The Rise of Majapahit (Kingdom) - Historical Fiction Novel

The Rise of Majapahit (Kingdom)

Historical Fiction Novel

Short Foreword

At the end of thirteen centuries, Singosari Kingdom was on the move to unite Nusantara, a region consist of a group of island in South East Asia. It was a heyday for a Kingdom who were ruled by a King named Sri Kertanegara. In 1289, Meng Khi, an admiral from Mongolia, came to the Kingdom to convey a message from Kubilai Khan. The Mongolian Caesar wanted Singosari became his dominion and bowed to his authority.

According to Kudadu epigraph, Singosari Kingdom official name is Tumapel. Its first king was Ken Arok who has been titled as Sri Rajasa Bhatara Sang Amurwabhumi. It's written in Negarakretagama Book that Tumapel was established in 1222 with Kutaraja as its capital. Apart from Java Island, Negarakretagama also said that Java, Melayu, Bali, Pahang (one of the states of Malaysia), Gurun (Maluku Islands), and Bakulapura (West of Kalimantan Island) were under Singosari's reign.

The message conveyed by Meng Khi irked Kertanegara. The monarch has pledged that Nusantara will never bow to any nation on earth. Angered, Kertanegara rejected the Mongolia decree, cut the emissary ear and expelled him to return to his country.

In 1292, lead by King Sri Jayakatwang, Gelang-Gelang, one of Singosari's dominion, attacked Kutaraja. According historical record, Tumapel was holding Tantrayana rite in the palace when the attack occured. The only war commander on duty to guard the palace was Narrarya Sanggrama Wijaya or also known as Raden Wijaya. Outnumbered, Raden Wijaya and his men could not dispel the assault.

At that time, Tumapel's defense was indeed weakened. Since 1275, most of its military power had been deployed in Pamalayu Expedition under the command of Senopati Sarwajala (Admiral) Mahisa Anabrang. Mahisa was tasked to embrace kingdoms in Sumatera Island, Melayu Peninsula and also to weave alliance with Campa Kingdom. Pamalayu Expedition was also meant to strengthen Tumapel influence in Malaka Strait, one of the most important shipping line in the South Asia.

Due to the attack, the palace became sea of fire and Kertanegara was killed. Dyah Gayatri, one of Kertanegara daughter, was caught and captived by the enemy. Escaped from death, Raden Wijaya with three senior officers--Lembu Sora, Nambi, and Ardaraja--and six hundred soldiers flee to Madura. In Madura, Raden Wijaya and his men asked for a political asylum from Arya Wiraraja, the duke of Songeneb (Sumenep).

Adviced by Arya Wiraraja, Raden Wijaya returned to Java and surrendered to Sri Jayakatwang who had established a new kingdom in Kediri. Saying that he will abide to Sri Jayakatwang's rule, Raden Wijaya asked for a plot of land in Tarik Forest to settle and to build hunting ground for the Kediri king.

The request was granted. With the help from his men and Madura people sent by Arya Wiraraja, the forest was prepared to be a hamlet named Tarik Village. During his chore, one of Madura's labour, felt thirsty and picked a fruit from maja or wilwa tree. The fruit tasted really bitter (pahit). Since then, Tarik Village was renamed as Majapahit Village.

***

Sri Kertanegara's rejection on Mongolia's proposal came with a heavy price. Lead by commander Ike Mese, Shih Pi and Gao Xing, Kubilai Khan sent approximately one thousand ships containing twenty thousand to punish the sovereign.

In early 1293, the Mongolian forces have reached Java Island and harboured at Tuban and Hujung Galuh (Tanjung Perak) port. Splitted in two, both forces continued its journey to Tumapel down to the Brantas River and by land. In just few days, the two forces merged and established a bulwark in a region named Canggu.

On its journey, Ike Mese heard the news that Singosari has collapsed and Sri Kertanegara died. By then, Java was under the rule of Sri Jayakatwang who has erected new government in Daha Palace, Kediri capital. Since Kubilai Khan instructed him to punish Singosari King or its successor, Ike Mese continued its plan to execute the king.

While planning the attack, the Mongolian crossed with Raden Wijaya and agreed to merge their forces to overthrow Kediri Kingdom. Raden Wijaya promised Ike Mese that Java will succumb, admit Mongolia authority and pay tribute to Kubilai Khan.

An agreement was made!

The attack devastated Daha Palace. More than five thousand Kediri's soldiers died. Sri Jayakatwang and his son, Ardaraja, was excecuted by the Mongolian while on board the ship harboured at Hujung Galuh. More than a hundred Sri Jayakatwang's kinsman were caught and taken to Mongolia.

The promise given by Raden Wijaya was only a lure to trapped the Mongolian. Right at the time when the Mongolian was celebrating its victory, Raden Wijaya's men stormed the party. Demolished, the Mongolian forces were scattered. Some of its forces survived the ordeal and sail back to their country.

***

If only Ike Mese understood the wisdom of Java's realm throught its signs, the Mongolian forces would not have been humiliated to bear its first defeat throughout history. Unfortunately, the shrills of the last kedasih birds indicating peril in northen Kediri were heard when the chief commander of the Mongolian army had fallen asleep after his stomach filled with Javanese arrack (arak). Eventhough his suspicion has arroused a few days earlier. Why do every time the birds sing, a major event marred with bloodshed followed?

The unwariness of Ike Mese was fatal. More than three thousands soldiers were killed and lost in the battle to subjugate Java that last for almost four months. Ike Mese also destroyed Kubilai Khan's dream to expand his territory to the southern region. Ike Mese's fleet return to his country without any pride, except for some loots as a token of its journey.

Shortly after its failure to conquer Java, the Yuan Disnaty raised by Kubilai Khan started to crumble. While in the southern hemisphere, the 'sprout' that has been left by Kertanegara was set to grow to become a strong and big kingdom respected by nations throughout South Asia.

Majapahit!

On 12 November 1293, Raden Wijaya was corronated as the first king of Majapahit with title of Sri Kertarajasa Jayawardhana. Everywhere on earth, the Mongolian victorius, but not in Nusantara. (SW/ADF)

Jakarta, April 28, 2009

Summarized from various literature

Published by Grasindo Publisher

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