Zheng He and the Galle Trilingual Inscription
Language: English
Published by Ohm Books Publishing, 2026
- Softcover
- New
Seller: California Books, Miami, FL, U.S.A.California Books
AbeBooks seller since October 27, 2023
Condition: New
£ 12.29
Quantity: Over 20 available
Add to basketSeller Inventory # I-9781066723812
- Title
- Zheng He and the Galle Trilingual Inscription
- Author
- Segaran
- Publisher
- Ohm Books Publishing
- Publication year
- 2026
- Condition
- New
- Binding
- Soft cover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 1066723818
- ISBN 13
- 9781066723812
- Illustrator
- Segaran, Joseph J
This book takes a wide-angle look at the Galle Trilingual Inscription, pulling together insights from history, religion, language, and seafaring. It starts by telling the story of how the stone was found and what people first thought it meant. Then it places the inscription in the world of 15th-century Sri Lanka, a time shaped by politics, trade, and spiritual life.
Each of the three texts on the stone is unpacked to explore what they say, how they're written, and who they were meant for. This book also looks at how using multiple languages wasn't just practical for trade, it was a smart way to show respect and build bridges between cultures.
It also digs into how colonial and nationalist views have influenced the way this stone has been understood over time. And it asks what the inscription means today: as a symbol of religious diversity, a challenge for museums deciding how to display it, and a reminder of how global connections have deep roots.
In a quiet corner of the National Museum in Colombo sits an old stone slab. At first glance, it doesn't look like much, just a worn surface with faded writing. But this humble rock, known as the Galle Trilingual Inscription, tells a remarkable story about Sri Lanka's place in the world over 600 years ago.
Back in 1409, during his third voyage across the Indian Ocean, the famous Chinese admiral Zheng He had this stone carved. It carries messages in three languages, Chinese, Tamil, and Persian, each calling on a different god: Buddha, Vishnu, and Allah. It's a rare and powerful example of religious respect and international diplomacy, written in the main languages of trade and belief across the region.
This book dives into the story behind the stone, not just as a museum piece, but as a symbol of global connection. It looks at how the inscription was found, how scholars have tried to make sense of it, and what it tells us about the world at that time. Through its words and the trade routes it hints at, the stone shows how religion, politics, and commerce came together in one bold act of outreach from a distant empire.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Joseph is a freelance artist living in Amsterdam, primarily making illustrations of the city's iconic architecture.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
California Books
Miami, FL, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since October 27, 2023
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 3 to 7 business days | 2 to 5 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 2.24 | £ 12.68 |
Payment methods
Store description
We have 20 years experience selling books worldwide! Friendly customer support. Your satisfaction guaranteed!
Specialty
All authorized categoriesSeller's business information
Miramar International Services LLC
FL, U.S.A.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to California Books, Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.