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I Gusti Agung Ngurah Dharma Yuda1 , Moses Glorino Rumambo Pandin2 Faculty of Humanities, Airlangga University Kampus B, Jl. Dharmawangsa Dalam, Airlangga, Gubeng Districts, City of Surabaya, 60286 Email: i.gu [email protected] 1, mo [email protected] .id 2

BOOK REVIEW “PESONA & SISI KELAM : SEJARAH PANJANG KERAJAAN TERBESAR DI SEJAK MULA BERDIRI, KEJAYAAN HINGGA KERUNTUHANNYA” (THE ENCHANTMENT & DARK SIDE OF MAJAPAHIT: THE LONG HISTORY OF THE GREATEST KINGDOM IN THE ARCHIPELAGO SINCE ITS BEGINNING, ITS GLORY TO ITS FALL)

Book Author: Sri Wintala Achmad; City: ; Published Year: 2021; ISBN Number: 978-623-7910-39-8; Number of Pages: 292 pages

INTRODUCTION: The author wrote this book for anyone who wants to learn about the history of the Majapahit Kingdom, especially for students. It is very suitable for students to read this book because it contains the historical events of the Majapahit Kingdom, which are presented sequentially. In addition, it is ideal for reading by various groups because the discussion is attractive and easy to understand. The information discussed is quite extensive and detailed, although it only focuses on one era or kingdom. This book presents a different perspective from other history books because it presents many new facts to correct the errors and distortions of the history of the Majapahit Kingdom, which developed at this time. The interesting information presented from the book made the writer choose this book for review. Furthermore, this book also meets the criteria given by the lecturers, which is a book published in the last two years. Therefore, it is the right choice for writers to share their reading experiences with potential readers.

RESULTS / REVIEWS: A coherent discussion was making this book very useful and very suitable for literacy needs. Besides, this book is very ideal as reference material in writing history, especially the history of the Majapahit Kingdom. Thus, the various information presented in this book meets the needs of the readers. The author, Sri Wintala Achmad, provides a detailed explanation of every event in the Majapahit Kingdom. For instance, by adding factual data and evidence to convince the readers that the discussion is valid. In addition, in this book, the author tries to straighten out some information about the Majapahit Kingdom, which is considered a sinful and false story. The heretical story referred by the author of the book is an oral tradition of society mixed with historical facts so that most of the stories that develop in the community are fairy tales or myths that are not necessarily true. Several heretical understandings that the author tries to straighten out, such as using the title "Raden" in Dyah Wijaya, the founder of Majapahit. This information not appropriate because the title "Raden" was only known long after the founding of Majapahit. In contrast, the title "Dyah" is more appropriate because both men and women used it during the Majapahit era. In addition, it also explains several events that are often considered facts. However, the truth is still doubtful, such as the birth of , which is full of myths. Futhermore, the unification of the archipelago by Gajah Mada through the Oath, in which not all regions are territorial powers but are partners, mitra satata (equal friends). The unification of the archipelago comes from Serat Pararaton and it is reinforced by Mohammad Yamin's statement. He made it a formula to increase unity because was divided into regional organizations. This book also criticizes several manuscripts often used as historical sources, such as Babad Tanah Jawa, Serat Dharmagandul, Serat Kandha, and Serat Pranitiradya. In contrast, according to the book's author, these texts are works of fiction that only have a historical background of Majapahit. The author tries to strengthen his opinion by comparing the information in these texts with existing historical facts. This book overviews how the Majapahit Kingdom travels from time to time with its exciting content and complete discussion. In addition, after reading the book, readers will get new knowledge about the history of the Majapahit Kingdom and the reader will understand the history of the Majapahit Kingdom, which is far from fairy tales and myths. The understanding and views presented in this book are reinforced by several quotes from Negarakertagama, one of the texts that have become the primary references for historians in formulating the history of the Majapahit Kingdom. Not to mention there are also quotes from several inscriptions from the Majapahit Kingdom. Lastly there are quotes from other texts such as the , Serat Pararaton, Kakawin Sutasoma, and others. Easy to understand translations reinforce the various quotations from historical sources presented in this book. The explanation can convince the reader to know the thing that presented is facts, not just the author's opinion. The author also provides comparisons between a manuscript based on facts and a manuscript that is a mere essay so that readers can easily judge, also be sure of the author's opinion. The discussion in each section is very dynamic and relates to one another. The first part focuses on discussing the dynamics of the Majapahit Kingdom in each period of government and starting from the founding Dyah Wijaya, the triumph of the Hayam Wuruk period, to the collapse that occurred during the reign of Dyah Ranawijaya. Next, the second part begins to give his views by criticizing myths and some historical sources that are often believed by the public as facts, even though the stories and manuscripts are only fictional after being proven by the author's compositions. In addition, the second part also discusses the relics of the Majapahit Kingdom, starting from the royal emblem, sites, inscriptions, kakawin that are now the motto of our nation, namely "Bhineka Tunggal Ika." Furthermore, the last part is shorter than the other sections because it only discusses the cunning politicians of the Majapahit era, namely Arya Wiraraja and Halayuda, who took part in the Majapahit Kingdom. This 292-page book presents quite dense and detailed material but with a straightforward discussion. Thus, that makes it very worthy of reading. Even though the pages are thick, it will be worth the complete and rich knowledge content. The sources used are complete, ranging from historical texts and kakawin translations to foreign news, making the book wealthy with valid information. The author also wrote books on history's theme so that readers do not have to worry about the information presented when reading the book. Although the content is solid, this book has many advantages. The strengths of this book include providing explanations in a language that is easy for readers to understand. The book, which consists of three parts or chapters, is written in great detail. It provides a lot of knowledge to the reader, using good and correct Indonesian, which certainly makes it easier for readers to understand the contents. In addition, it is also equipped with footnotes that will make it easier for readers to understand the topics discussed. Apart from its many advantages, this book is not without its shortcomings. The drawback of the book is that there are no pictures that provide illustrations for readers, especially in the second part of the book, which discusses the legacy of the Majapahit Kingdom. That makes the book less attractive because no part of the book includes illustrations or pictures related to the discussion. As a reviewer, the writer gives the author suggestions to attach a picture or illustration, especially in the book's second part if it is reprinted as a revised edition. In addition, the author also provides suggestions to prospective readers to read this book sequentially without missing a single discussion in each section so that after reading the book, readers can convey the messages and information presented by the author of the book correctly to readers.

I Gusti Agung Ngurah Dharma Yuda & Moses Glorino Rumambo Pandin Airlangga University

REFERENCE: 1. Achmad SW. Pesona & Sisi Kelam Majapahit: Sejarah Panjang Kerajaan Terbesar di Nusantara Sejak Mula Berdiri, Kejayaan hingga Keruntuhannya. I. Nayantaka, editor. Yogyakarta: Araska; 2021. 292 p.

BIODATA OF BOOK AUTHOR: Sri Wintala Achmad is a writer who graduated from UGM Yogyakarta who lives in Karang Talun, North Cilacap, Cilacap, . He composed literary works in three languages, namely English, Indonesian and Javanese. His literary works are published in several media such as Kompas, Republika, Solo Pos, Amanah (), Aksara International Journal of Indonesian Literature (Australia), etc. From 1998 to 2018, he was active in writing literary anthologies and collective essays. In addition, he has also written novels and historical fiction. He is also actively writing books that have been published from 2009 to 2021 with dozens of titles.