Rebellion in the 13th Century

Book Title : Gajah Mada

Author : Langit Kresna Hariadi

REBELLION IN 13^TH CENTURY KINGDOM OF MAJAPAHIT

Gajah Mada is someone’s name. It was the name of a Prime Minister in the kingdom of Majapahit in east Java in the 12^th century to 14^th century. This novel tells a story of a rebellion when Gajah Mada was young. At the time he was a commander of an army unit. The story is a real historical event but the writer mixed it with fiction. The result is great. It is a historical thriller.

The author opens his novel by describing the historical background of Majapahit. Then he continues with a description about the palace of Majapahit. This part is no doubt based on research. So it is factual.

Then he describes the situation of the palace at one night. It was a foggy night. The fog was so thick that visibility was very low. The Javanese people interpreted this extra ordinary natural phenomenon as a signal from god that an important event would take place. Gajah Mada was on duty that night. He was a commander of Bhayangkara unit. It was a special force whose duty is to guard the king and his family.

Arya Tadah, the Prime Minister of Majapahit had a feeling about the situation. At past he experienced a similar phenomenon before a great war. That night he was worried so he called Gajah Mada to come to his house. Soon Gajah Mada went to his house. But he did not go directly there. First he went to a field because he just received a letter written on a palm leaf inviting him to see someone. There he stood in the dark someone wearing a mask. He informed Gajah Mada that the next morning an army would attack the palace.

‘What’s your name?’ Gajah Mada asked.

‘Just call me shining full moon’

‘Who will attack the palace?’

Unfortunately he did not give any details. He disappeared in the dark night.

Then he reported this information to the Prime Minister. They moved quickly. Arya Tadah the Prime minister ordered Gajah Mada to meet army commanders. At the time there were three army units in Majapahit besides Bhayangkara unit. Gajah Mada had to send spy to know their attitude. His spy then reported that Jala Yuda unit was suspicious. Their headquarter was empty. While Jala Pati unit and Jala Rananggana unit seemed normal. The question was then on Jala Yuda unit.

Gajah Mada went to see the commander of Jalapati unit. The commander said he was faithful to the king and he would guard the palace immediately. Soon he deployed his army in front of the palace. Then Gajah Mada came to see the commander of Jala Yuda unit. He told Gajah Mada that he would stay neutral in the conflict because he thought it was a family matter. Gajah Mada was disappointed but the political situation was clear. Jala Rananggana unit would rebel the next morning, Jala Pati unit supported the king and Jala Yuda was neutral.

His spy then reported that the rebel under Kuti, a high ranking palace official would attack from the rear of the palace. Soon Jala Pati unit moved to the rear of the palace. There they stayed all night long in full alert.

On day break Kuti led his army to attack the palace. He was disappointed when he received report from his spy that Gajah Mada and Jala Pati unit had ready to defend the palace. He lost an important factor – the element of surprise. But he was sure he could win since he had prepared and he had a spy inside Bhayangkara unit. Shortly after that a bloody battle broke out. Bhayangkara and Jala Pati unit proved to be very strong. They could defend the palace. But then the commander of Jala Yuda unit changed his mind. He saw an opportunity to become a king so he ordered his troop to attack the palace from the front gate.

Gajah Mada was shocked when his soldier reported that Jala Yuda unit attacked the palace from the front gate. He immediately told the king to leave the palace if his troops could not defend it. Another headache for Gajah Mada came when the king refused to leave the palace. But finally the king had no choice when he heard voices of rebellious army. When they were very close to his chamber the king left. Gajah Mada and a small unit of Bhayangkara left the palace through a secret tunnel from inside the king’s chamber that lead to the house of the Prime Minister Arya Tadah.

Meanwhile when they were inside the secret tunnel Gajah Mada thought very hard. He had received information that there was a spy who worked for Kuti the rebel in Bhayangkara unit. But he had no single clue about him. Suddenly he heard strange voices. Then he saw a member of his unit suddenly approached the king. He was sure that he was the spy who wanted to kill the king. Gajah Mada attacked him quickly. He could kill him instantly.

At last Kuti and his army could win the battle. He could seize the palace but he was very disappointed he did not find the king. So he ordered his troops to search for the king. The situation of the city of Majapahit became chaotic. There were arson and looting. There was no order anymore. The city was heavily guarded by troops loyal to Kuti but the soldiers broke the law. Some of them even raped and robbed civilian people. Consequently people of Majapahit hated the rebel.

Gajah Mada and the king were safe for a while inside the house of Prime Minister Arya Tadah. But the rebellious army kept searching for them so Gajah Mada decided to leave the city. He ordered a member of Bhayangkara to wear the dress of the king. He was guarded by some soldiers. When Kuti’s army chased them Gajah Mada and the king escaped through a river. They went to the house of a district chief in Mojoagung. Gajah Mada was alone because he knew that inside his unit there was a spy. Someone who called himself shining full moon had warned him to be careful with his subordinates who could imitate the sound of bird.

King Jayanegara, the second king of Majapahit was safe for a while in the house of the district chief of Mojoagung. He stayed there for several days. But Kuti could find his place. He sent troops to attack him. It was a narrow escape for Gajah Mada and the king.

Then Gajah Mada led the king to a more remote village, to the village of Kudadu. The people of Kudadu were loyal to the king. Some years earlier when there was famine the king gave them a great amount of food. While they were there Gajah Mada could unite his Bhayangkara troops. One of his subordinate, Pradabasu, had a brilliant idea to identify the spy. One night they threw a party. They invited people of Kudadu. Everybody was surprised, including the spy, when Gajah Mada told them that the king was present. Pradabasu told them to play a game. He asked them to imitate voices of animal. Suddenly a member of Bhayangkara unit imitate the voice of a bird. Singa Perapen could imitate the sound of bird. Then the king appeared for a moment. Singa Perapen jumped quickly to attack the king. Unfortunately he was not the real king. He was also a well trained Bhayangkara unit. Without any difficulty he killed Singa Perapen the spy.

Meanwhile in the city of Majapahit Bhayangkara still fought back. At night they attacked Kuti’s army using hit and run tactics. It was a special force. Although their members were smaller than Kuti’s army they could break into the heart of their defense. Finally Gajah Mada and his boys could get into the palace through the secret tunnel. Kuti’s guard was no match for the Bhayangkara. In a short battle Kuti was killed. At last Gajah Mada managed to seize the palace.

Several days later king Jayanegara came back to his palace. Although the rebel could not do any harm to him, the problem was a serious blow to his mind. He was depressed and his health deteriorated rapidly. He was in poor condition when he got to the palace.

Then Gajah Mada called the palace doctor. His name was Tanca who had excellent knowledge on herbal and traditional medicine. He was the best doctor at his era in Majapahit so he had a close relationship with the royal family. He was very close to King Jayanegara. Once the king told him not to hesitate to tell whatever he wants to the king. Then he told the king that he fell in love with a member of the royal family. But then King Jayanegara was very angry. He kicked Tanca. Tanca’s heart was deeply hurt. Finally the time had come for him to take revenge.

He gave some herbal traditional medicine to drink. Several moments later the king died because Tanca gave him poison. Gajah Mada was very angry. He immediately arrested Tanca and stabbed him. Just as he was dying Tanca said something. ‘Shining full moon’, were his last words.

This novel is really interesting and thrilling, especially for those who like reading novel with history background.