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On this map of Asia, the South China Sea is labelled ‘Malayan Sea’. Small islands, shoals and reefs are shown. A label in Cochin China (Vietnam) reads ‘mountains inhabited by the uncivilized people called Kemoys’.

On this map of Asia, the South China Sea is labelled ‘Malayan Sea’. Small islands, shoals and reefs are shown. A label in Cochin China (Vietnam) reads ‘mountains inhabited by the uncivilized people called Kemoys’.

Brief notes printed on this 19th century map of Southeast Asia provide details about each region, including: numbers and ethnicity of the population, local or colonial rulers, crops and products, geography (corals, forests, volcanos, earthquakes).

Map of Assam, including India’s border with northwest Birma (Myanmar) where indigenous lands/peoples are marked (Singphos, Naga, Kasi-Schan, Thai-Lung) e.g. ‘These mountainous landscapes are inhabited by the Naga tribes [translation from map text]’.

Map of Assam, including India’s border with northwest Birma (Myanmar) where indigenous lands/peoples are marked (Singphos, Naga, Kasi-Schan, Thai-Lung) e.g. ‘These mountainous landscapes are inhabited by the Naga tribes [translation from map text]’.

A mid-19th century German map of mainland Southeast Asia showing a mixture of ancient kingdoms (e.g. Birma, Siam, Anam) and the colonial possessions of Britain (Malaya, Straits Settlements) and Denmark (Nicobar Islands).

A mid-19th century German map of mainland Southeast Asia showing a mixture of ancient kingdoms (e.g. Birma, Siam, Anam) and the colonial possessions of Britain (Malaya, Straits Settlements) and Denmark (Nicobar Islands).

A mid-19th century German map of mainland Southeast Asia showing a mixture of ancient kingdoms (e.g. Birma, Siam, Anam) and the colonial possessions of Britain (Malaya, Straits Settlements) and Denmark (Nicobar Islands).

Map of Southeast Asia highlighting European colonial possessions. Unusually, the south coast of the Philippine island of Mindanao is shown twice, reflecting uncertainty about its true location. Names of indigenous peoples are listed on Borneo.

A French map of the Asian colonial possessions of the Netherlands (Dutch East Indies), with an inset map of the island of Java. Colonies of Britain (Malay Peninsula), Spain (the Philippines) and Portugal (parts of Floris and Timor) are also marked.

A French map of the Asian colonial possessions of the Netherlands (Dutch East Indies), with an inset map of the island of Java. Colonies of Britain (Malay Peninsula), Spain (the Philippines) and Portugal (parts of Floris and Timor) are also marked.

Map of the Birman Empire and Assam (modern Myanmar) with detailed text describing the region’s geography, culture, population, religion, government and history. There is an inset map highlighting Burmese islands off the coast of the Malay Peninsula.