Java in the 14th Century A Study in Cultural History

The Dutch Nagara-Kertagama translation on which Professor Kern worked, at intervals, during eleven years, deserves our utmost admir­ ation and respect. It is the last important piece of work he finished before his death. It has enriched in an extraordinarily high degree our knowledge of the history and antiquities of the Majapahit period. Moreover, its dignified and courtly style established the reputation of Old Javanese letters as a literature of considerable interest. The con­ tents of the Nagara-Kertiigama, as interpreted by Professor Kern, gave 14th century Majapahit a nimbus, making it appear to the uncritical public as a most powerful and highly cultured Empire, organized on 18th or 19th century West-European lines. The notes of Krom, Poerbatjaraka and others do not contain com­ plete translations of the texts. These scholars made valuable contribu­ tions to a better understanding of several passages. They did not make it easy for the general reader to consult their notes, though. Professor Kern's appreciation of the contents of the Nagara-Kertagama remained fundamentally unshaken. Up to the present time Professor Kern's Nagara-Kertagama trans­ lation has been generally used and highly appreciated by students of Indonesian cultures and by the public interested in Old Javanese his­ tory, both in Indonesia and elsewhere. In 1953 a modern Malay trans­ lation by Slametmuljana was published in Djakarta (Negarakretagama, diperbaharui kedalam bahasa Indonesia). But then, since Professor Kern's days research has made progress. It is clear, nowadays, that his translation has the defects of its good qualities.

Volume III Table of Contents.- Translation of the N?gara-K?rt?gama.- 1 — Introduction, the Royal Family of Majapahit about 1350 A.D..- 2 — Majapahit, the Capital, about 1350 A.D..- 3 — Tributaries and neighbours of Majapahit, establishment of the Royal authority by emissaries taken from the ecclesiastical officers.- 4 — The Royal Progress of 1359 from Majapahit through the eastern districts of Java, and back to Singasari.- 5 — Notes on the Kings of the House of R?jasa, from 1182 till 1343, and on their religious domains.- 6 — The Royal Chase in the neighbourhood of Singasari.- 7 — The return from the Royal Progress of 1359, from Singasari to Majapahit.- 8 — The Royal Progresses of 1360 and 1361. to Tirib, Sömpur and Blitar.- 9 — The posthumous ceremony in honour of the R?japatn?, in 1362, her shrines and her cult.- 10 — The Royal Progress of 1363 from Majapahit to Simping and back.- 11 — Gajah Mada’s death in 1364, the new officials.- 12 — List of domains belonging to the Royal Family and to religious communities.- 13 — Organization of the clergy and Royal authority.- 14 — The annual Court festival in Majapahit.- 15 — Conclusion.- Translation of the N?gara-K?rt?gama colophons.- Translation of the Minor Writings.- Nawanatya.- R?japatigundala.- Purw?digama preamble.- Praniti Raja Kapa-kapa.- Translation of the Charters.- Sarwadharma charter of 1269, found in P?nampihan.- Decree Jaya Song, 1350, found in Bendosari.- Ferry charter of 1358, found in Trawulan and P?l?m.- Batur charter, found in Batur.- Biluluk charters of 1366–1395, found in Bluluk.- R?n?k charters of 1379, found near Majapahit.- Walandit charter of 1381–1405, found in P?nañjangan.- Patapan charter of 1385, found in Trawulan.- Karang Bog?m charter of1387, found in Trawulan.- Katiden charter of 1392, found in Trawulan.- Shela Mandi charters of 1394–1396.- Illustrations: drawings by Professor Galestin after stone reliefs of 14th century East-Javanese temples.