The Legacy of Majapahit in Balinese History: Insights from the Babad Dalem

 

Majapahit, the illustrious Javanese kingdom, holds a profound place in the history of Bali, shaping its cultural and political landscape for centuries. The emotional and historical connection between the Balinese and Majapahit is vividly documented in the Babad Dalem, a crucial manuscript that traces the migration of Majapahit elites and their influence on Balinese society. This article delves into the narrative of the Babad Dalem, examining its historical significance and its depiction of Majapahit’s legacy in Bali.

The Babad Dalem recounts how the migration of Majapahit people to Bali began as early as the 14th century. This migration was initiated by Gajah Mada, the prominent military leader of Majapahit, during his campaign to Bali in 1256 Śaka (1334 CE). To consolidate Majapahit’s influence, Gajah Mada appointed Sri Kresna Kepakisan, a Brahmin from Kadiri, as the ruler of Bali.

Accompanied by a retinue of nobles (arya), officials (wesia), and commoners (sudra), Sri Kresna Kepakisan established a Majapahit-affiliated government in Bali. This marked the beginning of a Javanese cultural and political influence that would shape Bali for generations, culminating in the establishment of the Gelgel Kingdom, a vassal state under Majapahit’s dominion.

The Babad Dalem serves as both a historical and legitimizing text for the kings of Bali, particularly after the dissolution of the Gelgel Kingdom in the 17th century. It traces the genealogical lineage of Balinese kings back to the Rajasa Dynasty of Majapahit, reinforcing their claims to authority.

Interestingly, the Babad Dalem is not as ancient as the events it narrates. According to historian Helen Creese, the earliest manuscripts date to the early 19th century, originating from Puri Klungkung, the successor of the Gelgel Kingdom. Despite its later composition, the text has been widely copied and adapted across Bali, reflecting the enduring importance of Majapahit’s legacy in Balinese cultural memory.

A particularly poignant section of the Babad Dalem, preserved in a version known as Babad Dalem B, recounts the pilgrimage of Dewa Ketut, a ruler of Gelgel, to the ruins of Majapahit. This narrative provides a vivid portrayal of the kingdom’s decline following the moksa (spiritual liberation) of Hayam Wuruk, Majapahit’s last great king.

Dewa Ketut’s visit to Majapahit’s former capital, referred to as Majalangu, reveals his sorrow at finding the once-grand city desolate and abandoned. Through a meeting with the sage Siwa Waringin, the manuscript attributes Majapahit’s collapse to both cosmic and human factors: the advent of the trayuga (an era of degeneration) and the intellectual and moral decline of its society.

Siwa Waringin vividly describes the chaos among Majapahit’s elites following Hayam Wuruk’s death. Rivalries among ministers and soldiers, fueled by arrogance and indulgence, led to internal strife and eventual ruin. This narrative highlights not only the fragility of political power but also the moral and spiritual underpinnings that sustained Majapahit’s greatness.

The Babad Dalem offers a profound reflection on the transient nature of power and the enduring significance of cultural heritage. The manuscript’s detailed accounts of Majapahit’s fall and its continued influence in Bali underscore the kingdom’s lasting imprint on the region’s identity.

Even as Majapahit’s physical structures crumbled, its cultural and spiritual legacy endured in Bali, as evidenced by the genealogical and ceremonial traditions rooted in its history. For the Balinese, the memory of Majapahit serves as a reminder of both their ancestral ties and the cultural ideals that continue to shape their society.

The Babad Dalem is more than just a historical manuscript—it is a bridge connecting Bali to its Majapahit heritage. Through its vivid storytelling and rich historical detail, the text preserves the memory of a bygone era while providing valuable insights into the foundations of Balinese culture.

In the ruins of Majapahit’s capital, Dewa Ketut reflected on the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change. Similarly, the Babad Dalem invites us to ponder the lessons of history, reminding us that while kingdoms may rise and fall, their legacies endure through the stories and traditions they leave behind.