The waves of the Indian Ocean were once scented with gunpowder. The Portuguese Estado da India established itself in this vast region through its forts on water—galleons. But as successful as their conquests were, they were ephemeral: within decades of the Portuguese arriving in the Indian Ocean, Indian and Arab merchants were building their own galleons, and Portuguese officers and sailors were busy integrating themselves into the culture of the Indian Ocean world. Incense boats in the Museum's collection will allow us to explore this fascinating maritime history.
