Trowulan

Quick Facts: Who was Trowulan?

Subject:

Trowulan

Known for:

Archaeological site believed to be the capital of the powerful Majapahit Empire.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Trowulan is an archaeological site in Trowulan Subdistrict, Mojokerto Regency, in the Indonesian province of East Java. It includes approximately 100 square kilometres and has been theorized to be the site of the eponymous capital city of the Majapahit Empire, which is described by Mpu Prapanca in the 14th-century poem Nagarakretagama and in a 15th-century Chinese source. When it was the capital of the Majapahit Empire, the city was known as Majapahit or Wilwatikta, which the empire derives its name from. It was razed during the invasion of Girindrawardhana to defeat Kertabhumi in 1478. After this event Majapahit's capital was moved to Daha (Kediri).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The Trowulan Museum includes a collection of artifacts. The Nagarakretagama contains poetic descriptions of the palace of Majapahit and its surroundings but is limited to the royal and religious sectors. Some of the details are vague, so scholars who have tried to compile a plan of the capital have come to different conclusions. Older research at Trowulan has concentrated on monumental remains: temples, tombs, and a bathing place. Archaeological surveys and excavations have recently found the remains of industrial, commercial, and religious activity, habitation areas, water supply systems, and water canals all of which are evidence of dense population during the 14th to 15th centuries.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In October 2009, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Indonesia submitted Trowulan to the UNESCO World Heritage list. According to the account of Prapanca in the Nagarakretagama poem, the royal compound was surrounded by a thick, high wall of red brick. Nearby was the fortified guard post. Huge doors of decorated iron led to the main gate into the palace which was located in the north wall. Outside the north gate was a long building where courtiers met once a year, a marketplace, and a sacred crossroads.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1478: 1478 Milestone — It was razed during the invasion of Girindrawardhana to defeat Kertabhumi in 1478.
2. 2009: 2009 Milestone — In October 2009, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Indonesia submitted Trowulan to the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Trowulan

True or False: “The primary source describing the royal compound's layout is the 15th-century Chinese account.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The detailed description of the palace and its surroundings comes from Mpu Prapanca's 14th-century poem, Nagarakretagama.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Baldassare Castiglione — Historical peer (Born in 1478) (1478): Influential Renaissance author and courtier, known for 'The Book of the Courtier'.
• Francisco Pizarro — Historical peer (Born in 1478) (1478): Spanish conquistador famed for the conquest of the powerful Inca Empire.
• Aage Bohr — Historical peer (Died in 2009) (2009): Pioneering Danish nuclear physicist, Nobel laureate for atomic structure theory.
• Abdurrahman Wahid — Historical peer (Died in 2009) (2009): Influential Indonesian politician, Islamic leader, and fourth President known for pluralism.

Frequently Asked Questions about Trowulan