Trading World of the Indian Ocean,1500-1800, 1/e

The Trading World of the Indian Ocean, 1500—1800 is a comprehensive examination of the development of the maritime trade routes that ultimately placed India firmly at the forefront of the international commodity market. This collection of essays demonstrates how India changed dramatically over such a short period of time from an isolated society to a battleground for the expansionist ambitions of European colonial powers. It also outlines the more organic growth of trade routes connecting India with its geographical neighbours, such as China, Indonesia and the east coast of Africa.


The essays offer a wide. array of perspectives on this seminal era in Indian history, covering not just the economic and historical implications but also the social, cultural and political effects engendered by the opening up of the Indian Coastline to external influences. Individually, each essay can be taken as a micro-study of one aspect of trade in the Indian Ocean and the volume as a whole provides a panoptic portrayal of the momentous and far-reaching changes to Indian society as a result of the growth of marine interest in the region.


The book is divided into nine sections, which focus on the situation along the Indian coast before European influence; the arrival of the Portuguese; the countries and continents that also border the Indian Ocean; the influence of the Armenians; Asian shipbuilding methods; and the hardships of life at sea. Drawing from empirical case studies based on primary archival research and broad surveys, these essays open up the pre-colonial period for further scrutiny and setup a conversation with existing debates on issues such as the impact of early colonialism and the Indian economy. The rich discourse on the trading networks in the Indian Ocean region make this volume invaluable for students and scholars of Asian history, economics, sociology and culture studies, as well as for general readers interested in intercultural exchanges and overseas trade.