ABSTRACT
Looking beyond the borders of emerging and established nation states and empires helps to better understand developments that are usually studied within the framework of the respective state. This key premise of transnational history applies in particular to the history of migrations after 1800. Following migrants on their journeys to, within, through and back from a specific state shines new light on the redefinition of political borders and the emergence of an internationally recognised system of cross-border movement. Although most authors who endorse the transnational approach identify migration as a key field of study, surprisingly few migration historians have risen to the challenge. Most studies in the field of migration history after 1800 focus on migrations to or from a specific state. A number of studies have provided a better understanding of the global dimension of mass migrations after 1800, notably in different parts of Asia.
