The Silent Gods of Srivijaya

Endri Irfanie
Chapter #22

The Battle of Palembang

One day after Samudra Raksa’s encounter with the armada, the Mongol had already arrived in the land of Suvarnadvipa. Cunningly, they managed to avoid sea warfare with Srivijaya’s war sambau—keeping off with the celebrated naval strength of the maritime kingdom. Thus, the armada did not go near Musi River but passed over the Gaspar strait between Bangka and Belitung islands and anchored in the east coast of Suvarnadvipa instead. Then the host marched west while burning anything they can set fire into.

In a week, the Mongol host reached the city of Palembang. Srivijaya anticipated by evacuating the people who lived at the east of Musi River to the west side. The rakshin closed all access for the enemies to cross the giant river. To counteract this tactic, the Mongols build boats to ferry their host. Though Srivijayan’s army could drown several of the boats and exterminated some the enemies who made it across, due to the large number of Mongol’s host, in the next week the entire host made it to the other side.

It was on a day with heavy downpour the Battle of Palembang began. Srivijaya’s army that consisted of the rakshin, the war hulubalang and army of civilians can be defeated easily by the Mongol’s army. The Mongol was more disciplined and well-organized compared to its opponent, resulted to the fall of the city of Palembang in the third day. In the process, the Mongols wiped out every Srivijayan they met indiscriminately—combatant or noncombatant, men or women, adults or children. However, the palace and its people were spared; the amātya and other noblemen were taken hostage, though the marsi were raped pitilessly.

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