The starting point of this volume is the scathing attack, far-reaching in its consequences, launched in 1942 by J.
The starting point of this volume is the scathing attack, far-reaching in its consequences, launched in 1942 by J.C. van Leur on the views then current on the character and significance of the 18th century as a category in Asian history. His denial of European pre-eminence in Asian waters represented a direct attack on colonial historiography. The essays here derive from an international conference held 50 years later, to assess the impact of van Leur's work. In part historiographic, in part drawing on new research, they aim to delimit the boundaries of European-Asian interaction, and to provide case studies of what this period actually meant for the history of South and East Aia.
'...a fascinating and wide-ranging tour d'horizon of recent Asian historiography struggling with the issue of eighteenth-century change....' Journal of Asian Studies, Vol. 58, No. 4 '... reflective overviews by experienced historians...' Journal of World History 'This excellent and well-connected collection of essays is well worth the purchase of the volume and belongs on any historian's bookshelf.... it is hoped that university libraries and other institutions will add this book to their collections.' Journal of Asian History
