This chapter examines how the Java-Instituut, established in 1918 as a result of debates during the Congress for the Advancement of Javanese Culture, influenced the writing and teaching of Majapahit history during the late colonial period in the Dutch East Indies. Amid ongoing tensions between advocates of modern scientific historiography and those supporting the traditional Babad-based approach, Majapahit emerged as a focal point of contention. Although all sides acknowledged Majapahit’s importance, their differing interpretations underscored the complexity of Javanese identity and the interplay of colonial and nationalist visions. Through its journals, congress proceedings, and archival materials, the Java-Instituut fostered a dynamic intellectual environment that both drew upon and challenged European-centered orientalist frameworks. It embraced global intellectual currents, notably the “Greater India” idea, and enabled Javanese elites and colonial scholars to collaborate, thus subtly reshaping the discourse on Majapahit. Ultimately, the Java-Instituut served as a key “site” for rethinking Javanese history and cultural authenticity, forging connections between colonial intellectual networks and emerging national consciousness.