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Map of the East Indies in the mid-19th century, with Dutch colonial territory (Dutch East Indies) coloured in brown. Dutch administrative regions—such as residencies (‘residentie’) and governorates (‘gouvernement’)—are labelled.

Map of the East Indies in the mid-19th century, with Dutch colonial territory (Dutch East Indies) coloured in brown. Dutch administrative regions—such as residencies (‘residentie’) and governorates (‘gouvernement’)—are labelled.

Map of the Eastern Hemisphere featuring a maritime route from the Netherlands to the port of Batavia (Jakarta) in the East Indies, with each day’s progress marked. Other routes around the region and back to Europe via the Suez Canal are also shown.

Map of the Eastern Hemisphere featuring a maritime route from the Netherlands to the port of Batavia (Jakarta) in the East Indies, with each day’s progress marked. Other routes around the region and back to Europe via the Suez Canal are also shown.

Map of Southeast Asia highlighting the colonial possessions of the Netherlands (Dutch East Indies), Spain (Philippines), Britain (Straits Settlements, Burma, part of Borneo) and Portugal (East Timor). From the German atlas ‘Stielers Handatlas’.

Map of Southeast Asia highlighting the colonial possessions of the Netherlands (Dutch East Indies), Spain (Philippines), Britain (Straits Settlements, Burma, part of Borneo) and Portugal (East Timor). From the German atlas ‘Stielers Handatlas’.

Map of Southeast Asia highlighting the colonial possessions of the Netherlands (Dutch East Indies), Spain (Philippines), Britain (Straits Settlements, Burma, part of Borneo) and Portugal (East Timor). From the German atlas ‘Stielers Handatlas’.

Map of Southeast Asia highlighting the colonial possessions of the Netherlands (Dutch East Indies), Spain (Philippines), Britain (Straits Settlements, Burma, part of Borneo) and Portugal (East Timor). From the German atlas ‘Stielers Handatlas’.

Dutch map of the East Indies, with mountain ranges represented by simple hachure marks, and just a few rivers marked. Mainland Southeast Asia is labelled ‘Achter Indie [Beyond India]’.

Dutch map of the East Indies, with mountain ranges represented by simple hachure marks, and just a few rivers marked. Mainland Southeast Asia is labelled ‘Achter Indie [Beyond India]’.

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.

Map from Johannes Olivier’s book ‘Land- en Zeetogten in Nederland's Indie [Land and Sea Journeys in the Dutch Indies]’, showing European colonial possessions and indigenous kingdoms in Asia.