Overview
Tribhuwana Wijayatunggadewi, known in her regnal name Tribhuwannottunggadewi Jayawishnuwardhani, also known as Dyah Gitarja or Gitarja, was a Javanese queen regnant and the third Majapahit monarch, reigning from 1328 to 1350. She also bears the title Bhre Kahuripan (Duchess of Kahuripan). With the help of her prime minister Gajah Mada, she pursued a massive expansion of the empire. Tradition mentioned her as a woman of extraordinary valour, wisdom and intelligence.
Early life
According to Geneng II inscription, her given name was Dyah Tya. She was the first daughter of King Kertarajasa Jayawardhana, the founder of Majapahit Empire by his principal wife Dyah Gayatri who held the title of Rajapatni. The king was a descendant of Ken Arok, the founder of Singhasari Kingdom through Mahisa Wonga Teleng's lineage. While, Queen Gayatri was the youngest daughter of King Kertanagara, the last ruler of Singhasari from Anusapati's lineage. Thus, making Tya a prominent Rajasa dynasty member.
She was the eldest of Wijaya's offspring, her younger sister namely Dyah Wiyat, both were the daughter of Rajapatni Gayatri, while her half-brother was Jayanagara, the son of Indreswari. According to Nagarakretagama canto 48 stanza 1, her half-brother Jayanegara succeeded to the throne upon the death of her father in 1309, while she and her sister gained the title of Paduka Bhatara simply referred to Bhre. She was the Bhre Kahuripan "Princess of Kahuripan" or Jiwana or Jenggala (now Sidoarjo), while her sister was the Bhre Daha "Princess of Daha" (now Kediri) respectively. They were likened to the twin Ratih, a Hindu goddess worshiped by Javanese whose beauty surpassed all of the nymphs.
According to the Pararaton, King Jayanegara desired his half-sisters to be his consorts. The practice of half-sibling marriage is abhorred in Javanese tradition, subsequently the council of royal elders led by Queen Dowager Gayatri spoke strongly against the king's wishes. The motivation of Jayanegara's wish was not clear — it might have been his way to ensure his throne's legitimacy by preventing rivals from his half sisters' suitors.
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