Majapahit's Water Engineering: The Segaran and Trowulan's Canals

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the sophisticated water management system of Majapahit's capital, Trowulan. They delve into the construction and purpose of the Segaran, a massive artificial reservoir, and the network of canals that supplied water to the city's temples, rice fields, and households. Drawing from archaeological findings, the Negarakertagama, and Chinese accounts like those of Wang Dayuan, they discuss how the empire harnessed the Brantas River and monsoon rains to sustain a population of hundreds of thousands. The episode also touches on the religious symbolism of water in Hindu-Buddhist cosmology, the engineering techniques behind brick-lined channels and sluice gates, and the eventual decline of the system after Majapahit's fall. Specific terms include Segaran, Trowulan, Brantas River, Wang Dayuan, Negarakertagama, and Candi Tikus. This episode reveals how water infrastructure was central to Majapahit's power and daily life. #Majapahit #Trowulan #Segaran #WaterEngineering #BrantasRiver #WangDayuan #Negarakertagama #CandiTikus #HinduBuddhist #Irrigation #Canals #SoutheastAsia #Archaeology #History #FexingoHistory #AncientTechnology #Java #Empire #IndonesianHistory #HayamWuruk Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo