The History of Sumatra
Containing an Account of the Government, Laws, Customs, and Manners of the Native Inhabitants

A late eighteenth-century account of Sumatra, (reissued here in its 1811 third edition) by an orientalist and public servant.

William Marsden (Author)

9781108050487, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 7 June 2012

542 pages, 27 b/w illus.
29.7 x 21 x 2.8 cm, 1.28 kg

William Marsden (1754–1836) spent his youth working for the East India Company in Sumatra, arriving at sixteen and returning to seek new opportunities in England at twenty-five. Through his acquaintance with Sir Joseph Banks, and his interest in oriental studies, which later led to his admittance to the Royal Society, Marsden was inspired to write an account of the island. His history was first published in 1783. Throughout his subsequent life he combined research and writing, especially on oriental languages and numismatics, and he was also First Secretary to the Admiralty at the time of the Battle of Trafalgar. Displaying a profound understanding of the local flora, fauna, history and people, Marsden provides an important account of a little-known part of Indonesia. Illustrated with botanical drawings, maps and local scenes, the third edition of 1811 is reissued here.

Preface
1. Situation
2. Distinction of inhabitants
3. Villages
4. Agriculture
5. Fruits, flowers, medicinal shrubs and herbs
6. Beasts
7. Vegetable productions of the island considered as articles of commerce
8. Gold, tin, and other metals
9. Languages
10. Comparative state of the Sumatrans in civil society
11. Remarks on, and elucidation of, the various laws and customs
12. Modes of marriage, and customs relative thereto
13. Custom of chewing betel
14. The country of Lampong and its inhabitants
15. Account of the inland country of Korinchi
16. Malayan states
17. Kingdoms of Indrapura, Anak-Sungei, Passamman, Siak
18. Kingdom of Achin
19. History of the kingdom of Achin
20. Brief account of the islands lying off the western coast of Sumatra
Index.

Subject Areas: Asian history [HBJF]