Nagarakretagama, Palm-leaf manuscript at Balinese Cultural Documentation Library Office, Indonesia.
The Nagarakretagama is a palm-leaf manuscript measuring 48.4 centimeters long and 3.5 centimeters wide that contains detailed accounts of the Majapahit period. The text describes the empire, its territories, and the important settlements and lands that existed under this dynasty's rule.
Written in 1365 by Mpu Prapanca, the manuscript documents the empire during King Hayam Wuruk's reign with precise geographical and political information. It stands as one of the most important written records for understanding the extent and power of this realm.
The text records how ceremonies and temples were organized and shows a blend of Hindu and Buddhist practices with local Javanese customs. Through its pages, you can see which rituals and religious acts mattered most to people during that era.
The document is housed at the National Library of Indonesia under inventory number NB 9 and is available for research purposes. Visitors interested in seeing this rare material should inquire locally about access procedures.
The manuscript remained hidden for centuries until Dutch scholars rediscovered it in 1894 in Lombok. J.L.A. Brandes then conducted the first Western scholarly analysis of the text, bringing international recognition to its contents.
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