1. Indian Ocean Maritime System
How important was it really?

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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