While the 15th century is generally associated with Southeast Asia’s ‘Age of Commerce’ travellers had long been moving throughout the lands and waters of Asia, and their accounts are extremely valuable for learning more about the ports and trading communities of Asia.
We can gain insights into early modern Asia’s maritime realm by examining accounts written at the time. Ibn Battuta, a well-known 14th Century Muslim traveller (pictured above) provides many glimpses into not only the rigours of traveling in Asia (by land and by sea) but also observations of many key port cities and trading settlements.
Berkley University’s virtual tour of Ibn Battuta’s voyages is particularly engaging and can be found at this address:
http://ibnbattuta.berkeley.edu
(Chapter 7 onwards traces from Delhi to the Maldives, Ceylon and into Southeast Asia)