Majapahit : Intrigue, Betrayal and War in Indonesia's Greatest Mmpire

Discover Majapahit, Indonesia’s greatest empire. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the Majapahit kingdom reigned supreme in eastern Java, and its influence extended throughout Asia.

Walk the bustling streets of Majapahit, a melting pot of aristocratic Javanese, matted-haired Brahmins, hermits in bark cloth, widows dressed in white, and Chinese, Persian and Arab traders. Discover beautiful temples and imposing palaces, and markets brimming with goods from all over Asia.

At the heart of Majapahit’s story are eccentric kings and queens embroiled in bloody family feuds, and a tipsy court scribe who has the good sense to write down everything he sees. Witness the drama of royal intrigues, murders, revenge and war. This is not just the story of an empire’s rise and fall, it is an exploration of a society rich in religious diversity, social tolerance and artistic achievement, and a society – much like Indonesia today – which must navigate its way in the challenging tapestry of Chinese and Southeast Asian geopolitics.

About the author

Herald van der Linde has travelled, lived and worked in Indonesia and Hong Kong since the 90s. Married to an Indonesian, he is passionate about the social and cultural history of Indonesia and is the author of Jakarta: History of a Misunderstood City. Fluent in Dutch, Indonesian and English, he enjoys delving into local Indonesian archives to unearth intriguing narratives from the archipelago’s past.