Indian Ocean Maritime System How important was it really?

Origins of Contact and Trade Records from 2,000 BCE Regular trade between Mesopotamia, islands of Persian Gulf, Oman and Indus River Used familiar routes for several 100 years Established by a multilingual, multiethnic society of seafarers

Where did trade take place? Three distinct locations Southern China Sea Eastern coast of India to the islands of Southeast Asia Western coast of India to the Persian Gulf and the eastern coast of Africa

Key Points No visible role in the rise and fall of kingdoms/ empires Created increasingly strong economic and social ties Regular, seasonal winds didn’t remain unnoticed

Key Points Cont’d Indian Ocean Mediterranean Triangular sails World around Indian Ocean developed differently from the world of the Mediterranean Indian Ocean Triangular sails Without oars (used the wind) Planks pierced, tied together B/c of monsoons, long time at sea Little contact with homeland Mediterranean Square Sails Long banks of oars (get around islands and small harbors) Nailed vessels together Rarely left sight of land Maintained contact with their home cities

Impact of Indian Ocean Trade Demand continued trade Many ports In Southern India and Arabian peninsula- isolated In Eastern India densely populated At times social impact despite their usual lack of political power

Impact Cont’d Women Seldom accompanied men on travels Men married local women in port cities Families thus established bilingual and bicultural Crucial role as mediators between cultures Introduced men to different cultures, which they took to other areas on their travels