2.3: Exchange in the Indian Ocean

Causes of Expanded Trade

• Spread of Islam

• Mongol Decline (SR)

• Commercial Practices: flying money, money econ, banking houses, credit

• Transportation Technology: compass, astrolabe, lateen sails, junks, dhows, stern rudder

• Monsoon Winds: winter NE, summer SW

What products were traded?

• Ind: cotton fabric, carpets, steel, tanned leather, stones, peppercorn

• Malaysia/Indonesia: nutmeg/cinnamon/cloves/cardamom

• Swahili Coat: Au, ivory, slaves

  • Slaves more likely sea/soldiers/labor; along free ppl and rights (spread cult)

Growth of States/Diasporic communities

• Swahili City-States

• Malacca: Sultanate, taxed trade strait of malacca

• Gujarat: coastal btwn S/SE Asia; taxed port ships

• Diasporic: CH in SE Asia, Arab/Persia E Afr

Culture Exchange

• Zheng He voyages through Yongle the emporer with 317 ships and 28,000 men for tribute and intimidate, scared off pirates

• Confuc. thought isolate, and too expensive/others inferior; cancelled, ships +2 masts illegal