Indian Ocean Trade Network: Key Concepts and Empires (1200–1450)

Indian Ocean Trade Network

The largest sea-based trade system of the pre-modern world, connecting East Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and East Asia.

Monsoon Winds

Predictable seasonal winds that made travel and trade reliable, blowing southwest in winter and northeast in summer.

Lateen sail

A triangular sail design that enabled sailing against wind currents.

Dhow ships

Strong ships used by Arab and Indian merchants, ideal for long voyages.

Junks

Massive Chinese ships that symbolized advanced naval engineering during the Song Dynasty.

Astrolabe

An instrument that improved navigation and distance accuracy.

Magnetic compass

A navigational tool that enhanced sailors' ability to determine direction.

Advances in cartography

Improvements that helped sailors map the monsoon cycle and sea routes more precisely.

Kilwa

A major port in East Africa known for exporting gold, ivory, slaves, and iron.

Aden

A major port in the Arabian Peninsula known for exporting horses, dates, and incense.

Calicut

A major port in India known for exporting textiles, spices, pepper, and gems.

Malacca

A major port in Southeast Asia known for exporting tin, nutmeg, cloves, and sandalwood.

Quanzhou

A major port in China known for exporting porcelain, silk, and tea.

Srivijaya Empire

An empire in Sumatra that controlled trade through the Strait of Malacca and taxed ships passing through.

Sultanate of Malacca

A wealthy maritime empire that taxed trade and served as a cultural hub.

Chola Kingdom

A kingdom in Southern India that controlled coastal regions and promoted Indian Ocean commerce.

Ming Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty that sponsored Zheng He's voyages from 1405 to 1433, displaying Chinese power and increasing maritime contact.

Diasporic Merchant Communities

Communities of merchants who settled abroad, spreading their culture and fostering cross-cultural exchange.

Cultural blending

The result of intermarriage and exchange among different cultures facilitated by diasporic communities.

Specialized production

Increased demand for goods led to more specialized production, such as cotton in India and silk in China.

Credit systems

Developed systems similar to Silk Road banking houses.

Maritime empires

States that grew rich from taxing trade and controlling chokepoints.

Spread of Islam

Dominant religion in Indian Ocean commerce.

Swahili language

A blend of Bantu and Arabic that reflects cultural fusion.

Crops and animals spread

Bananas, citrus fruits, and rice moved between regions.

Diseases spread

Spread more slowly than on the Silk Roads due to lower human density on ships.

Zheng He

Chinese admiral who led seven voyages for the Ming Dynasty, expanding China's maritime influence.

Ibn Battuta

Muslim traveler who documented Indian Ocean cities, showing strong Islamic influence.

Swahili Coast

East African city-states that thrived from Indian Ocean trade.

Srivijaya

Maritime empire that profited from controlling key choke points.

Trade = Wealth

Trade leads to wealth, culture, technology, religion, and power.

Compass

A navigational tool that aided maritime exploration.

Monsoon navigation

Navigation techniques based on seasonal wind patterns.

Cultural diffusion

Spread of ideas and cultural practices, such as Islam and Swahili culture.

Artistic & architectural diffusion

Mosques built with African, Arab, and Indian styles, exemplified by the Great Mosque of Kilwa.