Yuan invasion of Java
1293 · Java (modern Indonesia) · China · Early modern
The Yuan army crossed the sea to attack Java and joined forces with Raden Wijaya to defeat Kediri; Wijaya then turned on them and attacked, and the Yuan army withdrew
Belligerents
Majapahit (Raden Wijaya)
- Commanders
- Raden Wijaya
- Strength
- Javanese army
Yuan
- Commanders
- Shi Bi, Gao Xing, Ike Mese
- Strength
- 20,000 Yuan troops and 1,000 warships
Background
The king of Singhasari on Java slashed the face of the Yuan dynasty envoy Meng Qi, and Kublai Khan sent troops to punish him.
Course of the battle
- Expedition across the seaIn 1292 a Yuan army of 20,000 men and 1,000 warships set out from Quanzhou
- The situation has changedWhen the Yuan army arrived, Singhasari had already been destroyed by Kediri, and Raden Wijaya, son-in-law of the former king, asked the Yuan army for help
- Joining forces to defeat the enemyThe Yuan army joined forces with Wijaya to defeat the king of Kediri
- Turning on the ally; Yuan withdrawsWijaya launched a surprise attack while the Yuan forces were dispersed; the Yuan army fought a fighting retreat and withdrew to China
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1293 |
|---|---|
| Place | Java (modern Indonesia) |
| Result | The Yuan army crossed the sea to attack Java and joined forces with Raden Wijaya to defeat Kediri; Wijaya then turned on them and attacked, and the Yuan army withdrew |
| Winner | Majapahit (Raden Wijaya) |
| Casualties | Yuan losses of over 3,000 men |
| Territorial change | Raden Wijaya founds the Majapahit dynasty |
Impact
The Yuan invasion of Java was one of the largest overseas expeditions of the Yuan dynasty, and it inadvertently helped Raden Wijaya found the Majapahit dynasty, which went on to dominate Southeast Asia.
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