Economy and Commerce in 14th Century Majapahit

Abstract

From the earliest times onwards Javanese economy was agricultural, based on rice growing, partly on unirrigated, partly on terraced and irrigated fields (sawah). Unirrigated fields, temporarily put under culture to be relinquished when yields fell (ladang, gaga), represent an earlier stage of agriculture. No doubt in the 14th century in the Javanese hills many rural communities, having extensive tracts of jungle and waste land at their disposal, used to farm in that way. It resulted in deforestation of the mountain slopes. In the commentary on the Nag. chapter 6, the Royal chase, the inter-relation of ladang clearing, waste lands, abundance of game and hunting activities has been pointed out.