Gajah Mada

Gajah Mada

Terra-cotta head identified as Gajah Mada; in the Trawulan Site Museum, Indonesia

(credit: Courtesy of the Trawulan Museum, Indonesia)

(died 1364) Prime minister of the Majapahit empire and a national hero in Indonesia. Born a commoner, Gajah Mada rose to power on his intelligence, courage, and loyalty to King Jayanagara (r. 1309–28), whom he restored to power after an insurrection. His feelings for the king changed when the latter took possession of his wife, and he subsequently had the king killed. During the reigns of Jayanagara's daughter Tribhuvana and grandson Hayam Wuruk (r. 1350–89), Gajah Mada was the most powerful figure in Majapahit, conquering territories that may have included the entire Indonesian archipelago and part of Malaysia. A law book that had great significance in Javanese history was compiled under his instructions, and the principal poet of the era, Prapancha (fl. 14th century), eulogized Gajah Mada (his patron) in Nagarakrtagama, the epic of Majapahit.