Three Centuries of Travel Writing by Muslim Women

This collection of 17th- to 20th-century writings by Muslim women travelers offers a unique perspective on world exploration, challenging preconceived notions and showcasing the diverse experiences of these adventurers. Their writings, translated and annotated by editors, provide insight into their concerns for other women, their willingness to record their experiences, and the constant thoughts they cast homeward.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 532 pages
Publication date: 02 August 2022
Publisher: Indiana University Press

When we think of intrepid travelers from past centuries, we don't typically place Muslim women at the forefront of our minds. However, the captivating firsthand accounts compiled in this collection challenge our preconceived notions about who was exploring the world.

Editors Siobhan Lambert-Hurley, Daniel Majchrowicz, and Sunil Sharma have painstakingly recovered, translated, annotated, and provided historical and cultural context for the 17th- to 20th-century writings of Muslim women travelers in ten different languages. These women, ranging from queens and captives to pilgrims and provocateurs, exhibit a remarkable diversity. Their connection to Islam spans a wide spectrum, from devout individuals to those who distanced themselves from religion. What unites these adventurers is their empathy for the women they encounter, their willingness to document their experiences, and the constant longing they harbor for their homes, even as they navigate a world that sometimes proved unwelcoming.

Three Centuries of Travel Writing by Muslim Women is an invaluable resource for readers interested in gender, Islam, travel writing, and global history. It offers a profound insight into how these daring women experienced the world, through their own voices.

Weight: 986g
Dimension: 177 x 253 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253062390