Gajah Mada and Unification of the Archipelago
In the archipelago’s history, the name Mahapatih Gajah Mada shines as a central figure in the unification of various regions into a strong and prosperous kingdom,
namely the Majapahit Kingdom.
His charismatic figure and far-sighted leadership vision have made him a national icon to this day.
The Majapahit Kingdom, which reached its peak in the 14th century, became the center of civilization and trade in the archipelago.
Behind Majapahit’s glory, there is an inseparable central figure, namely Mahapatih Gajah Mada.
As a Mahapatih, Gajah Mada had a very strategic role in Majapahit’s government and military.
Origins and Early Life
The origin of Gajah Mada is still shrouded in mystery. Some sources say that he was born in Modo Village, Lamongan,
but others link him to Bali. What is certain, however, is that he began his career within the Majapahit court.
With his intelligence, courage and loyalty, Gajah Mada quickly climbed the career ladder. His skills in military strategy and diplomacy earned him the trust of Majapahit kings.
Palapa Vow and Majapahit Expansion
One of the most important moments in Gajah Mada’s life was when he took the Palapa Oath.
This oath is a very sacred pledge, in which Gajah Mada promised not to enjoy all the pleasures of the world before successfully uniting the entire archipelago under Majapahit rule.
The Palapa Oath became a fighting spirit for Gajah Mada to expand militarily to various regions in the archipelago.
With strong troops and clever strategies, he managed to conquer small kingdoms one by one and incorporate their territories into Majapahit.
The conquest process carried out by Gajah Mada did not always run smoothly.
There was resistance from several regions, but with patience and firmness, he managed to overcome all these challenges.
Impact of the Palapa Pledge
The Palapa Pledge had a very significant impact on the history of the archipelago.
On the one hand, this oath succeeded in uniting various regions in the archipelago into a strong political unit. This brought stability and security to the people of the archipelago.
On the other hand, the military expansion carried out by Majapahit also had a negative impact. Some conquered territories experienced exploitation and oppression.
In addition, conflicts between regions were also inevitable.
Achievements and Legacy
Apart from the Palapa Pledge, he also had many other achievements.
He managed to build an effective and efficient government system. In addition, he also advanced the fields of trade and culture in Majapahit.
The legacy left by Gajah Mada is huge.
He is not only a national hero, but also an inspiration for leaders in various parts of the world.
The spirit of unity promoted by Gajah Mada is still relevant today.
Relevance to the Present
In the context of modern Indonesia, the figure of Gajah Mada is still very relevant.
His spirit of unity is needed to build a strong and united nation. In addition, his visionary and strategic leadership is also an example for today’s leaders.
The Summary of the Great Gajah Mada
Mahapatih Gajah Mada is a very complex and multidimensional figure.
He was a hero, a statesman, and also an ordinary person with all his strengths and weaknesses.
His life story, full of twists and turns, is an inspiration for the next generation to continue to strive to realize the ideals of the nation.
Moral Message
From the life story of Gajah Mada, we can take some moral messages, among others:
The importance of unity
Unity is a very big power. By uniting, we can achieve greater goals.
Visionary leadership
A leader must have a clear vision and the ability to inspire others.
Courage and decisiveness
To achieve our goals, we need to have courage and decisiveness in making decisions.
Justice and well-being
Good leadership should be based on the principles of justice and the welfare of the people.
The Mystery of Gajah Mada’s Death
In its heyday, one of the regions in the archipelago that Majapahit could not conquer was the Sunda Kingdom.
Gajah Mada was said to be reluctant to conquer Sunda because it still had a relationship with Java.
Once upon a time, Prabu Hayam Wuruk fell in love with the princess of the Sunda Kingdom named Dyah Pitaloka Citraresmi.
After agreeing to hold a wedding at the center of the Majapahit Kingdom in Mojokerto, the Sunda Kingdom group left for East Java.
Upon arrival near Kotaraja Majapahit, the group camped in a field called Bubat.
The Bubat War
However, not long after, a dispute arose because Gajah Mada thought that King Hayam Wuruk’s marriage to Dyah Pitaloka Citraresmi was a symbol of Sunda’s submission to Majapahit.
Background, Location, and Impact
The Sunda Kingdom considered what he was saying to be an insult.
As a result, the Bubat War broke out in 1357, which killed the entire entourage of the Sunda Kingdom, including Dyah Pitaloka Citraresmi.
Seven years after the Bubat War, precisely in 1364, he became very ill and eventually died.
Another Version
There are several versions regarding the end of Gajah Mada’s life after the Bubat War.
One of them, according to East Javanese folklore, after the Bubat War, Gajah Mada was told to withdraw from Majapahit politics.
This was because Prabu Hayam Wuruk was disappointed and regretted his actions that led to the Bubat War.
Gajah Mada is said to have chosen to live as a hermit in Madakaripura, which is in the interior of South Probolinggo, precisely at the foot of the Bromo Mountains.
Meanwhile, in Kidung Sunda, it is mentioned that Gajah Mada stepped aside for moksa.