History of the Majapahit Kingdom The Majapahit Kingdom was the largest and most successful kingdom ever to unite most of the archipelago. Majapahit's wealth was built on the vast maritime and trade network under Hayam Wuruk and his patih (governor), Gajah Mada. The Palapa Oath that was taken by Gajah Mada was very well known. It laid out his determination to unite the entire archipelago under Majapahit. Majapahit itself was the last Hindu-Buddhist kingdom in the archipelago, before being replaced by the Islamic Demak. Majapahit stood for 234 years, starting from 1293 to 1527, with the center of government in Mojokerto, East Java. The founding of Majapahit began with the fall of the Singasari Kingdom at the peak of its glory. A regent of Gelang-gelang named Jayakatwang intended to attack the Singasari Kingdom. At that time the Singasari Kingdom was led by King Kertanegara. The attack killed Kertanegara. After Kertanegara's death, his son-in-law, Raden Wijaya, fled across the Madura Strait. He enlisted the help of Arya Wiraraja, the ruler of Sugeneb, and took advantage of the arrival of Mongolian troops to attack Jayakatwang. Jayakatwang was defeated. Raden Wijaya then founded the Majapahit Kingdom in 1293. Raden Wijaya was crowned the first king with the title Prabu Kertarajasa Jayawardana. He ruled for 16 years until his death in 1309. Raden Wijaya was succeeded by his son named Jayanagara until 1328. The center of Majapahit government shifted slightly to the Trowulan area. During the Jayanagara era, there were many rebellions. One of the most dangerous ones was Ra Kuti's rebellion because he did succeed in occupying the palace. After Jayanagara's death, Majapahit was led by Ratu Tribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi, Jayanagara's half-sister, from 1328 – 1350. During this time, Gajah Mada was appointed Mahapatih and took the Palapa Oath. Tribuwhana was then succeeded by his son Hayam Wuruk from 1350 – 1389. During the leadership of Hayam Wuruk and Gajah Mada, Majapahit reached the peak of glory. The influence of Majapahit also reached overseas, from the Malay Peninsula, Tumasik, to parts of Thailand and the Philippines. During Hayam Wuruk's time, there was a battle with the Sunda Kingdom in 1357. Initially, Hayam Wuruk wanted to marry the daughter of the King of Sunda named Dyah Pitaloka. The Sunda Kingdom delegation arrived at the Bubat area to deliver Dyah Pitaloka. However, Gajah Mada made a unilateral decision stating that Dyah Pitaloka was only a tribute from the Sunda Kingdom to Majapahit. Unsurprisingly the Sunda Kingdom refused and became angry, which then lead to a one-sided battle that took many victims. After Hayam Wuruk died, Majapahit was led by Wikramawardhana, Hayam Wuruk's son-in-law, from 1389 – 1429. This decision was opposed by Bhre Wirabhumi, Hayam Wuruk's own son. Finally, there was a civil war called the Paregreg War in 1404. This war caused a lot of losses. Many areas of Majapahit power outside Java broke away. Majapahit's glory gradually declined since then. After Wikramawardhana's death, Majapahit was led by his daughter, Queen Suhita. Because Suhita did not have any son, she was later replaced by her younger brother, Kertawijaya or Brawijaya I. After that, Majapahit was led by Brawijaya II to Brawijaya VII. At that time, Majapahit was experiencing an economic crisis and political conflict. There was also the establishment of the Sultanate of Demak as a new center of power in Java. Demak was founded by Raden Patah, the son of Brawijaya V. Majapahit finally completely collapsed after being attacked by the Demak Sultanate twice. There are quite a number of historic buildings left from the Majapahit era, including the Rat Temple and the Bajang Ratu Gate. The Majapahit kingdom also left many inscriptions, such as the Kudadu inscription and the Canggu inscription. The story of the glory and the administration of the Majapahit government is written in the Negarakertagama Book by Mpu Prapanca.