Kertanegara of Singhasari - Rebellion of Jayakatwang

Rebellion of Jayakatwang

In the meantime Kertanegara had dominated all of Java, but before the Mongol fleet came, a dramatic political change occurred. Jayakatwang, prince of Kediri and one of Singasari's most powerful vassals, rebelled against his overlord.

With the bulk of the Javanese army in campaign overseas and Singasari's defence weakened, Jayakatwang seized his chance and launched a coup against Kertanegara. He launched a diversionary attack to northern Java, where his troops drew the remaining Singhasari troops left on the island. With Singasari defenseless he attacked the capital city.

Kertanegara was killed along with many courtiers in his palace in Singhasari in May or June 1292. He was apparently killed while drunk on palm wine in a religious Tantric Buddhist ceremony. Jayakatwang then declared himself ruler of Java and king of the restored Kediri.

Among the few surviving relatives of Kertanegara was his son-in-law, Raden Wijaya, who fled to Madura where he was sheltered by its regent, Arya Wiraraja. Following pleas from Wiraraja, Jayakatwang forgave Wijaya, who in return submitted himself to Jayakatwang. Jayakatwang gave Wijaya land in the Tarik forest in the Brantas delta, where he built a village that was later called Majapahit.