Writing about Discovery in the Early Modern East Indies

The Portuguese conquest of Melaka in 1511 had a significant impact on early travel literature, as it facilitated trade and travel between Europe and Asia. Portuguese representations of the conquest focused on recovering what was known and grafting Asian knowledges onto European epistemologies, while Malay texts also traversed known routes and spaces by forging new kinship alliances.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Portuguese explorations paved the way for a sea-route to Asia, ushering in the era of armed trade in the Indian Ocean. This Element delves into the profound impact of the 1511 Portuguese conquest of the port-kingdom of Melaka on early travel literature. By engaging in a dialogue between accounts from Portuguese, Mestizo, and Malay perspectives, this study re-evaluates the concept of early modern discovery as a cross-cultural trope. Trade and travel were intricately intertwined, shaped by the influence of religion. Rather than focusing on novelty or wonder, Portuguese representations prioritized the recovery of known knowledge and the integration of Asian insights, including local histories, into European epistemologies. Rather than viewing Portuguese rule as a break from the sultanate, they re-conceptualized Melaka as a European city. However, this model is nuanced by a secondary aspect of accidental discovery facilitated by native agents. Similarly, Malay texts also followed established routes and spaces during travel. Malay travelers actively inserted themselves into foreign environments by forging new kinship alliances, even as indigenous networks faced disruptions due to European incursions.

ISBN-13: 9781009045865