--An Article by Poojan Patel
Malamni Pothis, the sailor's manuals meticulously kept by Kachchi navigators, stand as an often-overlooked treasure trove within maritime literature. Penned during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, these manuscripts, spanning nearly 1,000 pages, offer an awe-inspiring glimpse into the navigational expertise and cultural richness of the Kachchh region in Gujarat, India. Intricately written in the Kutchi version of the Gujarati script, the Pothis present a dense tapestry of information, ranging from captivating voyage accounts to meticulous astronomical calculations and intricate navigation charts. Despite appearing fragmented, the lack of a standardized format is a testament to the dynamic nature of the contemplated sea voyages. The transfer of Pothis between malams (navigators) at different ports of call resulted in a seemi
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