Majapahit Empire 1293 1500 AD By Janice Albert

Majapahit Empire 1293 – 1500 AD By Janice, Albert, Radit 6 B

Introduction My group and I work on a project to analyze and discover new facts and reanalyze past discoveries and prediction. We will work together to find the elements of civilization of the Majapahit Empire and find out how the past civilization influence things nowadays. By this way, we will also find and understand the way people live on the past.

What is Civilization? Civilization is an organization of people that settles together permanently on an area and can organize themselves. A civilization is an act of group to think more and find possible solution is order to solve the problems. They had learnt and discover a way to survive. The civilized people had known modern systems that encourage them to have a better life. They had known various types of objects that would help them with their daily life and invent technologies.

Majapahit Empire Majapahit was one of the biggest empires on the Southeast Asia. Majapahit Empire has developed starting from 1293 AD, which encountered the era of modern civilization. Majapahit was ruled by King Hayam Wuruk, in this case he started his authority/rule from 1350 – 1389 AD. There are other Kings who had ruled Majapahit as for example King Kertarajasa Jayawardhana (Ruling: 1295 – 1309) and King Girindrawardhana (Ruling: 1478 – 1527). The kingdom of Majapahit which at that time was ruled by King Hayam Wuruk was supported by Gajah Mada, the prime minister.

History of Majapahit When the kingdom of Singhasari was controlled by Jayakatwang, Raden Wijaya (Kertanegara’s son-in-law) runs to Madura. With the help of Arya Wiraraja, Raden Wijaya was well accepted by Jayakatwang and he was given a piece of land in Tarik (Mojokerto). When Kublai Khan’s soldiers invade the kingdom of Singhasari, Raden Wijaya pretends to help the Mongols to attack Jayakatwang. But after Jayakatwang was killed, Raden Wijaya turned against the Mongols and manages to throw them out. After that, Raden Wijaya established the Majapahit Empire (on 1293) and gave himself the title Sri Kertarajasa Jayawardhana.

This is the map of the Majapahit Empire in the past. This map shows the part of country that Majapahit has ever conquered or former location of Majapahit.

This is the map of the former Majapahit Civilization now days. Majapahit was located on the island of Java, Indonesia. Majapahit has conquered many area such as Malaya, Borneo, Sumatra, Bali and Philippines. (Extended to the Southeast Asia)

Elements of Majapahit Civilization Elements: Culture, Language, Economy, Geography, Politic, Social, Technology

Piggy Bank Before people keep their money in a piggy bank that is called the “celengan” people in the Majapahit civilization didn’t call it piggy banks but they call it celengan. Now it was keep in the museum for the now society to know the past. It was make by a rock or dry clay but now it was make like a plastic or a metal or a ceramic. Albert’s

Architecture / Building In the past Civilization of Majapahit, people only learn about the ancient structure of Hindu – Buddhist era in Indonesia. Archaeology and Architects was focused to the Temple of Indonesia. The Archaeology was more focused on Temple and Structures while the other was been done when they have a spare time because in the past, Indonesia is full of cave. The Majapahit is now the part of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor and Philippines. In the past also there are only less religion and that is the Hinduism, Kejawen, Buddhism, Animism. The currency in the past is Native gold and silver coins, Kepeng (Coins imported from China and later produced locally) they speak using the Javanese and Sanskrit language so they write using the Javanese and some use the Sanskrit. Albert’s

This is one of the structure in Majapahit. The architecture culture was influenced by the Hindu religion structure. This is the picture of a temple.

Heroes They’re heroes are Gajah Mada. The statue was near the waterfall name Madakaripura because the name has Mada and the place in Madakaripura. The statue is looking like praying in the Buddha ways. They put it in the waterfall until now to show they’re appreciation to Gajah Mada. Albert’s

This is the statue of Gajah Mada. This is the waterfall that the people put the statue of Gajah Mada.

Birth of Majapahit The born of the Majapahit is when Jayakatwang was controlling the Singasari; Raden Wijaya run for his life to Madura and by the help of Wiraraja, Raden Wijaya was being welcomed well by Jayakatwang and he accept a gift in a form of land in Mojokerto. When Jayakatwang was dead, Raden Wijaya took revenge to the Mongol’s soldier. Raden Wijaya win and he stand the Majapahit at 1293 and he develop Majapahit. So Raden Wijaya becomes a hero. He was also being crowned himself with the Sri Kertarajasa Jayawardhana certificate / appreciation. Albert’s

Geography – Raden Wijaya This carved stone was a God version of Raden Wijaya, the royal family of the Majapahit Empire. In the time of the Majapahit Empire, carving and pottery had been a main production to supply their daily needs. It was believed that Raden Wijaya was a natural hero for the Majapahit Kingdom. This carved stone was taken from the temple Candi Simping, Sumberjati, Blitar, East Java. Now it was one collection of the Indonesian National Museum in Jakarta. This piece of art was the evidence of Majapahit inquiry and knowledge about carving and sculpture. In this picture, Raden Wijaya was described as the statue of Harihara, the god combination of Shiva and Vishnu. Janice’s

This carved stone was a God version of Raden Wijaya, the royal family of the Majapahit Empire

Hayam Wuruk’s Crown This is the picture of Hayam Wuruk’s crown, the former king of Majapahit Empire. This crown was found on the Malaya. This crown ownership hasn’t been detected yet, but from rumors it was much likely the Hayam Wuruk’s crown. The villagers had kept this artifact for a while when it was first found. After the Indonesian scientist found this, they send the picture of the artifact to the archaeological lab in Indonesia. This crown makes the evident of Majapahit Empire. It shows that Indonesia’s greatest empire had once been connected to one. Janice’s

This is the picture of Hayam Wuruk’s crown, the former king of Majapahit Empire. This crown was found on the Malaya.

Farming This picture shows the farmland in the Majapahit era. This farmland shows that Majapahit people grew crops to supply their daily needs. Farmland was the main possible crop for people that day. This picture locates on the plain area near the mountain. Even though 70% of the Majapahit Empire was farmers, trading crops were infrequent. The main things that Majapahit people focused on were agriculture. People of the Majapahit Empire have created a water canal system to make farming easier. This makes the root of each plant gets water every day with no difficulty. The two main crops that people grew were rice and sugar canes. Janice’s

The farm area for farmers to grew crops on the Majapahit Era.

Surya Majapahit - Symbol This is the picture of Surya Majapahit; it was the symbol that was usually seen in the ruins of building that was built on the Majapahit era. This symbol takes form of and eight pointed sun with a circle in the middle, featuring the Hindu gods. This symbol was so popular in the time of Majapahit, then it makes the scientist believe that this symbol serve as the symbol of the state of Majapahit. Janice’s

The symbol of Majapahit found in many ruins from the Majapahit Era. The order of the Hindu Gods starting from the god Shiva in the middle.

Majapahit Coins This is the artifact picture of Majapahit era form of currency. Majapahit currency was influenced by the Chinese, or specifically the Mongols. When the Mongols have come, Majapahit has the idea of using coins to trade. At first, Majapahit imported the coins form China but soon coins were made locally. The coins were made of clay, but as time pass they had developed it to use bronze. The coins show that Majapahit has already known how to trade and probably doesn’t use barter system again. Janice’s

The picture of Majapahit past currency. It was a coin made of clay. But after trading system increase, Majapahit has imported coins from China.

Pararaton This is the picture of Pararaton. This is a poetic book that was also called as the book of kings or queens. Pararaton has been a prove that communication system in the form of writing was used. The language used was the old Javanese, and probably a tint of Sanskrit, a religious language used on the past Majapahit era. This book also contains the history of Majapahit Empire. Janice’s

This is the picture of Pararaton. It was written in Old Javanese or in Sanskrit. This piece of writing was actually a poem about the history of the kingdom and the king or queen.

Statue Molds Majapahit main production was focused at agriculture. Even if 70% of the villagers were farmers, sculpture was also common. In that time, statue molds were invented already. These molds make the sculpture shape statue easier. This molds was found as an artifact by scientist as a tool to help human with their daily life. Janice’s

Ganesha In Majapahit era and kingdom the people in there is usually Hindu and Buddha religion, and in the Majapahit era and kingdom they belief that they’re god is the half elephant and the half human god named ganesha, and they believe they’re also Siva, Ganesha is the god of luck, the story of ganesha have human body and has head of elephant is that, from the Indian story ganesha father is leaving his house and then when the father go to somewhere far away ganesha was born without a father, and after years and years finally ganesha father came home and his father was curious who is in his home and he asked the guy in his house “ who are you and what are you doing in my house” then ganesha reply “I’m Ganesha and this is me and my mother houses” and they argue and argue until they fight each other and ganesha father slash ganesha head and then he throw his son head in the river and the head was gone, and when he goes back from the river to home and he tell the story to the mother and the mother say that ganesha was they’re son so the father searching for the ganesha head and he never found it so he ask the whole villager to change ganesha head and the villager change ganesha head with elephant head, and they started calling him ganesha the god of half elephant and half human. Radit’s

This is the cartoon picture of Ganesha, the god that was believed by the Majapahit people. They say that He brings luck.

TIMELINE OF MAJAPAHIT CIVILIZATION The birth of Majapahit (1293) The end of Singhasari Kingdom 1292 The soldiers of Kublai Khan came 1293 Democracy of Ra Kuti and Dharmaputra, Gajah Mada become popular. 1319 Democracy in the Majapahit 1295 Gajah Enggon replaced Gajah Mada. 1367 Sumpah Palapa was declared by Gajah Mada. Majapahit wished to gather the whole archipelago. 1334 Majapahit Empire had vanished. 1500 All the sons and heir of the Majapahit Empire has died, and the last son died before he was even king. 1399

Additional Information As the evidence of the existence of Majapahit Empire, scientist had discovered several artifacts. Scientist have found pieces of sculptures/statues featuring different races such as Chinese, Indian and Arabic. There is also domestic objects such as water tubs and piggy banks. There is also production tools such as statue molds, kowi (mold of metal good made of clay), pillars, roof tiles, water pipes and jaladwara (temple’s water channel). There was also metal artifacts (made of metal such as coins, made locally and from foreign countries and tools used for ceremony such as bells, mirrors, etc. They also found stone artifacts such as stone tablets.

Bibliography “ Sejarah Kerajaan Majapahit” Written By Hafizul Hamdi on 25 Jul 2013 | Kamis, Juli 25, 2013, http: //www. sibarasok. com/2013/07/sejarah-kerajaanmajapahit. html “Trowulan, Bekas Ibu Kota Majapahit” © 2013 Direktorat. Jenderal. Kebudayaan. Republik Indonesia, http: //kebudayaanindonesia. net/id/culture/1094/trowulan-bekas-ibu-kotamajapahit#. Ukv. Fseublup “ Memory of Majapahit” http: //www. eastjava. com/books/majapahit/html/bhinneka. html “ Trowulan – Former capital City of Majapahit Kingdom” © UNESCO World Heritage Centre 1992 – 2013, http: //whc. unesco. org/en/tentativelists/5466/