacles, floor tiles, to pipes and roof
tiles.
• One of the most interesting findings are Majapahit piggy banks.
Several boar-shaped piggy banks have been discovered in
Trowulan. It is probably the origin of Javanese-Indonesian word to
refer for saving or money container. The word celengan in Javanese
and Indonesian means both "savings" and "piggy bank". It was
derived from the word celeng which means "wild boar", the suffix "an" was added to denote its likeness.
• One important specimen is stored in MNI, it has been reconstructed
since this large piggy bank was found in pieces. Terracotta money
boxes have also been found in different shapes, such as tubular or
boxes, with slits for coins. Another important terracotta artifact is the
head figurine of a man popularly thought to be the depiction of
Gajah Mada, although it is not certain about who was actually
depicted in these figurines.
• The first European record about Majapahit came from the travel log
of the Italian Mattiussi, a Franciscan monk. In his book: "Travels of
Friar Odoric of Pordenone", he visited several places in today's
Indonesia: Sumatra, Java, and Banjarmasin in Borneo, between
1318–1330. He was sent by the Pope to launch a misson into the
Asian interiors. In 1318 he departed from Padua, crossed the Black
Sea into Persia, all the way across Calcutta, Madras, and Srilanka.
He then headed to Nicobar island all the way to Sumatra, before
visiting Java and Banjarmasin. He returned to Italy by land through
Vietnam, China, all the way through the silkroad to Europe in 1330.
• In his book he mentioned that he visited Java without explaining the
exact place he had visited. He said that king of Java ruled over
seven other kings (vassals). He also mentioned that in this island
was found a lot of clove, cubeb (tailed pepper), nutmeg and many
other spices.
• Mattiussi mentioned that the King of Java had an impressive, grand,
and luxurious palace. The stairs and palace interior were coated
with gold and silver, and even the roofs were gilded.
• He also recorded that Mongol Kings had repeatedly tried to attack
Java, but always ended up in failure. The Javanese kingdom
mentioned in this record is Majapahit, and the time of his visit is
between 1318–1330 during the reign of Jayanegara.
• In later period near the fall of Majapahit, the art and architecture of
Majapahit witnessed the revival of indigenous native Austronesian
megalithic architectural elements, such as Sukuh and Cetho temples
on western slopes of Mount Lawu. Unlike previous Majapahit
temples that demonstrate typical Hindu architecture of high-rise
towering structure, the shape of these temples are step pyramid,
quite similar to Mesoamerican pyramids. The stepped pyramid
structure called Punden Berundak (stepped mounds) is a common
megalithic structure during Indonesian prehistoric era before the
adoption of Hindu-Buddhist culture.
Majapahit Decline
• Following Hayam Wuruk's death in 1389, Majapahit power entered a
period of decline with conflict over succession. Hayam Wuruk was
succeeded by the crown princess Kusumawardhani, who married a
relative, Prince Wikramawardhana. Hayam Wuruk also had a son
from his previous marriage, crown prince Wirabhumi, who also
claimed the throne. A civil war, called Paregreg, is thought to have
occurred from 1405 to 1406, in which Wikramawardhana was
victorious and Wirabhumi was caught and decapitated. The civil war
weakened Majapahit grip on its outer vassals and colonies.
• During the reign of Wikramawardhana, the series of Ming armada
naval expeditions led by Zheng He, a Muslim Chinese admiral,
arrived in Java for several times spanned the period from 1405 to
1433. By 1430 Zheng He's expeditions had established Muslim
Chinese and Arab communities in northern ports of Java such as
in Semarang, Demak, Tuban, and Ampel, thus Islam began to gain
foothold on Java's northern coast.
•
Wikramawardhana ruled to 1426 and was succeeded by his
daughter Suhita, who ruled from 1426 to 1447. She was the second child of
Wikramawardhana by a concubine who was the daughter of Wirabhumi. In
1447, Suhita died and was succeeded by Kertawijaya, her brother. He ruled
until 1451. After Kertawijaya died, Bhre Pamotan became a king with formal
name Rajasawardhana and ruled at Kahuripan. He died in 1453. A threeyear kingless period was possibly the result of a succession crisis.
•
Girisawardhana, son of Kertawijaya, came to power 1456. He died in 1466
and was succeeded by Singhawikramawardhana. In 1468 Prince
Kertabhumi rebelled against Singhawikramawardhana and promoted
himself king of Majapahit.
•
In western part of the crumbling empire, Majapahit found itself unable to
control the rising power of the Sultanate of Malacca that in the mid-15th
century began to gain effective control of Malacca strait and expands its
influence to Sumatra. Several other former Majapahit vassals and colonies
began to released themself from Majapahit domination and suzerainty.
•
•
•
Singhawikramawardhana moved the Kingdom’s capital further inland to
Daha (the former capital of Kediri kingdom) and continued his rule until he
was succeeded by his son Ranawijaya in 1474
•
In 1478 Ranawijaya defeated Kertabhumi and reunited Majapahit as one
Kingdom. Ranawijaya ruled from 1474 to 1519 with the formal name
Girindrawardhana. Nevertheless, Majapahit's power had declined through
these dynastic conflicts and the growing power of the north-coastal
kingdoms in Java
•
Dates for the end of the Majapahit Empire range from 1478 (that is,
1400 Saka, the ends of centuries being considered a time when changes of
dynasty or courts normally ended) to 1527
•
This event to led the war between Sultanate of Demak and Daha, since
Demak ruler was the descendants of Kertabhumi. The battle was won
by Demak in 1527
•
With the fall of Daha crushed by Demak in 1527, the Muslim emerging
forces finally defeated the remnants of the Majapahit kingdom in the
early 16th century.
•
Demak under the leadership of Raden (later crowned as Sultan) Patah
(Arabic name: Fatah) was acknowledged as the legitimate successor of
Majapahit. According to Babad Tanah Jawi and Demak tradition, the source
of Patah's legitimacy was because their first sultan, Raden Patah, was the
son of Majapahit king Brawijaya V with a Chinese concubine.
•
Another argument supports Demak as the successor of Majapahit; the
rising Demak sultanate was easily accepted as the nominal regional ruler,
as Demak was the former Majapahit vassal and located near the former
Majapahit realm in Eastern Java.
•
Demak established itself as the regional power and the first Islamic
sultanate in Java. After the fall of Majapahit, the Hindu kingdoms in Java
only remained in Blambangan on eastern edge and Pajajaran in western
Java. Gradually Hindu communities began to retreat to mountain ranges in
East Java and also to the neighboring island of Bali. A small enclave
of Hindu communities still remain in theTengger mountain range.
Mike Nicholson
Indonesian Heritage Society
0855 100 6453
[email protected]