The Scheme to Eliminate Important Officials Through Vicious Slander
Power struggles employing cunning tactics have existed since the Majapahit Kingdom era. There are accounts of the removal of Majapahit officials through vicious slander that culminated in bloody purges.
According to the Pararaton, compiled and reconstructed by Otto Sukatno, C.R., and Untung Mulyono, at least three Majapahit figures were eliminated due to vicious slander. This cunning method was employed by Pati Halayudha, also known as Mahapati Halayudha. The Mahapati was ambitious to become Mahapatih (prime minister). These removal accounts are estimated to have occurred in 1295 CE during the reign of Raja Raden Wijaya.
The first removal account concerns the rebellion of Ranggalawe. Ranggalawe was the son of Arya Wiraraja, the adipati (regent) of Sungeneb and a founding figure of the Majapahit Kingdom.
This rebellion originated from the appointment of Empu Nambi as patih mangkhubumi (provincial administrator). Previously, Ranggalawe had been promised this position. The promise was broken, and Ranggalawe was instead appointed adipati of Tuban.
Ranggalawe resented Nambi, despite having contributed to the clearing of Tarik forest and the expulsion of Tartar forces. A rebellion ensued.
The Mahapati reported that Ranggalawe would attempt a rebellion. The kingdom dispatched soldiers to suppress the uprising. Ranggalawe was killed by Mahisa Anabrang, a military commander from the Singasari Kingdom who also supported Majapahit.
The Removal of Lembu Sora
Ranggalawe’s uncle, Lembu Sora, was unwilling to accept his nephew’s death. He knew that Ranggalawe had been killed on the banks of the Tambakberas River. Mahisa was subsequently killed by Sora through stabbing.
Three years after Ranggalawe’s rebellion, Sora’s rebellion occurred. Sora was slandered once again, this time by the Mahapati. Through his cunning and diplomatic skill, the Mahapati spread word that Anabrang had been stabbed in the back by Lembu Sora.
This news reached the ears of the king. The Mahapati also spread this story to Mahisa Anabrang’s son, Mahisa Atura.
On the other hand, Lembu Sora was informed by the Mahapati that he would receive a special task from the king. Meanwhile, the king was told that Lembu Sora intended to rebel. As a result, a confrontation took place. Sora, who had believed he would receive a royal task, was instead attacked and killed.
The Removal of Nambi
The Mahapati’s slander continued. This time it targeted Pati Nambi.
Initially, Nambi requested permission from the king to travel to Lumajang to visit his father, Pranaraja. Upon arrival, his father died. News of this reached the kingdom.
The Mahapati was dispatched to convey the kingdom’s condolences. Upon arriving in Lumajang, the Mahapati advised Nambi to extend his leave during the mourning period.
However, this proved to be a cunning ploy by the Mahapati. The Mahapati subsequently reported to the kingdom that Nambi intended to stage a rebellion. Ultimately, Nambi was killed and eliminated by the Majapahit Kingdom.
After successfully removing these figures, it is estimated that in 1316, the Mahapati was appointed by Raja Jayanagara as the new mahapatih.