Indian Ocean Trade Network Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Indian Ocean trade network: sea routes connecting Afro-Eurasia
• Existed before 1200 but expanded significantly during this period

Causes of Expansion

1. Collapse of the Mongol Empire

   • Mongol control facilitated Silk Road trade
   • Decline led to increased emphasis on Indian Ocean maritime trade

2. Innovations in Commercial Practices

   • Adoption of money economies
   • Use of credit made trade easier

3. Innovations in Transportation Technology

   • Navigation Improvements:
     • Magnetic compass for direction
     • Astrolabe for location
   • Ship Improvements:
     • Chinese junk: large cargo capacity
     • Improved dhows: larger and more efficient
   • Use of Monsoon Winds:
     • Predictable seasonal winds aided navigation

4. Spread of Islam

   • Islam supportive of merchants (Muhammad was a merchant)
   • Facilitated trade along sea routes

Effects of Expansion

1. Growth of Powerful Trading Cities

   • Swahili City-States
     • Benefited from strategic location
     • Wealth from gold, ivory, and enslaved people trade
     • Built mosques and public works
   • Malacca
     • Controlled Strait of Malacca; taxed ships
     • Grew wealthy from trade
   • Gujarat
     • Central location between Asia and Africa
     • Wealth from taxing trade and goods like textiles and indigo

2. Establishment of Diaspora Communities

   • Definition: Groups from one place settling in another, retaining customs
   • Example: Chinese in Southeast Asia, Arab/Persian in East Africa
   • Served as connective tissue for trade network

3. Cultural and Technological Transfers

   • Significance of cultural, technological exchanges over trade routes
   • Admiral Zheng He
     • Ming Dynasty expeditions to promote tributary system
     • Large fleet with advanced military technology
     • Influenced regional adoption of technology and trade practices

Conclusion

• Indian Ocean trade network's expansion due to technological, cultural, and economic factors
• Significant impacts on region's social, political, and economic landscapes

---

• For further study, refer to additional resources and guides.