The Social World of Batavia: Europeans and Eurasians in Colonial Indonesia

In the seventeenth century, the Dutch established a trading post in Indonesia, locally known as Jacarta. Initially recognized as a modest colonial outpost called Batavia, this site would evolve over the following three centuries into the thriving economic and political heart of the Dutch Asian Empire. Jean Gelman Taylor embarks on an in-depth exploration of Batavia's remarkable social landscape in her groundbreaking study. She meticulously examines various facets of life in Batavia, including marriage patterns, religious and social organizations, economic interests, and sexual roles.

Taylor places special emphasis on the urban ruling elite, contending that the interactions between Europeans and Asians profoundly transformed both groups. This cultural blending gave rise to a distinctive hybrid known as Indo-Dutch culture. What makes her work particularly original is its focus on gender dynamics and its reliance on a diverse array of sources. These include travelers' narratives, newspapers, legal frameworks, genealogical records, photographic collections, artworks, and ceramics.

Originally published in 1983, The Social World of Batavia broke new ground for research on colonial societies. In this second edition, Taylor revisits her work with a new preface and introduces an additional chapter that highlights how a fresh generation of scholars has continued to develop these themes. Through this enriched edition, readers are offered a deeper understanding of the social complexities in colonial Batavia and the enduring legacy of Indo-Dutch culture.

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