瀛涯勝覽 by active 1414-1451 Huan Ma
"瀛涯勝覽" by Huan Ma is a historical account written in the early 15th century. This work provides a detailed exploration of various nations encountered by the Chinese treasure voyages led by Zheng He, capturing the diversity of peoples, cultures, and geographic features of these lands. The narrative particularly emphasizes the distinct customs, products, and societal structures of each region visited, offering readers a window into the maritime world of that era. The
opening of the text introduces the context of the author’s travels and the purpose of this compilation, which stems from his experiences as part of Zheng He's expedition. The author reflects on the stark differences in climate, geography, and the characteristics of various countries visited, beginning with the kingdom of Champa (占城) and continuing through several other regions, such as Java and Siam. The narrative covers local customs, dress, social hierarchy, and trade practices, providing rich descriptions of the flora and fauna, as well as the livelihoods of the inhabitants. The initial chapters set the stage for a broader picture of global interactions and exchanges during the early 15th century, highlighting the author’s observations and insights from his journeys. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Ma, Huan, active 1414-1451 |
|---|---|
| Title | 瀛涯勝覽 |
| Alternate Title | Ying Ya Sheng Lan |
| Credits | Produced by Jun-Bi Lai |
| Language | Chinese |
| LoC Class | DS: History: General and Eastern Hemisphere: Asia |
| Subject | Southeast Asia -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800 |
| Subject | Zheng, He, 1371-1435 |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 24144 |
| Release Date | Jan 3, 2008 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 440 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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