Indian Ocean Trade

Alex Howe

CCOT

12-1-12

The prosperity of India came somewhat from the productivity of Indian Society, but it depended also on the vast amount of wealth that existed in the commercial world of the Indian Ocean Basin. The Indian Ocean region was not new to trade as Indian merchants had traveled Southeast Asia, and Roman mariners went to India in search of pepper. Commerce in the Indian ocean region from 650 C.E. to 1750 C.E. stayed the same in some ways, like the use of the monsoon system for travel, but changed in even more ways in terms of specialization of trade, and the ships that were used.

The earliest voyaging in the Indian Ocean followed the coastlines, but already in classical ties mariners recognized the pattern of the winds, also known as the monsoon system. The monsoon winds blew from Southwest to Northeast from April-September and the opposite way from November-February. These winds dictated when merchants could sail, as well as where they could sail. Going from Africa or Malaysia to India would occur during the summer winds. A merchant would sail from Arabia or India to Africa during the winter months. Since merchants could not sail against the wind they were stuck at port of more than just good; ideas and religions were passed along as well. India become an Emporia for sailors that would keep their goods in warehouses during their stay.

In the year 650 C.E. most countries were trading mostly the same things. As the volume of trade in the Indian Ocean increased, lands around the ocean began to engage in specialized production of commodities for the commercial market. Some specialized industries that emerged in postclassical India were sugar refining, leather tanning, stone carving, and carpet weaving. Iron and steel production also emerged as prominent industries. High-carbon steel was well known as a product of Indian artisans. Other lands concentrated on the production of different goods: China produced silk, porcelain, and lacquer ware; Southeast Asia produced spices, horse, incense, and dates came from southwest Asia; and eat Africa provided gold, ivory, and slaves. As trade increased it encouraged specialization of trade in all lands that were part of the trade network of the Indian Ocean basin.

Ships in the Indian Ocean Basin changed greatly from 650 to 1750 C.E. over time larger ships were built, which enabled traders to leave the coastline and go straight through the ocean. Larger ships also meant more cargo space. The Dhows that were used by the Indian, Persian, and Arab sailors averaged 100 tons of cargo in 1000 C.E. and 400 tons in 1500 C.E. After the naval expansion of the Song Dynasty, large Chinese and southeast Asian junks also sailed the Indian Ocean: some of which could carry 1000 tons of cargo. With increased cargo space came an increase in goods that were being traded, this allowed