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The Singasari Kingdom was founded in 1222 after the overthrow of the Kediri dynasty.
It coincides with the early periods of the Kamakura Shogunate in Japan.
It was overthrown in 1292, so it was a short dynasty of 70 years.

The ruins of the Singasari dynasty that existed before the Majapahit Kingdom.
It is located on the outskirts of Malang City, the second largest highland city in East Java Province.

Before Restoration

Before restoration in 1983, photo by author

After restoration.

After restoration.

Located near the road leading to Tretes.
Ruins of a Hindu temple in the Singhasari Kingdom.

 Before restoration 1983, Photo by author

From Malang city, where the remains of the Singhasari dynasty are located, we headed to Blitar, where the tomb of President Sukarno is located, in a Volkswagen with a driver. On the way, we came across a river and decided to stop for a while to take a break.

After walking along the river for a while, I discovered the upper part of a ruin that had been buried in the riverbank was exposed. I was deeply impressed that the structure, which had been buried under layers of volcanic ash for many years, had been eroded by the river and was now visible above ground.

Before restoration 1983, Photo by author

Before restoration 1983, Photo by author

Before restoration 1983, Photo by author

About an hour’s drive from Surabaya, 50km southwest, leads to a town called Mojokerto. Nearby, at the foot of Mount Arjuna, are the ruins of the ancient Majapahit kingdom.

In the second half of the 14th century, at its peak, it subjugated all of Indonesia and part of the Malay Peninsula except Java, opening up the largest territory in the history of Java, and controlling the maritime trade routes of the South Seas.
It is said that they also traded with Okinawa. The kingdom lasted about 150 years.

If you look up the Majapahit Kingdom, you will find that it is a Hindu kingdom that existed in Java from the 13th to the 16th centuries.
It is said to have been founded in Majapahit near Surabaya after repelling the invading Mongol army (1293).
After that, it sent envoys to the Mongolian Empire to pay tribute, worked to maintain friendly relations, and organized domestic affairs.

The largest version of the Majapahit dynasty

This Hindu culture was subsequently introduced to Bali, where its influence continues to this day.

Capital of the Majapahit Kingdom

One of the Hindu ruins in the Majapahit capital.
An archaeological site that doubles as a medium-sized bathing place.
It is made of bricks, and the state of the collapsed and scattered bricks before the restoration has a sense of prosperity and decline, and you can feel the beauty that remains.

Photo by author, 1983

Photo by author, 1983

Under the strong tropical sunlight, you can truly experience the feeling of “traces left in the dreams of the warriors”.

Photo by author, 1983

Photo by author, 1983

Photo by author, 1983

The ruins of Tikus were restored afterwards.
The original beauty of the ruins has been lost due to the restoration!

Photo by author, 1983

A Hindu archaeological site in the royal capital of the Majapahit dynasty near Chandi Tikus.

A lot of red brick were used.

Photo by author, 1983

Photo by author, 1983

Photo by author, 1983

I visited a museum near the ruins of the Majapahit Kingdom.
There seemed to be a limited budget for the protection of cultural heritage properties, and many precious stone carvings and wall reliefs were scattered here and there indoors and outdoors without explanation.

I think they are all works of art worthy of appreciation…

Photo by author, 1983

Photo by author, 1983

Photo by author, 1983

Photo by author, 1983

Photo by author, 1983

Photo by author, 1983

Photo by author, 1983

Photo by author, 1983