Gajah Mada: Encyclopedia II - Gajah Mada - Bubat Accident

Gajah Mada - Bubat Accident

In 1357, the only remaining state refusing to acknowledge Majapahit's supremacy was Sunda, in West Java, which was located in Majapahit's next door. Later, King Hayam Wuruk, titled Rajasanegara, planning to marry Dyah Pitaloka, princess of Sunda and daughter of Sunda's King. Gajah Mada was tasked in welcoming the princess' arrivall in Bubat village.

Here arose the problem; Sunda's King thought that the marriage was sign of alliance between Sunda and Majapahit. But Gajah Mada thought otherwise. He took it as a sign of submission of Sunda to Majapahit. The strive rose into full scale battle that cause the king and all of his guards killed. Seeing this horror, Dyah Pitaloka then commited suicide.

Hayam Wuruk was deeply shocked about this accident. It is often said that Dyah Pitaloka was a very beautiful princess. Gajah Mada was then demoted and spent his days in Madangkara resort in Probolinggo, East Java.

Gajah Mada died in obscurity in 1364. The task of mahapatih that has Gajah Mada hold is seemed by the king too heavy to be one's burden. The king then created four ministries to hold it. Majapahit could maintain glory that Gajah Mada has built under Hayam Wuruk, which is said to be a wise leader. But a slow decline started after Hayam Wuruk's death.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Bubat Accident", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki