Gajah Mada
Gajah Mada (c. 1290 – c. 1364), also known as Jirnnodhara, was a powerful military leader and mahapatih (the approximate equivalent of a modern prime minister) of the Javanese empire of Majapahit during the 14th century. He is credited in Old Javanese manuscripts, poems, and inscriptions with bringing the empire to its peak of glory.
Gajah Mada ꦓꦗꦃꦩꦢ Mahapatih | |
|---|---|
A popular depiction of Gajah Mada in the National Monument | |
| Mahapatih of the Majapahit Empire | |
| In office 1331 – c. 1364 | |
| Monarchs | Jayanegara Tribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi Hayam Wuruk |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1290 |
| Died | c. 1364 |
| Religion | Shiva-Buddha |
| Military service | |
| Battles/wars | Sadeng Rebellion Ra Kuti Rebellion Bedahulu War Battle of Bubat Padompo |
He delivered an oath called Sumpah Palapa, in which he vowed not to rest until he had conquered all of the Southeast Asian archipelago of Nusantara for Majapahit.: 363–364 During his reign, the Hindu epics, including the Rāmāyana and the Mahābhārata, became ingrained in the Javanese culture and worldview through the performing arts of wayang kulit (“leather puppets”). He is considered an important national hero in modern Indonesia, as well as a symbol of patriotism and national unity. Historical accounts of his life, political career, and administration are taken from several sources, mainly the Pararaton ("The Book of Kings"), the Nagarakretagama (a Javanese-language eulogy), and an inscription dating from the mid-14th century.