The arrival of the Mongol army is recorded in the Pasir Kapal and Pasir Cina inscriptions. The inscriptions state that “there were 500 ships anchored for 10 days on Serutu Island and they would conquer the king of Java on February 25, 1293.” This significant event became the founding day of Surabaya based on Mayor's Decree No. 64/WK/75, dated May 31, 1293.

The defeat of the Mongol army marked the beginning of the Majapahit kingdom, led by Raden Wijaya as its first king. The Majapahit Kingdom's influence nearly encompassed most of Java Island. The Majapahit Kingdom utilized major rivers to connect trading posts along the waterways. Over time, settlements and villages emerged, developing into central trading, shipping, and inter-regional transportation hubs. This is documented in the Canggu inscription created during the reign of Hayam Wuruk.

The essence of the Canggu inscription is that the Surabaya region, along with Bukul or Bungkul, Jambangan, and Canggu (Mojokerto), was granted the status of perdikan land or an area exempt from taxes because these areas were responsible for providing ferry services.