Ancient Indian Colonization in South-East Asia c9.71

c9.71

In 1222 A.D. Kaḍiri was conquered by the neighbouring king of Singhasāri named Rājasa who united the whole of Eastern Java under his authority. Kṛtanagara, who succeeded to the throne of Singhasāri in 1268 A.D.,¹² was a remarkable king. According to *Nāgara-Kṛtāgama*, a famous historical poem of Java, he was well-versed in the six-fold royal policy, expert in all branches of knowledge and quite at home in Buddhist scriptures. He revived the imperial policy of the Śailendras and extended the political authority of Java over Bali, Suṇḍa, Sumatra, Malay Peninsula, Borneo and Madura. About this time Kublai Khan, the great Mongol ruler of China, invited the king of Java to come in person to the imperial court and pay homage to the Emperor. After evading the invitation for some time, Kṛtanagara became angry and mutilated the Chinese ambassador in A.D. 1289. This provoked the wrath of the great Mongol and he sent a powerful expedition to Java.