Cetbang

Majapahit Cetbang cannon from Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The Surya Majapahit emblem can be seen.

Cetbang is a type of cannon produced and used by Majapahit Empire (1293-1527 M) and other kingdoms in Nusantaran archipelago. Differs from typical European and Middle Eastern cannon, which is muzzleloader, cetbang is made from bronze and is a breech-loading cannon.

Cannons thought to have been introduced to Majapahit when Kubilai Khan's army came from China under the leadership of Ike Mese, seeks to invade Java. This invasion happened in 1293. In Sekar inscription, it is written that main production foundries of Cetbang is in Rajakwesi, Bojonegoro, whereas the black powder is produced in Swatantara Biluluk.^[1]

Usage in Majapahit Era

Majapahit Kingdom dominated the Nusantaran archipelago because technologies to cast and forge bronze and ability to mass produce them in local buildings. Majapahit also pioneered manufacture and usage of firearms in large scale as part of warfare. The usage of cannons is widely used by Majapahit navy, pirates, and other neighboring kingdoms in Nusantara.^[2]

The size of cetbang used by Majapahit navy varies from 1 meter to 3 meter in length. Three meter long cetbang usually used by larger ship in Majapahit Navy (see Jung). Famous Majapahit admiral that renowned for the usage of cannons is Mpu Nala. Records of Mpu Nala is known from Sekar inscription, Manah I Manuk (Bendosari) inscription, Batur inscription, Tribhuwana inscription dan Kakawin Negarakeragama who call him as Rakryan Tumenggung (War commander).^[3]

In Kakawin Negarakertagama, Mpu Nala gained the title "Wiramandalika". This title is awarded for his services in Majapahit expansions. In wirama 72 verse 2-3 calls him as the descendant of brilliant people who is able to defeat the enemy at Dompo (West Nusa Tenggara).

Usage After Majapahit Era

Following the decline of Majapahit, lot of weapon makers and bronze smith disappointed by the situation and move to Sumatra, Malay peninsula, and Phillipines. This in turn widen the usage and production of cetbang, especially for protecting trade ships in Makassar strait from pirates. When Portuguese first came to Malacca they noticed a large colony of Javanese merchants under its own headman; the Javanese even founded their own cannon, which then, and for long after, were as necessary to merchant ships as sails.^[4] Majapahit-era cetbang cannons still being improved and used in  Demak Sultanate era, and also used on Demak invasion of Malacca. During that era, the resource (this time iron) for manufacturing Javanese cannons is imported from Khorasan in northern Persia. The material is known by Javanese as wesi kurasani (Khorasan iron).

In the period after Majapahit decline, cannons derived from cetbangs in Nusantara (especially from Sumatra and Malay area) is grouped into two types :

Lela

Lela is smaller in size compared to 16th century European cannons, but usually has intricate models and patterns. Used mainly by Malay sultanates in Malay peninsula, Sumatra, and Kalimantan. Lela cannons is used on trade ships and warships to ward pirates and also for warfare. Lela is sounded upon a ceremony, for instance in throning of kings, receiving guests, engagement ceremony, and paying respect for the death of a person.

Rentaka

Rentaka (or lantaka) is a term in Malay language for cannons smaller in calibre than lela, with long barrel and made from iron. This term is for differing these type of cannon from lela, which is bigger. These weapon mainly used in 16, 17, and 18th century. Filipinos still using rentakas in Phillipine-American war. Rentaka is a swivel gun with smoothbore barrel, and is loaded from the front (muzzle loaded).

Surviving Examples

Cetbang in Bali Museum

In the present there are surviving examples of cetbang :

• Bali Museum, Denpasar, Bali. This Balinese cannon is located in the yard of Bali Museum.

• Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA. This cannon is thought to have been produced in 14th century, made from bronze with dimension 37,7x16 inches (0,96 meter in length and 40 cm in width).^[5]

A Cetbang found in Selayar island.

Majapahitan cetbang also found in :

• Dundee beach, Northern Territory, Australia in 2 January 2010. From Department of Arts & Museum, Northern Territory Government research (swivel gun) this bronze cannon is likely from 16th century, before James Cook voyage to Australia. The model is closer to Ternate, Makassar, or Balinese cannons.^[6]

• Bissorang village, Selayar islands, Sulawesi Selatan province. There is one cannon thought to originate from Majapahit era. Local people cal this cetbang Ba'dili or Papporo Bissorang.^[7]

See Also

• Lantaka

References

• Early firearms and thermal weapons
  History of the firearm History of gunpowder Timeline of the Gunpowder Age
  Firearms	Arquebus Bajōzutsu Belton flintlock Blunderbuss (Dragon) Cookson repeater Doglock Fire lance Flintlock and flintlock mechanism Hand cannon Hand mortar Heilongjiang hand cannon Howdah pistol Huochong Huolongjing Jingal Kalthoff repeater Matchlock Miquelet lock Muzzleloader Nock gun Snap matchlock Snaphance Snaplock Tanegashima Tu Huo Qiang Wheellock
  Muskets	Brown Bess Charleville musket Culverin Jazāyer Jezail Kabyle musket Model 1795 Musket Model 1816 Musket Model 1822 Musket Musket Model 1777 Musketoon Springfield Model 1812 Musket Springfield musket Springfield rifle M1752 Musket Wall gun
  Early artillery	Abus gun Artillery of France in the Middle Ages Basilisk Bâton à feu Bombard Breech-loading swivel gun Cetbang Chongtong Culverin Fauconneau Gunpowder artillery in the Middle Ages Gunpowder artillery in the Song dynasty Hongyipo Hu dun pao Korean cannon Lantaka Pierrier à boîte Pot-de-fer Ribauldequin Veuglaire
  Medieval superguns	Dulle Griet Faule Grete Faule Mette Grose Bochse Mons Meg Pumhart von Steyr
  Early rockets and incendiaries	Bo-hiya Congreve rocket Fire arrow Huo Che Greek fire Huolongjing Hwacha Mysorean rockets Singijeon
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