(JP/Berto Wedhatama)

Indonesians might be familiar with the stories of Hayam Wuruk, the mighty Majapahit king, and Gadjah Mada, the kingdom’s great general and prime minister. However, the name of Gayatri Rajatpatni might not enjoy similar recognition.

Drake, a historian, was interested in learning about Indonesia’s glorious past when he was posted to Jakarta as Canada’s ambassador in the early 1980s.

He obtained a master’s degree in history at the University of Toronto before he joined the Canadian Foreign Service and rose from junior postings in Karachi and Kuala Lumpur to senior postings, such as Canada’s deputy chief of mission to the OECD in Paris, executive director at the World Bank in Washington, DC, and finally as ambassador to Indonesia and China.

A statue of Gayatri Rajapatni on display in Washington’s Freer Gallery and at a Tokyo museum caught Drake’s attention, astonishing him and raising his curiosity to find out more about the woman.

After a period of research, Drake learned that Princess Gayatri Rajapatni, one of the wives of Raden Wijaya, the first Majapahit king, played an important role in the kingdom’s history, as she possessed an extensive knowledge of politics.

Drake also noticed that there had not been a mainstream historical work that captured Princess Gayatri’s role, despite her apt political skills having a big impact on her grandson, Hayam Wuruk — the most powerful King of Majapahit. Even Patih (governor) Gadjah Mada took her as his political mentor.

The fascinating story of Gayatri against the backdrop of the rise and fall of large Javanese empires such as Singhasari and Majapahit can be found in his new book, Gayatri Rajapatni: Perempuan di balik Kejayaan Majapahit (Gayatri Rajapatni: The Woman Behind the Glory of Majapahit).

Drake has used some sources taken from some records like the Nagarakertagama, the Pararaton, various kidung (songs) as well as Chinese records to build up the story of Gayatri and her pivotal role in the Majapahit Empire.

In the beginning of the 192-page book, Drake takes readers back to 1289, revealing the background of Gayatri, who was the youngest daughter of Kertanegara, the leader of the Singhasari Empire, and born with the regal name Dyah Dewi Gayatri Kumara Rajassa.

Among the four daughters of Kertanegara, Gayatri appeared to be the only one who displayed a growing interest in politics and civil administration.

During her adolesence, Gayatri preferred delving into tons of literature under the supervision of a master named Terenavindu.

Drake shows the tough life of Gayatri during the year when a palace coup masterminded by Kertanegara’s biggest foe, the king of Kediri, Jayakatwang, occurred.

The princess was forced to flee from Singhasari, running for her life, living under the enemy’s lives. Aside from her “manly” side, Gayatri was a woman who wanted to be loved and hoped that there would be a prince charming who rescued her.

Drake describes Gayatri’s growing affection for Raden Wijaya, Kertanegara’s son-in-law, who married Gayatri’s eldest sister, Tribhuwana.

Drake marks the start of the Majapahit dynasty, with Raden Wijaya’s devious attempt to persuade Mongolian invaders to join him to attack Kediri in a bid to restore his family’s dignity before he later kicked the Mongolians out of Java to start a new empire.

Drake points out Gayatri’s significant role in Raden Wijaya’s decisions in terms of political strategies when Raden Wijaya was on the throne, followed by crucial periods when the empire was in the hands of Raden Wijaya’s offspring, from Jayanegara and Tribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi to Hayam Wuruk.

Drake reveals the intrigues among the political elite of the greatest empire in the archipelago through an intense and engaging narrative. He also uncovers how Gadjah Mada came upon the scene as the one who saved the day during the chaotic reign of Jayanegara.

Some chapters display how Gayatri played a big part in Gadjah Mada’s every step and decision-making and how her departure affected the empire.

Drake, who currently serves as an honorary professor in residence at the Institute of Asian Research, University of British Colombia, also interestingly features the family tree of the Rajasa dynasty and lists a number of crucial episodes in Java’s monarchies, contrasting them with some vital events that happened in some other parts of the world.

The book was launched in Indonesia in April during a multicity tour at some universities, such as the State University of Malang in East Malang, East Java; Airlangga University in Surabaya, East Java; Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, and the University of Indonesia in Jakarta.

It is a must-read for history aficionados who are keen on exploring the chronicle of the Majapahit Empire from an alternative perspective.

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