Indian Ocean Trade Routes

These flashcards cover key aspects of sea trade in the Indian Ocean during the Post-Classical period, including regions, trade routes, technologies, and empires.

What regions were linked together by the Indian Ocean Trade Routes?

East Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia

What were the major geographic chokepoints in the Indian Ocean?

The Straits of Malacca, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Bab-el-Mandeb

How did monsoon winds affect trade in the Indian Ocean?

In the late summer, travel was easiest from east to west, and in the winter, travel was easiest from west to east.

What spices were traded in the Indian Ocean, and where did they originate?

Cloves and nutmeg from Southeast Asia, and cinnamon from South Asia.

What were some of the new trade goods introduced through the Indian Ocean Trade Routes?

Coffee and Tea

Name two key technological innovations that facilitated trade in the Indian Ocean.

The compass and the astrolabe

What were junks, and what advantages did they offer for Indian Ocean trade?

Large ships pioneered by the Chinese, capable of carrying large quantities of goods and withstanding harsh weather and attacks.

What were dhows, and what were their strengths and weaknesses compared to junks?

Smaller, faster ships pioneered by the Arabs; faster than junks but more difficult to maneuver in hard weather.

Name some of the states that grew wealthy due to the Indian Ocean Trade Routes.

Swahili Coast City States, Srivijaya, Sultanate of Delhi, Gujarat, Rajput kingdoms, Sinhala dynasties, Vijayanagara, Khmer Empire, Sukothai kingdom, Majapahit Empire, Sultanate of Malacca.

What was the main religion in Sri Lanka following the Sultanate of Delhi’s conquests?

Buddhism

Where was the capital of Vijayanagara located, and what was the name of their feudal system?

Deccan Plateau and Nayankara

What was the Khmer Empire's attitude towards women in the trading economy?

Considered women an important part of the trading economy.

What religion did the Sukothai kingdom practice, and what system of rule did they implement?

Theravada Buddhism and the Mandala system

What was the Majapahit Empire known for, and how did they maintain control over the region?

Controlling trade routes, breaking up powerful neighbors, and taking weaker successors as tributaries.

How did the Sultanate of Malacca become wealthy and powerful?

By controlling the Strait of Malacca and levying tariffs on trade.

Name some examples of diasporic communities along the Indian Ocean Trade Routes.

Arabs and Persians in East Africa, Chinese in Southeast Asia, and Malay peoples in the islands of the Indian Ocean.

Who was Zheng He, and what was the purpose of his voyages in the Indian Ocean?

A Chinese admiral who led expeditionary fleets to force regional states to pay tribute and clear trade routes of piracy.

Which empire came to dominate the Indian Ocean Trade Routes?

Dar al Islam