Imagined geographies : the maritime silk roads in world history, 100-1800

A study of the history and geography of the pre-1800 world such as it touches the vast space linking the eastern Mediterranean with the Indian Ocean littoral, the Southeast Asian world, and the coast of China and Japan, this book argues that different regions astride the maritime silk roads were not merely interconnected waterways, but also “imagined geographies.” In turn five such geographic imaginaries are examined, specifically Indian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and European including an imagined Great South Land. Drawing upon an array of marine and other archaeological examples, the book offers evidence of the intertwining of political, cultural, and economic regions across the sea silk roads from ancient times until the early modern period, such as evidenced by the activities of arriving Europeans. By taking a broader civilizational approach, the book goes beyond simple national history and places the maritime realm within a greater spatial perspective to offer a decentered world regional history. Pitched at history lovers from all around the world, and deliberately avoiding the centrisms that come with national histories, the book should surely satisfy readers seeking to know more about how their forebears viewed their respective regions and how their region fits into world history with local uniqueness. Imagined Geographies is a pioneering work in the study of history and geography of the pre-1800 world. In this book, Gunn argues that different regions astride the maritime silk roads were not only interconnected but can also be construed as "imagined geographies." Taking a grand civilizational perspective, five such geographic imaginaries are examined across respective chapters, namely Indian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and European including an imagined Great South Land. Drawing upon an array of marine and other archaeological examples, the author offers compelling evidence of the intertwining of political, cultural, and economic regions across the sea silk roads from ancient times until the seventeenth century. Through a thorough analysis of these five geographic imaginaries, the author sets aside purely national history and looks at the maritime realm from a broader spatial perspective. He challenges the Eurocentric concept of center and periphery and establishes a revisionist view on a decentered world regional history. This book will definitely interest history lovers from all around the world who wants to know more about how their forebears viewed their respective region and how their region fits into world history with local uniqueness A pioneering work in the study of history and geography of the pre-1800 world. Imagined Geographies is a pioneering work in the study of the history and geography of the pre-1800 world. In this book, Geoffrey C. Gunn argues that different regions astride the maritime silk roads were not merely interconnected waterways, but also “imagined geographies.” Here he examines five such geographic imaginaries, specifically Indian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and European including an imagined Great South Land. Drawing upon an array of marine and other archaeological examples, he offers compelling evidence of the intertwining of political, cultural, and economic regions across the sea silk roads from ancient times until the seventeenth century. By taking a broader civilizational approach, Gunn goes beyond simple national history and places the maritime realm within a greater spatial perspective to offer a decentered world regional history. This book will interest history lovers from all around the world who want to know more about how their forebears viewed their respective regions and how their region fits into world history with local uniqueness.