c. 1290–c. 1364 (uncertain)
Gajah Mada, Javanese: ꦓꦗꦃꦩꦢ
Gajah Mada · 印度尼西亚
14th-century prime minister (Mahapatih, in office c. 1331/1334–c. 1364) of the Majapahit Empire, the commander and statesman who brought the empire to its peak.
Born c. 1290 (birthplace unknown, uncertain), he early suppressed rebellions at Sadeng, Ruguti, and elsewhere, and rose to prime minister around 1331. On taking office he made the "Palapa Oath" (Sumpah Palapa): not to enjoy ease until Nusantara (the archipelago) was unified. The oath is recorded in the 16th-century *Pararaton* (*Book of Kings*), and the wording of the original text and the actual scope of "unification" have long been subject to differing interpretations, which must be separated from later nationalist readings. In 1343 he led the conquest of Bali, and after 1350, assisting King Hayam Wuruk, he brought Majapahit to the peak of its territory and tributary network. He died c. 1364, place of death unknown, uncertain. His life rests mainly on the *Pararaton*, the 1365 *Nagarakretagama* (*Javanese History in Verse*), and inscriptions, with many details carrying legendary elements.
People & stories
Places in their life
Centre of activity the Majapahit capital Trowulan (now East Java); place of conquest Bali.
People
Cultural significance
A national hero of modern Indonesia and a symbol of national unity; the name "Palapa" was later used for satellites and university names; the spread of the wayang kulit (shadow puppet) tradition of the Ramayana and Mahabharata in Java is also closely linked to his era.