Majapahit's Naval Power: The Jong and the Armada of Nusantara

Majapahit: The Empire That Once Ruled Indonesia — Fexingo History · May 19, 2026 · 5m · transcript

When we think of Majapahit, we often imagine rice terraces, stone temples, and courtly intrigue. But this Southeast Asian empire was also a formidable maritime power, ruling the sea lanes from Sumatra to Papua. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the majestic jong—the Javanese ocean-going vessels that could carry over 500 men and 500 tons of cargo. We dive into the Negarakertagama's accounts of Majapahit's naval expeditions, the shipbuilding traditions of the pasisir coast, and the strategic use of the fleet to enforce the Palapa Oath. We also examine the legacy of these ships…