Introduction: the reception of the harquebus in East and South-East Asia

Abstract The invention of the harquebus is often thought to have revolutionized infantry warfare in early modern Europe, starting in the sixteenth century. Yet, the understanding of its impact on non-European warfare is still largely colored by models that are based on the historical experiences of early modern Europe. A recent efflorescence of interest from regional specialists of East and South-East Asia in military history has engaged these models and enriched our understanding, but many gaps in the scholarly coverage remain. This special issue puts a lineup of scholars with diverse regional expertise in conversation with the extant historiography to inter alia explore the relationship between hand-held firearms and state formation, the development of military institutions and professionalization, and the manifestation of cultures of innovation. Together, these articles map the diverse receptions of the harquebus across two major regions within Asia, which were entangled by extensive political and economic interactions, the activities of the Portuguese, and often a preexisting acquaintance with Chinese gunpowder technologies. Collectively, this special issue highlights the importance of conducting detailed local case studies and bringing these into dialogue with existing all-encompassing models in order to construct a truly global military history of the early modern world.