MAJAPAHIT KINGDOM REPRESENTATIVES IN SUMATRA, THE PENINSULA, AND KALIMANTAN
By: Hamly Hadi
(History Observer)
To solidify Majapahit’s status as ruler of the Indonesian archipelago, Majapahit placed representatives in strategic areas to control the surrounding areas.
Majapahit Representatives in Sumatra
1. Adityawarman in the Dharmasraya Kingdom
Adityawarman was the son of the founder of the Majapahit Empire, Raden Wijaya, who married Dara Jingga, a princess from the Malayu kingdom in Jambi, whom he brought to Singasari during the Pamalayu expedition.
Adityawarman served as a senior minister (Wreddhamantri) during the reign of Tribhuwana Tunggadewi.
Adityawarman was sent as Majapahit’s ambassador to China twice, in 1325 and 1332 AD.
Adityawarman was tasked by Majapahit with conquering and securing the Sumatra region. He was appointed as a vassal king of Majapahit in 1339 AD.
Then, Adityawarman founded the Dharmasraya Kingdom, which later became the Pagaruyung Kingdom after being moved to Baru Sangkar. Adityawarman served as king from 1343 to 1347 AD.
2. Arya Damar or Aryo Dillah in Palembang
Arya Damar is the name of a legendary leader who ruled Palembang in the mid-15th century AD as a vassal of the Majapahit Empire. Arya Damar was from East Java. He was also known as Ario Damar, Ario Abdilah, or Damarwulan. According to Chinese chronicles from the Sam Po Kong Temple in Semarang, he had the Chinese name Swan Liong (Diamond Dragon) without a family name in front of it, because his mother was of Chinese descent.
Arya Damar was moved to Palembang in 1433, Arya Damar was made Duke of Palembang when Palembang became a province of Majapahit ruled by Rani Suhita.
Representative of Majapahit on the Peninsula
1. His Majesty Sultan Iskandar in Kelantan
Kelantan was founded as Majapahit II by His Majesty Sultan Iskandar, based in Mahligai City. His real name is Kemas Jiwa. His Majesty was married to Ratu Suhita, the Majapahit government (1427-1447), Kelantan also had a Patih who was given the title Patih Arya Gajah Mada, similar to the name of Patih Majapahit in Java.
Kelantan then became an important trading center at the end of the 15th century.
Majapahit’s Representative in Kalimantan
1. Prince Surianata in Nagara Dipa
Prince Surianata, or Raden Putra, was the son of King Hayam Wuruk of Majapahit. He was taken by Lambung Mangkurat (Lembu Amangkurat) from Majapahit in 1437 AD. He was then made King of Nagara Dipa, South Kalimantan, with the title Maharaja Surianata and married to Princess Junjung Buih. Nagara Dipa, under Prince Surianata’s leadership, was able to control almost the entire island of Kalimantan, from the western tip to the eastern tip.
The descendants of Lambung Mangkurat and Princess Junjung Buih and Prince Suryanata would later become kings of Nagara Dipa, the ancestor of the princes of Banjarmasin. The belief in the importance of royal lineage in ruling a kingdom would continue from Nagara Daha to the Banjar Kingdom.**
Banjarmasin, January 6, 2026
——-
