India, Malaysian peninsula – Laurent Frisius after Claudius Ptolemy, 1535

INDIA AND THE MALAYSIAN PENINSULA AS SEEN IN THE SECOND CENTURY 

“Tabula XI. Asiae – hae sunt e cognitis totius orbis. Provinciis seu Praefecturis quas undecima Asiae tabula complectitur. India extra Gangem. Synarum regio.” [The eleventh map of Asia – These are the regions or prefectures of the known world encompassed by the eleventh map of Asia. India beyond the Ganges. The land of the Chinese.] Woodcut published by Laurent Frisius in 1535 after the design of the Greek scholar Claudius Ptolemy (c. 100-160s/170s AD). Size: 28.3 x 40.2 cm.

The map depicts “India beyond the Ganges” and in the foreground the Malay Peninsula as “Aurea Chersone” [the Golden Chersonese]. The landmass (China) running southward along the right side of the map reflects the Ptolemaic belief that the Indian Ocean was an enclosed inland sea.

In the far lower right lies the great legendary seaport of “Catigara“, possibly corresponding to Canton, which in classical geography was regarded as one of the outermost points of the inhabited world.

On the reverse of the map, the customs and social organisation of the inhabitants of India are described in considerable detail.

The court life of the king is presented as strictly regulated and surrounded by constant vigilance. Fearing conspiracies, he regularly changes his sleeping quarters at night and spends his days administering justice, fulfilling ritual obligations, and engaging in hunting expeditions. These hunts have a distinctly ceremonial character, with the ruler accompanied by large groups of women while his bodyguards keep their distance. Access to this inner circle is strictly controlled; anyone who gains unauthorised access to the women surrounding the ruler is punished by death. Remarkably, women do not merely play a passive role but also bear arms, participate in hunts, and even take part in military activities — a custom explicitly presented as departing from European practice.

Religious customs are also addressed. The Indians are said to venerate nature gods, including a rain god identified with Jupiter, the river Ganges, and local protective spirits. Royal rituals, such as the washing of the ruler’s hair, are accompanied by solemn celebrations and the offering of precious gifts, with subjects making a conspicuous display of their wealth.

A substantial part of the text is devoted to the division of society into seven estates. The highest rank is held by philosophers or priests, a small but influential group engaged in ritual, the care of the dead, and divination. They enjoy prestige and privileges, but are expected to make reliable pronouncements on matters such as weather and disease; those who predict incorrectly are punished with a lifelong vow of silence. The largest group consists of farmers, who are exempt from military service and are spared even in wartime, their work being considered essential to the food supply. There are also herders and hunters, who lead a nomadic existence and support agriculture by combating harmful animals. Craftsmen manufacture weapons and tools and are maintained by the state. Soldiers form a large, professionally organised group devoted entirely to warfare, likewise provided with their livelihood by the state. Overseers (Ephors) report to the king on the state of affairs in the country, while a small group of counsellors supports the administration and is distinguished by noble birth and wisdom.

The woodcut decorations surrounding the description on the reverse are attributed to Albrecht Dürer.

Price: Euro 950,-