Writing the historical novel 'Majapahit: Intrigue, Betrayal and War in Indonesia’s Greatest Empire'

This seminar examines the history behind the author’s new historical novel on Majapahit. Majapahit was a 14th century Hindu-Buddhist East Javanese empire that very much shaped Indonesia and large parts of Southeast Asia.

Its rise and fall is an unusual tale full with magic, late-night tantric rituals, a Mongol invasion that went horribly wrong and a messed-up wedding that somehow brought everyone together. Majapahit also teaches us about tolerance as it soaked up Chinese, Arab and Indic ideas from traders that walked its markets. 

About the speaker

Herald van der Linde is HSBC’s Chief Asia equity strategist, also known as “The Flying Dutchman” given his frequent travels around the region. He also is adjunct assistant professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where he teaches a course in their Master of Finance program twice a year. He has travelled, lived and worked in Indonesia and Hong Kong since the 90s. 

Married to an Indonesian, he is passionate about the social and cultural history of Indonesia and is the author of “Majapahit: Intrigue, Betrayal and War in Indonesia’s Greatest Empire” (2024) as well as “Jakarta: History of a Misunderstood City” (2020). Fluent in Dutch, Indonesian and English, he enjoys delving into local Indonesian archives to unearth intriguing narratives from the archipelago’s past.

Registration

This event free, open to the public, and held in person only. If you would like to attend, please register using the link above.

• Organiser: SOAS Centre of South East Asian Studies
• Contact email: centres@soas.ac.uk 

Image credit: Rizki Rama via Unsplash