A report on Javanese people, Majapahit and Sunda Kingdom

A Javanese bride and groom wearing their traditional garb

Javanese adapted many aspects of Indian culture, such as the Ramayana epic.

The greatest extent of Majapahit influence based on the Nagarakretagama in 1365

The word Sunda written in Sundanese script

Sultan Amangkurat II of Mataram (upper right) watching warlord Untung Surapati fighting Captain Tack of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). ca 1684 AD.

A maja fruit growing near Trowulan. The bitter-tasting fruit is the origin of the kingdom's name

Batutulis inscription (dated 1533), in Bogor, commemorate the great King of Sunda Sri Baduga Maharaja (rule 1482-1521).

A Javanese courtly ceremony at Keraton Surakarta in 1932.

Nagarakretagama palm-leaf manuscript. Composed by Mpu Prapanca in 1365, it provides a primary historical account of Majapahit court during the reign of King Hayam Wuruk.

The Sundanese royal party arrived at the port of Hujung Galuh by Junk Sassana, a type of Javanese junk, which also incorporates Chinese techniques, such as using iron nails alongside wooden dowels, the construction of watertight bulkhead, and addition of central rudder.

Javanese cultural expressions, such as wayang and gamelan are often used to promote the excellence of Javanese culture.

Painting of a 14th-century Yuan junk. Similar ships were sent by the Yuan in their naval armada.

Sundanese traditional house with Julang Ngapak roof in Garut circa 1920s. It was built on poles and having a thatched roof, as described in a 12th-century Chinese source.

Gamelan is one of Javanese cultural expression that demonstrate refinement.

King Kertarajasa portrayed as Harihara, amalgamation of Shiva and Vishnu. Originally located at Candi Simping, Blitar, today it is displayed in National Museum.

Old map of Java still thought that land of Sunda in the west is separated from the rest of Java island. Here the capital of Sunda is called Daio which refer to Dayeuh Pakuan Pajajaran

Golden image of a mounted rider, possibly the Hindu god Surya, within a stylised solar halo. Below is a conch flanked by two nagas. 14th-century Majapahit art, National Museum Jakarta.

The ruin of Bojongmenje Hindu temple in Priangan highlands, estimated was built in the 7th century.

Javanese priyayi (aristocrat) and servants, c. undefined 1865.

The statue of Parvati as mortuary deified portrayal of Tribhuwanottunggadewi, queen of Majapahit, mother of Hayam Wuruk.

Rough estimations of Majapahit's conquest of the Indonesian archipelago (Nusantara) in the 13th century, its decline and its eventual fall in the early 16th century to Demak Sultanate. The existing historical records from several sources only partially describe the years listed and thus are subject to revisions.

Cangkuang Hindu temple a shrine for Shiva, dated from the 8th century the Galuh Kingdom.

The terracotta figure popularly believed by Mohammad Yamin as the portrait of Gajah Mada, collection of Trowulan Museum. His claim, however, is not backed by historical background.

Example of Javanese cuisine. Clockwise: fried tempeh, mlinjo crackers, gudeg with rice wrapped in teak leaf, green chili sambal and sliced lime.

Gajah Mada inscription, dated 1273 Saka (1351 CE), mentioned about a sacred caitya building dedicated by Gajah Mada for the late King Kertanegara of Singhasari.

Nasi tumpeng, the quintessentially Javanese rice dish, symbolises the volcano.

Bronze cannon, called cetbang, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, from c. 1470–1478 Majapahit. Note the Surya Majapahit emblem on the bronze cannon.

Statue of a Hindu god from Talaga near Kuningan, West Java, dated from the Sunda Kingdom.

The route of the voyages of Zheng He's fleet, including Majapahit ports.

Keraton Kasepuhan of Cirebon. By 1482, the Sunda kingdom lost its important eastern port of Cirebon.

Inhabitants of Jave la Grande (Great Java island), from Nicholas Vallard's manuscript sea atlas (1547). The people are armed with spear and shortsword with curving hilt, a feature of Indonesian weapon (golok?). The man riding a horse seems to be a leader or noble. The servant behind him carried a parasol. Several men is wearing turbans, which may indicate that they are Muslims, but the women did not cover their head like Muslims do (it needs to be noted that, this custom of Muslim women not wearing a veil in Indonesia is quite common until after World War 2). In the background are several raised wooden huts, also a feature of Indonesian building. It is unknown whether these huts are for dwelling or serve as a temporary shelter for people working on the orchard.

The mortuary deified portrait statue of Queen Suhita (reign 1429–1447), discovered at Jebuk, Kalangbret, Tulungagung, East Java, National Museum of Indonesia.

The port of Sunda Kelapa, the cradle of Jakarta. For centuries it was the royal port of Sunda Kingdom serving the capital Dayeuh Pakuan Pajajaran 60 kilometres inland to the south until it fell to Demak and Cirebon forces in 1527.

Javanese migrant workers in Suriname, circa 1940

Demak was the earliest Islamic polity in Java that replaced Majapahit.

The Port of Banten in the 16th century. The Islamic Sultanate of Banten was responsible for the demise of Hindu Sunda Kingdom, and supplant it as the dominant polity in western parts of Java in the following centuries.

A decorative kris with a figure of Semar as the handle. The bilah has thirteen luk

Wringin Lawang, the 15.5-meter tall red brick split gate in Trowulan, believed to be the entrance of an important compound.

Hindu Brahmin's ritual objects, including bronze bell and holy water container from Kawali, the historic capital of Galuh Kingdom.

The king of Java and his 7 vassal kings, as imagined in a 15th century British manuscript contained in Friar Odoric's account.

Location of Pakuan Pajajaran copied from book "Kabudayaan Sunda Zaman Pajajaran" Part 2", 2005

Weapons of Java: Machetes, maces, bow and arrows, blowpipe, sling

The graceful Bidadari Majapahit, golden celestial apsara in Majapahit style perfectly describes Majapahit as "the golden age" of the archipelago.

Makuta Binokasih Sanghyang Paké, the royal crown of Sunda kingdom. After the fall of Pajajaran to Banten, the crown was evacuated to Sumedang Larang and become their regalia.

Gold figure from the Majapahit period representing Sutasoma being borne by the man-eater Kalmasapada.

A Sundanese woman retrieving rice from a leuit, Sundanese economy mainly rely on rice agriculture

Short swords, shields, and a matchlock gun (istinggar)

Palm leaf manuscript of Kakawin Sutasoma, a 14th-century Javanese poem.

The statue of Shiva Mahadeva from Cibodas village, Cicalengka Subdistrict, Bandung Regency, West Java. Possibly from the Sunda Kingdom period 8th to 9th century.

Bas reliefs of Tegowangi temple, dated from Majapahit period, demonstrate the East Javanese style.

A bronze statue of Hindu god Shiva discovered in Talaga near Kuningan, West Java. Sunda kingdom period, circa 14th century.

Pair of door guardians from a temple, Eastern Java, 14th century, Museum of Asian Art, San Francisco.

Padrão of Sunda Kalapa (1522), a stone pillar with a cross of the Order of Christ commemorating a treaty between Portuguese Kingdom and Hindu Sunda Kingdom, at National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta.

Javanese woodworkers making traditional masks during the Dutch East Indies era

Jabung temple near Paiton, Probolinggo, East Java, dated from Majapahit period.

Lontar palm-leaf manuscript written in Sundanese

The carpenters' tools of the Javanese people

The 16.5-metre tall Bajang Ratu Paduraksa gate, at Trowulan, echoed the grandeur of Majapahit.

The stepped terraces, pavilions, and split gates of Cetho temple complex on mount Lawu slopes.

A drawing of Javanese manufacturing tools, handicrafts, and musical instruments

Majapahit terracotta piggy bank, 14th or 15th century Trowulan, East Java. (Collection of National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta)

Javanese musical instruments, many of which require the skills of blacksmith and carpenters

Ancient red-brick canal discovered in Trowulan. Majapahit had a well-developed irrigation infrastructure.

Majapahit core realm and provinces (Mancanagara) in eastern and central parts of Java, including islands of Madura and Bali.

The extent of Majapahit's influence under Hayam Wuruk in 1365 according to Nagarakretagama.

A 1.79 kilogram, 21-karat Majapahit period gold image discovered in Agusan, Philippines, copied Nganjuk bronze images of the early Majapahit period, signify Majapahit cultural influence on southern Philippines.

14th-century gold armlets and rings in East Javanese Majapahit style, found at Fort Canning Hill, Singapore, suggests that Tumasik or Singapura was within Majapahit sphere of influence.

Adityawarman, a senior minister of Majapahit depicted as Bhairava. He established the Pagaruyung Kingdom in Central Sumatra.

On centre bottom row (no. 8) is a Yǒng-Lè Tōng-Bǎo (永樂通寶) cash coin cast under the Yǒng-Lè Emperor (永樂帝) of Ming dynasty. These were cast in great quantities and used by Ashikaga, Ryukyu, as well as Majapahit.

Pura Maospahit ("Majapahit Temple") in Denpasar, Bali, demonstrate the typical Majapahit red brick architecture.

The Majapahit style minaret of Kudus Mosque.

Bas relief from Candi Penataran describes the Javanese-style pendopo pavilion, commonly found across Java and Bali.

The Kris of Knaud, one of the oldest surviving kris is dated to Majapahit period

The high reliefs of Gajah Mada and Majapahit history depicted in Monas, has become the source of Indonesian national pride of past greatness.

Gajah Mada statue in front of Telecommunication Museum in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta. Palapa, Indonesia's first telecommunication satellite launched on 9 July 1976 was named after Palapa oath.

Genealogy diagram of Rajasa dynasty, the royal family of Singhasari and Majapahit. Rulers are highlighted with period of reign.

Theatrical performance depicting the Mongol invasion of Java, performed by 150 students of Indonesian Institute of the Arts, Yogyakarta. The history of Majapahit continues to inspire contemporary artists.

Cropped portion of China Sea in the Miller atlas, showing six and three-masted jong.

Armor depicted in a statue from a candi in Singasari.

This Jiaozhi arquebus is similar to Java arquebus.

Deity holding a cuirass, from earlier, 10-11th century Nganjuk, East Java.

Majapahit (ꦩꦗꦥꦲꦶꦠ꧀; ), also known as Wilwatikta (ꦮꦶꦭ꧀ꦮꦠꦶꦏ꧀ꦠ; ) was a Javanese Hindu-Buddhist thalassocratic empire in Southeast Asia that was based on the island of Java (in modern-day Indonesia).

- Majapahit

The name is similarly used by the Javanese to identify their western neighbour, also rival and enemy, as mentioned in Horren inscription (c.

- Sunda Kingdom

The specific mention of Majapahit, Malacca and Demak, allow us to date the writing of the story in the 15th century, probably the latter part of this century, or the early 16th century at the latest.

- Sunda Kingdom

Raden Wijaya would later establish Majapahit near the delta of the Brantas River in modern-day Mojokerto, East Java.

- Javanese people

They also attacked the allied forces of the Portuguese and the Sunda Kingdom, establishing in the process the Sultanate of Banten.

- Javanese people

Hayam Wuruk decided, probably for political reasons, to take princess Citra Rashmi (Dyah Pitaloka) of neighbouring Sunda Kingdom as his consort.

- Majapahit

6 related topics with Alpha

Java

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One of the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia.

Parahyangan highland near Buitenzorg, c. 1865–1872

Banteng at Alas Purwo, eastern edge of Java

Male Javan rhino shot in 1934 in West Java. Today only small numbers of Javan rhino survive in Ujung Kulon; it is the world's rarest rhino.

Mount Sumbing surrounded by rice fields. Java's volcanic topography and rich agricultural lands are the fundamental factors in its history.

The 9th century Borobudur Buddhist stupa in Central Java

Tea plantation in Java during Dutch colonial period, in or before 1926

Japanese prepare to discuss surrender terms with British-allied forces in Java 1945

SambaSunda music performance, featuring traditional Sundanese music instruments.

Lakshmana, Rama and Shinta in Ramayana ballet at Prambanan, Java.

Languages spoken in Java (Javanese is shown in white). "Malay" refers to Betawi, the local dialect as one of Malay creole dialect.

Water buffalo ploughing rice fields near Salatiga, in Central Java.

A Hindu shrine dedicated to King Siliwangi in Pura Parahyangan Agung Jagatkarta, Bogor.

Mendut Vihara, a Buddhist monastery near Mendut temple, Magelang.

Masjid Gedhe Kauman in Yogyakarta, build in traditional Javanese multi-tiered roof.

Ganjuran Church in Bantul, built in traditional Javanese architecture.

The ethnic groups native to the island are the Javanese in the central and eastern parts and Sundanese in the western parts.

The Taruma and Sunda kingdoms of western Java appeared in the 4th and 7th centuries respectively, while the Kalingga Kingdom sent embassies to China starting in 640.

The eastern Javanese kingdoms of Kediri, Singhasari and Majapahit were mainly dependent on rice agriculture, yet also pursued trade within the Indonesian archipelago, and with China and India.

A modern artist's impression of Gajah Mada, based on the outdated, earlier illustration by M. Yamin

1290 – c. 1364), also known as Jirnnodhara was, according to Old Javanese manuscripts, poems, and mythology, a powerful military leader and Mahapatih (the approximate equivalent of a modern Prime Minister) of the Javanese empire of Majapahit during the 14th century.

"Gajah Mada, the prime minister, said he will not taste any spice. Said Gajah Mada : If Nusantara (Nusantara= Nusa antara= external territories) has been defeated, I will not taste "palapa" ("fruits and/or spices"). I will not if the domain of Gurun, domain of Seram, domain of Tanjungpura, domain of Haru, Pahang, Dompo, domain of Bali, Sunda, Palembang, Tumasik (Singapore), in which case I will never taste any spice."

Mataram Kingdom

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The Plaosan temple with Mount Merapi in the background.

Canggal inscription (732), created by King Sanjaya.

The 9th century Central Javanese gold and silver image of the Mahayana Buddhist goddess Tara

The construction of Kalasan temple was mentioned in Kalasan inscription, under the auspices of King Panangkaran.

The construction of Manjusrigrha temple was mentioned in Manjusrigrha inscription, under the auspices of King Panangkaran and completed during Dharanindra reign.

The construction of Mendut temple was initiated and completed during the reign of King Indra (r. 780–800), a valiant king of Shailendra dynasty.

The Laguna Copperplate Inscription (circa 900 CE) from the Laguna de Bay area in Luzon, the Philippines. The inscription invokes the "chief" (pamegat) of "Mdang" as one of the authorities in the clearing of a debt owed to the "chief and commander" (pamegat senapati) of "Tundun".

The massive stone stupa-mandala of Borobudur was completed in 825 during the reign of King Samaratungga.

Ratu Boko, a fortified hill, probably referred in Shivagrha inscription as the location of a battle.

Shivagrha inscription dated 778 Saka (856 CE), one of the historical source dated from the Mataram Kingdom.

Ijo, a 10th-century Hindu temple located on Ijo Hill Southeast from Prambanan

A battle scene depicted on a bas-relief in Prambanan.

Sajiwan Buddhist temple, linked to Nini Haji Rakryan Sanjiwana or Sri Kahulunnan

Borobudur ship, a ship used by Javanese people for sailing as far as Ghana.

Towering Merapi volcano overlooking Prambanan prasad tower. It was suggested that Merapi volcanic eruption had devastated Mataram capital, forcing them to relocate in the east.

Sambisari temple buried five metres under volcanic debris of Mount Merapi.

Barong Hindu temple, constructed on large terraces.

Badut temple near Malang, East Java circa 8th century

Anjukladang inscription (937), issued by King Sindok during his power consolidation in East Java.

Bodhisattva Manjushri from Goa Gajah cave, Bali, demonstrated the influence of Javanese Mataram Sailendran art.

Ancient Javanese vessel depicted in Borobudur. In 990 King Dharmawangsa launched a naval attack against Srivijaya in Sumatra, the hostility between two kingdoms has led to the collapse of Mataram kingdom.

Buddhist bronze figure depicting Boddhisattva Padmapani, 10th-century dated from late period of Mataram Kingdom

The scene of the Javanese court depicted in Borobudur bas relief

Prambanan prāsāda (towers) viewed from Ratu Boko hill, the area in Prambanan Plain was the location of the Mataram capital.

The bas relief of 8th century Borobudur depicts the scene in royal court.

Image of Boddhisattva on Plaosan temple.

The bas-relief in 8th century Borobudur depicting rice agriculture in ancient Java

Earliest evidence of a currency system in Java — Javanese gold mas or tahil ingots, circa the 9th century

A nobleman accompanied by his entourage and servants, a bas-relief of Borobudur.

A Buddhist hermit meditating in secluded forest, Borobudur bas-relief

The statue of Dhyani Buddha Vairocana, Avalokitesvara, and Vajrapani inside the Mendut temple

Shiva statue in main chamber of Prambanan.

The Wonoboyo hoard displays the immense wealth and artistic achievement of the Mataram kingdom.

The magnificent 9th-century Hindu temple of Prambanan, Yogyakarta, was a major Hindu monument in the kingdom of Mataram.

Bas relief in Prambanan depicting a scene taken from Ramayana. The translation of Indian epic into Javanese Kakawin Ramayana took place during Mataram kingdom.

National Vesak ceremony in Borobudur, the Hindu-Buddhist temples dated from Mataram Kingdom are especially important for pilgrimage and ceremony for Indonesian Buddhist and Hindus.

The Javanese Ramayana Ballet perform in Prambanan open air stage. The Mataram Kingdom era has left a profound impact in Javanese culture.

The Mataram Kingdom (, ꦩꦠꦫꦩ꧀, ) was a Javanese Hindu–Buddhist kingdom that flourished between the 8th and 11th centuries.

The story of Sanna and Sanjaya are also described in the Carita Parahyangan, a book from a later period composed around late 16th-century, which mainly describes the history of Pasundan (the Sunda Kingdom).

The proper urban development as a city took place later in 13th-century Majapahit's Trowulan.

Srivijaya

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Buddhist thalassocratic empire based on the island of Sumatra (in modern-day Indonesia), which influenced much of Southeast Asia.

Map of the expansion of the Srivijaya empire, beginning in Palembang in the 7th century, then extending to most of Sumatra, then expanding to Java, Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung, Singapore, Malay Peninsula (also known as: Kra Peninsula), Thailand, Cambodia, South Vietnam, Kalimantan, Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, and ended as the Malay Kingdom of Dharmasraya in Jambi in the 14th century

Talang Tuwo inscription, discovered in Bukit Seguntang area, tells the establishment of the sacred Śrīksetra park

Floating houses in Musi River bank near Palembang in 1917. The Srivijayan capital was probably formed from a collection of floating houses like this

Srivijaya Archaeological Park (green) located southwest from the centre of Palembang. The site forms an axis connecting Bukit Seguntang and Musi River.

Muaro Jambi Buddhist temple compound, a possible location of Srivijaya's religious center.

By the late 8th century, the political capital was shifted to Central Java, when the Sailendras rose to become the Maharaja of Srivijaya.

The Kedukan Bukit inscription displayed in the National Museum of Indonesia

The golden Malayu-Srivijayan Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva in Rataukapastuo, Muarabulian, Jambi, Indonesia

Malay polities in Sumatra and Malay Peninsula. By the turn of the 8th century the states in Sumatra and Malay Peninsula were under Srivijayan domination.

The construction of the Borobudur was completed under the reign of Samaratunga of the Sailendra dynasty.

Ancient Javanese vessel depicted in Borobudur. In 990 King Dharmawangsa of Java launched a naval attack against Srivijaya in Sumatra.

A Siamese painting depicting the Chola raid on Kedah

Ruins of the Wat Kaew in Chaiya, dating from Srivijayan times

Candi Gumpung, a Buddhist temple at the Muaro Jambi Temple Compounds of the Melayu Kingdom, later integrated as one of Srivijaya's important urban centre

Statue of Amoghapasa on top of inscription (1286) sent by Kertanegara of Singhasari to be erected in Suvarnabhumi Dharmasraya

Telaga Batu inscription adorned with seven nāga heads on top, and a waterspout on the lower part to channel the water probably poured during a ceremonial allegiance ritual

Expansion of Buddhism
starting in the 5th century BCE from northern India to the rest of Asia, which followed both inland and maritime trade routes of the Silk Road. Srivijaya once served as a centre of Buddhist learning and expansion. The overland and maritime "Silk Roads" were interlinked and complementary, forming what scholars have called the "great circle of Buddhism".

1 masa, silver coin of Srivijaya, circa 7th - 10th century.

Candi Tinggi, one of the temples within Muaro Jambi temple compound

Pagoda in Srivijaya style in Chaiya, Thailand

The gilded costume of South Sumatran Gending Sriwijaya dance invoked the splendour of the Srivijaya Empire.

The Sriwijaya Museum in Srivijaya Archaeological Park

The kingdom ceased to exist in the 13th century due to various factors, including the expansion of the competitor Javanese Singhasari and Majapahit empires.

According to the Chinese Song Dynasty book Zhu Fan Zhi, written around 1225 by Zhao Rugua, the two most powerful and richest kingdoms in the Southeast Asian archipelago were Srivijaya and Java (Kediri), with the western part (Sumatra, the Malay peninsula, and western Java/Sunda) under Srivijaya's rule and the eastern part was under Kediri's domination.

Known range of Demak's military operation until the reign of Sultan Trenggana (1521-1546)

Demak Sultanate

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Demak Great Mosque, built by Sultan Al-Fattah in the late 15th century with a traditional Javanese tajug stacked pyramidal roof

An early-18th century map of Java. Note that only major trading ports on the northern coast were known to the Europeans.
From west to east:

Map by Egnazio Danti (1573) showing Dema on the center north coast of Iava Magiore (Java)

The greatest extent of Demak Sultanate during Trenggana's reign.

Demak and nearby ports, with approximate coastline when Muria and Java were still separated

Interior of the Grand Mosque of Demak showing saka guru or four main wooden columns. The mosque was built using vernacular Javanese architecture.

The Demak Sultanate (کسلطانن دمق) was a Javanese Muslim state located on Java's north coast in Indonesia, at the site of the present-day city of Demak.

A port fief to the Hindu-Buddhist Majapahit kingdom thought to have been founded in the last quarter of the 15th century, it was influenced by Islam brought by Muslim traders from China, Gujarat, Arabia and also Islamic kingdoms in the region, such as Samudra Pasai, Malacca and Bani (Muslim) Champa.

After learning of the 1522 Portuguese-Sunda alliance, in 1527 the Sultan ordered Fatahillah to capture the ports of Banten and Sunda Kelapa from the Kingdom of Sunda.

Hayam Wuruk

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Hayam Wuruk (Sanskrit: हयम् वुरुक्, Kawi: ꦲꦪꦩ꧀ꦮꦸꦫꦸꦏ꧀) (1334–1389), also called Rajasanagara, Pa-ta-na-pa-na-wu, or Bhatara Prabhu after 1350, was a Javanese Hindu emperor from the Rajasa Dynasty and the 4th emperor of the Majapahit Empire.

According to the Pararaton and Kidung Sunda, in 1357, King Hayam Wuruk was expected to marry Dyah Pitaloka Citraresmi, the princess of the Sunda Kingdom.