2.3 Exchange in Indian Ocean

Spread of Islam

Muslim merchants and missionaries spread Islam to coastal regions, integrating trade networks with religion and creating Muslim diasporic communities

Specialized products

Luxury goods like spices, cotton textiles, porcelain, and precious metals traded across Indian Ocean routes

Indian Ocean slave trade

Slaves from East Africa transported to Middle East, India, and other regions; some served as soldiers or in domestic work

Monsoon winds

Seasonal wind patterns that traders learned to predict, allowing reliable navigation and trade schedules

Maritime technology

Advances such as the astrolabe, magnetic compass, and larger ships (like the dhow and junk) that made ocean trade safer and faster

Malacca

Powerful Southeast Asian city-state that controlled the Strait of Malacca, prospering from taxing trade passing through

Gujarat

Indian Rajput kingdom that became a major trade center for textiles and exported goods to the Indian Ocean network

Diasporic communities

Merchant communities (Muslim, Chinese, Jewish) who settled in port cities and spread culture, language, and religion

Swahili city-states

City-states on East African coast that thrived on Indian Ocean trade, exporting gold, ivory, and slaves

Zheng He

Chinese Muslim admiral who led massive Ming treasure voyages, promoting Chinese power and expanding maritime trade connection