Gajah Mada ꦓꦗꦃꦩꦢ | |
|---|---|
 A popular depiction of Gajah Mada in theNational Monument | |
| Mahapatih of theMajapahit Empire | |
| In office 1331 (1331)[1] – c. 1364 | |
| Monarchs | Tribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi Hayam Wuruk |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1290 |
| Died | c. 1364 (aged 74) |
| Religion | ShaivaHinduism[2][Note 1] |
| Military service | |
| Battles/wars | Sadeng Rebellion Ra Kuti Rebellion Bedahulu War Battle of Brebes Battle of Bubat Padompo[Note 2] Majapahit conquest of Pasai |
Gajah Mada (c. 1290 – c. 1364), also known asJirnnodhara,[3] was a powerful military leader andmahapatih[Note 3] of theJavanese empire ofMajapahit during the 14th century. He is credited inOld Javanese manuscripts, poems, and inscriptions with bringing the empire to its peak of glory.[4]
He delivered an oath calledSumpah Palapa, in which he vowed not to rest until he had conquered all of theSoutheast Asian archipelago ofNusantara for Majapahit.[5][6]: 363–364 During his reign, theHindu epics, including theRāmāyana and theMahābhārata, became ingrained in the Javanese culture and worldview through the performing arts ofwayang kulit (“leather puppets”).[7] He is considered an important national hero in modernIndonesia,[8] as well as a symbol ofpatriotism and national unity. Historical accounts of his life, political career, and administration are taken from several sources, mainly thePararaton ("The Book of Kings"), theNagarakretagama (aJavanese-language eulogy), and an inscription dating from the mid-14th century.
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Much of the modern popular depiction of Gajah Mada derives from the imagination ofMohammad Yamin in his 1945 bookGajah Mada: Pahlawan Persatuan Nusantara. One day in the 1940s, Yamin visitedTrowulan, the site of the capital city of the former Majapahit kingdom. He found fragments ofterracotta, one of which was apiggy bank in the form of the face of a man with a stocky face and curly hair. Based on the look on the piggy bank's face, Yamin interpreted this as the face of Gajah Mada, the unifier of the archipelago. Yamin then asked the artistHenk Ngantung to make a painting based on the terracotta fragment. The painting was displayed as the cover of Yamin's book. Many people disagree with Yamin's opinion because it is impossible for the face of a figure as big as Gajah Mada to be displayed in a piggy bank. Such a portrayal is considered an insult because usually the state leaders during theHindu-Buddhist era, including Majapahit, were made in effigy as statues. Some even believe that the face was none other than Yamin's own face.[9]
Another illustration of the historical Gajah Mada, different from Yamin's, is the result of research at theUniversity of Indonesia by archaeologist Agus Aris Munandar. He interpreted that Gajah Mada was depicted as Bima inwayang shadow-puppet shows, with a transverse mustache.[10] In popular depiction, Gajah Mada is mostly shown bare-chested, wearing asarong, and using a weapon in the form of akris. While this may have been true on civilian duties, his official outfit might have been different: a Sundanesepatih explained in thekidung Sundayana that Gajah Mada wore a gold-embossedkarambalangan (breastplate) and was armed with a gold-layered spear and a shield full of diamond decoration.[11][12]
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According to Munandar, at first Gajah Mada was depicted as a Brajanata character from thePanji tales, and as Bima from theMahābhārata in later eras. The Panji story was known earlier than the activities of making Bima statues, which apparently began in the mid-15th century, so the former was likely Gajah Mada's original depiction. The glorification of Gajah Mada in the first stage is profane—in the form of its depiction as Brajanata, but then the glorification of Gajah Mada occurs in the second stage which is more sacred, which is equated with Bima as an aspect of Siva.[13] In the statue found at theNational Museum of Indonesia (No. 5136/310d), the statue is depicted with a sturdy body, transverse mustache, and wavy curls, at the top of the head there is a hair tie with a ribbon forming like atekes hat. He wears clothes and jewelry, bracelets, and an upper armband in the form of a snake-like Bima's.[14]
The traditional Bima statue depiction associated with Gajah Mada was made at the end of Majapahit in the mid-15th century. The characteristics are: a) wearing asupit urang crown (his hair is shaped in two arches at the top of the head like a shrimp tongs), b) a transverse mustache, c) strong body, d) wearingpoleng (black and white) cloth, and e) the phallus is always depicted standing out.[15] In the Bima statue stored in the National Museum (No. 2776/286b), he is depicted standing upright with both hands beside his body, his right hand holding agadha (a kind ofmace); his phallus is depicted as protruding with a shawl hanging between his legs; he is wearing a serpentupavita, a crown ofsupiturang, a grim face, and a thick transverse mustache; and the hair above the forehead is described as curly, forming ajamang (forehead decoration).[16] The similarity between the statue of Brajanata as the embodiment of Gajah Mada and the statue of Bima is not a coincidence, but there is an underlying conception that is developed along with the distance between historical events and their worshippers at a later time.[15]
The word "Gajah" (elephant) refers to a large animal that is respected by other animals. In Hindu mythology it is believed to be avahana (animal mount) of the godIndra. Elephants are also associated withGanesha, the elephant-headed god with a human body, the son ofShiva andParvati. As for the word "Mada", in the ancientJavanese language (possibly derived fromSanskrit, where the word has the same meaning), it means "drunk". When an elephant is drunk, he will walk arbitrarily and violently, overcoming all obstacles. So when it is associated with the figure of Gajah Mada, the name can be interpreted in two ways, namely:[17]
In theGajah Mada inscription, another nickname was used, namelyRakryan Mapatih Jirnnodhara. It is possible the name is just a title for Gajah Mada, but it can also be seen as the official name. The meaning of the wordJirnnodhara is "builder of something new" or "restorer of something that has fallen apart". In a literal sense, Gajah Mada is the builder ofcaitya for Kertanegara, which did not exist before. In a figurative sense, he can be seen as a restorer and successor to Kertanegara's ideas in theDwipantaraMandala concept.[3]
Not much is known about Gajah Mada's early life, but he was born into an ordinary family. Early accounts mention his career as a commander of theBhayangkara, an elite royal guard for the Majapahit king and royal family.
WhenRakrian Kuti, an official from Majapahit, rebelled against KingJayanegara (r. 1309–1328) in 1321, Gajah Mada and the mahapatihArya Tadah rescued the king and his family by escaping from the capital city ofTrowulan. Later Gajah Mada helped the king return to the capital and crush the rebellion. Seven years later, Jayanegara was murdered by the court physicianRakrian Tanca, an aide of Rakrian Kuti.
Another version suggests that Jayanegara wasassassinated by Gajah Mada in 1328. Jayanegara was overly protective of his two half-sisters, born fromKertarajasa's youngest queen,Dyah Dewi Gayatri. Complaints by the two young princesses led to the intervention of Gajah Mada. His solution was to arrange for asurgeon to murder the king while pretending to perform surgery.
Jayanegara was immediately succeeded by his half-sisterTribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi (r. 1328–1350). However, when she took the throne, theSadeng andKeta region did not send their delegations, which was interpreted as a rebellion. This was later confirmed when Tribhuwana's spies discovered that both regions were preparing for rebellions. Sadeng and Keta were coastal regions who were formerly conquered by Majapahit. However, the death of Nambi in 1316 (a local patih who was deemed instrumental in raising both regions) also contributed to the rebellion. At this time Sadeng was also led by a famed Majapahit general, Wirota Wiraganti.
While Gajah Mada was still currently a patih, he was sent by Tribhuwana with the advice of the sickly mahapatih Arya Tadah, to negotiate with rebel leaders in 1331. However, the Majapahit general Ra Kembar, a rival of Gajah Mada, preceded his arrival with his army to crush both rebellions. His men Jabung Tarewes, Lembu Peteng, dan Ikal-Ikalan Bang were also the ones implicated in the murder of Nambi.[18]
This led to a conflict between Gajah Mada's and Ra Kembar's forces which was only resolved when Tribhuwana herself led the battles against both rebelling regions. After Arya Tadah's retirement, Gajah Mada was picked as mahapatih in 1334.[19] It was during Gajah Mada's reign as mahapatih, around the year 1345, that the famous Muslim travellerIbn Battuta visitedSumatra.
It is said that it was during his appointment as mahapatih under queen Tribhuwanatunggadewi that Gajah Mada took his famous oath, thePalapa Oath orSumpah Palapa. The telling of the oath is described in thePararaton (Book of Kings), an account ofJavanese history that dates from the 15th or 16th century:[6]: 363
Sira Gajah Madapatih amangkubhumi tan ayun amuktia palapa, sira Gajah Mada: "Lamun huwus kalah nusantara isun amukti palapa, lamun kalah ring Gurun, ring Seran, Tañjungpura, ring Haru, ring Pahang, Dompo, ring Bali, Sunda, Palembang, Tumasik, samana isun amukti palapa".
Translation:
[Eventually] Gajah Mada became patih mangkubumi, [but] did not want toamukti palapa. Gajah Mada [swore], "If I have conquered theNusantara Archipelago, [then] I willamukti palapa. If [I have] conqueredGurun,Seram,Tanjungpura,Haru,Pahang,Dompo,Bali,Sunda,Palembang,Tumasik (Singapore), then I willamukti palapa."
Petrus Josephus Zoetmulder definesamukti palapa as "enjoying a state where everything can be taken", or simply "enjoying pleasure"; while according to Slamet Muljana it means "enjoying rest".[6]: 364
Even his closest friends were at first doubtful of his oath, but Gajah Mada kept pursuing his dream to unify Nusantara under the glory of Majapahit. Soon he conquered the surrounding territory ofBedahulu (Bali) andLombok (1343). He then sent the navy westward to attack the remnants of thethalassocratic kingdom ofSriwijaya inPalembang. There he installedAdityawarman, a Majapahit prince, as vassal ruler[dubious –discuss] of theMinangkabau inWest Sumatra.
He then conquered the first Islamicsultanate inSoutheast Asia,Samudra Pasai, and another state in Svarnadvipa (Sumatra). Gajah Mada also conqueredBintan, Tumasik (Singapore),Melayu (now known as Jambi), andKalimantan.
At the resignation of queen Tribuwanatunggadewi, her son,Hayam Wuruk (ruled 1350–1389), became king. Gajah Mada retained his position as mahapatih under the new king and continued his military campaign by expanding eastward into Logajah, Gurun,Seram,Hutankadali,Sasak,Buton,Banggai, Kunir,Galiyan,Salayar,Sumba, Muar (Saparua),Solor,Bima, Wandan (Banda),Ambon,Timor, and Dompo.
He thus effectively brought the modern Indonesian archipelago under Majapahit control, which spanned not only the territory of today'sIndonesia but also that ofTemasek (the historical name forSingapore), and the states comprising modern-dayMalaysia,Brunei, the southernPhilippines andEast Timor.
According to theGajah Mada inscription, dated 1273 Saka (1351 CE), in the month of Wesakha, Sang Mahamantrimukya Rakryan Mapatih Mpu Mada (Gajah Mada) commanded, created and inaugurated a sacred building ofCaitya, dedicated for the late Paduka Bhatara Sang Lumah ri Siwa Buddha (King Kertanegara) who had died in 1214 Saka (1292 CE) in the month of Jyesta. The inscription was discovered in Singosari subdistrict, Malang, East Java, and was written in Old Javanese script and language. Thecaitya or temple mentioned in this inscription is possiblySinghasari temple. The special reverence to King Kertanegara of Singhasari demonstrated by Gajah Mada suggests that the mahapatih honoured the late king tremendously, and possibly the two are related. Some historian suggests that possibly Kertanegara was Gajah Mada's grandfather.[20]
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In 1357, the only remaining state refusing to acknowledge Majapahit'shegemony wasSunda, inWest Java, bordering the Majapahit Empire. King Hayam Wuruk intended to marry Dyah Pitaloka Citraresmi, a princess of Sunda and the daughter of Sunda's king. Gajah Mada was given the task to go to theBubat square in the northern part ofTrowulan to welcome the princess as she arrived with her father and escort to Majapahit palace.
Gajah Mada took this opportunity to demand Sunda submission to Majapahit rule. While the Sunda King thought that the royal marriage was a sign of a new alliance between Sunda and Majapahit, Gajah Mada thought otherwise. He stated that the Princess of Sunda was not to be hailed as the newqueen consort of Majapahit, but merely as a concubine, as a sign of submission of Sunda to Majapahit. This misunderstanding led to embarrassment and hostility, which quickly rose into a skirmish and then the full-scaleBattle of Bubat. The Sunda King with all of his guards as well as the royal party were overwhelmed by Majapahit troops and subsequently killed in the field of Bubat. Tradition holds that the heartbroken princess,Dyah Pitaloka Citraresmi, committed suicide.
Hayam Wuruk was deeply shocked by the tragedy. Majapahit courtiers, ministers and nobles blamed Gajah Mada for his recklessness, and the brutal consequences were not to the taste of the Majapahit royal family. Gajah Mada was promptly demoted and spent the rest of his days at the estate of Madakaripura inProbolinggo inEast Java.
Gajah Mada died in obscurity in 1364, at the age of 74.[4]: 240 King Hayam Wuruk considered the power Gajah Mada had accumulated during his time asmahapatih too much to handle for a single person. Therefore, the king split the responsibilities that had been Gajah Mada's, between four separate newmahamantri (equal to ministries), thereby probably increasing his own power. King Hayam Wuruk, who is said to have been a wise leader, was able to maintain the hegemony of Majapahit in the region that was gained during Gajah Mada's service. However, Majapahit slowly fell into decline after the death of Hayam Wuruk.
His reign helped furtherIndianisation of Javanese culture through the spread of Hinduism andsanskritization.[4][7]
The Blahbatuh royal house in Gianyar, Bali, has been performing Gajah Mada'smask dance drama ritually for the past 600 years. The mask of Gajah Mada has been protected and brought to life every couple of years to unite and harmonize the world, this sacred ritual was intended to bring peace to Bali.[21]
Gajah Mada's legacy is important for Indonesian Nationalism, and invoked by theIndonesian Nationalist movement in the early 20th century. The Nationalists prior to the Japanese invasion, notablySukarno andMohammad Yamin, often cited Gajah Mada's oath andNagarakretagama as the inspiration and a historical proof of Indonesian past greatness — that Indonesians could unite, despite vast territory and various cultures. The Gajah Mada campaign that united the far flung islands within the Indonesian archipelago under Majapahit suzerainty, was used by Indonesian nationalists to argue that an ancient form of unity had existed prior toDutch colonialism.[22] Thus, Gajah Mada was a great inspiration during theIndonesian National Revolution for independence fromDutch colonization.
In 1942, only 230 Indonesian natives held a tertiary education. The Republicans sought to mend the Dutch apathy and established the first state university, which freely admitted nativepribumi Indonesians.Universitas Gadjah Mada, inYogyakarta is named in honour of Gajah Mada and was completed in 1945, and had the honour of being the first Medicine Faculty freely open to natives.[23][24][25]
Launched on 9 July 1976, Indonesia's firsttelecommunicationsatellite was calledSatelit Palapa signifying its role in uniting the vast archipelagic nation.
TheArmy Military Police Corps of theIndonesian Army has honored Gajah Mada as their unit symbol. The symbol of the Army MP corps also has the picture of Gajah Mada.
Many cities in Indonesia have streets named after Gajah Mada, such asJalan Gajah Mada and Jalan Hayam Wuruk. There is a brand of badmintonshuttlecock named after him as well.
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