Rajasa

The Rajasa dynasty ruled eastern Java's Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms of Singhasari and Majapahit from the thirteenth to the early sixteenth century. Ken Arok, also called Sri Ranggah Rajasa, founded Singhasari in 1222. His descendant Kertanegara defied Kublai Khan's tribute demands but was killed by the rebel Jayakatwang before the Mongol expedition of 1293. Kertanegara's son-in-law Raden Wijaya used Mongol troops to destroy Jayakatwang, then drove them out, founded Majapahit and was crowned in 1293.

The throne passed through Jayanegara to Queen Tribhuwana, who in 1336 made Gajah Mada her chief minister. His Palapa oath launched conquests including Bali in 1342-1343; under her son Hayam Wuruk (r. 1350-1389), Majapahit became an empire of 98 tributaries, celebrated in the 1365 poem Nagarakretagama.

Succession wars after Hayam Wuruk's death in 1389, especially the Regreg conflict of 1405-1406, weakened control over vassals. Islam spread along Java's north coast, and Majapahit fell to Demak in 1527.