Reinterpreting encounters: comparative study of William of Rubruck's travelogue and Sri Lankan inscriptions in medieval road contexts
Journal: Open MIND
Year: 2026

This study explores medieval inter-cultural encounters by critically comparing Sri Lankan inscriptions with William of Rubruck’s 13th-century travel report, using Sanjay Subrahmanyam’s ‘Connected History’ theoretical approach. It examines how both sources construct and perceive foreigners as the ‘‘Other’’ within their political and cultural contexts. Sri Lankan epigraphic records reveal the island’s active role in Indian Ocean trade, diplomacy, and cross-cultural alliances. Rubruck’s travelogue,