Dhow Cultures of the Indian Ocean Abdul Sheriff

Why do many people perceive the ocean as a barrier, a ‘desert’?

Because they see it as the end of the world, when in reality, it has historically been a doorstep to opportunities for trade and interaction.

How much of the world's population lives near the sea?

50% of the world's population lives within 50 miles of the sea, yet most historians focus on land-based histories.

What major contribution did historian Fernand Braudel make to the historiography of the sea?

He dissected history into different planes or levels of time, allowing historians to study history beyond immediate events.

What are the three levels of history according to Braudel?

History based on individuals and events (short-term, political and economic events), History based on conjunctures (medium-term social structures and changes), History based on the longue durée (long-term social and cultural trends over centuries).

What is the advantage of the longue durée approach?

It shifts focus from short-term events to long-term cultural and economic trends, providing a more comprehensive understanding of history.

Why must all three levels of history be considered together?

To form a complete historiography, as focusing on one level alone gives an incomplete picture of historical developments.

According to K.N. Chaudhuri, when did the Indian Ocean economy begin to develop, and why?

In the 7th century AD, due to the collapse of the Roman Empire, the rise of Islam which expanded trade networks, and the reunification of China, strengthening connections between East and West.

Was the Indian Ocean economy capitalist in nature?

Not initially, but it became capitalist under the British, Dutch, and French East India Companies.

What happened to the Portuguese in the Indian Ocean trade system?

They were eventually displaced by the more dominant British, Dutch, and French colonial enterprises.

How does Sheriff use the term Mare Liberum?

The Indian Ocean was largely free of centralized control, unlike European-controlled waters, allowing small port city-states to thrive.

How did the Chinese and Portuguese behave differently in the Indian Ocean?

China engaged in short-term naval expeditions but withdrew, while Portugal sought military and colonial control over Indian Ocean trade routes.

What are the four major civilizations encompassing the Indian Ocean according to Chaudhuri?

Irano-Arabic (Middle Eastern influence), Hindu (Indian influence), Chinese (East Asian influence), Indonesian (Southeast Asian influence).

What is a littoral society?

A society located along a coastline that engages in both maritime and inland trade.

What is the relationship between littoral societies and the hinterland?

Littoral societies connect the sea with inland regions and act as mediators between different economies and cultures.

How does Braudel describe maritime frontiers?

Instead of one frontier, there are many overlapping frontiers: political, economic, and cultural.

How does Sheriff address piracy in the Indian Ocean?

Piracy was a common part of the economic system, not just an outlaw activity.

What is the difference between piracy and privateering?

Pirates are independent raiders while privateers are state-sanctioned pirates.

Why do some historians claim that the Indian Ocean became an ‘Islamic Lake’?

Because Islam provided a common cultural and economic network, facilitating trade, law, and diplomacy.

What examples of cultural fusion exist in the Indian Ocean?

The Swahili Coast, Hadhramis (Yemenis in India/Southeast Asia), and Mappilas of Kerala.

What are the two defining aspects of maritime societies?

They enable exchanges and link overseas connections with the hinterland.

Why is it a distortion to think of maritime societies as either land-based or sea-based?

Because they exist in both realms, bridging connections between interior regions and the ocean.

Why are littoral societies crucial for economic interaction?

They act as intermediaries, facilitating trade, migration, and cultural exchange.

What percentage of the world’s population lives along the Indian Ocean rim today?

One-third of the world’s population.

What are the Two Monsoons that shaped Indian Ocean trade?

Summer Monsoon (May – September) allows ships to sail to India; Winter Monsoon (November – March) allows ships to return.

Why were monsoon winds essential for Indian Ocean trade?

They provided predictable sailing routes, enabling efficient long-distance trade.

How did monsoons contribute to the development of maritime trade networks?

They allowed for seasonal migrations, helped establish permanent settlements, and fostered cultural and economic integration.