Battle of Brebes

Battle of Brebes was a series conflict between Sunda and Majapahit and part of Majapahit invasion of Sunda in 14th century.

Battle of Brebes
Part of Majapahit-Sundanese conflict
Location of the Battle (Red dot)
Date c. 14th century Location Brebes, Indonesia Result Sundanese victory Majapahit invasion were repelled
Belligerents
Majapahit	Sunda Kingdom Jipang peoples
Commanders and leaders
Gajah Mada Mantri Lěs † Mantri Baleteng †	Unnamed Sundanese patih
Strength
Unknown	Unknown; heavy strength
Casualties and losses
Heavy	Unknown; light casualties

Battle of Brebes is rarely highlighted, was the Majapahit invasion of the Sunda region that occurred long before the Bubat incident, which turned out to occur in the Brebes area, precisely in Jipang village, Bantarkawung District.

Background

At that time, Majapahit, led by Gajah Mada as Patih, tried to expand its power to the Sunda region. However, before the Majapahit invasion reached the center of the Sunda kingdom, they were blocked at the border by a formidable Sundanese army. Interestingly, the people who crushed the Majapahit army were referred to as Jipang people, who according to Kidung Sunda records, played a major role in the victory of the Sundanese army.

War

See also: Kidung Sunda § Gajah Mada verbally abused by the Sundanese envoy (stanza 1.66b – 1.68 a)

"... It is as if you forget the former times, when you attacked the villages on the mountains. It was a fierce battle, the Sundanese were routed, chased after by men of Jipang. But then the patih (grand vizier) of Sunda came and stroke back. Your men were in retreat."
"Both your ministers Lěs and Beleteng; were struck and killed. Your men were in disarray and retreated. Some fell into the ravines and were pricked the thorns. They died as monkeys, weasels and setan (satan, ghost). There were moaning all over the place. Everyone asked to be let alive ..."

Kidung Sunda

The battle took place in a hilly area that was difficult to access, and the Majapahit troops suffered a major defeat. The Sundanese army from Jipang succeeded in pushing back the Majapahit troops led by two mantri (ministers), Lěs and Beleteng. Many of the Majapahit soldiers were killed including Lěs and Beleteng, and fled into the ravines, while others died in terrible conditions. The remaining Majapahit troops tried to return to the center of the kingdom, bringing a humiliating defeat.

Aftermath

In the end, Sunda defeated the Majapahit Army and killed their 2 commanders. This rivalry between these 2 kingdoms will continue in Battle of Bubat.