Majapahit's Forgotten Naval Mastery: The Jongs of Nusantara

Lucas and Luna dive into the maritime backbone of the Majapahit Empire: its awe-inspiring fleet of jong ships. From the massive ocean-going vessels that could carry 700 soldiers to the strategic shipyards of Ujung Galuh, this episode explores how Majapahit projected power across the archipelago. Lucas explains the technology behind the jong—built without nails, using wooden dowels and coconut fiber—and how these ships enabled trade, tribute collection, and military campaigns. He discusses the 1350 expedition against the Sultanate of Samudera Pasai, a rare naval clash that tested Majapahit's might. We also look at the decline of this maritime tradition after the Paregreg civil war and how the shipbuilding knowledge was lost. Along the way, Lucas shares quotes from Chinese chronicler Wang Dayuan and a fascinating detail about the Javanese technique of sewing planks together. This episode reveals a less-known side of Majapahit: not just an island empire, but a seafaring powerhouse. #Majapahit #Jong #NavalHistory #UjungGaluh #SamuderaPasai #WangDayuan #Nusantara #Shipbuilding #SoutheastAsianHistory #IndonesianHistory #MaritimeEmpire #Trowulan #GajahMada #HayamWuruk #Paregreg #Srivijaya #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo